Superoxide Scavenging Assay Research Articles

Total phenolic contents and determination of Antioxidant activity by DPPH, FRAP, and cyclic voltammetry of the fruit of Solanum nigrum (Black nightshade) growing in the south of Algeria

In the present research, we studied the quantification of the total phenolics, total flavonoids, total flavonols, and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the fruits of Solanum nigrum L. by chemical and electrochemical methods. The chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol crude extracts are prepared from the hydroethanolic extract of the fruits were tested. The results showed that ethyl acetate extract showed the highest phenolic content (87.68mg GAE/g), chloroform extract showed the highest flavonoid content (24.23mg QE/g) and highest flavonol content (71.60mg RE/g). The evaluation of antioxidant activity by chemical methods revealed that the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was shown by ethyl acetate extract (0.123mg/mL) while the highest ferric reducing capacity was shown by butanol extract (610.46±0.0015mg FeSO4/g). The electrochemical study of the three extracts by cyclic voltammetry method indicates that the highest antioxidant activity was shown by ethyl acetate extract (17.75±0.238mg/g) equivalent ascorbic acid. The superoxide scavenging assay of chloroform extract showed the highest value (0.8 mg/mL).

Acid Treatment Enhances the Antioxidant Activity of Enzymatically Synthesized Phenolic Polymers.

Phenolic polymers produced by enzymatic oxidation under biomimetic and eco-friendly reaction conditions are usually endowed with potent antioxidant properties. These properties, coupled with the higher biocompatibility, stability and processability compared to low-molecular weight phenolic compounds, open important perspectives for various applications. Herein, we report the marked boosting effect of acid treatment on the antioxidant properties of a series of polymers obtained by peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of natural phenolic compounds. Both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assays indicated a remarkable increase in the antioxidant properties for most phenolic polymers further to the acid treatment. In particular, up to a ca. 60% decrease in the EC50 value in the DPPH assay and a 5-fold increase in the Trolox equivalents were observed. Nitric oxide- and superoxide-scavenging assays also indicated highly specific boosting effects of the acid treatment. Spectroscopic evidence suggested, in most cases, that the occurrence of structural modifications induced by the acid treatment led to more extended π-electron-conjugated species endowed with more efficient electron transfer properties. These results open new perspectives toward the design of new bioinspired antioxidants for application in food, biomedicine and material sciences.

Invitro Efficacy of antioxidant activity in ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Andrographis paniculata Nees and Rhinacanthus nasutus Kurz

Plants are adundantly and are very promisive to be used as source of drugs in many diseases or infections and also it is a main agents of antioxidants which prevents the oxidative stress that are caused by the free radicals. There are numerous studies based on the pharmaceutical and classification of medicinal plants throughout the world. Leaves, fruits, roots are most frequently plant parts used in many research and studies. Here the present study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of Andrographis paniculata Nees and Rhinacanthus nasutus Kurz. Antioxidant is a substance which is used to prevent some types of cell damage in the body. Determination of their in vitro antioxidant activity were carried out by using methods such as DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl assay), ABTS (2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin 6-sulfonic acid assay), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) and SOD (super oxide anion scavenging) assay, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging) assay. Moreover the ethanolic leaf extracts showed best antioxidant activity than the aqueous leaf extracts. Experimental results reveals that the leaves of A. paniculata have potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity than R. nasutus. Further investigation must be done for these two medicinal plants for the discovery of the bioactive compounds.

Solvent extraction effects on phytochemical profiles, antioxidant activities and superoxide anion radical interactions of whole fruit, pulp and skin of Cucurbita pepo L.

