Plant Extracts Research Articles

Study the hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of Plumbago auriculata Lam. against CCl4-induced hepatocyte damage in mice

The liver is an important organ in the body; its diseases are considered the major causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. Hepatotoxic chemicals cause damage to liver cells. Medicinal plants have a powerful hepatoprotective effect. This study has been aimed to assess the potential hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of Plumbago auriculata Lam. against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- induced hepatocyte damage in albino mice. The methanolic extract of the plant was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis to determine the presence of secondary metabolites according to standard protocols. The acute toxicity study was carried out to measure the LD50. Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups treated intraperitoneally (IP) once daily for 7 days; the first group was a negative control, while the second group, considered as a CCl4 model, received a single dose of carbon tetrachloride during the last day. The third group received 500 mg/kg of body weight of methanolic extract of P. auriculata, and the last group received 100 mg/kg of body weight of standard silymarin, after 2 h of treatment, on the last day, all animals (except negative control group) have received CCl4 at a dose of 1 mL/kg of body weight. Biochemical analysis of collected blood and histopathological examination were performed. Results revealed that the preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of the plant confirmed the presence of many biologically active secondary metabolites like flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, glycosides and phenols and LD50 of the extract was 2.5 g/kg. The CCl4- intoxicated mice showed an increase in biochemical enzyme levels (ALT and AST) compared with the negative control group. The extract of 500 mg/kg revealed a significant reduction (p ? 0.05) in enzyme activities. The histopathological analysis of plant extract and silymarin-treated groups revealed a decrease in the pathological features compared with the CCl4-intoxicated group. It was concluded that the extract of P. auriculata has a significant effect on hepatoprotection against CCl4-induced hepatocyte damage and this may be because of the combined effects of the bioactive compositions of plant extract.

Development and validation of a UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of organic acids and phenolic compounds in Filipendula vulgaris, Polygonum divaricatum, Hypericum linarioides, and Rheum ribes

This research focused on investigating biologically active and pharmaceutically important phytochemicals using reliable and reproducible analytical techniques specifically designed for traditional medicinal plants. Considering the complex chemical diversity present in plant extracts, reliable identification methods are crucial. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a robust UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic acids (OAs) and phenolic compounds (PCs). With gradient elution of water containing 0.1 % formic acid and acetonitrile containing 0.1 % formic acid as the mobile phase, OAs and PCs were separated chromatographically on a C18 reversed-phase column. Through the use of an electrospray ionization source operating in negative ionization mode, these compounds were identified on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. The validation results clearly indicate that the method exhibited linearity with a squared correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.9986), demonstrating sensitivity (LOQ: 1.08 µg/L-10.79 µg/L), precision (RSD%≤2.73), and trueness (RE% ≤ 1.53) for the OAs and PCs found in the plants. The developed UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was successfully applied to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of OAs and PCs in Turkish plants, which are commonly used in traditional medicine. Our study identified a total of 12 OAs and PCs in F. vulgaris, 12 in P. divaricatum, 9 in H. linarioides, and 11 in R. ribes. In particular, gallic acid had the highest content in F. vulgaris (925.67 µg/g extract) and R. ribes (1358.78 µg/g extract), while H. linarioides (730.66 µg/g extract) and P. divaricatum (4003.02 µg/g extract) had relatively high levels of quinic acid. In conclusion, the developed UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method allows the simultaneous analysis and quantification of 2 OAs and 33 PCs in plants and proves to be a valuable tool for evaluating the efficacy of traditional medicinal plants.

