Alternative Source Of Medicine Research Articles

Composition and Potential Values of Species in the Agricultural Area of Kupang Indonesia

This research was conducted to investigate the composition and potential value of weeds species in an agricultural area of Kupang, Indonesia. Two sites (dry and wet site) were selected subjectively. In each site, three stands (100 m x 100 m) were placed subjectively and in each stand 25 plots (1 m x 1 m) were placed randomly (∑150 plots). In each plot, all weed present were recorded and their density and percentage cover calculated. Each species was grouped into broad-leaves, sedges, and grasses. To determine the potential value of the weeds, all weeds were grouped into whether they medicinal plants, animal feed or food ingredients. For each species, the number of individuals, dominance, frequency, and Importance Value Index (IVI) were calculated. Species diversity was also calculated using the Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index (H'). Overall, 46 weed species were found. The weeds with the highest IVI (>5.00%) were Panicum repens L (IVI 14.80%), Bolboschoenus maritimus L. Palla (IVI 10.32%), Alternanthera sessilis L (IVI 7.47%), Cyperus rotundus L, (IVI 6.97%), Digitaria ciliaris (IVI 6.69%), Cyperus elatus L (IVI 6.63%), and Ischaemum timorense Kunth (IVI 5.02%). In general, the composition of weeds between the dry and the wet sites were relatively different. Based on the number of species and diversity index, the weed community in the wet site was relatively higher than that in the dry site. Based on the IVI, the dry site tended to be dominated by grasses and broad leaves while the wet site tended to be dominated by sedges. Based on IVI, 42.80% of all the weed species present had the potential to be used as medicinal plants, 39.81% as animal feed, and 17.39% as human food. Overall, most weed species studied had the potential to be used as medicinal plants, animal feed, and food ingredients. The potential of this weed needs to be studied more deeply in the future, including their use as an alternative source of medicine and food, especially as demand increases in the future.

Keyakinan terhadap Kitab Al Qur-An Terkait Penyembuhan

The Qur'an plays a major role in guiding humans to learn, gain knowledge, and direct all aspects of life both individually and socially in a positive direction. With the content of guidance, advice, and perfect laws, the Qur'an is the main source of reference for Muslims in living their daily lives and achieving success in this world and in the hereafter.The method that researchers use is descriptive qualitative research. Descriptive qualitative research is research conducted thoroughly on an object. The researcher becomes the main instrument in a qualitative study. Then, the results presented by the researcher are explained in the form of words obtained through valid data. Because qualitative research emphasizes meaning rather than generalization, and also the data cannot be resolved with statistical counts. The treatment process that occurs in one of the Tanjungpinang Kota communities affected by sticking disease is with the help of Koranic verses recited by the ustadz using mineral water media. The mineral water used is the condition that will be used in the treatment process. The water is then read the verses of the Qur'an by the ustadz and washed to several parts of the body of the person affected by sticking disease such as washing the head, hands, feet and finally the face. This paper describes the community's belief in the Qur'ān as a source of healing, which is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and widely practiced in various Muslim communities, including in Tanjungpinang. The Qur'ān is not only seen as a holy book with high spiritual value but also as a source of alternative medicine that can cure physical, mental and spiritual illnesses.

Phytochemical profiling and GC-MS analysis of methanolic leaf extract of Persicaria hydropiper (L.) H. Gross: An important ethnomedicinal plant