In this study, hexane and ethanol were used separately as solvent in the extraction of different part of fresh fruit of Cucurbita pepo L. For each solvent, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total flavanol content and antioxidant activity in skin, pulp and whole fruit extract were investigated using invitro assays. The results showed that skin part is the rich one en compounds and ethanol is the best solvent for the extraction of total phenolics (231.16 mgGAE/g), total flavonoids (8,4 mgRE/g) and total flavanols (4,16 mgQE/g). For evaluation of antioxidant activity, using DPPH• radical scavenging and total antioxidant activity, skin extract obtained by ethanol showed the highest value respectively (IC50= 0,42 mg/mL) and (19,72 mg/g). The superoxide scavenging assay of ethanol extract of whole fruit and skin showed the highest value respectively (IC50= 0,015 mg/ml) and (0.016 mg/ml).

Study of Antioxidant, Antiproliferative and DNA Damage Protecting Activities of Cinnamomum cassia Extracts Obtained by Sequential Extraction.

Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia) is an evergreen tree in China and Southern and Eastern Asia. In traditional medicine, cinnamon is widely used due to its many bioactivity effects. The present novel study aims to evaluate and make a comparison of antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of different extractions of C. cassia bark using seven solvents having different polarities. Solvents polarity gradients start with the solvent of lower polarity, n-hexane, and end with water as the highest polar solvent. Among the extracts, acetone extract contains the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents; therefore, it is assessed for the ability to protect DNA from damage. The extracts are evaluated for total phenolic, flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities, using FRAP, DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals scavenging assays. DNA damage protecting activity of the acetone extract is studied with the comet assay. Each of the extracts is studied for its antiproliferative effect against, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231(breast cancer), and HT29 (colon cancer), using MTT assay. The acetone extract exhibited the highest FRAP value, phenolic and flavonoids contents when compared to the other extracts and could protect 45% mouse fibroblast cell line (3T3-L1) from DNA damage at 30 μg/ml. The lowest IC50 value in DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals scavenging was noticed in the ethyl acetate extract. IC50 value obtained for the hexane extract was the lowest compared to the other extracts in scavenging nitric oxide radicals. The hexane extract showed the highest antiproliferative effect against cancer cells followed by the chloroform extract. The ethyl acetate extract inhibited the proliferation of only MCF-7 by IC50 of 100 μg/ml, while the other extracts exhibited no IC50 in all the cancer cells. C. cassia showed promising antioxidant and anticancer activities with significant DNA damage protecting effect.

Synthesis, characterization, toxic substructure prediction, hepatotoxicity evaluation, marine pathogenic bacteria inhibition, and DFT calculations of a new hydrazone derived from isoniazid

A new hydrazide-hydrazone; N‵-[(3Z)-6-bromo-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-3-ylidene] pyridine-4-carbohydrazide (IH) has been prepared via condensation of the anti-tubercular drug isonicotinylhydrazide (INH) and 6-bromoindoline-2,3-dione. The newly synthesized compound has been characterized by different spectroscopic methods such as UV, IR, NMR (1H, 13C), and mass spectrometry. The antioxidant effect of IH was investigated by DPPH, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. Results indicated that IH exhibits an excellent hydrogen peroxide-scavenging effect with an IC50 of 4.46 ± 0.2 μg/mL, a good effect against superoxide anion with an IC50 of 125 ± 66 μg/mL, and a moderate effect towards DPPH with inhibition percentage of 54%. In addition, IH was subjected to a density functional theory (DFT) study, where lipophilicity, and toxic substructure (toxicophores) of IH were predicted. Our computational results indicate high chemical reactivity of IH in DMSO, and the lipophilic character with logP value of 1.78 at the physiological pH 7.4. Moreover, hepatotoxicity results showed non-toxic effect of IH to mice liver at the administrated dose of 400 mg/kg. IH was also investigated for its antibacterial effect against the marine pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae. Results revealed an excellent antibactericidal effect of IH against Vibrio anguillarum with inhibition percentages of 97.90% and 98.87% at 500 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL respectively. Additionally, IH exhibited a significant effect against Photobacterium damselae with inhibition percentages of 97.66% and 98.08% at the same concentrations, respectively.

"Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Floscopa scandens Lour".

