Phytochemical Characterization Research Articles

Exploitation of red beet peel powder as a natural food ingredient in whey-fruit based beverage

ABSTRACT Scientists and food producers are studying the potential of utilizing different by-products as highly nutritious food components to meet consumers’ growing demand for healthier and natural goods. Beetroot belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is highly rich in antioxidants, specifically phenolics and betalains with excellent health properties. The peel of red beetroot, which is generally discarded, has a high concentration of bioactive phytochemicals (betalains, dietary fibers). These compounds are well-known for their strong antioxidant effects, improving cardiovascular health, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing immunological function. Incorporating red beetroot peel (RBP) powder into whey-fruit-based beverages is a promising method to improve nutritional content and sensory attractiveness. This study investigated the influence of adding RBP to whey-fruit-based beverages, specifically examining its effects on physicochemical and phytochemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity, color, microbiological, and rheological attributes, and consumer preference. The RBP extract exhibited high amounts of total polyphenols (1239.35 ± 0.51 mg GAE/100 g dw) and antioxidant activity (90.02 ± 0.22%). The findings indicated that RBP had a notable impact on the antioxidant capacity (16.38 ± 0.37 μmol TE/g dw for BRBP1, 26.69 ± 0.10 μmol TE/g dw for BRBP3, 36.75 ± 0.31 μmol TE/g dw for BRBP6) of the beverages and enhanced their color without negatively impacting their sensory characteristics. The dynamic oscillatory rheological measurements revealed that beverage supplementation with increasing amounts of RBP obtained stronger networks with solid-like viscoelastic behavior. Using RBP powder as a natural food ingredient in whey-fruit-based beverages enhances their nutritional value and promotes sustainable food processing by making use of by-products from the food industry into innovative food options.

Phytochemical Composition and Characterization of In Vitro Bioactivities from Pinus Using Green Process.

Pinus species are notable in Mediterranean regions due to their ecological and economic importance. Various parts of these species are widely used in traditional medicine, especially pinecones, which are a significant source of bioactive compounds. The current study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and biological properties of the aqueous extracts obtained by maceration from three Pinus petal fractions, from P. halepensis Mill., P. brutia Ten., and P. pinea L. (APW, BPW, and PPW respectively), and the core fractions of the same species (ACW, BCW, and PCW respectively). The results showed that APW demonstrated superior performance compared to other species and fractions (p ≤ 0.05), with the highest total polyphenol content (203.51 mg GAE/g DW) and the highest antioxidant potential (IC50 = 13.51 µg/mL) against DPPH free radical. All extracts showed high anticancer activity against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines, and low inhibition against HEK-293, a normal cell line (<15%), indicating that none of extracts have any toxicity effect. Furthermore, only APW exhibits a significant inhibition against α-glucosidase with 77.20% at 50 µg/mL. HPLC-DAD analysis was conducted to identify 14 compounds. GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify 28 compounds, of which 11 were detected for the first time in this species. This study offers valuable insights into phytochemistry and potential therapeutic applications of pinecones.

“Deterioration” and “aging” can modify or breakdown the phytochemical and biochemical characteristics of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), although their effects differ

Deterioration of medicinal plant and herb's spices seeds has two important aspects; its impact on viability and its influence on food and medicine feedstock. So, in this study was investigated of phytochemical and biochemical composition of green cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) were evaluated under natural seed storage (NSS) for one and two years and accelerated seed aging process (ASA) for 24, 48, 72 and 96h. Oil percent declined by prolonging ageing duration. The highest amount was measured in control (21.60 %) and the lowest amounts in 2Y NSS (17.83 %) and 96h ASA (15.83 %). There was no significant difference among all treatments in unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) terms, yet percent of saturated fatty acids (SFA) rose by severe ageing condition. Among fatty acids, NSS had a strong correlation with oleic acid (C18:1) (R2 = 0.99 %), while ASA was correlation with stearic acid (C18:0) (R2 = 84 %). Total phenolic content, and under severe ageing were found in cumin. In the oil and essential oil (EO), DPPH showed an ascending trend in NSS treatments and a descending trend in ASA treatments. Additionally, the maximum IC50 was observed in the oil treatment, being approximately 8.6 times higher than that of the EO. 85 %–90 % of the EO compounds present in all treatments consisted of Myrcene, p-Cymene, Cumin aldehyde, and γ-Terpinene-7-al. NSS led to a significant increase in Cumin aldehyde (R2 = 0.99), indicating that enhancing the aroma of green cumin is subject to a period of cumin fruit storage. Finally, it is concluded that ASA can simulate NSS induced changes in oil content, EO components and antioxidant capacity.