Medicinal plants are the best source of alternative medicine and are acquiring recognition in the area of pharmacological research for the production of plant-based medicines with improved efficacy. Persicaria hydropiper (L.) H-Gross is known worldwide for its use in traditional medicine systems. It possesses numerous therapeutic properties. The present endeavor was taken up to analyze the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity by DPPH assay of various extracts of Persicaria hydropiper leaves. The preliminary phytochemical screening of acetone, methanol, and aqueous extract of P. hydropiper leaves showed the presence of important phytochemicals such as phenols, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, and alkaloids. The quantitative estimation revealed elevated amounts of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and total alkaloid content. The antioxidant activity also revealed higher radical scavenging activity by the extracts. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry assay of methanol extract of P. hydropiper leaves detected and identified altogether 54 phytocompounds including 7 major compounds displaying higher peaks such as Andrographolide, 1H-cyclopropa[a] naphthalene, 1a,2,3,5.6,7a7b-octahydro-1,1,7,7a-tetramethyl-[1aR-(1a?,7?,7a?,7b?)-, Cis-Z alpha bisabolene epoxide, 1,8-cyclopentadecadiyne, Aromadendrene oxide (2), Bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-3-cyclopropyl 7-hydroxymethyl, (cis) and Alpha-guanine. The concentration of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins revealed in the phytochemical profiling of three extracts might be responsible for the strong antioxidant activity of the extracts and the bioactive compounds identified in the GC-MS investigation exhibit important therapeutic properties required for the treatment of various human diseases. Thus, the medicinal use and properties of Persicaria hydropiper may be attributed to the presence of these phytochemical constituents. Further study of the compounds may provide scope for the production of novel drugs with increased efficacy and potency with the ability to cure harmful human diseases.

An overview of the ameliorative efficacy of Catharanthus roseus extract against Cd2+ toxicity: implications for human health and remediation strategies.

Rapid industrialization has led to an increase in cadmium pollution, a dangerously toxic heavy metal. Cadmium (Cd) is released into the environment through industrial processes and can contaminate air, water, and soil. This pollution poses a significant risk to human health and has become a pressing concern in many industrialized areas. Due to its extended half-life, it leads to a range of health problems, including hepato-nephritic toxicity, brain damage, and degenerative bone disorders. Intoxication alters various intracellular parameters, leading to inflammation, tissue injury, and oxidative stress within cells, which disrupts normal cellular functions and can eventually result in cell death. It has also been linked to the development of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. These adverse effects highlight the urgent need to address cadmium pollution and find effective solutions to mitigate its impact on human health. This article highlights the Cd-induced risks and the role of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) extract as a source of alternative medicine in alleviating the symptoms. Numerous herbal remedies often contain certain bioactive substances, such as polyphenols and alkaloids, which have the power to mitigate these adverse effects by acting as antioxidants and lowering oxidative cell damage. Research conducted in the field of alternative medicine has revealed its enormous potential to meet demands that may be effectively used in safeguarding humans and their environment. The point of this review is to investigate whether C. roseus extract, known for its bioactive substances, is being investigated for its potential to mitigate the harmful effects of cadmium on health. Further investigation is needed to fully understand its effectiveness. Moreover, it is important to explore the potential environmental benefits of using C. roseus extract to reduce the negative effects of Cd. This review conducted in the field of alternative medicine has revealed its enormous potential to meet demands that could have significant implications for both human health and environmental sustainability.

Antiproliferative activities of some selected Nigerian medicinal plants against breast, liver, and cervical cancer cells

BackgroundPhytochemicals have become a growing source of alternative medicine in developing countries due to the poor prognosis, high cost of conventional pharmaceuticals, and undesirable effects associated with mainstream cancer treatment.ObjectiveThis study was aimed at investigating the anticancer effect of some selected Nigerian medicinal plants used in cancer treatment. These include ethanol extracts of Dialium guineense root (DGR), Dialium guineense leaves (DGL), Jateorhiza macrantha leaves (JML), Musanga cecropioides leaves (MCL), Musanga cecropioides stembark (MCSB), Piptadeniastrum africanum stembark (PASB), Piptadeniastrum africanum root (PAR), Pupalia lappacea flower tops (PLF), Raphiostylis beninensis root (RBR), Raphiostylis beninensis leaves (RBL), Ritchiea capparoides leaves (RCL), Ritchiea capparoides stembark (RCSB), and Triplochiton scleroxylon stembark (TSB).MethodsThe cytotoxic activity of the extracts was examined using a brine shrimp lethality assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against three cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, HUH-7, and HeLa. The selectivity of all extracts towards cancer cells was investigated using normal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). Cell migration and colony-forming assays of active extracts against MCF-7 cells were also performed. Additionally, the total polyphenolic contents of the active extracts were estimated using standard methods.ResultsThe extract of PASB had the highest cytotoxicity (LC50 = 1.58 μg/mL) on the brine shrimps compared to vincristine sulphate (LC50 = 2.24 μg/mL). In the cell viability assay, all the extracts produced significant (p < 0.05) growth inhibitory effects against all cell lines tested in a dose-dependent manner. All extracts were selective to cancer cells at varying degrees. Worth mentioning are the extracts of MCL, DGR, RBR, and PASB, which exhibited 14-, 7-, 6- and 2-fold selectivity toward MCF-7 cancer cells relative to normal lung fibroblast (MRC-5), respectively. These four extracts also significantly inhibited cell migration and colony formation in MCF-7-treated cells in dose-dependent manners. Considerable amounts of phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins were detected in all extracts evaluated.ConclusionThese findings advocate the continued development of MCL, DGR, RBR, and PASB as potential chemotherapeutic agents.