Development and Evaluation of Topical Herbal Formulation for Infectious Eczema

The study Development and Evaluation of Topical Herbal Formulation for Infectious Eczema presents a comprehensive investigation into the preparation and assessment of a herbal gel aimed at addressing infectious eczema. The research methodology involved meticulous plant collection, extraction, and subsequent physicochemical and phytochemical analyses. Murraya koenigli leaves were collected, identified, dried, and ground into a fine powder before undergoing successive extraction with solvents of increasing polarity. The resulting extracts were concentrated and stored for future use. Physicochemical constants of the powdered drug were determined, including moisture content, total ash value, and extractive values, providing insights into the composition and quality of the herbal material. Preliminary phytochemical evaluations were conducted to identify the presence of specific phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, and triterpenoids. These evaluations involved various qualitative tests, each confirming the presence of specific compounds indicative of potential bioactivity. Subsequently, a herbal gel was formulated using the plant extract and Carbopol-934 as a gelling agent, along with other excipients. The gel formulations were evaluated for pH, spreadability, extrudability, and stability over time. Results indicated suitable pH values, spreadability, and extrudability across different formulations, suggesting their potential for dermatological applications. Stability studies demonstrated consistent physical appearance, rheological properties, spreadability, pH, and drug levels over a one-month period, affirming the formulations' stability and therapeutic potential. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the development of effective herbal formulations for managing infectious eczema, contributing to the advancement of natural-based therapies in dermatology and offering promising avenues for further research and clinical application

Preparation and Preliminary Analysis of Several Nanoformulations Based on Plant Extracts and Biodegradable Polymers as a Possible Application for Chronic Venous Disease Therapy

Nanotechnology is one of the newest directions for plant-based therapies. Chronic venous disease often predisposes to long-term and invasive treatment. This research focused on the inclusion of vegetal extracts from Sophorae flos (SE), Calendulae flos (CE), and Ginkgo bilobae folium (GE) in formulations with PHB and PLGA polymers and their physicochemical characterization as a preliminary stage for possible use in the development of a complex therapeutic product. The samples were prepared by an oil–water emulsification and solvent evaporation technique, resulting in suspensions with high spreadability and a pH of 5.5. ATR-FTIR analysis revealed bands for stretching vibrations (O-H, C=O, and C-H in symmetric and asymmetric methyl and methylene) in the same regions as the base components, but switched to high or low wavenumbers and absorbance, highlighting the formation of adducts/complexes between the extracts and polymers. The obtained formulations were in the amorphous phase, as confirmed by XRD analysis. AFM analysis emphasized the morphological peculiarities of the extract–polymer nanoformulations. It could be noticed that, in the case of SE-based formulations, the dominant characteristics for SE-PHB and SE-PLGA composition were the formation of random large (SE-PHB) and smaller uniform (SE-PLGA) particles; further on, these particles tended to aggregate in the case of SE-PHB-PLGA. For the CE- and GE-based formulations, the dominant surface morphology was their porosity, generally with small pores, but larger cavities were observed in some cases (CE- and GE-PHB). The highest roughness values at the (8 µm × 8 μm) scale were found for the following samples and succession: CE-PHB < SE-PLGA < SE-PHB-PLGA. In addition, by thermogravimetric analysis, impregnation in the matrix of compression stockings was evaluated, which varied in the following order: CE-polymer > SE-polymer > GE-polymer. In conclusion, nine vegetal extract–polymer nanoformulations were prepared and preliminarily characterized (by advanced physicochemical methods) as a starting point for further optimization, stability studies, and possible use in complex pharmaceutical products.

Pseudovirus-Based Systems for Screening Natural Antiviral Agents: A Comprehensive Review

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, researchers have been working tirelessly to discover effective ways to combat coronavirus infection. The use of computational drug repurposing methods and molecular docking has been instrumental in identifying compounds that have the potential to disrupt the binding between the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and human ACE2 (hACE2). Moreover, the pseudovirus approach has emerged as a robust technique for investigating the mechanism of virus attachment to cellular receptors and for screening targeted small molecule drugs. Pseudoviruses are viral particles containing envelope proteins, which mediate the virus’s entry with the same efficiency as that of live viruses but lacking pathogenic genes. Therefore, they represent a safe alternative to screen potential drugs inhibiting viral entry, especially for highly pathogenic enveloped viruses. In this review, we have compiled a list of antiviral plant extracts and natural products that have been extensively studied against enveloped emerging and re-emerging viruses by pseudovirus technology. The review is organized into three parts: (1) construction of pseudoviruses based on different packaging systems and applications; (2) knowledge of emerging and re-emerging viruses; (3) natural products active against pseudovirus-mediated entry. One of the most crucial stages in the life cycle of a virus is its penetration into host cells. Therefore, the discovery of viral entry inhibitors represents a promising therapeutic option in fighting against emerging viruses.

