Source Of Bioactive Compounds Research Articles

Hybrid Fruits for Improving Health-A Comprehensive Review.

Several species of hybrid fruits, such as citrus, grapes, blueberries, apples, tomatoes, and lingonberries among others, have attracted scientific attention in recent years, especially due to their reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The bagasse, leaves, bark, and seeds of these hybrid fruits have large amounts of polyphenols, such as flavonoids, which act as potent antioxidants. Several studies have been carried out in cellular models of neurotoxicity of the extract of these fruits, to document the beneficial effects for human health, as well as to prove its antiproliferative effect in cancer cells. In the present review, through a synthesis of existing information in the scientific literature, we demonstrate that hybrid fruits are a source of antioxidant and bioactive compounds, which act in the inhibition of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, and consequently improving human health.

Antioxidative, Metabolic and Vascular Medicinal Potentials of Natural Products in the Non-Edible Wastes of Fruits Belonging to the Citrus and Prunus Genera: A Review.

Diabetes mellitus and related metabolic and vascular impairments are notable health problems. Fruits and vegetables contain phenolics that are beneficial to metabolic and oxidative health and useful in preventing associated disease. Scientific evidence has shown that some bioactive phenolics are more abundant in the non-edible parts (especially the peels) of many fruits than in their respective edible tissues. Fruits belonging to the Citrus and Prunus genera are commonly consumed worldwide, including in South Africa, and their non-edible wastes (peel and seed) have been shown to have antioxidative, metabolic and vascular pharmacological potentials and medicinal phytochemistry. It is therefore imperative to evaluate the pharmacological actions and phytochemical properties of the non-edible wastes of these fruits and understand how they could potentially be of medicinal relevance in oxidative, metabolic and vascular diseases, including diabetes, oxidative stress, obesity, hypertension and related cardiovascular impairments. In the absence of a previous review that has concomitantly presented the medicinal potentials of fruits wastes from both genera, this review presents a critical analysis of previous and recent perspectives on the medicinal potential of the non-edible wastes from the selected Citrus and Prunus fruits in metabolic, vascular and oxidative health. This review further exposes the medicinal phytochemistry, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms through the fruit wastes potentiates their therapeutic effects. A literature search was carried out on "PubMed" to identify peer-reviewed published (mostly 2015 and beyond) studies reporting the antidiabetic, antioxidative, antihypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties of the non-edible parts of the selected fruits. The data of the selected studies were analyzed to understand the bioactive mechanisms, bioactive principles and toxicological profiles. The wastes (seed and peel) of the selected fruits had antioxidant, anti-obesogenic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and tissue protective potentials. Some phenolic acids and terpenes, as well as flavonoids and glycosides such as narirutin, nobiletin, hesperidin, naringin, naringenin, quercetin, rutin, diosmin, etc., were the possible bioactive principles. The peel and seed of the selected fruits belonging to the Citrus and Prunus genera are potential sources of bioactive compounds that could be of medicinal relevance for improving oxidative, metabolic and vascular health. However, there is a need for appropriate toxicological studies.

Garcinia macrophylla: a Promising Underutilized Source of Bioactive Compounds in the Amazonia - A Review.

Native species from the Amazonia are still unknown or underutilized and few information about their chemical and biological properties are available in the literature. Among the underutilized plant species in the Amazonia, Garcinia macrophylla can be seen as a promising source of bioactive compounds with relevant biological properties. The stem bark and leaves were the main investigated plant parts, mainly concerning the antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxicity and antidiabetic properties. However, the bioactive compounds and biological properties of the edible fruits were not yet reported. Systematic investigations covering the Amazonia biome, concerning plants and vegetables as strategic resources are of paramount importance for the sustainable development of the forest. Therefore, this review gathered the available information in the literature concerning general aspects, chemical profile and biological properties of G. macrophylla, for the first time, which highlighted that systematic and robust in vitro and in vivo research, are still needed to elucidate the phytochemical profiles and associated relevant biological properties.