To explore the total phenolic and flavonoid content, enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidant properties, anti-inflammation and anticancer activities of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Floscopa scandens (F. scandens). Non-enzymatic antioxidant activity was examined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, nitric oxide scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, superoxide scavenging assay and metal chelating assay. Enzymatic antioxidant ability was screened for the antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate oxidase, peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase. The anti-inflammatory property was proved with the inhibition of protein denaturation and protease inhibitory assays. In vitro anticancer activity was assessed by cell viability assay. Methanol extract contained high amount of phenols (198.41 mg catechol equivalent/gram extract) and flavonoids (101.70 mg quercetin equivalent/gram extract) showed higher activity than hexane and ethyl acetate extracts in all experiments. Fresh plant showed considerable enzymatic antioxidant activity. The results revealed that the methanol extracts of F. scandens could be used as a potential source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer bioactive compounds.

The In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemicals of Locally Consumed Plant Foods from Quezon Province, Philippines

Background. Quezon province has been one of the primary agricultural sources of vegetables and crops in southern Luzon due to its diverse agricultural topography. Having increased dietary awareness, consumption of antioxidant-rich foods has become relevant. Objectives. Thirteen (13) methanolic extracts of endemic Quezon plant foods were evaluated for phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential.Methods. The plant extracts were subjected to in vitro antioxidant assays, which include DPPH [2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl], FRAP [Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching], metal chelation, superoxide, nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and MTT [ (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)] reduction. Qualitative phytochemical analysis were also employed. Results. P. umbellatum, locally known as kamamba and C. longa, locally known as luyang dilaw showed high antioxidant activity using DPPH and MTT assays by 82.46±0.75% and 82.35±1.79% and 78.46±0.71% and 60.97±2.60% at 66.67 μg/mL, respectively. FRAP assay revealed a comparable reducing power with BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) (93.61±0.56%) at 72.15 μg/mL in C. longa (92.49±1.32%), P. umbellatum (92.38±0.64%), and Z. officinale (90.33±2.06%) (luya), but found with low metal chelating activity. The highest activity against hydroxyl radical were observed in S. edule (sayote) (34.30±1.88%), P. edulis (pasyonaryo) (33.48±1.34%) and D. philippinensis (katmon) (34.71±0.85%) at 45.5 μg/mL. On the other hand, Z. officinale, C. esculenta (gabi), V. unguiculata (sitaw) fruit and D. philippinensis showed dual action, as antioxidant and as pro-oxidant, in Superoxide Scavenging and Nitric Oxide assays. Quezon province plant foods contain flavonoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides and coumarins and quinones which may explain their behavior as antioxidant.Conclusion. The study revealed that different plant foods showed different capacity to scavenge particular oxidants. However, P. umbellatum and C. longa may be considered promising sources of natural antioxidants.

Anti-inflammatory properties of saponin fraction from (Spiny brittle star) Ophiocoma erinaceus (Müller and Troschel, 1842)

Marine saponins are naturally glycosides compounds which possess important biomedical properties such as anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Nevertheless, no systematic studies on the anti-inflammatory potential of brittle star saponin and its underlying mechanisms have been reported. In this study, O. erinaceus extracted saponin was investigated for its in vitro anti-inflammatory capacity. The antioxidant capacity of extracted saponin was evaluated using anion superoxide scavenging assay. Further, the anti-inflammatory effect of brittle star saponin on the production of inflammatory cytokines in THP-1/M cells was evaluated. Molecular mechanisms inhibitory effects of brittle star saponin were assessed by analyzing the expression of inflammatory mediators at transcriptional level. The results showed scavenging properties of extracted saponin against superoxide anion radical and demonstrated that brittle star saponin dose-dependently attenuated the release of inflammatory mediators such as NO, TNF-α, and COX-2, Real Time-PCR analysis elucidated that the anti-inflammatory action of brittle star saponin is correlated with its inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA expression in THP-1/M cells. The results found, intensely afford the anti-inflammatory combined with its antioxidant potential of marine saponin extracted from brittle star.