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Potential of Syzygium cumini Leaves

Background: As a source of alternative medicines, plant derived drugs are of great potential and can be used to cure various health related ailments. One of the most common medicinal plant, Syzygium cumini commonly known as Jamun is well known for its various pharmaceutical properties. In the traditional medicine, the entire plant has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases. For the treatment of diabetes, the preparation of tea from the leaves of Syzygium cumini is known for its hypoglycaemic effect. Leaves are also used in the treatement of various skin diseases. Methods: Keeping in view the above concerns, the investigation of this plant aims to assess the phytochemical and antioxidant content of the ethyl acetate extract of locally available Syzygium cumini leaves samples acquired from the campus of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The proposed study was conducted in Department of Chemistry, CCS HAU, Hisar during 2019-2021. Samples were collected and moisture content was estimated. Various chemicals and phytonutrients like alkaloids, tannins, minerals, crude protein, crude fibre, flavonoids and total phenolics were investigated in shade dried samples. Result: The total phenolic and flavanoid content were 11.48 mg GAE/g and 5.17 mg CE/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of Syzygium cumini leaves extract was investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and total antioxidant capacity using phospho-molybdenum assay. The result showed that ethyl acetae extract of Jamun leaves had potential antioxidant activity which justifies their medicinal applications for the treatment of various ailments.

Phytochemicals as Antimicrobials: Prospecting Himalayan Medicinal Plants as Source of Alternate Medicine to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance.

Among all available antimicrobials, antibiotics hold a prime position in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has posed a serious threat to the effectiveness of antibiotics, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and escalation in healthcare costs causing a global health crisis. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in global healthcare setups have accelerated the development and spread of AMR, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, which further limits treatment options. This creates a critical need to explore alternative approaches to combat bacterial infections. Phytochemicals have gained attention as a potential source of alternative medicine to address the challenge of AMR. Phytochemicals are structurally and functionally diverse and have multitarget antimicrobial effects, disrupting essential cellular activities. Given the promising results of plant-based antimicrobials, coupled with the slow discovery of novel antibiotics, it has become highly imperative to explore the vast repository of phytocompounds to overcome the looming catastrophe of AMR. This review summarizes the emergence of AMR towards existing antibiotics and potent phytochemicals having antimicrobial activities, along with a comprehensive overview of 123 Himalayan medicinal plants reported to possess antimicrobial phytocompounds, thus compiling the existing information that will help researchers in the exploration of phytochemicals to combat AMR.

Cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of Streblus asper from northeastern Thailand on A549 lung cancer cells

Thailand's second-leading cause of death is lung cancer. Thai indigenous herbal plants are sought after as an alternative treatment against lung cancer. This work aimed to examine cytotoxic, antiproliferative and antimigratory capacities of different parts of Streblus asper (SA) from northeastern Thailand on A549 lung cancer cells. Plant leaves, twigs, bark and wood were used for ethanolic extraction by maceration. The highest cytotoxicity of 85.46% was found in twig extract (IC50 57.46 µg/mL) assessed by an MTT assay. The lowest IC50 (18.42 µg/mL) was also found in twig extract using a clonogenic assay indicating its most antiproliferative activity in a long-term therapy. In addition, all SA extracts displayed antimigratory activity against A549 cells in a dose-dependent fashion, especially twig extract. Apoptotic characteristics were noticeable in SA extract treated cells. The maximum DPPH-scavenging activity, FRAP value, total phenolic and flavonoid content were found in twig extract. GC-MS analysis revealed that twig extract contained four prominent components namely ethyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester, lupeol and γ-sitosterol. Real-time PCR results showed that genes (Bcl-2, Bax, p21, and cytochrome c) linked to apoptosis were significantly affected by all SA extracts. The various SA components' ethanolic extracts exhibited moderate-to-high cytotoxic action towards A549 cells. This work will significantly advance the utilization of the plant as an alternative source of medicine for rural Thais, and it paves the way for future research to determine the active compound(s) and anticipate new drug candidates.

