Unripe Fruit Extract Research Articles

Correlation Between Acetogenin Content and Antiproliferative Activity of Pawpaw (Asimina triloba [L.] Dunal) Fruit Pulp Grown in Korea.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) contains acetogenins that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In our study, we demonstrate that the antiproliferative activity is higher in unripe than in ripe fruit and depends on acetogenin content. Our results indicate that the extract of unripe pawpaw fruit has value not only as a functional food, but has therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer as a naturally derived substance that may be less toxic than conventional chemotherapy drugs.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Properties and Brine Shrimp Lethality of Unripe Fruits of Solanum viarum

Objective: The aim of the study was evaluate the tannin content, antioxidant activity and the lethality of unripe fruits extract of Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae) against brine shrimps. Methods: The tested samples for tannins content were water, ethanol:water (1:3) and acetone:water (1:3) extract. The unripe fruits powder of S. viarum was used to extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus for 2 hr. Cytotoxicity was screened using Brine Shrimp Lethality Test and aqueous extract. Results: The results demonstrated that the yield of tannins for the acetone:water extraction was substantially higher than that typical yields obtained by ethanol:water or water extraction [31.10% for Total Solids (%), 14.99% for Stiasny’s Index (%), 3.99% for Condensed Tannins in the Extract (%) and 1.09% for Condensed Tannins in the Unripe Fruits (%). The antioxidant activity was 61.12±12.42 % compared to ascorbic acid (100%) and polyphenol concentration was 39.33±4.45 mg of tannic acid/g of extract obtained from the tannic acid calibration curve y = 0.0128x - 0.0015 (R 2 = 0.9988). Flavonoid concentration was 89.36 ± 11.6 mg of quercetin/g of extract obtained by quercetin calibration curve y=0.0153x+0.0109, R 2 =0.9827. The results demonstrated that the positive control (potassium dichromate) hatching success was significantly higher than the S. viarum extract (P 50 was 66.01 μg/ml for the water extract of unripe fruit of S. viarum and in accord to Clarkson’s toxicity criterion, LC 50 Conclusion: The unripe fruit extract of S. viarum demonstrated low percentage in phenolic content, but significant antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid concentrations. S. viarum unripe fruits extract is toxic to Artemia salina . Key words: Solanum viarum , Toxicity, Antioxidant, Flavonoid, Phenolic, LC 50 , Artemia salina .

In vitro hypoglycemic effects of unripe and ripe fruits of Musa sapientum

The present study was undertaken to verify the hypoglycemic potential of unripe and ripe fruit extracts of Musa sapientum by using various in-vitro techniques, namely glucose adsorption capacity, glucose diffusion, amylolysis kinetics and glucose transport across the yeast cells. The results revealed that the unripe and ripe fruit extracts of Musa sapientum adsorbed glucose and the adsorption of glucose increased remarkably with an increase in glucose concentration. There were no significant (p≤0.05) differences between their adsorption capacities. In the amylolysis kinetic experimental model the rate of glucose diffusion was found to be increased with time from 30 to 180 min and both extracts exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the movement of glucose into external solution across the dialysis membrane as compared to control. The plant extracts also promoted glucose uptake by the yeast cells and enhancement of glucose uptake was dependent on both the sample and glucose concentration. The hypoglycemic effect exhibited by the extracts was observed to be mediated by inhibiting α-amylase, inhibiting glucose diffusion by adsorbing glucose and by increasing glucose transport across the cell membranes as revealed by an in-vitro model of yeast cells.

Antioxidant Properties of Fractions for Unripe Fruits of Capsicum annuum L. var. Conoides.