P.544 Morphofunctonal meaning of the cerebellar tonsil

Antioxidants from natural sources exhibits high standards concerning their obligatory roles in the improvement of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products. The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti haemolytic activity and FT – IR analysis of two medicinal plants namely, Pouteria campechiana and Tricosanthes tricuspidata. In vitro antioxidant activity of PCBE and TTME extract was screened by various antioxidant assays such as 1,1- diphenyl–2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid cation decolorization (ABTS)test, hydroxyl radical scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, superoxide scavenging assay, reducing power capacity and antihaemolytic activity assay. PCBE exhibited high anti radical activity in DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 41.1, 9, 220, 82 and 48.2 μg/ml respectively where as the TTME showed moderate activity with the IC50 value of 63.3, 47, 130, 161, 84 μg/ml respectively. Linear regression analysis of phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant assays for PCBE and TTME displayed a positive correlation (R > 0.931; R2 > 0.614) which indicate that polyphenols are considered as main antioxidants. The FT-IR spectroscopy analysis confirms the presence of alcohols, phenols, alkanes, amides, amino acids, carboxylic acids, nitro compounds and amines in both the extract. The results suggested that the phytochemicals in both the plants have potent antioxidant activities in correlation with their polyphenolics content.

Padina tenuis (marine alga) attenuates oxidative stress and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic indices in Wistar albino rats

Marine algae are ecologically important in the food chain and some of have demonstrated wide range of pharmacological properties including antidiabetic activities. This research was aimed to investigate the diabetes-healing effect of a phytochemically active marine alga Padina tenuis. Prior to the in vivo study, both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical status, acute toxicity and antioxidative effects by DPPH radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing assay, superoxide scavenging assay, iron chelating assay were evaluated. The in vivo study was conducted in 10% fructose-fed streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats categorized into five different groups including normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), reference control (RC), treatments PT-25 (Padina tenuis chloroform extract 25 mg/kg b.w.) and PT-50. Upon routine observation on body weight, food intake, water intake, blood glucose, and oral glucose tolerance (OGT), the animals were sacrificed after three weeks of intervention. Organ weights, serum lipid profile, insulin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, uric acid and urea were calculated as major indices. The results showed very promising phenolic and flavonoid content, substantial antioxidative effect, non-toxicity in acute level and strong α-amylase inhibition. PT-25 was found to significantly manage the serum AST, ALP, creatinine, uric acid, weekly blood glucose level, glucose tolerance ability as well as kidney and pancreatic weights. Moreover, kidney and pancreatic architecture in histopathological screening were notably improved in the treatment group. β-cells/islet of Langerhans and kidney cells were improved compared to NC animals. The data suggests that Padina tenuis could be very effective as natural sources of antidiabetic agents to modulate pancreatic action and kidney function.

Preventive Effect of Opuntiol, Isolated from Opuntia ficus indica (L. Mill), Extract Against Ultraviolet A Radiation-Induced Oxidative Damages in NIH/3T3 Cells

Aim: We investigated the role of opuntiol, isolated from Opuntia ficus indica, against ultraviolet A waveband-mediated oxidative damages in the mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines (NIH‐3T3). Materials and Methods: The antioxidant potential of opuntiol was carried out by hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion and DPPH radical scavenging assays. The preventive effect of opuntiol against UV-mediated cytotoxicity was revealed by MTT assay. Further, the oxidative end points during UV-exposure, in the presence and absence of opuntiol, was analyzed by DCFH-DA staining, rhodamine-123 staining and alkaline comet assay. Results: Opuntiol significantly neutralizes hydroxyl (OH•), superoxide anion (O2•–), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. In this study, the NIH-3T3 cells were treated with UVA-waveband in the presence and absence of opuntiol and oxidative damage markers were analyzed. We observed that opuntiol pretreatment (5 μM-20 μM) prevented 10 mJ/cm2UVA radiation-induced cytotoxicity in NIH-3T3 cells. Further, single UVA-radiation induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) through intracellular photosensitizers. Conversely, opuntiol pretreatment prevented UVA-mediated ROS generation and subsequent lipid peroxidation and loss of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) in the NIH-3T3 cells. It has also been observed that the UVA-mediated ROS subsequently induces DNA damage and alters mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP). We noticed that opuntiol prevents UVA-radiation-mediated DNA single-strand breaks. Further, it prevents loss of MMPs and apoptotic morphological changes in the NIH-3T3 cells. Conclusion: Thus, these findings illustrate that opuntiol prevents UVA-radiation-mediated oxidative stress-related biochemical changes in the cellular system.