Application and evaluation of plant-based edible active coatings to enhance the shelf-life and quality attributes of Jara lebu (Citrus medica)

Edible coatings for fruits and vegetables are the subject of intensive agro-based research. These coatings provide value to the product due to their multifunctionality and sustainability. The current study focuses on the development and evaluation of plant-based edible active coatings for Jara lebu (Citrus medica), with the aim of determining the effectiveness of these coatings in extending the shelf-life and preserving the quality attributes. Different blends of corn starch and various plant extracts were formulated and all formulations were applied by immersion onto the fruit surface. The study had five treatment groups: T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4. T0 served as the control group, while T1 consisted of a mixture of 2% corn starch and 0.5% glycerol. T2 included a combination of 2% corn starch, 0.5% glycerol, and 1.5% holy basil. T3 comprises 2% corn starch, 0.5% glycerol, and 1.5% wild turmeric. Lastly, T4 consisted of 2% corn starch, 0.5% glycerol, and 1.5% Indian pennywort. Control and coated samples were kept under the same conditions for 35 days before being evaluated for changes in their physiological, physicochemical, and sensory qualities. Coated sample T2 significantly prolonged the shelf-life of Jara lebu samples, having the least weight reduction (26.25%) and retaining most of the essential nutrients (TSS = 7.09%, pH = 3.0, vitamin C = 22.03 mg/100 g, TPC = 44.57 mg GAE/g DW, TFC = 45.24 mg QE/g DW, antioxidant = 86.09%). This sample received the highest overall acceptability score, a maximum of 8.24. Sensory evaluations revealed no adverse effects on taste, aroma or appearance, suggesting these coatings can be an eco-friendly and efficient method for preserving the freshness and quality of Jara lebu and potentially other citrus fruits.

Advancements of eco‐friendly natural antimicrobial agents and their transformative role in sustainable textiles

AbstractIn the face of mounting environmental concerns, the textile industry is undergoing a pivotal transformation, with sustainability at the forefront of innovation. This review focuses on the exploration of natural compounds, renowned for their antimicrobial properties, as viable alternatives to conventional chemical agents that pose significant environmental challenges. It delves into a diverse array of natural sources, including plant extracts, essential oils, and microbial‐derived compounds, which have been identified for their potent antimicrobial efficacy. These natural agents not only demonstrate a broad spectrum of activity against pathogenic microorganisms but also represent a stride towards eco‐friendly textile processing by offering a sustainable substitute for synthetic antimicrobials. The integration of these green antimicrobial agents into textiles is scrutinized, with a particular emphasis on their impact on enhancing fabric functionalities. This includes improvements in durability, wash resistance, and the sustained antimicrobial effectiveness of treated fabrics, without sacrificing environmental integrity. Moreover, the study underscores the potential health benefits of these natural agents, such as a decrease in allergic reactions and skin irritations commonly associated with traditional antimicrobial treatments. The review culminates by highlighting the significant role these eco‐conscious solutions play in revolutionizing antimicrobial textiles, promoting industry‐wide sustainable practices, and catering to the escalating consumer demand for environmentally responsible products.Highlights Provides eco‐friendly and sustainable alternatives in textile processing, offering a greener choice over synthetic options. Enhances fabric functionality while preserving environmental integrity, addressing sustainability concerns throughout production. Improves fabric durability, wash resistance, and long‐lasting efficacy, thereby contributing to superior product performance. Reduces allergic reactions and skin irritations, underscoring the health benefits of eco‐friendly antimicrobial treatments. Promotes sustainable practices, shaping the future of antimicrobial textiles and catering to the growing demand for environmentally conscious consumer choices in the industry.

Anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory efficacy of Micromeria biflora Benth extract and its fractions in rats by restoring oxidative stress, metalloproteinases, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines network.