Comparative Anatomical, Histochemical, and Phytochemical Characterization of Species of the Genus Cucumis L.

Cucumis anguria L. and Cucumis dipsaceus Ehrenb. ex Spach belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and are popularly known as "maxixe." In folk medicine, they are used to treat pneumonia, hyperglycemia, wounds, and malaria. This study aims to characterize the anatomy, histochemistry, and phytochemistry of C. anguria and C. dipsaceus. Conventional methods in plant anatomy and microscopy were used to prepare and analyze semi-permanent slides containing cross-sections of the stem, petiole, leaves, and paradermal sections of the leaf blade. For the histochemical analysis, different reagents were used according to the target metabolite. Phytochemical tests of methanolic extracts of leaves were performed by thin-layer chromatography. The microscopic analysis allowed obtaining the differentiation of plant cells, the presence of tector and glandular trichomes, in addition to showing anatomical traits such as stem shape, petiole shape, and organization of the mesophyll. Histochemistry showed the presence of alkaloids, starch, phenolic compounds, lipophilic compounds, lignin, and tannins. Phytochemical prospection identified monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, steroids, alkaloids, and reducing sugars. The obtained results provide important information for quality control and species differentiation since there are few studies in the literature on these species.

GC-MS-employed Phytochemical Characterization and Anticancer, Antidiabetic, and Antioxidant Activity Screening of Lagerstroemia Thorelli.

Lagerstroemia thorelli (L. thorelli) is a member of the Lythraceae family and has not been previously researched. Thus, this study aimed to investigate its unexplored potential and identify novel therapeutic prospects. This research evaluated antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic potentials along with compound characterization of the ethanolic leaf extract of L. thorelli. The antioxidant potential was assessed using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging assays, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) determination, antidiabetic property was assessed using α-amylase inhibition, and the cytotoxic effect was examined on HeLa and Vero cells using MTT colorimetric assay. Chemical characterization was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The findings demonstrated strong antioxidant, strong antidiabetic, and moderate cytotoxic activities. Comprehensive phytochemical analysis revealed its abundance in flavonoids, phenols/phenolics, tannins, glycosides, steroids, resin, etc. GC-MS analysis of the L. thorelli extract identified 80 important compounds including cis-11-eicosenamide, beta-D-glucopyranoside, methyl-, alpha-D-glucopyranoside, methyl-, phthalic acid, gamma-sitosterol, phytol, silicic acid, squalene, butanoic acid, cyclobarbital, etc. which are well-documented for their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. Thus, it can be inferred that L. thorelli could hold new promises in treating diseases like diabetes and free radical-induced conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases.

Changes in Postharvest Quality and Physiological Attributes of Strawberry Fruits Influenced by L‐Phenylalanine

ABSTRACTStrawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a popular fruit with rich nutrients and a delicious taste. But this fruit is very vulnerable to diseases and decay. Therefore, L‐phenylalanine (Phe) (0, 4, 8 mM) was considered to improve biochemical characteristics and activity of antioxidant enzymes in strawberry fruit cv. Sabrina under cold storage (5, 10, 15 days). After treatment and storage, traits including weight loss, total phenol (TP), antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, total anthocyanin (TA), total flavonoid (TF), malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble protein content and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) were evaluated at 5‐day intervals. Our findings showed that the treatment of L‐phenylalanine in different concentrations prevented the weight loss of the fruit compared to the control and maintained and increased TP, antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, TA, TF, soluble protein and SOD, CAT, APX, POD, and PAL enzymes activity. Also, Phe decreased the MDA content and peroxidation of lipid. The results showed that 4 mM Phe is the best treatment for improving phytochemical characteristics and maintaining fruit quality. The findings indicated that Phe treatment may be useful to improve quality and increase postharvest shelf life in strawberry fruits.