Design and Development of Novel 1,3,5-Triazine-Procaine Derivatives as Protective Agent against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Inhibitor of Nuclear Factor-κB

The aim of the present study was to determine the protective effect of novel 1,3,5-triazine-procaine derivatives against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Initially, the experiment has been started by the synthesis of procaine, which later got substituted with diverse 1,3,5-triazine derivatives to furnish the final compounds. The target compounds were tested for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The antioxidant activity of most potent compound 9i was investigated using hydroxyl radical, DPPH, and superoxide anion scavenging assay. Compound 9i was further evaluated for protective effect against myocardial I/R injury on the basis numerous parameters, for example, hemodynamic parameters (left ventricular developed pressure [LVDP], ±dp/dt_max, coronary flow [CF], and heart rate [HR]), myocardial enzymes (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), oxidative stress (super oxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione [GSH], and glutathione peroxidise [GPx]), histopathology, western blots analysis for B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated x protein (Bax), lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), and NF-κB in cardiac tissues. Compounds showed significant inhibition of NF-ĸB transcriptional activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, revealing compound 9i as a most potent derivative. In vitro results showed efficient reduction of reduced hydroxyl radical, DPPH, and superoxide anion by 9i. The level LVDP, ±dp/dt_max, CF, HR, TBARS, SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx, and damaged cardiac histopathology were completely restored to normal in 9i-treated group, as compared to I/R group. In western blot analysis, the expression of Bax, LOX-1, and NF-ĸB was found to be decreased, while the level of Bcl-2 was found to be increased in 9i-treated group. The procaine-1,3,5-triazine derivatives showed significant cardioprotective action via inhibition of NF-ĸB.

Comparative evaluation of Ziziphus mauritiana leaf extracts for phenolic content, antioxidant and antibacterial activities

ABSTRACTThe solvent extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana leaves were evaluated for phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Ethanol extract had the highest antioxidant capacity in all the tested assay models except for superoxide scavenging assay; ethyl acetate extract had the highest superoxide scavenging activity. The reducing power and cupric antioxidant capacity increased with increasing amounts of extract in all cases. All the extracts exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 7.33 ± 1.53 mm to 22.33 ± 0.58 mm against tested isolates. Ethyl acetate extract had the highest antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahemolyticus with 22.33 ± 0.58 mm zone of inhibition and the lowest MIC and MBC values of 2.5 and 4.0 mg mL−1, respectively. The ethanol leaf extracts had the highest total phenolics (182.93 ± 6.94 mg GAE g−1 extract) that was highly correlated with r values ranging from 0.901–0.991 for phenolic and 0.960–0.989 for flavonoid contents, respectively.

Exhausted Woods from Tannin Extraction as an Unexplored Waste Biomass: Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Pollutant Adsorption Properties and Activating Effects of Hydrolytic Treatments.