Micromeria biflora (M.B) Benth has proven anti-inflammatory efficacy, thereby, the goal of the current investigation was to assess the anti-arthritic potential of M.B ethanolic extract and fractions as well as to investigate the likely mechanism of action. The effectiveness of M.B against acute arthritic manifestations was assessed using an arthritic model prompted by formaldehyde, whereas a chronic model was developed using an adjuvant called Complete Freund's in Sprague-Dawley rats. Weekly evaluations were conducted for parameters involving paw volume, body weight, and arthritic score; at the completion of the CFA model, hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters as well as the level of various mediators (PGE2, IL-1β, TNFα, IL6, MMP2, 3, 9, VEGF, NF-ĸB, IL-10, and IL-4) were evaluated. The results demonstrated the plant's ability to treat arthritis by showing a significant decrease in paw volume, arthritic score, and histological characteristics. The levels of NF-ĸB, MMP2, 3, 9, IL6, IL1β, TNFα, and VEGF were all significantly reduced after treatment with plant extract and fractions. Plant extract and its fractions substantially preserved body weight loss, oxidative stress markers and levels of IL-4 and 1L-10. PGE2 levels were also shown to be reduced in the treatment groups, supporting the M.B immunomodulatory ability. Hematological and biochemical indicators were also normalized after M.B administration. Outcomes of the study validated the anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory attributes of M.B probably through modulating oxidative stress, inflammatory, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers.

Novel Functional Dressing Materials for Intraoral Wound Care.

Intraoral wounds represent a particularly challenging category of mucosal and hard tissue injuries, characterized by the unique structures, complex environment, and distinctive healing processes within the oral cavity. They have a common occurrence yet frequently inflict significant inconvenience and pain on patients, causing a serious decline in the quality of life. A variety of novel functional dressings specifically designed for the moist and dynamic oral environment have been developed and realized accelerated and improved wound healing. Thoroughly analyzing and summarizing these materials is of paramount importance in enhancing our understanding and proficiently managing intraoral wounds. In this review, the particular processes and unique characteristics of intraoral wound healing are firstly described. Up-to-date knowledge of various forms, properties and applications of existing products are then intensively discussed, which are categorized into animal products, plant extracts, natural polymers, and synthetic products. To conclude, this review presents a comprehensive framework of currently available functional intraoral wound dressings, with an aim to provoke inspiration of future studies to design more convenient and versatile materials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol and Methylene Blue with Silver Nanoparticles Decorated with Drymoglossum piloselloides Extract

Drymoglossum piloselloides is one of the epiphytic plants that is commonly found in Southeast Asia region. In this study, the ethanol extract of D. piloselloides plant has been used in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD),Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The UV-Vis spectrum of silver nanoparticles showed a maximum wavelength at 453 nm. The XRD measurement showed the silver nanoparticles peaks at 38.38°, 44.60°, 64.76°, and 77.62°. The FTIR spectra provided evidence of the interaction between silver and chemicals in the plant extract as a weak signal at 682 cm-1. Meanwhile, TEM revealed an average size of 12.63nm. The synthesised silver nanoparticles were utilised for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with a conversion percentage of up to 100% with a reduction reaction rate constant of 7.104 s-1. In addition, methylene blue was also successfully reduced with the synthesised silver nanoparticles as the catalyst with a reduction reaction rate constant (k) of 21.150 s-1. This study highlights the superior advantage of utilizing ethanolic extract of D. piloselloides to prepare silver nanoparticles with promising catalytic reduction purposes.

Eco-Friendly Production of Metal Nanoparticles Through Plant Extract Besides Their Assessment of Antibacterial, and Antifungal activity

A green-synthesis method for silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is a scientific breakthrough. Using sunflower plant extracts, this approach uses metallic and botanical synergy. Naturally occurring and renewable extracts reduce, chelate, stabilize, bind, and precipitate. The Ag nanoparticles' X-ray diffraction (XRD) crystal structure was cubic. Average nanoparticle crystallite size was 31.18 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) detected silver. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) examination revealed that the particles were Ag (silver) and spherical, averaging 31.23nm. Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy also indicated a 2.7 eV optical gap. Using many characterization methods, nanostructured silver was synthesized during this procedure. Biological efficacy assays can evaluate hierarchically porous silver's antibacterial properties. In the previous five years, strategies against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, Ecoli, and Candida albicans, Penicillium spp., and Aspergillus spp. were essential. Data demonstrates that these structures are attractive antibacterial choices. A majority of Ag NPs are natural bacterium substitutes for Staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, and Ecoli. Also against various fungi: The immune systems of immunocompromised hosts are threatened by yeasts such Candida albicans, Penicillium, and Aspergillus.measured. It calls into doubt the study's efficacy in antibacterial and other applications.