Capsicum plant, especially for C. annuum, is an abundant resource for bioactive antioxidants, but few studies have examined the unripe fruit part of the Capsicum plant. MeOH extract of unripe fruits of C. annuum L. var. conoides (UFCA) was chromatographed over a silica gel column using a gradient of CH2Cl2/MeOH as eluent to produce 9 fractions. Antioxidant activities are evaluated along with cell viabilities of 9 fractions of UFCA. The antioxidant properties were analyzed in terms of total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, ferric reducing, and ferrous ion-chelating ability. The cell viability of human oral cancer cells (Ca9-22) was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2- (4-sulphophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Except for TFC, fractions (Frs.) 1 and 2 showed the lowest level of these antioxidant properties. Frs. 3 to 9 showed dose-responsive induction for antioxidant effects. Fr. 8 and Fr. 5 respectively showed the highest levels of TPC and TFC for 1162 ± 11 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) (mg)/UFCA (g) and 1295 ± 32 quercetin equivalents (QCE) (mg)/UFCA (g). The cell viability of Fr. 3 was moderately decreased (78.2%) while those of Frs. 4, 5, and 9 were dramatically decreased (55.6, 57.8, and 46.8%, respectively) in oral cancer Ca9-22 cells. UFCA-derived 14 compounds/mixtures derived from Frs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 displayed differential antioxidant performance for these analyses. Taken together, fractions of UFCA displayed diverse antioxidant and anticancer effects for oral cancer cells. Some fractions of UFCA may be potent natural antioxidant supplements for antioral cancer cell treatment.

Evaluation of Hypoglycemic effect of Ethanol extract of Musa paradisiaca unripe fruit pulp on normal and alloxan induced diabetic mice.

Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit pulps have been traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study was carried out to find out the hypoglycemic effect of Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit pulps on normal and alloxan induced diabetic mice. Effect of Musa paradisiacal extract on body weight in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice was also investigated. The study was performed in four different groups of mice for a period of 14 days. Test groups were made diabetic with intra-peritoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a single dose of 180mg/kg body weight. Mice were administered500 mg/kg body weight of crude ethanol extract of Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit per day for a period of 14 days. The blood glucose levels of the experimental mice were estimated using glucometer and change in body weight was also assessed. In diabetic mice, blood glucose levels were significantly reduced on consumption of the plant extracts. Plant extracts prevented further loss of body weight to some extent. Administration of ethanolic extract of Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit pulps may contribute significantly to the reduction of blood glucose levels and can be useful in the management and treatment of diabetes.

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF UNRIPE AEGLE MARMELOS CORR. FRUITS

Aegle marmelos Corr. (Rutaceae), commonly known as Bael, is a tree of Indian origin, well known from ancient period andprescribed for various ailments in Ayurveda. Utilization of bael fruit in day-to-day life has a great nutritional, environmental as well ascommercial importance. Every part of Aegle marmelos including stem, bark, root, leaves, fruit and seeds at all stages of maturity possesmedicinal virtues and has been used in Ethno medicine to exploit its medicinal properties. Objective: This study was undertaken to examine theantioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Aegle marmelos unripe or half ripe fruits. Material and Methods: The antioxidant activity was doneby using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The IC50 (The concentration of sample required to scavenge 50% of DPPH free radical) wascalculated by plotting graph between % inhibition vs concentration. The ascorbic acid was used as standard antioxidant. Result and Discussion:The IC50 value of extract and ascorbic acid was found to be 62.59μg/ml and 2.80μg/ml. The antioxidant activity found in Aegle marmelos maybe associated with their main phytochemical compounds like flavonoids, phenols and tannins. Conclusion: This activity supports that the fruitcan be used as natural antioxidant to treat free radical induced cellular damages and can also be used as adjuvant with other drugs to givesynergistic effects.

Evaluation of Uterotonic Activity of Hydro-ethanolic Extract of Unripe Fruit of Carica papaya Linn using Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract: Objective: This study was undertaken due to the popular belief in most of the Asian countries that the unripe fruit of Carica papaya L if eaten during early months of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage. The aim of the present study was to screen the effect of administration of hydroethanolic extract of unripe fruit of Carica papaya L (EECP). Materials and Methods: Female pregnant rats were taken and divided into various groups viz; GroupI (control); GroupII (200mg/kg p.o EECP); GroupII (400mg/kg p.o EECP; and Group IV (Ethinyl estradiol 0.02mg/kg.p.o) for the experiments. After oral administration of the extract laparotomy was performed and uteri were examined to determine the number of implantation sites. At the end of the experiment all the rats in each group were sacrificed. Haematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Hormone level modulation was also analyzed. Results: The present study suggested that there are significant variations in the biochemical parameters. The hormonal stability had also been altered which had in turn led to the termination of pregnancy. Conclusion: The study revealed that hydroethanolic extract inhibited the process of implantation. The loss of implantation caused may be due to antizygotic, blastocytotoxicity of the extract. Key words: Carica papaya L., Antifertility, Antizygotic, Alkaloid.