Phytochemicals, Elemental and Proximate analyses of Piper Guineense Leaves

Piper guineense leaves were studied for their phytochemical, proximate, and mineral content. Standard methods, such as elemental determination with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and Flame Photometry, were used for the analyses. The carbohydrate content, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, ash content, and moisture content were 40.60%, 2.00%, 17.55%, 9.55%, 14.00%, and 12.00%, respectively, according to the experimental results. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the leaf samples included a high quantity of alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugar, phenols, tannins, quinones, and cardiac glycosides. The mineral compositions of the investigated leaf show the presence of Fe (20.49 ± 0.25 Mg/100g), Zn (5.67 ± 0.10 Mg/100g), Mg (23.03 ± 5.10 Mg/100g), K (12.06 ± 0.10 Mg/100g) and Ca (120.98 ± 10.00 Mg/100g). The presence of essential minerals, phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides, as well as carbohydrate and crude protein, suggests that it might function as a spice, food, preservative, insecticide, herbal medicine, fragrance in the cosmetic industry, and alternative source of medicine.

Juju Jam: Natural anti-cancer food from Bidara fruit for cancer risk patients

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for one in six deaths. Conventional treatments have been advancing and becoming more effective, but scientists continue to seek alternative and complementary treatments. Nature is the main source of alternative medicine for various diseases, including cancer. For example, mineral-rich plants are widely available in Indonesia and have been used traditionally to treat illnesses. One of them is the bidara fruit (Ziziphus mauritiana), which has medicinal compounds such as flavonoid, phenolic and tannin. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) antioxidant assay test shows an IC50 234,2139 ppm and classifies bidara fruit extract as a medium antioxidant. Meanwhile, the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) test shows an LC50 4,5449 and classifies bidara fruit extract as having high toxicity.

Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Skin Disorders in Kenya: A Review

Skin health has increasingly become a great aspect in primary health care globally especially with the increasing number of immunocompromised individuals and the worrying increase in antimicrobial resistance. In the low and middle income countries such as Kenya, the conditions are further exacerbated by poor living conditions and inadequate access to proper medical care. Different ethnic communities in Kenya use various plants to manage and alleviate symptoms of skin disorders. This research aimed to critically review the different medically important plants that have been used by different communities over the years to treat skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and fungal infections as a source of alternative medicine. Scientific evaluation of some of the presented medicinal plants have also been summarized in this study. The information presented in this study was obtained from primary and review scientific studies and ethno-botanical books published until the year 2022 from the Google Scholar databases, Science Direct, AJOL, and PubMed. Atleast one hundred and eighteen Kenyan medicinal plant species from fifty families have been recorded for traditional medicinal therapies for various skin disorders. Scientific evidence of the medicinal importance of some of the listed plants have also been reported however, there is no clear scientific report on the toxicity of these medicinal plants. Alternative medicine is widely practiced in rural Kenya, however there is limited scientific knowledge that supports their ethno-botanical importance in the management of skin disorders. Hence substantial further research is recommended on the various medicinal plants listed in this study.

Plant growth and phytoactive alkaloid synthesis in kratom [Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.)] in response to varying radiance.