Phytochemical characterization and therapeutic potential of leaf of Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC.: A comprehensive study on functional groups and bioactive compounds.

BackgroundEmilia sonchifolia (L.) DC is an annual herbaceous plant used in the Ayurveda and Unani therapeutic systems. It treats various conditions such as diarrhea, sore throat, night blindness, rashes, fever, measles, earache, eye inflammation, ophthalmia, asthma, malaria, stomach tumors, chest pain, liver diseases, cuts, and wounds. PurposeThis study aimed to assess the functional groups and bioactive compounds present in the leaves of E. sonchifolia using FT-IR and GC-MS analyses and explore their antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer effects. Materials and methodsDifferent leaf extracts of E. sonchifolia were subjected to Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses to determine the presence of functional groups and for chemical characterization. Biological evaluations such as antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS assays) and antidiabetic (α-amylase enzyme inhibition and glucose uptake using yeast cell assays) and anticancer (HepG2 cell lines) potentials were also analyzed. ResultsFT-IR analysis revealed the presence of various functional groups such as amines, alcohols, alkanes, alkenes, halo compounds, aldehydes, sulfates, esters, phenols, and carboxylic acids. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 32 bioactive compounds in different leaf extracts. Among the extracts, petroleum ether (16) contained the highest number of chemical compounds, followed by ethanol (14), chloroform (9), and acetone (4). Lanosterol was the most significant compound in petroleum ether extract, whereas phytol (44.05 %) in the acetone extract and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid in the chloroform (82.47 %) and ethanol (50.49 %) extracts. The ethanol leaf extract showed the highest antioxidant potential in DPPH (63.38±0.46 µg/mL) and ABTS (60.74±0.59 µg/mL) assays. It also showed better results in antidiabetic activity in both α-amylase enzyme inhibition (135.69±2.08 µg/mL) and glucose uptake using yeast cell (114.37±1.71 µg/mL) assays. Ethanol leaf extract exhibits good anticancer activity with 59.52±0.76 µg/mL against HepG2 cell line. ConclusionFTIR and GC-MS analyses confirmed the presence of bioactive functional groups and phytoconstituents. These results justify the leaves as a traditional remedy in Ayurveda and Unani therapeutic systems. Antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer assays suggested that E. sonchifolia leaves have good antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer potential compared to standards. Further studies are required to identify the chemical compounds responsible for these activities.

Effect of viral-inoculation on the morphology, physiology, and phytochemistry of parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Petroselinum crispum known as parsley is widely used in raw material food and culinary. In this study, the effects of three different viruses, parsley yellow leaf curl virus (PYLCV), sesame curly top virus (SeCTV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), on parsley morphological, physiological, biochemical, and phytochemical characteristics, were investigated. To repeat the entire experiment, the study was conducted over two growing seasons using a completely randomized design. The results showed that all three viruses significantly reduced plant biomass, photosynthesis, greenness, and chlorophyll content. The Fv/Fm ratio, results revealed that PYLCV was more stress-inducing than SeCTV and CMV. Although PYLCV reduced essential oil (EO) content, SeCTV and CMV increased EO content. In addition to changes in all physiological and morphological parameters of parsley during virus-inoculation, the main component of parsley EO, myristicin, ranged from 37% to 73%. These results have profound implications for sustainable viral disease management, emphasizing the importance of understanding virus impacts on important plants to enhance crop resilience and ensure food quality and safety. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing phytochemical production and mitigating the effects of viral infections.