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ANTINEOPLASTIC ACTIVITY OF HYDROETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF UNRIPE FRUIT OF CARICA PAPAYA LINN USING ANIMAL MODEL

Objective: This study was undertaken to screen the effect of administration of various doses of hydroethanolic extract of unripe fruit of Carica papaya L. (HEECP) against Dalton’s ascitic lymphoma (DAL) in Swiss albino mice.Methods: DAL cells were injected intraperitoneally (1×106 cells) to each mouse and divided into various groups. The animals were treated with various doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) of HEECP. A standard drug (5-fluorouracil, 20 mg/kg/day) was also used. The animals were evaluated for hematological and biochemical parameters and were compared with the same parameters in the standard by collecting blood from a retro-orbital blood vessel of mice. Results: The life spans of the animals were increased. In the DAL tumor control group, the average life span of animals was found to be 45% whereas, 200 and 400 mg/kg of test drug showed increase in life span to 67% and 75%, respectively. Platelets count was significantly (p<0.001) decreased in cancer control group and was brought back to normal after treatment. Conclusion: These observations suggest that the extract possesses antineoplastic effect against DAL.

ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMUTAGENIC AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF UNRIPE FRUITS OF ANTHOCEPHALUS CADAMBA (ROXB.) MIQ.

The present work deals with evaluation of bioactivities of Anthocephalus cadamba unripe fruits and their phytochemical analysis. The 80% methanol extract of unripe fruits (MACF) was tested for antioxidant potential using various in vitro assays, antimutagenicity using TA98 and TA100 tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium in Ames assay and cytotoxicity using MTT assay. MACF scavenged DPPH and nitric oxide radicals with an IC50 of 313.18 and 512.08 μg/mL, respectively. MACF extract inhibited the mutagenicity of sodium azide more effectively than that of 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) and was found to be desmutagenic in nature. MACF extract dose-dependently inhibited the growth of colon (COLO 205) cancer cells. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of copious amounts of catechin, gallic acid and kaempferol in the MACF extract. Overall, MACF extract of A. cadamba fruits demonstrated potent antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticancer properties which can be exploited as functional foods because of their health benefits.

Two potential uses for silver nanoparticles coated with Solanum nigrum unripe fruit extract: Biofilm inhibition and photodegradation of dye effluent

Silver nanoparticle was green synthesized involving the unripe fruit extracts of Solanum nigrum (Sn-AgNPs). The synthesized Sn-AgNPs was bio-physically characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV–Vis recorded the absorbance spectra at 443 nm. XRD analysis clearly demonstrated the crystalline nature of Sn-AgNPs with Bragg's reflection peaks at 111, 200, 220 and 311 lattice planes. The FTIR spectrum of Sn-AgNPs showed strong bands at 3432, 1555, 1455, 862 and 406 cm−1 which corresponds at O-H, C-H, C-C, C-OH and C-N groups respectively. TEM exhibited the spherical shape of Sn-AgNPs with particle size between 20 and 30 nm. The antibacterial effects of Sn-AgNPs were tested on clinically important biofilm forming Gram positive (Bacillus pumulis and Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram negative (Proteus vulgaris and Vibrio parahaemolyticus) bacteria. The greater inhibition of B. pumulis and E. faecalis was observed at 100 μg mL−1 of Sn-AgNPs compared to P. vulgaris and V. parahaemolyticus. The biofilm inhibition potential of Sn-AgNPs was greater against Gram positive bacteria than that of Gram negative bacteria. Furthermore, Sn-AgNPs effectively degraded the industrial effluent methyl orange dye by photocatalysis. It is concluded that Sn-AgNPs could be used as an effective therapeutics against the biofilm of clinically important bacteria. The green synthesized Sn-AgNPs can be employed to degrade dye effluents and prevent environmental pollution as well.

Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of Phoenix pusilla Gaertn. unripe fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced sprague dawley rats

The fruit of Phoenix pusilla Garetn. has been used in herbal medicines, as it is sweet, sour, cooling and laxative, cardiotonic, aphrodisiac, carminative and roborant. The objective of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant and antidiabetic effect of ethanolic extract of unripe fruit of Phoenix pusilla in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The extract was analyzed for the presence of various phytoconstituents like tannins, flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, protein, carbohydrates, lipids and phenolic compounds. Streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) was administered to induce diabetes in adult rats. The extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (6 mg/kg) were administered orally for 21 days to evaluate antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. Blood glucose, serum total cholesterol and triglycerides levels were estimated. Carbohydrate and lipid metabolizing enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, glycolytic enzymes like hexokinase and liver-function enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALP), renal-function markers like urea and creatinine level were also measured. Histopathology of pancreas was studied. The results indicated that extract normalized the blood, liver, renal and pancreatic functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Hence it can be concluded that the extract possesses antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. The findings support the conventional usage of Phoenix pusilla unripe fruit in treating diabetes.

Antiulcer activity of hydroalcoholic extract of unripe fruit of carica papaya in experimental rats

Background: Carica papaya has previously reported antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-histaminic activity. Peptic ulcer disease involves inflammation and oxidative stress, so hydroalcoholic extract of Carica papaya fruits may have strong potential for an antiulcer agent. Aim and objectives of the study were in this study pharmacological evaluation of antiulcer effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Carica papaya fruits was performed by pyloric ligation induced gastric ulcers.Methods: Preliminary phytochemical investigation, estimation of phenolic and flavonoid content, In vitro antioxidant activities, antiulcer activity to find out the efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract of Carica papaya fruits.Results: Treatment with 500 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Carica papaya fruits efficacious in reducing ulcer index in pyloric ligation induced gastric ulcer model. Hydroalcoholic extract Carica papaya of showed a dose dependent decrease in ulcer and reduces ulcer index which was supported by morphological and histological studies.Conclusions: Thus it can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Carica papaya fruits have antiulcer activity, which can be attributed to its antioxidant mechanism of action.

Anti-ulcerogenic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Fruit of Musa sapientum Linn in Combination with Vitamin C on Ulcer Induced Models in Experimental Rats

Anti-ulcerogenic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Fruit of Musa sapientum Linn in Combination with Vitamin C on Ulcer Induced Models in Experimental Rats

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using unriped Carica papaya fruit extract with different PH conditions

Silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesised at room temperature from silver nitrate using unripe Carica papaya fruit extract as a reducing and capping agent. PH of the reaction solution was adjusted with the addition of sodium hydroxide from pH 5.6 (original pH of the broth) to pH 6.5, pH 7.5 and pH 8.5. Quasi spherical silver nanoparticles were obtained across the studied pH range. The average particle size obtained decreased from 34 nm to 15 nm as the pH of the solution increased from 5.6 to 8.5. From the observations and ultra violet-visible spectrophotometer analysis, the rate of reduction and formation of silver nanoparticles increased as the pH increased. The crystalline nature of the as-synthesised silver nanoparticles in a cubic structure was confirmed by the peaks in X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction. From Fourier transform infrared spectra, it was found that proteins in unripe papaya fruit extract were strongly bounded to the surface of silver nanoparticles as a capping agent. The thin layer of protein coating also further confirmed under high resolution transmission electron microscope. A plausible formation mechanism has been briefly proposed.

The ethyl acetate fraction of a methanolic extract of unripe noni (Morinda citrifolia Linn.) fruit exhibits a biphasic effect on the dopaminergic system in mice.