Exhausted woods represent a byproduct of tannin industrial production processes and their possible exploitation as a source of antioxidant compounds has remained virtually unexplored. We herein report the characterization of the antioxidant and other properties of practical interest of exhausted chestnut wood and quebracho wood, together with those of a chestnut wood fiber, produced from steamed exhausted chestnut wood. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assays indicated good antioxidant properties for all the materials investigated, with exhausted chestnut wood, and, even more, chestnut wood fiber exhibiting the highest activity. High efficiency was observed also in the superoxide scavenging assay. An increase of the antioxidant potency was observed for both exhausted woods and chestnut wood fiber following activation by hydrolytic treatment, with an up to three-fold lowering of the EC50 values in the DPPH assay. On the other hand, exhausted quebracho wood was particularly effective as a nitrogen oxides (NOx) scavenger. The three materials proved able to adsorb methylene blue chosen as a model of organic pollutant and to remove highly toxic heavy metal ions like cadmium from aqueous solutions, with increase of the activity following the hydrolytic activation. These results open new perspectives toward the exploitation of exhausted woods as antioxidants, e.g., for active packaging, or as components of filtering membranes for remediation of polluted waters.

Effect of Myricetin on the Loss of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Transgenic Drosophila Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Background: The formation of Lewy bodies is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the neuronal damage specifically the dopaminergic neurons in the Parkinson’s disease patients. Hence any agent that could curtail the production of ROS /oxidative stress could act as a possible therapeutic agent thereby preventing the neuronal damage. </P><P> Method: In the present study, we first evaluated the antioxidant potential of myricetin by performing superoxide anion scavenging and diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays. Myricetin at a final concentration of 10, 20 and 40µM was mixed in diet and the PD flies were allowed to feed on it for 24 days. After 24 days of exposure, the dopamine content was estimated in brain and the immunohistochemistry was performed for the tyroxine hydroxylase activity on the brain sections from each group. </P><P> Results: Myricetin showed a dose-dependent increase in the antioxidative activity. The exposure of PD flies to 10, 20 and 40µM of Myricetin not only showed a dose-dependent significant increase in the dopamine content compared to unexposed PD flies (p<0.05), but also prevented the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain of PD flies. </P><P> Conclusion: The results suggest that the antioxidative potential of myricetin is responsible for preventing the loss of dopaminergic neurons and dopamine content.

ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FOUR INDIGENOUS SOUTH AFRICAN PLANTS.

Background: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. Limitations of current cancer therapies necessitate the search for new anticancer drugs. Plants represent an immeasurable source of bioactive compounds for drug discovery. The objective of this study was to assess the anti-proliferative and antioxidant potential of four indigenous South African plants commonly used in traditional medicine. Materials and Methods: The anti-proliferative activity of the plant extracts were assessed by the 2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4- Nitro-5-Sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide (XTT) assay on A431; HaCat; HeLa; MCF-7 and UCT-Mel 1 cells and sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay on HCT-116 and HCT-15 cell lines. Antioxidant activity was determined using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide scavenging assays. Results: Three of the plant extracts (Combretum mollefruit, Euclea crispa subsp. crispa leaves and stems and Sideroxylon inerme leaves and stems showed anti-proliferative activity on the A431 cells with IC50values ranging between 26.9 - 46.7 μg/ml. The Euclea crispa subsp. crispa extract also showed anti-proliferative activity on the MCF-7 cell line (45.7 μg/ml). All of the plant extracts (Combretum molle leaves and fruit, Euclea crispa subsp. crispa leaves and stems, Sideroxylon inerme leaves and stems and Terminalia prunioides leaves and stems) showed DPPH scavenging activity with IC50 values ranging from 1.8 μg/ml to 11.5 μg/ml. Conclusion: These results indicate that the active extracts of Combretum molle, Euclea crispa subsp. Crispa and Sideroxylon inerme warrants further investigation to determine the mechanism of anti-proliferative activity against cancerous cells. These plant extracts also show potential for further evaluation in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Free radical scavenging potential and antihaemolytic activity of methanolic extract of Pouteria campechiana (Kunth) Baehni. and Tricosanthes tricuspidata Linn