Characterization and evaluation of physicochemical properties, phytochemicals and antimicrobial analysis of coconut oil

Characterization and evaluation of physicochemical properties, phytochemicals and antimicrobial analysis of coconut oil

Phytochemical characterization and valorization of Quercus ilex (west of Algeria)

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;serif&amp;quot;;font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;ABSTRACT&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p style="text-align:justify;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;serif&amp;quot;;font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;" lang="EN-US"&gt;This project is part of the promotion of natural resources such as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP). In order to assess the economic value of NTFP, this research focuses on the phytochemical analysis of holm oak (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;serif&amp;quot;;font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;" lang="EN-US"&gt;Quercus ilex &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;serif&amp;quot;;font-size:12pt;line-height:115%;" lang="EN-US"&gt;L.) from the Terni region (Western Algeria). It focused on bioactive substances, particularly polyphenols. The method used consists of extracting the phenolic compounds by two methods which are maceration and ultrasound from the leaves and bark of this species. The quantity of these compounds is assessed spectrometrically and the antioxidant activity of the extracts in vitro using free radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity assays. The results obtained indicate that maceration offers the best yield for extracting phenolic compounds from the leaves, with a yield of 10.74%. These results also showed that the extracts of holm oak leaves and bark are rich in phenolic compounds and have a content of total phenols (103,014±1,393 and 813.462±1.675 mg EAG/g DM), flavonoids (87.078±6.220 and 949.936±36.394 mg EC/g DM) and condensed tannins (57.194±12.447 and 940.195±20.417 mg EC/g DM). Regarding the antioxidant power, it is evident that all extracts have significant antioxidant capacity, and all have high free radical scavenging activity. The highest inhibition percents are 84.98±7.45% for the leaf extract and 83.15±9.27% for the bark extract. According to these results, holm oak contains a large quantity of polyphenols and antioxidant molecules. This information represents a natural source of antioxidants which remains to be exploited for future use in the agri-food and health sectors, within the broader framework of promoting the biodiversity of Algerian plants (NTFP).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Authentication of Ziziphus lotus Honey from the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco: Physicochemical Properties, Mineral Content, Sugar, Polyphenol Profiles, and Antioxidant Capacity.

The jujube honey from the Moroccan Middle Atlas area is thoroughly described in this study, which takes into account melissopalynological, physicochemical, antioxidant, mineral, and phytochemical characteristics. Twelve samples of jujube honey underwent in-depth analyses between 2019 and 2021. The honey's unifloral origin was confirmed by pollen analysis, which revealed that Ziziphus lotus pollen predominated along with pollen from 21 other species. The honeys meet Codex Alimentarius criteria and displayed a variety of characteristics, including moisture content (13.7% to 18.6%), pH (3.9 to 6.4), electrical conductivity (406 to 713 μs/cm), ash content (0.31 to 1.21%), and the Invertase Index (7.1 to 26.4 U/kg). Hydroxymethylfurfural levels spanned from 1.1 to 40 mg/kg, indicating freshness. No significant differences were observed between honey groups for fructose and glucose profiles determined via GC-MS analysis. The honey samples, which varied in total phenolic content (TPC) from 48.3 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g to 91.8 mg of GAE/100 g, showed strong antioxidant capacity, indicating possible health advantages. This study also revealed principal phenolic substances including gallic acid (1.18 to 6.36 mg/100 g), caffeic acid (0.07 to 3.25 mg/100 g), and p-coumaric acid (0.49 to 5.04 mg/100 g). Next, the bactericidal concentrations and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MBC and MIC) of each jujube honey were additionally examined and compared with two representative bacterial strains species Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium using broth microdilution, with MIC values ranging between 0.03 and 0.3 mg/mL for Listeria monocytogenes and 0.003 to 0.03 mg/mL for Salmonella typhimurium. There is a correlation between various parameters and the monofloral pollen content in honey, as determined by PCA analysis.

The ANTIOXIDANT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS

Phyllanthus amarus is a widely recognized plant that has been traditionally utilized to cure a variety of ailments. The current study explored the phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics of P. amarus methanol extract. Standard procedures were used to analyze: 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) percentage (%) inhibition, lipid peroxidation % inhibition, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). A higher quantity of the plant extract resulted in a greater inhibition of DPPH and lipid peroxidation percentage. The highest DPPH % inhibition (74.4%) and lipid peroxidation % inhibition (83.44%) were at 0.05 mg/ml while the lowest DPPH % inhibition (25.23%) and lipid peroxidation % inhibition (39.11%) was at 0.03 mg/ml (p &lt; 0.05). The most prevalent compound was flavonoid, with a TFC of 460.22 µg/ml while the TPC was 7.428 µg/ml. Owing to its antioxidant and phytochemical qualities, P. amarus methanol extract may potentially find application in medicine.

