Non-polar Extracts Research Articles

Short Communication: Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of tree fern Cyathea contaminans

Abstract. Faizal A, Taufik I, Rchman AF, Azar AWP. 2020. Short Communication: Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of tree fern Cyathea contaminans. Biodiversitas 21: 2201-2205. Cyathea contaminans (Wall. ex Hook) Copel is a tree fern used in traditional practices as herbal remedies to treat different kinds of diseases. To explore its further medicinal uses, we designed a study to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of polar and non-polar extracts of this fern. The fern leaves (mature fronds), young fronds, and hairs were collected from Tangkuban Perahu Nature Park, West Java, Indonesia, and were extracted by methanol 80% or n-hexane. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay, whereas antibacterial activity was measured by growth inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Results showed that methanol extract from mature leaves (fronds) exhibits weak to very strong antioxidant activities (IC50 37.13-225.19 µg/mL), whilst hairs and young fronds showed weak activities, i.e. IC50 179.50-255.49 µg/mL and IC50 544.27->2000 µg/mL, respectively. Hexane fraction from fronds was active against E. coli and S. aureus (43.92% and 46.8%), and from hairs against E. coli (48.1%) in concentration of 250 µg/mL. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated that active compounds from fronds extract were dominated by 2H-tetrazole, 5-(thiophen-2yl) methyl (14,29 %), 2-thiophene acetic acid, 2-methyl phenyl ester (14,54%), and phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl ethyl)-4-methyl (10.54%). This study concluded that mature leaves (fronds) of C. contaminans is the potential to be used as antioxidant and antibacterial agents.

Evaluation of Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Capacities of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach) Extracts

Medicinal plants are valuable natural sources for the development of potentially safe drugs. The biological activities associated with these plants are due to the presence of certain phytochemicals that act individually or synergistically. Thus, this study examined the phytochemical components, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of n-hexane, ethylacetate and methanolic extracts of Pennisetum purpureum (Schumach). Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical assays of P. purpureum showed the presence of alkaloids (0.004%), saponins (0.002%), flavonoids (0.021%), steroids, terpenoids and glycosides (0.008%). Methanol, n-hexane and ethylacetate extracts of P. purpureum were examined for antimicrobial activity using the disc diffusion method. Six microbial strains were exposed to six different concentrations of each extracts; 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml, 12.5 mg/ml and 6.25 mg/ml. The three extracts demonstrated varied concentration-dependent antimicrobial activities against the test organisms. The methanolic extract showed antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, B. cereus and antifungal activity against T. mentagrophyte and A. niger. Among all extracts, the methanolic extract of P. purpureum exhibited relatively strong antifungal activity against A. niger (10.3±0.12 mm) when compared to the standard antifungal agent, fluconazole (13.9±0.12 mm). Furthermore, antioxidant activities were spectrophotometrically studied using vitamin C as standard; methanol and ethylacetate extracts of P. purpureum showed pronounced scavenging activity on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); and had a potent reductive ability on ferric ion and phosphomolybdate. However, only the non-polar extract of P. purpureum showed a non-significant correlation and significant differences when compared to vitamin C. Antioxidant activities of the plant extracts were observed in the order of methanol >ethylacetate> n-hexane extracts. The results showed that P. purpureum contains phytochemicals that significantly contributed to the observed antimicrobial and antioxidant abilities of the plant and could be used as a potential source for the development of novel therapeutic drugs.