Abstract Antioxidants from natural sources exhibits high standards concerning their obligatory roles in the improvement of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products. The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant, anti haemolytic activity and FT – IR analysis of two medicinal plants namely, Pouteria campechiana and Tricosanthes tricuspidata. In vitro antioxidant activity of PCBE and TTME extract was screened by various antioxidant assays such as 1,1- diphenyl–2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid cation decolorization (ABTS)test, hydroxyl radical scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, superoxide scavenging assay, reducing power capacity and antihaemolytic activity assay. PCBE exhibited high anti radical activity in DPPH, ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and superoxide radical scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 41.1, 9, 220, 82 and 48.2 μg/ml respectively where as the TTME showed moderate activity with the IC50 value of 63.3, 47, 130, 161, 84 μg/ml respectively. Linear regression analysis of phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant assays for PCBE and TTME displayed a positive correlation (R > 0.931; R2 > 0.614) which indicate that polyphenols are considered as main antioxidants. The FT-IR spectroscopy analysis confirms the presence of alcohols, phenols, alkanes, amides, amino acids, carboxylic acids, nitro compounds and amines in both the extract. The results suggested that the phytochemicals in both the plants have potent antioxidant activities in correlation with their polyphenolics content.

Synthesis of eco-friendly facile nano-sized zinc oxide particles using aqueous extract of Cymodocea serrulata and its potential biological applications

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is an emerging branch of nanotechnology due to its low cost and effectiveness. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs) nanoparticles were biosynthesized by an eco-friendly method using Cymodocea serrulata. They were characterized by Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The synthesized crystalline nanoparticles were found to be 26.0–52.0 nm in size. The antioxidant activity of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles at 1000 µg/ml have revealed 75.55% in DPPH, 69.5% in deoxy-ribose, 62.75% in ABTS, 71.25% in nitric oxide and 74.10% in superoxide-scavenging assays. They also depicted significant bactericidal action against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Shigella flexneri. ZnO nanoparticles at 100 µg/ml concentration showed increased inhibition against B. subtilis with 18.0 mm, whereas moderate inhibition was seen against S. flexneri with 14.3 ± 0.25 mm. The cytotoxicity of ZnO-NPs was evaluated on A549 and H520 cell lines. The anti-proliferative effect was seen at 120 µg concentration on A549 and H520 cell lines with IC50 values of 55.0 ± 0.25 and 60.0 ± 0.50 µg/ml at 24 h. C. serrulata-coated zinc nanoparticles was found potential against bacterial pathogens and cancer cells. Therefore, they may be developed in future for biomedical applications.

BIOACTIVITY SCREENING OF SELECTED TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS OF KERALA

Objectives: Traditional medicines all over the world is revaluing nowadays by extensive research programs. To validate the traditional use, the active components in them need to be identified, characterized, and biologically evaluated. Stereospermum suaveolens, Hygrophila spinosa, and Naravelia zeylanica are important medicinal plants used by the ethnic people of Kerala against various ailments. The present study validates the ethnomedical uses of S. suaveolens, H. spinosa, and N. zeylanica by screening their antimicrobial, anthelmintic, and antioxidant properties.Method: All the analyses were done according to standard protocols.Results: The ethanolic extracts of their useful parts were investigated for antimicrobial activity against 10 human pathogenic microorganisms. All the three plants had shown prominent antimicrobial activities, and S. suaveolens exhibits comparatively more antifungal activity in their higher concentration (500 μg/mL). Anthelmintic efficiency of the plants was screened using Indian adult earthworm Pheretima posthuma. All of them had shown significant activity, and the highest was observed in S. suaveolens leaves. Antioxidant potential of the plants was screened using 2,2 diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and superoxide anion scavenging assay. In DPPH free radical scavenging assay, maximum radical scavenging was shown by S. suaveolens with IC50 value 61.6±2.3 μg/mL, and in superoxide anion scavenging assay, maximum activity was in N. zeylanica with IC50 value of 74.66±8.5 μg/mL.Conclusion: This study provides scientific evidence on the traditional use of S. suaveolens (leaves), H. spinosa (leaves), and N. zeylanica (aerial part) in treating microbial diseases, worm disturbances, and their potential as an antioxidant agent.