Exploring dermatological applications of Ammoides pusilla essential oil: evaluation of anti-aging, dermatoprotective and antimicrobial properties against dermatopathogenic microorganisms

The aim of this study was the phytochemical characterization of essential oil extracted from the aerial parts (stems, leaves, and flowers) of Ammoides pusilla (Brot.) Breistr (APEO) by use of GC–MS. Importantly, GC–MS results revealed that APEO oil composed of 10 terpene compounds, of which carvacrol (52.84%), d-limonene (17.78%), β-Cymene (13.18%) and γ-Terpinene (8.46%) predominate. These compounds are recognized for their important biological properties. APEO demonstrated remarkable antimicrobial activity, outperforming positive controls in all cases. Inhibition diameters ranged from 30.20 mm against Candida glabrata to 49.80 mm against Candida albicans, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.25% against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus to 4.00% against Candida glabrata. This antimicrobial efficacy is attributed to the oil's rich bioactive molecules. The essential oil also showed significant dose-dependent inhibition of anti-tyrosinase activity, with IC50 of 29.59 ± 1.89 µg/mL for monophenolase activity and 17.56 ± 0.76 µg/mL for diphenolase activity. At the same time, APEO showed significant inhibition of elastase, with an IC50 of 20.90 ± 3.16 µg/mL. The sun protection factor (SPF) of the essential oil was determined to be 4.323. This SPF value corresponds to an estimated 76.88% effectiveness in blocking UVB radiation. These results suggest that APEO possesses promising dermatoprotective and anti-aging properties. In conclusion, APEO exhibits notable antimicrobial, anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activities, paving the way for new natural therapeutic options for skin problems, with anti-aging and dermatoprotective dermal applications.

Effect of fruit pulp and sugar concentration on the physicochemical, phytochemical and sensory characteristics of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) leather

Starfruit is an underutilized fruit and is rich in vitamin C. Fruit leather from starfruit was prepared in this study and analyses of its physicochemical, phytochemical, and sensory characteristics were performed. Five samples named A, B, C, D and E were prepared with different proportions of fruit pulp:sugar of 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15 and 90:10, respectively. All the prepared samples were subjected to analyses. Phytochemical contents were found to increase with increasing fruit pulp proportion, thus sample E (90:10) was found to be the best in terms of phytochemical content. Similarly, product sample C (80:20) was scored the highest by the panelist in terms of sensory aspect. The best product sample C had total soluble solids (TSS) of 31 ± 2 °Bx, total ash content of 2.482 ± 0.001 %, acid insoluble ash of 1.0013 ± 0.002 %, crude protein of 0.5902 ± 0.004 %, crude fat of 0.3514 ± 0.003 %, crude fiber of 0.8991 ± 0.003 %, carbohydrate of 95.67 ± 0.04 %, vitamin C of 24.24 ± 0.1 mg/100g, total energy of 338.11 ± 0.04 Kcal/100 g, total phenolic content (TPC) of 6.105 ± 0.001 mg GAE/g of dry extract, total flavonoid content (TFC) of 1.125 ± 0.002 mg QE/g of dry extract and DPPH scavenging activity of 27.268 ± 0.001 %. Panelists responded favorably to the prepared product samples.

Phytochemical Screening and Characterization of Volatile Compounds from Three Medicinal Plants with Reported Anticancer Properties Using GC-MS.

Annona senegalensis pers, Sutherlandia frutescens (L.), and Withania somnifera (L.) are abundant plants and widely distributed in the Limpopo, Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, North West and Mpumalanga provinces in South Africa. The three plants are among those used by traditional healers and herbalists in South Africa for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including cancer. The current study aimed at the phytochemical screening and characterization of volatile compounds from the three medicinal plants using GC-MS. The methanol leaf extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening using standard chemical tests to detect the presence of different classes of compounds. Volatile compounds were detected by GC-MS analysis, and detected compounds were identified by comparing the MS spectral data with those of compounds deposited in the NIST Library (NIST08). Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of different secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, quinones, steroids, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, and terpenoids in all plants. GC-MS chromatograms allowed the detection and identification of 19 volatile compounds among the three plants with known bioactivities that are important in the management of life-threatening diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The results confirm the leaves of Annona senegalensis, Sutherlandia frutescens, and Withania somnifera as sources of important phytochemicals and therefore justify their use for the treatment of various diseases by traditional healers.

Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Characterization, and Antioxidant, Protective, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity, of the Polyphenolic Fraction from Ocimum basilicum.

Ocimum basilicum is a valuable plant widely consumed worldwide and considered a rich source of polyphenols. This study examined the impact of the polyphenolic fraction isolated from basil (ObF) on human normal colon epithelial cells and human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, evaluating its anti-inflammatory and protective activity against oxidative stress. The phytochemical characterization of the fraction was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with a photodiode detector (DAD) and mass spectrometry (MS). UPLC-DAD-MS revealed that ObF predominantly contains caffeic acid derivatives, with rosmarinic acid and chicoric acid being the most abundant. The fraction demonstrated high antioxidant potential, as shown by DPPH assays, along with significant reducing power (FRAP). Furthermore, it prevented the depletion of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and catalase, and decreased malonylodialdehyde (MDA) in induced oxidative stress condition. Additionally, it exhibited a significant protective effect against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in human normal colon epithelial cells. Although it had no impact on the viability of adenocarcinoma cells, it significantly reduced IL-1β levels in the neoplastic microenvironment. Our study demonstrated that basil polyphenols provide significant health benefits due to their antioxidant and protective activities.

Withanolides-enriched leaf extract of Withania somnifera exert anti-obesity effects by inducing brown adipocyte-like phenotype via tuning MAP-kinase signaling axis

Present study investigated anti-obesity potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal leaf extract (WSLE). Phytochemical characterization of WSLE was performed by UPLC/MS-QToF and HPLC-based analysis. WSLE was assessed for its effect on lipid metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis in vitro using differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WSLE was found to contain 59 phytometabolites with a total of 10.601 μg withanolides per mg of extract. WSLE (30 μg/ml) treatment decreased basal levels of intracellular lipids and triglycerides to 13.85 % and 41.58 %, respectively. WSLE downregulated the expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and their target genes responsible for lipogenesis dose-dependently. An upregulation in expression of lipolytic (ATGL and HSL), thermogenic (PGC1α, UCP1, and PRDM16), and glucose transporter (GLUT4) genes was also observed. Furthermore, WSLE treatment increased glucose uptake by 1.5-fold. These beneficial effects of WSLE were abolished in presence of AMPK, p38MAPK, and ERK inhibitors. These observations were then validated in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. Intriguingly, WSLE diminished fat accumulation in wild-type N2 worms as evident from reduced Oil-red-O staining and reduction in GFP expression of fat-5, 6, and 7 in transgenic strains. Overall, these results highlight anti-obesity potential of WSLE exerting its effects via alterations in AMPK/p38MAPK/ERK axis.

Phytochemical, Growth Performance and Haematological Indices of Aqueous Extract of Aphrodisiac Formulation against Acetaminophen Induced Hepatocyte Injuries in Wistar Rats

Zainacin Dadin duniya is known for its antioxidant and liver-protecting properties. This research assesses the phytochemical characteristics and impact of Zainacin Dadin Duniya water extract on growth and hematological factors in Wister rats with acetaminophen-induced liver damage. 60 female and 30 male rats were divided into five groups with each group consisting of 18 rats selected randomly. Group 1 received saline, group 2 received a liver medicine, group 3 received acetaminophen, group 4 received a daily dose of aqueous extract at 500 mg/kg, and group 5 received a daily dose of aqueous extract at 500 mg/kg along with 3 ml/day of acetaminophen, all administered for 28 days. The animals were weighed before and following the experiment. The hematological parameters were determined, including packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red blood Cell (RBC), Haemoglobin (Hb), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), and White Blood Cell (WBC). Findings indicated that the extract contains a considerable quantity of phytochemicals. Findings indicated a notable weight gain (P&lt;0.05) in Groups 1, 2, 4, and 5 and weight reduction in Group 3. In Group 3, there was a significant decrease in erythrocyte counts (4.29%), packed cell volume (33.00%), and hemoglobin (6.17%) values, while there was an increase in leukocyte (9.62%) and Mean Cell Volume (54.33%) values compared to the other groups. The presence of acetaminophen in the treatment given to Group 3 rats could lead to a decline in their growth performance and trigger adverse reactions in their blood parameters, potentially impacting their overall development. The segment may act as a strong remedy for acetaminophen-induced hepatocytes by blocking those reactive oxygen species.