Cytotoxic effect of acetogenins and sesquiterpenes obtained from the Red alga <i>Laurencia majuscula</i>

Purpose: To evaluate the cytotoxicity of n-hexane extract and its metabolites obtained from the red alga, Laurencia majuscula, against three cancer cell lines HCT-116 (colon cancer), PC-3 (prostate cancer) and HepG2 (liver cancer) cells; and to identify the phytochemical compound(s) involved.
 Methods: Solvent extraction, thin layer chromatography, aluminum oxide column chromatography, and preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC) were employed for isolating pure compounds from nhexane extract of Laurencia majuscula. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) measurements were used for structural elucidation of the compounds. The cytotoxicity of the nonpolar extract and isolated compounds were evaluated against HCT, PC-3, and HepG2 cells using MTT assay, relative to the standard cytotoxic drug (cisplatin).
 Results: Three sesquiterpenes (1, 2 and 8), and five acetogenins (3-7) were isolated from the n-hexane extract. The n-hexane extract showed higher potent cytotoxic effect than sesquiterpenes and the acetogenins (3-7).
 Conclusion: These results indicate that the n-hexane extract of Laurencia majuscula exerts significant cytotoxicity against HCT-116, PC-3 and HepG2 cell lines, thus suggesting that the plant extract may be effective chemotherapeutic agents for the management of colon, postrate and liver cancer.
 Keywords: Red Sea alga, Rhodomelaceae, Polyketides, Terpenes, Anticancer

Acute and subchronic toxicity study of nonpolar extract of licorice roots in mice.

Licorice is used as a medicinal plant, and several studies have shown that licorice has beneficial effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of nonpolar licorice extract using toxicity experiments. Nonpolar extract from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (NERG) was analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antioxidant ability was determined by method of TPC and DPPH. Blood pressure was monitored by using blood pressure meter. In the acute study, a single dose (2,000 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice. In the subchronic study, mice were treated with extract at doses (50, 100, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) for 120 days. Significantly difference was not shown at blood pressure, hematological, and biochemical parameters, and histopathology on mice. The results suggested that at acute and subchronic toxicity, each levels of nonpolar licorice extract administration in experiments did not cause toxicity effects or death on mice.

Bark residues valorization potential regarding antioxidant and antimicrobial extracts

Bark residual side streams from industries (Eucalyptus globulus—Eg and Picea abies—Pa) or from control of invasive species in Mediterranean countries (Acacia melanoxylon—Am and Acacia dealbata—Ad) are burned for energy production, although their high content of extractable compounds points to a possible valorization as sources of phytochemicals with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Non-polar and polar extracts were obtained, and their phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, antiquorum sensing and antimicrobial potential against several human pathogenic microbes (nine bacteria and two yeasts) were determined. Extraction yield ranged from 0.5 to 37% of barks dry weight varying with species and solvent used, and both water and ethanol extracts presented strong or very strong scavenging antioxidant ability. Eg and Pa non-polar extracts showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration for gram-positive bacteria (0.04–1.25 mg/mL), while Ad presented the best results among polar extracts regarding bacteria (0.16 mg/mL for K. pneumoniae) and yeast strains (0.02–0.04 mg/mL). Non-polar extracts showed great response against both Candida species (MIC = 0.04–0.63 mg/mL). Each extract had different antimicrobial activity showing that species and solvents can be used to tailor compounds to target specific pathogens. Information regarding these bioactive extracts from residual forest side streams can provide possible utilization routes for natural compounds recovery prior to combustion.

Phytochemical Profiling and Chemical Marker Compounds Identification in Helichrysum caespititium: A Chemometrics and 2D Gas Chromatography Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (GCxGC-TOF-MS) Perspective