The Toxicological and Pharmacological Evaluation of the Anacyclus pyrethrum Aqueous Extract: Implications for Medicinal and Therapeutic Applications

Plants have long been valued for their medicinal and nutritional contributions to human life. Anacyclus pyrethrum, a member of the Asteraceae family, has attracted increasing attention as a source of natural products with diverse applications. In this study, we explored the toxicity and pharmacological properties of the aqueous extract of A. pyrethrum (AEAP). The acute toxicity study involved groups of mice subjected to oral administration of varying doses of AEAP, with immediate post-administration observations to detect any signs of toxicity or mortality. Comprehensive biochemical and hematological analyses encompassed assessments of renal function. The pharmacological profile was assessed by evaluating antinociceptive, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects, which were measured using the hot plate test, elevated plus maze, open field test, and forced swim test, respectively. Different doses (100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) were administered to rats via gavage for this assessment. The results revealed that the acute toxicity demonstrated the safety of AEAP at the tested doses, with no observed mortality or significant alterations. Moreover, it revealed that AEAP possesses an LD50 value greater than 5000 mg/kg. The pharmacological properties of AEAP demonstrated anxiolytic and antidepressant activities at a dose of 200 mg/kg, while no antinociceptive effect was observed. These findings underscore the potential of A. pyrethrum as a natural source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic applications. Further research is needed to explore long-term and chronic effects for a comprehensive assessment.

Extraction and Microencapsulation of Phytochemical Compounds from Mango Peel (Mangifera indica L.) var. “Kent” and Assessment of Bioaccessibility through In Vitro Digestion

The peel from mango (Mangifera indica L.) var. “Kent” is a good source of bioactive compounds (BC). BC are sensitive to oxygen, temperature, humidity, light, and gastrointestinal digestion, which change their biological function and health benefits. This study was aimed at the extraction of the bioactive compounds present in the peel from mango var. “Kent” and their microencapsulation using spray drying (SD) and spout-fluid bed drying (SFB). The bioaccessibility of BC was also evaluated. Two consecutive extractions of 90 min at 30 °C and 80% v/v ethanol were used. The microcapsules produced via SD and SFB presented high retention and encapsulation percentages of the bioactive compounds; nevertheless, SFB showed better protection during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The non-encapsulated extract showed a decrease (p ≤ 0.05) of BC at the end of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The results show that these microcapsules might be used in the food industry as an ingredient to produce functional foods and, thereby, to obtain the health benefits that the bioactive compounds provide.

Genome-wide assessment of genetic diversity and transcript variations in 17 accessions of the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Diatoms, a prominent group of phytoplankton, have a significant impact on both the oceanic food chain and carbon sequestration, thereby playing a crucial role in regulating the climate. These highly diverse organisms show a wide geographic distribution across various latitudes. In addition to their ecological significance, diatoms represent a vital source of bioactive compounds that are widely used in biotechnology applications. In the present study, we investigated the genetic and transcriptomic diversity of 17 accessions of the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum including those sampled a century ago as well as more recently collected accessions. The analysis of the data reveals a higher genetic diversity and the emergence of novel clades, indicating an increasing diversity within the P. tricornutum population structure, compared to the previous study and a persistent long-term balancing selection of genes in old and newly sampled accessions. However, the study did not establish a clear link between the year of sampling and genetic diversity, thereby, rejecting the hypothesis of loss of heterozygoty in cultured strains. Transcript analysis identified novel transcript including noncoding RNA and other categories of small RNA such as PiwiRNAs. Additionally, transcripts analysis using differential expression as well as Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis has provided evidence that the suppression or downregulation of genes cannot be solely attributed to loss-of-function mutations. This implies that other contributing factors, such as epigenetic modifications, may play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. Our study provides novel genetic resources, which are now accessible through the platform PhaeoEpiview (https://PhaeoEpiView.univ-nantes.fr), that offer both ease of use and advanced tools to further investigate microalgae biology and ecology, consequently enriching our current understanding of these organisms.

Formulated hydroxy fatty acids from fruit pomaces reduce apple scab development caused by Venturia inaequalis through a dual mode of action.