In earlier ex vivo studies, we reported the biphasic effect of a methanolic extract of unripe Morinda citrifolia fruit (MMC) on dopamine-induced contractility in isolated rat vas deferens preparations. The present in vivo study was designed and undertaken to further explore our earlier ex vivo findings. This study examined the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of a methanolic extract of unripe Morinda citrifolia Linn. fruit (EA-MMC; 5–100 mg/kg, p.o.) on the dopaminergic system using mouse models of apomorphine-induced climbing time and climbing behavior, methamphetamine-induced stereotypy (sniffing, biting, gnawing, and licking) and haloperidol-induced catalepsy using the bar test. Acute treatment with EA-MMC at a low dose (25 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated the apomorphine-induced climbing time and climbing behavior in mice. Similarly, EA-MMC (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited methamphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior in mice. These results demonstrated that the antidopaminergic effect of EA-MMC was observed at relatively lower doses (<25 mg/kg, p.o.). On the other hand, EA-MMC showed dopaminergic agonistic activity at a high dose (3,000 mg/kg, p.o.), which was evident from alleviation of haloperidol (a dopamine D2 blocker)-induced catalepsy in mice. Therefore, it is concluded that EA-MMC might possess a biphasic effect on the dopaminergic system, i.e., an antagonistic effect at lower doses (<25 mg/kg, p.o.) and an agonistic effect at higher doses (>1,000 mg/kg, p.o.). However, further receptor-ligand binding assays are necessary to confirm the biphasic effects of M. citrifolia fruit on the dopaminergic system.

GC–MS Analysis of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Fruit of Carica papaya

The present study was aimed to identify the likely phytocomponents present in Aqueous Extract of Unripe Fruit (AqEUF) of Carica papaya. The phytocomponents present in AqEUF of C. papaya was identified using GC–MS detection system. The results showed the presence of fifteen phytocomponents in AqEUF of C. papaya. The major phytocomponents present in AqEUF of C. papaya in terms of their relative abundance were octadecanoic acid, hexadecenoic acid, Z-11 and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, which corresponded to 23.84%, 19.17% and 18.25% respectively. The relative abundance of minor phytocomponents present in AqEUF of C. papaya was within a narrow range of 0.78-5.38%. The present investigation revealed that AqEUF of C. papaya was composed of variety of metabolites and therapeutic active substances as well as novel substances. These substances could be isolated and further empirically evaluated to confirm their biologic and medicinal activities as well as investigate their mechanism of action.

Changes in phenolic composition in olive tree parts according to development stage

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the phenolic profile in different organs (buds, flowers, fruits and leaves) from Chemlali olive variety cultivated in the Center of Tunisia according to development stage. Phenolics recovery was carried out using aqueous methanol from freeze-dried powdered tissues. The extracts were then analyzed by using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to time of flight and ion trap mass spectrometry detectors. Qualitatively, secoiridoids, flavonoids, simple phenols, cinnamic acid derivatives and lignans were identified in the analyzed extracts. Quantitatively, floral buds showed the highest phenolic contents compared to the other tissues under study. The highest content of secoiridoids was observed for unripe fruit extract, whereas the highest content of flavonoids was registered for floral buds.

Green synthesis of nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon sheets with use of Prunus persica for supercapacitor applications

Nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon sheets (N-GCSs) were prepared from the extract of unripe Prunus persica fruit by a direct hydrothermal method. The synthesized N-GCSs were examined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. HRTEM showed that the synthesized carbon sheets were graphitic with lattice fringes and an inter-layer distance of 0.36nm. Doping with the nitrogen moiety present over the synthesized GCSs was confirmed by XPS, FT-IR spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental mapping. The fruit extract associated with hydrothermal-carbonization method is economical and eco-friendly with a single step process. The resulting carbon sheets could be modified and are promising candidates for nano-electronic applications, including supercapacitors. The synthesized N-GCSs-2 provided a high specific capacitance of 176Fg−1 at a current density of 0.1Ag−1. This electrode material has excellent cyclic stability, even after 2000 cycles of charge-discharge at a current density of 0.5Ag−1.