Introduction: Helichrysum caespititium is a medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa. Hitherto, only 2 compounds- caespititin and 2-methyl-4-[2’,4’,6’-trihydroxy-3’-(2-methylpropanoyl)-phenyl] but-2-enyl acetate have been reported from this species. Phytochemical profiling of the plant and identification of chemical markers are limited. Objectives: Determining phytochemical profile of H. caespititium and identifying the major marker compounds in its extracts. Methods: A two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOF-MS) was used to analyze H. caespititium extracts (acetone, methanol, and dichloromethane). The marker compounds from the generated phytochemical fingerprints were identified using Column plots and chemometrics orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Polar acetone, methanol, and non-polar dichloromethane extracts were analyzed separately. Results and Discussions: A total of 135 (12 from acetone, 13 from methanol, and 110 from dichloromethane extracts) compounds were identified in H. caespititium. An OPLSDA score plot with R2 = 0.81 grouped the polar compounds into 2 clusters as phenolic and non-phenolic compounds, while a contribution plot from the score plot then nominated benzene[(methoxymethoxy)]methyl, 4-methyl-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)penet- 1-ene, isoeugenol, and 3 4-dihydroxymandelic acid as marker compounds in the polar extracts. In a second plot with R2 = 0.67, the corresponding contribution plot accentuated 2-methyl-5- (fur-3-yl) pent-3-en-2-ol, 3,5-dimethyl-4-heptanone, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dihexyl-1-(4- methylphenyl)-5(2-dimethyl aminothenyl)-1H-tetrazole, and 3,5-dimethyl-4-heptanone as the marker compounds in the dichloromethane extract. Conclusion: This study recommends the use of the marker compounds as quality standard of raw materials and commercial products containing extracts or other forms of the South African H. caespititium.

Extraction of Phytochemical Compounds of Leea guineensis (G. Don) Leaves Using Non-polar and Polar Solvents

Aims: Selection of a suitable solvent is important and utilized in the extraction of desirable chemical components in medicinal plants.
 Study Design: Chemical analysis of various extracts of Leea guineensis leaves using standard analytical procedures.
 Place and Duration of Study: Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, between March 2019 and August 2019.
 Methodology: Leaves of Leea guineensis were extracted with six solvents categorized into polar (Acetone, Methanol and Aqueous) and non-polar (Ethyl acetate, Hexane and Chloroform) types using cold maceration method, the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical assay was done on the respective extracts using the standard methods.
 Results: Phytochemical screening of the non-polar solvent extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins for all the solvents, while tannin was present only in ethyl acetate extract. For the polar solvent extracts, all the secondary metabolites determined were present except terpenoids and phlobatanins. In the quantitative test, alkaloid levels ranged from 1.31-38.25 mg/100 g, saponin: 2.01-14.35 mg/100 g, flavonoids: 1.10-6.25 mg/100 g, Tannin: ND-4.62 mg/100 g, terpenoids: ND-1.02 mg/100 g, cardiac glycosides: ND-0.84 mg/100 g, Anthraquinone: ND-2.58 mg/100 g and phlobatanins: ND-0.95. The results obtained for each of the phytochemicals are significantly different (p<0.05) across all the solvent extracts, while phytochemicals such as terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones and phlobatanins were not detected in the non-polar solvent extract of L. guineensis.
 Conclusion: The phytochemical constituents detected in varying quantities depend on the polarity of the substances, L. guineensis could be exploited and extracted very well using a polar solvent like methanol, acetone and aqueous.

Correlation between Antibacterial Activity and Free-Radical Scavenging: In-Vitro Evaluation of Polar/Non-Polar Extracts from 25 Plants

Objectives: The current study aimed to measure the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of 25 wild Palestinian edible plants, which were subjected to extraction by polar and non-polar solvents. Correlations between free radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activity of the extracts were assessed for both polar and non-polar fractions. Materials: Twenty-five wild edible plant species that are frequently consumed by people in Palestine (mainly in a rural area) were examined. Among them, 10 plant species were among those with the highest mean cultural importance values, according to an ethnobotanical survey that was conducted in the West Bank, Palestine, a few years ago. Method: The protocol of the DPPH assay for testing free-radical scavenging was utilized for determining EC50 values, while microdilution tests were conducted to determine the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the extracts for the microorganism Staphylococcus mutans. Results and Discussion: Eight extracts (non-polar fractions) were found to possess an antibacterial IC50 of less than 20 ppm, such as Foeniculum vulgare, Salvia palaestinafruticose, Micromeria fruticose, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cichorium pumilum jacq, Salvia hierosolymitana boiss, Ruta chalepensis, and Chrysanthemum coronarium. The polar fractions possess higher antioxidant activity, while non-polar fraction possess higher antibacterial activity. Looking at all the results together can deceive and lead to the conclusion that there is no correlation between antibacterial activity against S. mutans and free radical scavenging (R2 equals 0.0538). However, in-depth analysis revealed that non-polar plant extracts with an EC50 of free radical scavenging ≤100 ppm have a four-fold order of enrichment toward more activity against S. mutans. These findings are of high importance for screening projects. A four-fold order of enrichment could save plenty of time and many in screening projects. The antibacterial active extracts marked by low-medium free radical scavenging might act through a mechanism of action other than that of highly active, free radical scavenging extracts. Conclusion: The screening of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity performed on 25 selected wild plant extracts revealed a satisfactory free radical scavenging and antimicrobial potential that could be of value in the management of oxidative stress. Further studies are recommended to explore novel and highly active natural antibacterial products.