The outermost hydrophobic layer of plants, i.e. the cuticle, is mainly composed of cutin, a polyester of hydroxy fatty acids with reported eliciting and/or antimicrobial activities for some of them. By-products of the fruit processing industry (fruit pomaces), often strongly enriched in cuticular material, are therefore a potential source of bioactive compounds for crop protection against pathogen attack. We investigated the utilization of tomato and apple pomaces in the development of a cutin-based biocontrol solution against apple scab, a major apple disease caused by Venturia inaequalis. Several cutin monomer extracts obtained through different strategies of depolymerization and purification were first compared for their ability to induce a targeted set of defense genes in apple seedlings after foliar application. After a step of formulation, some extracts were chosen for further investigation in planta and in vitro. Our results show that formulated cutin monomers could trigger a significant transcriptome reprogramming in apple plants and exhibit an antifungal effect on V. inaequalis. Cutin monomers-treated apple seedlings were significantly protected against infection by the apple scab agent. Altogether, our findings suggest that water-dispersed cutin monomers extracted from pomaces are potential new bio-based solutions for the control of apple scab.

Assessment of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential of Phenolic Extracts from Post-Distillation Solid Residues of Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Lemon Balm, and Spearmint

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are potential sources of natural polyphenols. Solid residues (SRs) from the essential oil (EO) industry are produced in significant volumes and may be used as natural sources of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this work was designed to examine the antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics of phenolic extracts obtained from SRs that have remained after EO distillation. SR extracts of Greek oregano, rosemary, spearmint, lemon balm, and Greek sage were assessed for their total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus cereus in the concentration range of 500-3000 mg/L. The rosemary and Greek sage extracts exhibited the strongest antibacterial activities against all the Gram-positive species, while the spearmint and oregano extracts were less effective and only had an effect at the highest concentration used. The lemon balm extract did not show any inhibitory effect; however, it had the highest TPC, showing moderate antioxidant activity, along with spearmint. The oregano extract exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by Greek sage and rosemary. The experimental findings pointed to the potential use of extracts from post-distillation residues of MAPs as antimicrobials in the food industry, in addition to being rich sources of bioactive compounds.

Phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of bael (Aegle marmelos L.) pulp powder and its products

Aegle marmelos, a fruit often known as Bael in South Asia, is a useful medicinal plant due to its high concentration of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. It is an attractive color, pleasant flavor, and sweet taste that can be consumed raw or in the form of various formulations. This research aimed to quantify the phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of Bael powder and its product. Bael fruits were divided into three groups: Sample I (pulp, seed, and gum), Sample II (pulp and gum), and Sample III (pulp). These samples were dried to produce fine powder and Jam I (pulp) and Jam II (pulp with lemon juice) were prepared from Sample III. The phytochemical analysis was conducted using methanol and ethanol extracts, revealing that methanolic extracts contained significantly higher amounts of total phenol, flavonoid, and tannin compared to ethanolic extracts, except for antioxidant activities. Sample III exhibited higher phenol and flavonoid quantities for both extracts, while Jam II showed higher flavonoid content. The maximum ABTS scavenging activity was observed in Sample II and Jam II for both methanolic and ethanolic extracts. Total sugar was found at the highest amount in sample I and jam II. Jam I sample was preferred by the panelist. These findings underscore Bael powder as a rich source of bioactive compounds, potentially addressing malnutrition and hidden hunger.

LC–MS profiling, in vitro and in silico C-ABL kinase inhibitory approach to identify potential anticancer agents from Dalbergia sissoo leaves

Belonging to the Fabaceae family, Dalbergia sissoo, a versatile plant, has gained prominence for its potent medicinal attributes, especially antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties, as well as the use of its leaf juice in cancer treatment. Despite these recognized applications by natives and tribals, comprehensive insight into its biological activities and chemical composition remains limited. This study aimed to explore the cytotoxic potential of sequentially extracted leaf extracts from Dalbergia sissoo using various solvents, aiming to unveil the array of phytochemicals through LC–MS profiling. Among the extracts evaluated, the extract employing methanol:water extracting media (HN-2) appeared with the most remarkable results in both phytochemical diversity and biological activity. Furthermore, in vitro results of HN-2's in vitro anticancer efficacy were confirmed through in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. These analyses demonstrated its ability to inhibit C-ABL kinase within leukemia K562 cells, directing that Dalbergia sissoo leaves serve as a bioactive agent reservoir. Consequently, this suggests that the Dalbergia sissoo plant is a potential source of bioactive compounds that can be used as a precursor for developing new cancer inhibitors, mainly targeting leukemia.