Zingiber officinale-Mediated biosynthesis of bimetallic Gold/Silver (BAu/Ag) nanoalloys; an insight into antiviral and anticancer activities

Utilizing plant extracts in the green synthesis of bimetallic nanoalloys receives more attention due to its eco-friendly, cheap, single-step, easy-handling method, producing highly active and biocompatible nanoalloys. Therefore, the aqueous extract of ginger rhizome was used to form bimetallic gold/silver (Au/Ag) nanoalloys. There were 37.3 mg.g−1 of total soluble carbs, 0.75 mg.g−1 of proteins, and 0.03 mg.g−1 of phenolic compounds quantified in ginger rhizome. The production of BAu/Ag-NPs relies on these components. The as-formed BAu/Ag-NPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that the peak surface plasmon resonance (SPR) occurred between 440 and 545 nm. The existence of several functional groups involved in the reduction and stability of the generated nanoalloys was shown by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR). The nanoalloys, with an average size of 49.1 ± 16.2 nm, were observed to be spherical using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) indicated that the synthesized nanoalloy mainly consisted of Au and Ag ions, which made up (31.2 % and 47.1 %) and (45.9 % and 28.6 %) of the sample’s atomic and weight percentages, respectively. The crystallography of the nanoalloys was confirmed using XRD analysis. When examined for their capacity to suppress viral replication, the synthesized nanoalloys showed remarkable results, with 78.2 % inhibition against HAV and 69.6 % against Cox-B4. In addition, the anticancer activity of nanoalloys against oral epithelial cells (OEC), MCF7 adenocarcinoma cells, and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells was investigated using the MTT assay method. While the nanoalloys exhibited moderate toxicity towards normal OEC (IC50: 502.5 ± 2.8 g.mL−1), they showed substantial cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, MCF7 and HepG2, with IC50 values of 212.6 ± 4.4 and 117.9 ± 6.6 µg.mL−1, respectively. According to these data, BAu/Ag nanoalloys show potential as antiviral and anticancer drugs that selectively kill cancer cells.

Insecticidal activity of essential oils and plant extracts on cowpea aphid

Aphid population’s reduction occurs through chemical management, but the indiscriminate use of these products can cause environmental impacts and health risks. This study aimed to determine the insecticidal effects of essential oils and plant extracts as an alternative for aphid control management. The experimental design was entirely randomised in a 5x5 factorial scheme with five replications. Essential oils of rosemary, citronella, corn mint, and hydroethanolic extracts of garlic and cinnamon at five concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 μL.L−1) were used. In the exposure period of 96 h, the cinnamon hydroethanolic extract and the essential oil of corn mint (Mentha arvensis) showed a greater effect on aphid mortality. The other products evaluated showed lower mortalities but with the potential to be effective with dosages above 80 μL.L−1.

Launaea fragilis extract attenuated arthritis in rats through modulation of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, COX-2, IL-4, and IL-10.

Launaea fragilis (Asso) Pau is a Cholistan desert medicinal plant. Launaea species are used as traditional remedies against various inflammatory conditions. The current research was designed to evaluate the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic potential of ethanolic extract of L. fragilis (Et-LF). The plant extract was prepared by triple maceration. GC-MS screening explored the presence of various bioactive phytoconstituents including n-tetracosanol-1, 1-heptacosanol, and n-hexadecanoic acid. DPPH assay demonstrated the antioxidant potential of Et-LF. Safety profile data indicated that Et-LF was safe up to the oral dose of 5000mg/kg in female rats. Anti-nociceptive activity of Et-LF was assessed in hot plate method and acetic acid-induced writhing model and the results suggested that Et-LF had significant analgesic effects in both animal models. Carrageenan, histamine, and serotonin-induced edema models were used to estimate the anti-inflammatory effects of Et-LF and were found to prevent paw edema development dose dependently. The anti-arthritic effect of Et-LF was estimated in CFA-induced arthritic rat model. Treatment with Et-LF 125, 250, 500 and flurbiprofen (FP) 10mg/kg/day significantly attenuated the paw edema, reversed the reduced body weight, and restored the altered hematological parameters in arthritic rats. Gene expression studies revealed the significant downregulation of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NF‑κB, and COX-2, and upregulation of IL-4 and IL-10 in arthritic rats treated with various doses of plant extract. Histological evaluation of ankle joints showed that Et-LF mitigated pannus formation, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and fibrous connective tissue formation in the diseased rats. Thereof, it may be concluded that the recent study demonstrated the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic effects ascribed to the signifying presence of phytoconstituents in L. fragilis.