Leaves harvested from kratom [Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.)] have a history of use as a traditional ethnobotanical medicine to combat fatigue and improve work productivity in Southeast Asia. In recent years, increased interest in the application and use of kratom has emerged globally, including North America, for its potential application as an alternative source of medicine for pain management and opioid withdrawal syndrome mitigation. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of major kratom alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are well documented, foundational information on the impact of plant production environment on growth and kratom alkaloids synthesis is unavailable. To directly address this need, kratom plant growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and alkaloid concentration were evaluated under three lighting conditions: field full sun (FLD-Sun), greenhouse unshaded (GH-Unshaded), and greenhouse shaded (GH-Shaded). Nine kratom alkaloids were quantified using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. Greenhouse cultivation generally promoted kratom height and width extension by 93–114% and 53–57%, respectively, compared to FLD-Sun. Similarly, total leaf area and leaf number were increased by 118–160% and 54–80% under such conditions. Average leaf size of plants grown under GH-Shaded was 41 and 69% greater than GH-Unshaded and FLD-Sun, respectively; however, no differences were observed between GH-Unshaded and FLD-Sun treatments. At the termination of the study, total leaf chlorophyll a+b content of FLD-Sun was 17–23% less than those grown in the greenhouse. Total leaf dry mass was maximized when cultivated in the greenhouse and was 89–91% greater than in the field. Leaf content of four alkaloids to include speciociliatine, mitraphylline, corynantheidine, and isocorynantheidine were not significantly impacted by lighting conditions, whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine was below the lower limit of quantification across all treatments. However, mitragynine, paynantheine, and corynoxine concentration per leaf dry mass were increased by 40%, 35%, and 111%, respectively, when cultivated under GH-Shaded compared to FLD-Sun. Additionally, total alkaloid yield per plant was maximized and nearly tripled for several alkaloids when plants were cultivated under such conditions. Furthermore, rapid, non-destructive chlorophyll evaluation correlated well (r2 = 0.68) with extracted chlorophyll concentrations. Given these findings, production efforts where low-light conditions can be implemented are likely to maximize plant biomass and total leaf alkaloid production.

SCREENING FOR VIETNAMESE PLANT EXTRACTS WITH POTENTIAL BENEFIT FOR ANTI OSTEOCLASTOGENESISH

Bone's homeostasis is only achieved when there is a balance between bone formation and bone resorption. A metabolic disorder of bone-resorbing osteoclasts can lead to osteoporosis. Long-term use of anti-osteoporosis drugs can lead to undesirable side effects so traditional herbal can be a potential source of alternative medicine. In the present study, forty one Vietnamese plants (seventy methanol extracts) were screened for osteoclastogenesis inhibitory activities on RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells. For the first time, 29 extracts from 24 species showed potential as effective inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis.

Evaluation of Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Mineral Composition of Selected Medicinal Plants for Therapeutic Uses from Cold Desert of Western Himalaya.

The aim of this study was to determine the elemental and nutritive values of leaf parts of 10 selected wild medicinal plants, Acer pictum, Acer caecium, Betula utilis, Oxalis corniculata, Euphorbia pilosa, Heracleum lanatum, Urtica dioica, Berberis lycium, Berberis asiaticaand, and Quercus ilex, collected from the high hills of the Chitkul range in district Kinnaur, Western Himalaya. The nutritional characteristics of medicinal plant species were analyzed by using muffle furnace and micro-Kjeldahl methods, and the mineral content in plants was analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometry. The highest percentage of used value was reported in Betula utilis (0.42) and the lowest in Quercus ilex (0.17). In this study, it was found that new generations are not much interested in traditional knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants due to modernization in society. Therefore, there is an urgent need to document ethnomedicinal plants along with their phytochemical and minerals analysis in study sites. It was found that rural people in western Himalaya are dependent on wild medicinal plants, and certain steps must be taken to conserve these plants from extinction in the cold desert of Himalayan region. They are an alternative source of medicine because they contain saponin, alkaloid, and flavonoid etc. as well as minerals. The leaves used for analysis possesses good mineral content, such as Na, N, K, P, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg, and S. Hence, in the current study it was observed that medicinal plants are not only used for therapeutic purposes, but they can also be used as nutritional supplements.