Emerging berries from the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes: new sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits.

Brazil has a broad geographic biodiversity spread across its six different biomes. However, it has been suffering from the abusive exploitation of its resources, which poses a threat to the local fauna and flora. The Amazon and Atlantic Forest, for example, are birthplaces to rare and edible native species, such as bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba, Arecaceae) and camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia, Myrtaceae), and cereja-do-Rio Grande (Eugenia involucrata, Myrtaceae) and grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis, Myrtaceae), respectively. These plants produce fruits which are sources of macro and micronutrients, including sugars, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and/or lipids. Nutritionally, their consumption have the ability to reach partially or totally the daily recommendations for adults of some nutrients. More recently, these fruits have also been exposed as interesting sources of minor bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, terpenes, and/or polyphenols, the latter which include anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and tannins. Particularly, bacaba stands out for being a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (around 22%, dry weight) and dietary fibers (6.5-21%, dry weight); camu-camu has very high contents of vitamin C (up to 5000 mg per 100 g of pulp, dry basis); and cereja-do-Rio-Grande and grumixama are abundant sources of anthocyanins. Although they are still underexplored, several in vitro and in vivo studies with different parts of the fruits, including the peel, seed, and pulp, indicate their health potential through anti-oxidative, anti-obesity, antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic, antimicrobial, and/or anticancer effects. All things considered, the focus of this research was to highlight the bioactive potential and health impact of native fruits from the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes.

Freshwater algae Cladophora glomerata and Vaucheria sp. from Serbia as sources of bioactive compounds: Chemical analysis and biological activities

We examined potential biological activities of two taxa of freshwater algae, Cladophora glomerata and Vaucheria sp., from Serbia. The total phenolic and pigment contents, antioxidant potential, antimicrobial, antibiofilm activities, and cytotoxicity of the ethanol and acetone extracts were evaluated. The extracts were also subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The levels of total phenolic compounds, chlorophylls a and b, and carotenoids varied based on both the algal taxa and the type of extracts. FTIR analysis showed the presence of lipids, unsaturated fatty acids, protein, carbohydrates, and phenols in the algal extracts. The extracts had moderate DPPH radical scavenging activity and lower reducing power compared with ascorbic acid. The antimicrobial activity expressed as minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.31 mg/mL to 10 mg/mL. The strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus isolated from food samples, as well as S. aureus ATCC 25923, were the most sensitive. For the first time, the antibiofilm activity test revealed 98.7% inhibition of S. aureus biofilm formation. The extracts exhibited cytotoxic effects on choriocarcinoma JAR cells but without selectivity on normal fetal lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. This is the first report on the biological activities of freshwater macroalgae from Serbia.

Exploiting Locusta migratoria as a source of bioactive peptides with anti-fibrosis properties using an in silico approach.

Edible insects have been proposed as an environmentally and economically sustainable source of protein, and are considered as an alternative food, especially to meat. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, is an edible species authorised by the European Union as a novel food. In addition to their nutritional value, edible insects are also sources of bioactive compounds. This study used an in silico approach to simulate the gastrointestinal digestion of selected L. migratoria proteins and posteriorly identify peptides capable of selectively inhibiting the N-subunit of the somatic angiotensin-I converting enzyme (sACE). The application of the molecular docking protocol enabled the identification of three peptides, namely TCDSL, IDCSR and EAEEGQF, which were predicted to act as potential selective inhibitors of the sACE N-domain and, therefore, possess bioactivity against cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis.