A review for non-antibiotic treatment of Helicobacter pylori: new insight

Gastric ulcers and gastric cancer are brought on by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which colonizes under the stomach mucous membrane. Different medication regimens are used to remove it, but the illness returns and becomes more resistant, which lowers the treatment rates. Additionally, this bacterium now exhibits a skyrocketing level of multi-drug resistance, necessitating recurrent therapeutic treatments. The negative effects of synthetic medications in comparison to conventional therapies are another significant factor in favor of non-pharmacological therapy. The most significant side effects of popular anti-gastric ulcer medications include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Stomach ulcers have previously been treated with herbal remedies and complementary treatments like probiotics. When probiotics are ingested, the host experiences several advantages that may be brought about by altering the bacterial flora in the digestive system. Additionally, stronger-acting chemical compounds and plant extracts can be employed to treat patients. In this article, we look at the substances and medications that are utilized in place of synthetic stomach ulcer-curing treatments.

The antiproliferative effects of Marrubium vulgare, and toxicity screening in zebrafish embryos

Consider the medicinal usefulness and ethnomedicinal uses referring to Marrubium vulgare; the CH3OH extract of whole plant was investigated for the antiproliferative, effect and toxicological screening. Its antiproliferative effect was evaluated against A549 (lung), HepG2 (Liver), MDA-MB-231 (breast) and MCF-7 cancer cell-lines. Doxorubicin was used as a positive control. Toxicological evaluation of the Marrubium vulgare methanol extract (MVM) was carried out in zebrafish embryos. The MVM showed more effective inhibition against MCF-7and MDA-MB-231 breast-cancer cells. The IC50 value ranged from 43.5 to 223.5 μg/mL. In term of IC50 MVM showed a strong antiproliferative effect averse to MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 in terms of IC50 values (43.5 and 46.5 μg/mL respectively). Lethal concentration of MVM in zebrafish embryos remained 5 µg/ml. The results obtained from zebrafish embryos tests indicates that the extract is toxic at some level and should be used carefully or avoid it during the pregnancy.

REVIEW OF PHYTO-MEDICAL EXTRACTS’ AND COMPOUNDS’ ANTI-RADIATION PROPERTIES

Humans are routinely exposed to radiation when receiving cancer treatment, fighting nuclear weapons, exploring space, and flying. Radiation exposure damages biological components such as protein, lipids, and cell membranes because it causes oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators, which can lead to DNA destruction even at low concentrations. Protecting people from the harmful effects of radiation is a challenging task due to the plethora of side effects of the chemical compounds used to mitigate DNA damage in normal cells. Hospitals continue to utilize radiotherapy for cancer treatment; yet, the adverse effects of the radiation they emit have outweighed the benefits. Plant phytochemicals and their derivatives exhibit diverse biological functions, often perceived as innocuous due to their non-toxic nature within subcellular and cellular environments. Moreover, they possess the capability to mitigate radiation-induced damage. This review aims to delineate the radioprotective attributes of plant polyphenols and extracts, elucidating their mechanisms of action across various models.