NOVEL APPLICATION OF TRICHILIA HEUDELOTII PLANCH: EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT POLARITY OF ORGANIC SOLVENTS OF LEAF AND STEM BARK EXTRACTS ON THE CONTROL OF COWPEA BEETLE

Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea beetle) is a field-to-store pest causing over 90% losses of cowpea. The search for new plant-derived crop protectant that can be explored as alternative to synthetic pesticides is urgently needed. Thus, the phytochemical screening, as well as the bioactivity of different polarity of organic solvents of leaf and stembark extracts of Trichilia heudelotii (Meliaceae), was investigated against the field-to-store insect pest Callosobruchus maculatus in laboratory bioassay. The non-polar (hexane) and polar (ethanol) extracts [0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml] of the leaf and stem bark were added to 100 g of cowpea. The following parameters of the cowpea weevil life cycle were analysed at the various concentrations: adult mortality, oviposition rate, number of larvae and pupae, and emergence of first filial progeny. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins in both the non-polar and polar extracts. Furthermore, the various treatments used were significantly (p< 0.05) effective in controlling C. maculatus from 1 and also 30 days after treatment (DAT) for both the non-polar and polar extracts when compared to the control. However, the most effective treatment was observed with the polar (EtOH) stem bark extract at 1.5 ml, which caused more mortalities and fewer emergence of the insect. Our findings suggest that the non-polar and polar leaf and stem bark of T. heudelotii extracts could serve as a sustainable and potential alternative to synthetic chemicals in pest control.

GC-MS-Based Metabolomic Profiles Combined with Chemometric Tools and Cytotoxic Activities of Non-Polar Leaf Extracts of Spondias mombin L. and Spondias tuberosa Arr. Cam.

Agroindustrial residues, such as leaves of fruit plants, can be sources of bioactive molecules, thus adding value to co-products that are rarely explored in agroindustry. In this context, this study aimed to look into the phytochemical profiles in detail and to explore the antitumor potential of S. tuberosa and S. mombin leaves. We observed that, S. tuberosa leaf extract was cytotoxic in both tumor and healthy cells. S. mombin extracts selectively inhibited cell proliferation in the tumor cell line for prostate cancer (PC3) and did not significantly affect healthy cells. The metabolic profiles of the extracts were evaluated by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and twenty-three metabolites were identified. The correlation of metabolic profiles with cytotoxic tests indicated possible chemical markers that may be responsible for the inhibition of cell proliferation. This study revealed that the unexplored co-products in agroindustry may have great therapeutic potential, and therefore should be screened for biologically active compounds.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils and Hexane Extract of Onopordum arenarium from Tunisia