Bioactive potentials of the truffle mushrooms Tirmania nivea, Tirmania pinoyi and Tuber indicum

Background Truffles are ectomycorrhizal wild mushrooms that have ethnomycological importance as a folklore remedy used to treat different skin and eye diseases and they are currently known as expensive food and potential sources of bioactive compounds. Objective This study aims to investigate the in vitro bioactive potential of the ethyl acetate extracts of three truffle species Tirmania nivea, Tirmania pinoyi, and Tuber indicum collected from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and China. Results and discussion Inhibition of α-glucosidase was investigated as an indication of the antidiabetic potential of extracts. Tuber indicum extract caused 21.7% inhibition at a concentration of 100ppm. On the other hand, inhibition of nitric oxide is evaluated as a key way to regulate inflammation. Tuber indicum extract at a concentration of 100μg/ml achieved the highest inhibition (50.2%) and had the lowest IC50 (86.0±0.09μg/ml) among tested extracts, while Tirmania pinoyi extract achieved the lowest inhibition (21.7%) with the highest IC50 (104.1±0.12μg/ml). Cell migration was used to evaluate the wound healing activity of extracts. Tirmania pinoyi extract at a concentration of 100μg/ml caused 74.71% wound closure followed by 73.43% and 62.38% by Tuber indicum and Tirmania nivea extracts, respectively. Finally, investigating the antiviral potential of extracts against coxsackie virus B3 revealed that Tirmania pinoyi extract showed the highest virucidal effect and pretreatment antiviral activity while Tuber indicum extract achieved the highest post-treatment antiviral activity. Results achieved by these truffles encourage further investigations to be used as functional foods or as sources of bioactive compounds.

Wild mushrooms: A Source of livelihood and future urban food

Wild edible mushrooms are more popular non timber forest products (NTFPs) which are highly valued as functional food for their medicinal and nutritional benefits. Several wild mushroom species have been pointed out as sources of bioactive compounds, in addition to their important nutritional value. They are the major source of income for the indigenous communities throughout the world. In Bonai Forest Division, Sundargarh, Odisha, survey was conducted during 2021 to 2022 with informants using semistructured interviews and gathered the information about the wild edible mushrooms available in their forest with their marketability. It was observed that the mushrooms play as an excellent source of livelihood for local communities in Bonai Forest Division and these mushrooms are sold in the local markets starting from 10- 20 rupees to 400 rupees. Therefore, the wild edible mushrooms which are available in the state need more exploration. It could be a valuable nutraceutical, making them essential in combating food insecurity. Additional research is needed so that the wild edible mushrooms can be commercialized which can play a key role in the socio-economic upliftment of the tribal people and will add organic food to the urban food basket.

Development of functional noodles by encapsulating mango peel powder as a source of bioactive compounds

Antioxidant compounds such as phenolics and carotenoids scavenge reactive oxygen species and protect against degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease when used as food additives or supplements. Mango peel is a by-product of mango which is a good source of bioactive substances such as phytochemicals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers. Unfortunately, the study on mango peel as a potential food additive is very limited. Accordingly, the present study aimed to develop functional noodles through extrusion technology with the encapsulation of mango peel powder as a natural source of bioactive compounds. First, mango peel powder (MPP) was prepared and incorporated during the mixing of ingredients before noodles formation at three different levels (2.5, 5 and 7.5 %). Afterward, the noodles were studied to determine how the encapsulated MPP affects the proximate composition, physicochemical characteristics, polyphenols, carotenoids, anthocyanin, antioxidant and antidiabetic activity, and sensory characteristics. The noodles exhibited a dose-dependent relationship in the content of bioactive components and functional activities with the encapsulation of MPP levels. A significantly (p 0.05) higher value was noticed in 7.5 % of MPP-encapsulated noodles than in any level of MPP encapsulation in noodles. The fiber and protein contents in the MPP-encapsulated noodles were increased by about 0–1.22 % and 0–3.16 %, respectively. However, noodles’ color index and water absorption index were decreased with the level of MPP encapsulation. The cooking loss of noodles increased from 4.64 to 5.17, 6.49, and 7.32 %, whereas the cooked weight decreased from 35.11 to 34.40, 33.65, and 33.23 % with 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 % of MPP encapsulation, respectively. However, MPP was stable during storage of noodles exhibiting higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity than control samples. The sensory evaluation showed that MPP-encapsulated noodles at levels 2.5 and 5 % had approximately similar overall acceptability values with the control sample. As a result of the findings, it appears that adding MPP up to 5 % to noodles improves their nutritional quality without changing their cooking, structural, or sensory aspects. Therefore, mango peel powder can be a potential cheap source for the development of functional noodles and food ingredients.