In vitro and In vivo Studies for Screening of Anti-inflammatory, Thrombolytic and Acute Toxicological Activity in Camellia Chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of methanol-prepared leaves extract of Camellia Chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama. on several in vitro activities, including anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic effects. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the acute toxicological activity of the extracts in an animal model. Place and Duration of Study: The research study was carried out from Nov 2023 to Feb 2024 at the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Laboratory of Pharmacology, University of Asia Pacific and the Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, as well as the Laboratory of Microbiology at Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka. Methodology: The methodology involved various doses of methanolic leaves extract of Camellia Chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama, and employed techniques such as the Inhibition of Protein Denaturation Assay for anti-inflammatory test and the clot lysis test for thrombolytic assay. The acute toxicological activity was assessed by Cinnamon oil induced toxicological and administration of acetic acid induced writhing responses in Swiss albino mice. Result: The Inhibition of Protein Denaturation Assay test yielded findings indicating its anti-inflammatory properties against all strains used in this research. The findings from the study examining the anti-inflammatory properties indicate that Chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama exhibits a significant efficacy of 86.54% in inhibiting inflammation at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL. This level of efficacy is comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid, which also has a similar efficacy of 98.54 % at the same concentration. Thrombolysis test is a controlled laboratory procedure that assesses the ability of plant extracts to dissolve blood clots. The study found that MECCL can reduce blood clots. Table 2 shows that MECCL's thrombolytic potential was 95.69%, which is much higher than the usual value of 91.304%. Our research found that MECCL did not induce any harmful effects in mice during the acute toxicity test, as determined by the toxicological assessment. No signs of illness or death were reported throughout the acute toxicity trial. Conclusion: The Camellia chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama plant exhibits privileged qualities that could lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic substances. It has anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, and mild acute toxicity properties. Further exploration of this plant could be beneficial. Our study results contribute to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that natural products may potentially have favourable effects on human health.

Evaluation of Anti-angiogenic Activity of Iraqi Mesembryanthemum cordifolium using rat aorta ring assay

New blood vessels are produced during angiogenesis, which is necessary in both normal and abnormal physiological and pathologic states. The use of non-toxic plant extracts that inhibit angiogenesis might lead to more focus on the use of natural sources as a pivotal therapeutic agent in the treatment of many diseases and malignancies. Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is belongs to the Aizoaceae family and commonly known as the Heartleaf Ice Plant or Tiny Sun Rose. The plant was cultivated in the city of al Diwaniyah. No previous research has been conducted on this plant and its antiangiogenic properties. Hence, this research aimed to assess the antiangiogenic capacity of the Iraqi M. cordifolium. For this study, male albino rats aged 12 to 14 weeks were used. With a Soxhlet apparatus, the defatted plant components were extracted in 85 % methanol for 12 h. Subsequently, each fraction was fractionated using petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate and each fraction underwent phytochemical analysis. Rat aortic rings were infused with 100 ?g/mL of each plant component and placed in a growth medium. In addition, the dose-response relationship was assessed for the most active fraction at 6 different concentrations ranging from 6.25 ?g/mL to 100 ?g/mL. Compared to the negative control (1 % DMSO), the results demonstrated that fractions of M. cordifolium inhibit the growth of blood vessels in a dose-dependent manner; chloroform demonstrates the most potent effect. The results indicate that the chloroform fraction derived from M. cordifolium has a good ability to limit blood vessel development. This makes it a viable option for future investigation as an angiogenesis inhibitor.

Popcorn-like bimetallic palladium/platinum exhibiting enhanced peroxidase-like activity for signal enhancement in lateral flow immunoassay

BackgroundThe lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is widely employed as a point-of-care testing (POCT) technique. However, its limited sensitivity hinders its application in detecting biomarkers with low abundance. Recently, the utilization of nanozymes has been implemented to enhance the sensitivity of LFIA by catalyzing the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The catalytic performance of nanozymes plays a crucial role in influencing the sensitivity of LFIA. ResultsThe Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc-Pd@Pt (CO–Pd@Pt) nanozyme with good peroxidase-like activity was synthesized herein through a facile one-pot method employing Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc extract as a reducing agent. The morphology and composition of the CO–Pd@Pt nanozyme were characterized using TEM, SEM, XRD, and XPS. As a proof of concept, the as-synthesized CO–Pd@Pt nanozyme was utilized in LFIA (CO–Pd@Pt-LFIA) for the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Compared to conventional gold nanoparticles-based LFIA (AuNPs-LFIA), CO–Pd@Pt-LFIA demonstrated a significant enhancement in the limit of detection (LOD, 0.08 mIU/mL), which is approximately 160 times lower than that of AuNPs-LFIA. Furthermore, experiments evaluating accuracy, precision, selectivity, interference, and stability have confirmed the practical applicability of CO–Pd@Pt-LFIA for hCG content determination. SignificanceThe present study presents a novel approach for the synthesis of bimetallic nanozymes through environmentally friendly methods, utilizing plant extracts as both protective and reducing agents. Additionally, an easily implementable technique is proposed to enhance signal detection in lateral flow immunoassays.