In the present study, volatile oils from Onopordum arenarium fresh flowers and stems were obtained by hydrodistillation and the non-polar aerial part hexane extract was prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. The constituents of different organs were identified for the first time by gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. A total of 29 and 25 compounds were identified constituting over 91.6 and 89.2% of the whole constituents from flower and stem volatile oils, respectively. Both organs were constituted mainly of long-chain hydrocarbons (23.3-36.4%) followed by oxygenated long-chain hydrocarbons (31.5-33.8%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (14.4-6.6%). The major identified compound was palmitic acid [25.5% in O. arenarium flower essential oil (EO) and 28.7% in the stem EO]. Eighteen compounds representing 80.7% of the whole constituents were identified in the n-hexane extract, which was characterized by high amounts of triterpenoids (39.6%) and dominated by lupeol acetate (19.2%) and β-amyrin acetate (10.1%). Moreover, all extracts were evaluated for antioxidant potential using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assay. The obtained results demonstrated that the EOs and the hexane extract could be a new source of natural potentially bioactive molecules.

Process optimization for microwave assisted extraction of Foeniculum vulgare Mill using response surface methodology

Present study was aimed to optimize the microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of phytochemicals from Foeniculum vulgare Mill and its comparison with other conventional extraction methods. Biological activities of polar and nonpolar extracts (from MAE, Soxhlet and cold maceration) were also compared. For this purpose, seed powder of Foeniculum vulgare Mill was extracted by Microwave assisted extraction (MAE), Soxhlet extraction (SE) and Cold maceration (CM) using water as a solvent. MAE conditions (power level, time of microwave irradiation and particle size of plant matrix) for maximum phenolic content from F. vulgare, were optimized using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology. Thereafter, antioxidant activities and reducing power of all extracts was analyzed and compared. Nonpolar fractions of extracts were analysed with GCMS. Results showed that MAE gave higher extracts from F. vulgare in 4 min as compared to 20 and 24 h of SE and CM respectively. MAE extracted smaller particle size (40 µ) more efficiently while extraction yield of other two techniques was not significantly affected by particle size of seed powder. Optimal extraction conditions were found to be 600 W, 3 min and 80 µm of particle size. Antioxidant potential of MAE extracts was also higher (75.5%), comparable to the standard antioxidants used. Extracts were then fractionated into chloroform and n-hexane fractions and were subjected to GCMS analysis and antibacterial activity. On comparison it was concluded that both the fractions of MAE gave the maximum variety of nonpolar constituents and enhanced antibacterial activity. MAE proved to be a rapid and energy efficient method for plant based extractions for polar as well as non-polar components from F. vulgare without affecting their biological activities. In conventional herbal industry, MAE protocols can replace maceration and SE, to save time, energy and cost as well. This will also reduce the final cost of the medicine at consumer level

In Vitro Antidiabetic, Anti-Obesity and Antioxidant Analysis of Ocimum basilicum Aerial Biomass and in Silico Molecular Docking Simulations with Alpha-Amylase and Lipase Enzymes.

The present study explored phytochemicals, porcine pancreatic α-amylase (PPA) and lipase (PPL) inhibitory activities and antioxidant potential of polar and nonpolar extracts of the leaves and flowers of Ocimum basilicum and the in-silico mode of interaction between these enzymes and the major chemical constituents of the herb. The hexane extract (HE) and hydro-ethanolic extract (EE) obtained sequentially were used to estimate PPA and PPL inhibitory and antioxidant activities, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Chemical constituents of the essential oils and HE were determined by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). For PPA inhibition, IC50 (µg/mL) of the extracts were 0.27–0.37, which were close to 0.24 of acarbose, while for PPL inhibition, IC50 (µg/mL) of the extracts were 278.40–399.65, and that of Orlistat 145.72. The flowers EE was most potent antioxidant followed by leaves EE. The leaves EE had highest TPC and TFC followed of flowers EE. The essential oil of flowers had higher estragole (55%) than linalool (37%), while the essential oil of the leaves had higher linalool (42%) than estragole (38%). The HE of the flowers contained higher estragole (42%) than linalool (23%), while of the HE of the leaves too had higher estragole (65%) than linalool (18%). The in-silico molecular docking study showed linalool and estragole to have considerable PPA and PPL binding potential, which were further investigated through molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations. The PPA and PPL inhibitory activities of O. basilicum extracts and their notable antioxidant potential propose the herb as a multi-target complimentary medicine for diabetes, obesity and oxidative stress.