Exploring the Effect of Phyllanthus emblica L. on Cognitive Performance, Brain Antioxidant Markers and Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Rats: Promising Natural Gift for the Mitigation of Alzheimer's Disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and debilitating conditions that result in the progressive degeneration of nerve cells, which affect the cognitive activity. Currently, as a result of multiple studies linking Alzheimer's disease (AD) to oxidative damage, the uses of natural antioxidant to prevent, delay, or enhance the pathological changes underlying the progression of AD has received considerable attention. Therefore, this study was aimed at examining the effect of ethanolic extracts of Phyllanthus emblica (EEPE) ripe (EEPEr) and EEPE unripe (EEPEu) fruits on cognitive functions, brain antioxidant enzymes, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in rat. The effects of EEPEr and EEPEu fruits (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) were examined in Swiss albino male rats for 12 days and its effect on cognitive functions, brain antioxidant enzymes, and AChE activity determined. Learning and memory enhancing activity of EEPE fruit was examined by using passive avoidance test and rewarded alternation test. Antioxidant potentiality was evaluated by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase, and the contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in entire brain tissue homogenates. AChE activity was determined using colorimetric method. Administration of the highest dose (i.e., 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEr fruit significantly (p < 0.01) and both lowest and highest doses (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEu fruit markedly (p < 0.05, p < 0.001) increased step-through latency in rats on 6th, 11th, and 12th day with respect to the control group. For aforementioned doses, the percentage of memory retention (MR) was considerably (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) increased in rats on 10th, 11th, and 12th days with respect to the control group. The extract, particularly highest dose (i.e., 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEr fruit markedly (p < 0.05) and lowest and highest doses (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEu fruit significantly (p < 0.01) increased the correct responses in rats on 6th, and 12th day related to the control group. In case of this test, the percentage of MR was significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) increased in rats treated with aforementioned doses on 12th day with respect to the control group. The highest dose (i.e., 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEr fruit suggestively (p < 0.05) and both lowest and highest doses (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEu fruit suggestively (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) increased the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, GSH-Px and expressively (p < 0.01) decreased the TBARS level compared to the control group. Treatment with the highest dose (i.e., 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEr fruit significantly (p < 0.05) and both lowest and highest doses (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) of EEPEu fruit markedly (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) decreased the level of AChE activity compared to that of the control group. The present study shows that EEPE fruit possesses an excellent source for natural cognitive enhancer which could be developed in the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots originating from unripe peach for fluorescent bioimaging and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction

This paper reports the robust hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen doped carbon dots (N-CDs) using the unripe fruit of Prunus persica (peach) as the carbon precursor and aqueous ammonia as the nitrogen source. The optical properties of synthesized N-CDs were characterized by ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The synthesized N-CDs were emitted blue light when excitated with a portable UV lamp. The materials with the optical properties were characterized further by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The mean size of the N-CDs was approximately 8nm, as calculated from the HRTEM image. The d-spacing of N-CDs, calculated using Bragg law, was approximately 0.21nm, which was consistent with the interlayer distance calculated from the HRTEM image. FT-IR spectroscopy and XPS revealed the presence of the phytoconstituents functionalities of peach fruit over the N-CDs surface and a high level of nitrogen doping on carbon dots (CDs) was confirmed by XPS studies. These results suggest that the unripe fruit extract of peach is an ideal candidate for the preparation of N-CDs. The resulting N-CDs showed excellent optical properties in water. The synthesized N-CDs exhibited a high fluorescence quantum yield and low cytotoxicity, and can be used as fluorescence imaging probes. In addition, the N-CDs were catalytically activite towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The N-CDs exhibited good catalytic activity in an alkaline medium (0.1M KOH) with a remarkable ORR of approximately 0.72V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and O2 reduction follows mainly a 2 electron pathway by being reduced to hydrogen peroxide. The 2-electron reduction pathway is used in industry for H2O2 production.