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro screening of antifungal activity of Jatropha multifida, Euphorbia hirta, Occimum gratissimum and Mitracarpus scaber leaves extract

The research study was to understudy the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical compounds and antifungal activity of methanolic extracts of Jatropha multifida, Euphorbia hirta, Occimum gratissimum and Mitracarpus scaber leaves against 12 species of fungi. The 8 phytochemical compounds tested were saponin, phenol, tannin, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoid, alkaloid and glycoside. The antifungi sensitivity test was analysed by Kirby-bauer disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was analysed by broth tube dilution method followed by subculturing the relative samples. The plant extracts were prepared in the concentration range of 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50,100 and 200 mg/ml. The antifungal sensitivity test showed that Jatropha multifida (200mg/ml) was weakly effective against Fusarium solani and resistant against others. Occimum gratissimum, Euphorbia hirta and Mitracarpus scaber at (200mg/ml) respectively was highly effective on most of the fungi species tested with zone of inhibition of 10-20mm. Jatropha multifida had MIC and MFC (&gt;200mg/ml), Occimum gratissimum had MIC and MFC (100 and &gt;100mg/ml), Euphorbia hirta (25-200 and 50 - &gt;200mg/ml) and Mitracarpus scaber had (25 - 100 and 50-200mg/ml) on most test isolates respectively. Investigations showed, Mitracarpus scaber were highly effective, followed by Euphorbia hirta, Occimum gratissimum and Jatropha multifida on the test organisms and could be attributed to the presence of phytochemical compounds and as such can be harnessed and used as a source of alternative medicine especially in the tropics like the South-eastern Nigeria.

Molecular characterization, gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis, phytochemical screening and insecticidal activities of ethanol extract of Lentinus squarrosulus against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus).

Mosquito-transmitted diseases like zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever are known to affect human health worldwide. Numerous synthetic insecticides have been used as vector control for these diseases, but there is the challenge of environmental toxicity and vector resistance. This study investigated the medicinal and insecticidal potential of Lentinus squarrosulus against Aedes aegypti. The fruiting bodies were identified morphologically as well as using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences for its molecular characterization. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) yield was confirmed with NanoDrop Spectrophotometer ND-1000 and amplified with ITSl and ITS4 primers. The amplicons were sequenced and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database identified the nucleotides. Its ethanol extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and tested against the pupa and fourth instar larva of Aedes aegypti with percentage mortality monitored. The Macrofungus was identified morphologically and confirmed with molecular characterization as Lentinus squarrosulus (LS). The gene sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession number MK629662.1). GC-MS analysis showed that its ethanol extract has 25 bioactive compounds with 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester having the highest percentage of 43.32% as well as methyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetate and 17-octadecynoic acid having the lowest percentage (0.09%). The macrofungus contained varied concentrations of phytochemicals including phenols (159mg/g GAE), tannins (1.6mg/g TAE), and flavonoids (31.4mg/g QE). The ethanol extract had significant potent effects on Aedes aegypti larva and pupa which could be due to the occurrence and abundance of 9,12-octadecadienoic acid in LS. The LC50 of the extract for larvicidal and pupicidal activities were 2.95mg/mL and 3.55mg/mL, respectively, while its LC90 were 6.31mg/mL and 5.75mg/mL respectively. Lentinus squarrosulus had insecticidal effects against the Aedes aegypti larva and pupa and possessed great potential as a source of alternative medicine and eco-friendly insecticides.

Endophytic fungal assemblages of Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Edgew. and their antimicrobial potential

Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Edgew. is a medicinal plant widely been used by the local tribal communities of Assam as an alternative source of medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In the present study, endophytic fungi associated with Z. oxyphyllum were undertaken with an aim to investigate the isolates for their antimicrobial potential. The endophytic fungi were recovered using four different media, namely, Malt Extract Agar (MEA) media, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media, Water Agar (WA) media and media amended with the Plant Extract (PEA) from samples collected from three sites. Altogether, 18 isolates of endophytic fungi were isolated from 150 surface sterilized and healthy leaf fragments. Colletotrichum was found to be dominant endophytic genus with 7 different species. Other isolated endophytic fungal genera were Fusarium, Curvularia, Aspergillus, Corynespora and isolates belonging non-sporulating fungi categorised as Mycelia Sterilia. The endophytic fungi were determined for antimicrobial activity against selected clinically significant human pathogenic test organisms. Ethyl acetate crude extracts of all endophytic fungi exhibited antimicrobial activity by inhibiting a minimum of one of the four test pathogens. Amongst the isolates, crude extracts obtained from Fusarium sp. and five Colletotrichum spp. showed wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all the test organisms. The study indicated that Z. oxyphyllum harbours a wide range of endophytes capable of producing secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties. Further detailed investigation of their bioactive metabolites might lead to discovery of compounds with potential therapeutic applications as a new source of medicine.