Quality screening of the Lagos lagoon sediment by assessing the cytotoxicity and toxicological responses of rat hepatoma H4IIE and fish PLHC-1 cell-lines using different extraction approaches

In this study, sediment samples from Makoko and Ikorodu sites of the Lagos lagoon (Nigeria) were screened for toxicological responses on mammalian and fish cell lines using different extraction methods. Rat hepatoma H4IIE and fish PLHC-1 cell-lines were exposed to serial dilutions of the elutriate, polar and non-polar extracts. We evaluated exposed cells for cytotoxicity and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated toxicity. Cells exposed to polar and water extracts from Makoko and Ikorodu showed viability percentage of >80% at 48 h. On the other hand, exposure to the non-polar extracts exhibited cell viability of 50–60% at all tested dilutions. For both cell lines, a significant concentration-dependent induction of cyp1a mRNA was observed after exposure to the different extracts from both sites. Interestingly, the extracts affected functional enzymes differently for both cell lines. For H4IIE cells, while EROD activity paralleled cyp1a mRNA expression patterns, MROD showed significant concentration-specific reduction in cells exposed to polar and water extracts. On the contrary, while the MROD activity paralleled cyp1a mRNA, EROD activity was significantly inhibited in PLHC-1 cells exposed to water-, polar and non-polar extracts from both sites. These observations paralleled sediments PAH contamination burden from the study sites as revealed by co-relation analysis. In conclusion, although the different extracts did not exert high cytotoxic effects (except the non-polar) at the tested concentrations, they significantly modulated phase I biotransformation responses, showing that the studied sediments contain complex chemical mixture in the different extracts, with potential for overt physiological and general health consequences.

Therapeutic Potency of the Polar and Non-Polar Extracts of Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Against some Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates

Therapeutic Potency of the Polar and Non-Polar Extracts of Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Against some Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates

Therapeutic Potency of the Polar and Non-Polar Extracts of Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Against some Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates

Therapeutic Potency of the Polar and Non-Polar Extracts of Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Against some Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates

Addition of a surfactant to water increases the acaricidal activity of extracts of some plant species used to control ticks by Zimbabwean smallholder farmers

BackgroundMany studies have revealed that bioactive compounds for different indications are not extracted from plants with water, the only extractant practically available to rural communities. We compared the acaricidal activity of acetone extracts of 13 species used traditionally to protect cattle against ticks. We also investigated if the extraction of biologically active compounds against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus ticks could be enhanced by adding a liquid soap that is locally available to smallholder farmers.MethodsA total of 13 plant species selected based on reported traditional use in Zimbabwe, were dried and finely ground before extraction with water, or water plus a surfactant, or acetone. The adapted Shaw Larval Immersion Test (SLIT) method was used to determine the activity of acetone and crude water extracts with or without liquid soap against the tick larvae. The activity of four fractions of crude acetone extracts (extracted using solvents of different polarity), of the most active plant species, Maerua edulis (tuber and leaf) was also compared to identify the most active fraction.ResultsAqueous plant extracts were not toxic to ticks, but the addition of 1% liquid soap as a surfactant increased mortality of the R. (B) decoloratus larvae significantly. With the Maerua edulis tuber extract, the efficacy of the 1% liquid soap was comparable to that of the amitraz based commercial synthetic acaricide. The use of acetone as an extractant, also increased the mortality of the tick larvae in all the plant species. With M. edulis (tuber and leaf), Monadenium lugardae and Kleinia sp. acetone extracts, the activity was comparable to that of the positive control (a commercially available amitraz-based synthetic acaricide). The non-polar fractions of the acetone extract of leaf and tuber of M. edulis caused up to 100% mortality. This indicates that non-polar to intermediate polarity compounds are responsible for the acaricidal activity.ConclusionOrganic solvents such as acetone extracted active compounds but water did not. By adding commonly available dishwashing soap to water active compounds were extracted leading to a high acaricidal activity of the plant extracts. In some cases, it was as active as non-polar extracts and a synthetic commercial acaricide (positive control). This approach makes it possible for the smallholder farmers and traditional healers to extract biologically active compounds from plants by using water.