Exploration of grape pomace peels and amaranth flours as functional ingredients in the elaboration of breads: phenolic composition, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant activity.

This study evaluated the incorporation of two ingredients as a source of bioactive compounds: amaranth flour (AF) and grape pomace peels flour (GP) to improve the nutritional qualities and functional properties of a wheat bread, emphasising the revalorisation of agricultural residues from grape winemaking as an ethical and economically viable source of bioactive compounds. Specifically, wheat flour (WF) substitutions were carried out for the individual ingredients, replacing 20% WF (A20 bread) or 5% GP (GP5 bread) and a mixture of both ingredients 20% WF and 5% GP (A20GP5 bread), and the antioxidant potential of the breads was analysed. The effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) on the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of the fortified breads was also investigated. The substitution of WF by AF or GP introduced several phenolic compounds, digestion increased the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and reshaped their phenolic composition profiles. The combined presence of AF and GP in the breads modified the phenolic compounds composition and improved their antioxidant activity after SGID. Interactions between the phenolic compounds and other AF components (possibly proteins) were observed, which could protect the phenols from degradation during SGID, allowing them to be released after SGID.

The Sea's best kept secret: the use of seaweed as a source of biohydrogen for clean and renewable energy

Seaweeds, or macroalgae, have been used for centuries as food additives, fertilizers, and in traditional medicines. Recent uses include energy (fuels) and as a source of bioactive compounds (vitamins and fucoidan).

EXTRACTION OF FREE AND BOUND PHENOLICS FROM GLABROUS CANARY SEED (Phalaris canariensis L.) HULLS

The aim was to extract free phenolics using a green solvent (ethanol), and bound phenolics from glabrous canary seed hulls. The efficiency of ethanol 75% was compared with that of other solvents used in the literature (acetone 70%; methanol 80%) in terms of phenolic yield and antioxidant activity. Bound phenolics were extracted with ethyl acetate, prior to hydrolysis with NaOH 2 M. The phenolic extracts obtained were characterized according to extraction yield, total phenols, flavonoides, antioxidant activity, radical DPPH; and phenolic profile, HPLC. Methanol 80% had lower extraction yield, and acetone 70% had lower antioxidant activity; whereas ethanol 75% was the most efficient solvent to obtain free phenolics. Extraction yield of bound phenolics (6411.13 mg/100g hulls d.b.) doubled the value of free phenolics. Thus, antioxidant activity was four times higher (78.67% inhibition of radical DPPH). On the other hand, phenolic acids predominated over flavonoids compounds in a rate 26/1. Ferulic acid was the dominant (42.48 mg/100g hulls), followed by p-coumaric (39.07 mg/100g hulls). Although the use of glabrous canary seed is new, interest in its processing at industrial level makes canary seed hulls a potential waste material that could be leveraged as a source of bioactive compounds with several applications.

Antioxidant, photoprotective, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities of Albuca amoena Batt.

Introduction: Albuca amoena Batt. is an endemic plant from Morocco used for treating melanoma or leishmaniasis. The aim of this study is to test the antioxidant, photoprotective, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial properties of this plant. Methods: The extracts of the aerial and bulbous parts were obtained by hydroalcoholic maceration of the plant. Their antioxidant potentials were evaluated in vitro using four methods of 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazil (DPPH), 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and total antioxidant capacity assay (TAC). The photoprotective properties were evaluated through the study of UVA and UVB absorbance and antityrosinase activity. The cytotoxic activity was determined against two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and one human colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29) using the 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. In addition, the antimicrobial activity was tested on six pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans by using the disc diffusion method. Results: The results showed that the UVA and UVB absorptive proprieties of the extracts were similar to those used as positive controls: Methyl salicylate and zinc oxide. Moreover, the antioxidant and antityrosinase properties of the studied extracts were found to be weakly active. The extracts had strong cytotoxicity activities, especially against HT-29 cell line. However, the extracts did not show any antibacterial activity. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the extracts can be used as a sunscreen to avoid dermal anomalies and as a new source of cytotoxic bioactive compound.