Traditional knowledge using medicinal plants in Portoviejo Canton

The problem centers on the loss of empirical knowledge of the use of medicinal plants as a source of alternative medicine. The objective of the work is to carry out a study aimed at establishing the current state of local knowledge about the use of medicinal plants in rural parishes and 1 urban one of the Portoviejo canton. The method was based on the literature review on the subject and as techniques, the population survey was used on the knowledge and importance of medicinal plants. The main results of the research included the recovery of the use of medicinal plants as an alternative medicine use. As a result, it was obtained that the inhabitants of these parishes of average age between 35-59 years, had a high impact on the applied surveys of 39.1% of the use of medicinal plants and that the lowest ignorance of the use of medicinal plants as an alternative in medicine it was obtained by people of average age between 60 and over, but this is due to memory loss. It is concluded that knowledge about medicinal plants is regular since their inhabitants do not maintain continuity in their use.

Screening of natural compounds that targets glutamate racemase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis reveals the anti-tubercular potential of flavonoids

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), a highly infectious disease accounting for nearly 1.5 million deaths every year and has been a major global concern. Moreover, resistance to anti-TB drugs is an arduous obstacle to effective prevention, TB care and management. Therefore, incessant attempts are being made to identify novel drug targets and newer anti-tubercular drugs to fight with this deadly pathogen. Increasing resistance, adverse effects and costly treatment by conventional therapeutic agents have been inclining the researchers to search for an alternative source of medicine. In this regard natural compounds have been exploited extensively for their therapeutic interventions targeting cellular machinery of MTB. Glutamate racemase (MurI) is an enzyme involved in peptidoglycan (PG) biosynthesis and has become an attractive target due to its moonlighting property. We screened various classes of natural compounds using computational approach for their binding to MTB-MurI. Shortlisted best docked compounds were evaluated for their functional, structural and anti-mycobacterial activity. The results showed that two flavonoids (naringenin and quercetin) exhibited best binding affinity with MTB-MurI and inhibited the racemization activity with induced structural perturbation. In addition, fluorescence and electron microscopy were employed to confirm the membrane and cell wall damages in mycobacterial cells on exposure to flavonoids. Together, these observations could provide impetus for further research in better understanding of anti-tubercular mechanisms of flavonoids and establishing them as lead molecules for TB treatment.

Antimicrobial Activity of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Eryngium foetidum, an Ethnomedicinal Plant of Assam

Eyngium foetidum L. is a medicinal plant widely used by ethnic tribal communities of Assam as an alternative source of medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present investigation was undertaken with an aim to isolate, identify and assess the antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi associated with the healthy leaf tissues of E. foetidum. The endophytic fungi were isolated three different media, namely, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Malt Extract Agar (MEA) and Water Agar (WA) media and from three different sites. Altogether, 84 endophytic fungal isolates were isolated from 150 segments of leaf tissues. Dominant endophytes were found to be fungi belonging to the genus Colletotrichum, followed by non-sporulating members grouped under mycelia sterilia. Other fungal genera that were isolated as endophytes were Scopulariopsis, Cladosporium, Stemphylium, Penicilllium and Alternaria. The endophytic fungi thus isolated were studied for antimicrobial activity against some clinically significant human pathogenic test organisms. Ethyl acetate extracts of all endophytes exhibited antimicrobial activity by inhibiting at least one out of all the test pathogens. Amongst the isolated fungi, extracts obtained from three endophytes showed wide-spectrum activity against all the test organisms. The fungal endophytes were identified as Scopulariopsis sp., Penicillium sp. and a sterile isolate morphotype strain EF6. The study indicated that E. foetidum harbours a wide range of endophytes with antimicrobial properties and further detailed investigation of the compound present in them would lead to their potential therapeutic applications as a new source of medicine.