Toxicity study on clinacanthus nutans leaf extract using danio rerio embryos

Plants are believed to have various medicinal benefits from their constituents, but they might also give toxic effects to the human's body. Clinacanthus nutans that belongs to Acanthaceae family, which has been reported to have an antidiabetic and antioxidant effect. The study has been done to determine the toxic level and the lethal concentration of non-polar extract of C. nutans leaves using zebrafish embryos. Crude extract of 80% methanolic solution was further partitioned to obtain the n-hexane fraction. Upon spawning and fertilization, the eggs were collected, transferred into a 96-well plate, and incubated with the n-hexane fraction at different concentrations ranging from 15.63-500 µg/ml prepared in 2% DMSO. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was calculated to be 75.49 µg/mL using probit analysis. The reading is considered toxic to the embryos. The heartbeat rate was measured using DanioScope software, and the mortality and survival rate were assessed by microscopic observation at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-fertilization. Some of the morphological defects observed include less pigmentation, crooked backbone, dented tail, and oedema. The n-hexane fraction's profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis showed the presence of some fatty acids, organic acid, and sterols, which is known to be toxic in synergism.

Non-polar and polar chemical profiling of six Casearia species (Salicaceae)

Six species of Casearia (C. decandra, C. grandiflora, C. javitensis, C. arborea, C. lasiophylla and C. ulmifolia) were chemically investigated in their non-polar and polar constituents. To this purpose, leaf extracts were analyzed by Gas- (GC) and Liquid-Chromatography (LC) coupled with Mass Spectrometry (MS). Twenty compounds, mainly identified as terpenes, fatty acids and hydrocarbons, and differentially expressed in the six species, were detected in the non-polar extracts. Fourteen compounds, among which glycosylated flavonoids and clerodane-type diterpenes, were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS analysis in the leaf ethanol extracts.

Phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of two kinds of Sabah Zingberaceae

Free radical is a byproducts of biochemical processes that happen in human body. In order to overcome this free radicals damage, antioxidant functions as a molecule that would interact safely to free radicals and terminate the current reaction before further damage is happening. Two choices of antioxidants are available which are natural and synthetic but natural are more preferable because synthetic might cause toxicity and higher cost. The common natural source of antioxidants are medicinal plants and herbs. Due to this, two medicinal plants, Alpinia galangal and Kaempferia galanga, from Zingiberaceae family is chosen to study the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of different crude extracts; hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol, from dried rhizomes. These two species of Zingberaceae were collected specifically in Beaufort, Sabah. The crude extracts were obtained by maceration process by using low polarity to high polarity solvent. Phytochemical studies were done. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined by using DPPH assay and Agar Disc-Diffusion assay, respectively. Results for phytochemical screening for both plants shows that methanol extracts has the following phytochemical properties; saponins, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, steroid and terpenoid. All of the crude extract tested showed that absorbance increase in accordance with the increasing of sample concentration. Both of the plant shows the antioxidant activity as follow order of crude extract: methanol > ethyl acetate > hexane. Four bacteria strain has been tested for antibacterial activity for both plants which are S. aureus, B, Cereus, S. thyphimurium and V. Cholerae. For both plant, the non-polar extracts (hexane) exhibits greater antibacterial activity than that of polar extracts (ethyl acetate). However, there was no antibacterial activity observed in methanol extract for both plant. Overall, A. galanga and K. galanga could serve as potential sources of antibacterial and antioxidant agents