Phytochemical Characterization and Assessment of the Wound Healing Properties of Three Eurasian Propolis.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the wound healing potential of Eurasian propolis by analyzing the phytochemical profile and the biological effects of three representative propolis samples. Specific colorimetric assays were used to estimate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the triterpenoids content. Some of the main components of Eurasian propolis (pinocembrin, pinobanksin, CAPE, chrysin and galangin) were analyzed using HPLC-DAD. Scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity were assessed through DPPH and ORAC assays, respectively. Human keratinocyte, fibroblast, and monocytic cell lines were used for the biological in vitro analyses. The direct wound healing properties were tested through scratching assays and ELISA kits for the assessment of the production of growth factors (FGF-7, Latency Associated Peptide-LAP), while the indirect effects were evaluated through the estimation of the levels of MMP9, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α using ELISA kits together with a cell-free test on the inhibition capacity on collagenases. Network Pharmacology analysis was employed to further explore possible mechanisms of the action of propolis on the healing process. The analyses confirmed the high phenolic content of Eurasian propolis (142.50-211.30 mg GAE/g), dominated by flavonoids (95.50-196.80 mg Galangin Equivalents/g), and terpenes (431.50-650.00 mg β-sitosterol Equivalents/g), while also verifying the significant antioxidant (4.9-8.9 mM/g Trolox Equivalents) and antiradical (DPPH IC50 26.1-54.4 μg/mL) activities. The samples showed indirect wound healing properties by mitigating inflammation and remodeling (reduced IL-1β and MMP9) and potentially modulating the immune response (upregulated IL-8). In vitro studies confirmed these effects, demonstrating decreased MMP9 production and collagenase inhibition when cells were co-treated with propolis and a stressor. Propolis also suppressed IL-1β release in fibroblasts, although its impact on TNF-α was inconclusive. Notably, co-treatment upregulated IL-8 in monocytes, suggesting a potential immunomodulatory role. Eurasian propolis may not directly stimulate cell proliferation during wound healing. Its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties could indicate an indirect contribution in helping the process.

Phytochemical characterization and biomedical potential of Iris kashmiriana flower extracts: a promising source of natural antioxidants and cytotoxic agents.

Iris kashmiriana belongs to the family Iridaceae and is an important endemic medicinal plant of Kashmir. The current study was designed to determine the phytoconstituents, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potential of ethyl acetate (IRK-ETH) and methanol (IRK-MTH) extracts of Iris kashmiriana flowers. IRK-MTH extract demonstrated maximum radical scavenging activity in DPPH, ABTS, and Superoxide anion radical antioxidant assays with IC50 values of 73.15μg/ml, 79.05μg/ml, and 86.52μg/ml respectively. IRK-ETH and IRK-MTH extracts possessed phenolic (70.9 and 208.5 mgGAE/gdw) and flavonoid (487.7 and 40.55mgRE/gdw) contents respectively. In MTT assay IRK-ETH demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity towards the MCF-7 cell line with a GI50 value of 49.13μg/ml. Phase contrast and fluorescence microscopic studies in MCF-7 cells revealed that IRK-ETH extract caused condensation of chromatin, rounding of cells, and nuclear condensation in cells which shows the apoptotic potential of the extract. GCMS analysis for phytochemical characterization revealed the presence of 9 compounds in both extracts which have been reported to possess antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anti-oxidant activities. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of different polyphenols in both extracts with IRK-MTH extract having maximum polyphenols like epicatechin, rutin, quercetin, vanillic acid, sinapic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and ellagic acid. These findings suggest that the flowers of Iris kashmiriana possess very good antioxidant and cytotoxic potential owing to its rich phytoconstituents.