Various Classes Of Phytochemicals Research Articles

Exploring Phytochemicals for Diabetes Management: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Directions

In the realm of global health diplomacy, diabetes mellitus undoubtedly poses a significant challenge. Furthermore, there is a pressing need to explore alternative and complementary therapies. Phytochemicals, which are naturally occurring bioactive compounds found in plants, exhibit distinct biochemical properties, rendering them promising candidates for diabetes management. This review focuses on the potential of various classes of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, organosulfur compounds, and polysaccharides, in diabetes management. Each class demonstrates unique mechanisms of action, contributing to therapeutic effects such as enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption, regulating antioxidant stress, inflammation, and glucose metabolism. While successful preclinical trials provide valuable insights, further rigorous clinical trials are imperative to ascertain the therapeutic efficacy, optimal dosage, bioavailability, and potential interactions with concomitant medications. Understanding the functional pathways of plant-derived substances is crucial, as it enables the formulation of precise strategies for incorporating them as dietary supplements for individuals with diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Phytochemicals, diabetes mellitus, insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

A study on phytochemical profiling of Avicennia marina mangrove leaves collected from Indian Sundarbans

Mangroves are the most diverse and productive ecosystem that is enriched with various classes of phytochemicals having potential medicinal applications. Here we have studied the bioactive potential and the presence of secondary metabolites in Avicennia marina, one of the dominant species in the Indian Sundarbans mangrove habitat. The bioactive potential study of A. marina was carried out in terms of the determination of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and reactive oxygen species scavenging potential. The methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for functional group identification. Further, detailed phytochemical profiling has been carried out by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) values for the methanolic extract of A. marina leaves were 148.0 mg GAE g−1 dry extract and 251.9 mg CE g−1 dry extract which was higher than ethyl acetate extracts. The free radical scavenging potential showed that methanolic extract of A. marina leaves can scavenge DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical up to 96.0 % and ethyl acetate extract can scavenge up to 73.7 % at 250 µg mL−1. LC-MS metabolic profile revealed the presence of different classes of secondary metabolites like fatty acids, flavonoids, plant hormones, etc., in methanolic extract. The presence of different classes of phytochemicals in the methanolic extract proves its potential as a source of plant-derived medicinal compounds.

Reactive oxygen species mediated apoptotic death of colon cancer cells: therapeutic potential of plant derived alkaloids.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most deaths causing diseases worldwide. Several risk factors including hormones like insulin and insulin like growth factors (e.g., IGF-1) have been considered responsible for growth and progression of colon cancer. Though there is a huge advancement in the available screening as well as treatment techniques for CRC. There is no significant decrease in the mortality of cancer patients. Moreover, the current treatment approaches for CRC are associated with serious challenges like drug resistance and cancer re-growth. Given the severity of the disease, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic agents with ideal characteristics. Several pieces of evidence suggested that natural products, specifically medicinal plants, and derived phytochemicals may serve as potential sources for novel drug discovery for various diseases including cancer. On the other hand, cancer cells like colon cancer require a high basal level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to maintain its own cellular functions. However, excess production of intracellular ROS leads to cancer cell death via disturbing cellular redox homeostasis. Therefore, medicinal plants and derived phytocompounds that can enhance the intracellular ROS and induce apoptotic cell death in cancer cells via modulating various molecular targets including IGF-1 could be potential therapeutic agents. Alkaloids form a major class of such phytoconstituents that can play a key role in cancer prevention. Moreover, several preclinical and clinical studies have also evidenced that these compounds show potent anti-colon cancer effects and exhibit negligible toxicity towards the normal cells. Hence, the present evidence-based study aimed to provide an update on various alkaloids that have been reported to induce ROS-mediated apoptosis in colon cancer cells via targeting various cellular components including hormones and growth factors, which play a role in metastasis, angiogenesis, proliferation, and invasion. This study also provides an individual account on each such alkaloid that underwent clinical trials either alone or in combination with other clinical drugs. In addition, various classes of phytochemicals that induce ROS-mediated cell death in different kinds of cancers including colon cancer are discussed.

Environmental toxicants and health adversities: A review on interventions of phytochemicals

Toxicity arising from environmental contaminants has attracted global interest in the last few decades, due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with them. Efforts have been made to combat the consequential outcomes of environmental toxicity in humans through traditional remediation techniques and therapeutic measures which have been hampered by one or more limitations. Consequently, this scenario has triggered interest in the medicinal properties of phytochemicals. Thus, this review gives a succinct and in-depth elucidation of the various environmental contaminants and their toxicity effects on humans. It delves into the various classes of phytochemicals and their intervention roles. The study adopted a desk review of existing literatures from scientific reports and peer reviewed articles through triangulation of data sources. “Phytochemicals” are group of secondary metabolites obtained from plants with medicinal properties. These groups of compounds are included but not limited to flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, cardenoloids, terpenoids, and phytosteroids. This review corroborates the prophylactic and therapeutics efficacy of these phytochemicals as anti-metastatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and live saving substances with empirical findings from several laboratory, clinical trials and epidemiologic studies. It conclude that given the wide range of medicinal properties of phytochemicals, there is an urgent need for its full optimization in the pharmaceutical industry and future studies should focus on identifying the bioactive molecules in these compounds and its effectiveness against mixer toxicity.

Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Property of Polyherbal Formulation, Raktavardhak Kadha

Raktavardhak kadha is a polyherbal formulation available in the Indian market as a nutritional supplement for the treatment of anemia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical content and in vitro antioxidant activity of Raktavardhak kadha. A preliminary phytochemical analysis of Raktavardhak kadha was performed to detect the presence of various classes of phytochemicals. The total phenolic and tannin contents were estimated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The aluminium chloride colorimetric method was used for the estimation of the total flavonoid content of Raktavardhak kadha. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method. Phytochemical analysis indicated the existence of saponins, steroids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds in the Raktavardhak kadha. The total phenolic content of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 86.5 mg of gallic acid equivalent per milliliter. The total tannin content of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 73.33 mg of gallic acid equivalent per milliliter. The total flavonoid content of Raktavardhak kadha was 95.4 mg of quercetin equivalent per milliliter. In the DPPH assay, the IC50 of Raktavardhak kadha was found to be 92.53 ppm. It is concluded that the RK is rich in phytochemical content and has antioxidant properties indicating its high medicinal values. It appears that the presence of flavonoids is responsible for the beneficial effects of Raktavardhak kadha in anemic patients.

Utilisation of dates for the formulation of functional food product

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the popular perennial fruit tree grown around the world, particularly in West Asia and North Africa. Its fruit (date) is popular all throughout the world. The tree is well-known for its beneficial health benefits and is regarded as a high-value commercial fruit crop in the worldwide market. Dates are a high-quality, low-cost source of macro- and micronutrients. Date fruits are mostly composed of carbohydrates, including soluble sugars and dietary fibre, with modest quantities of fats and proteins. Dates also poses antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, hepato-protective, gastro-protective, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulatory and anti-cancererous properties. Despite the lack of commercialization of many varieties, date palm fruits are important marketable crops. An explosion of interest in the numerous health benefits of dates in recent years has resulted in numerous in vitro and animal studies, as well as the identification and quantification of various classes of phytochemicals. Food scientists and the food industry have created a vast variety of food products made from dates, including paste, syrup, juice, sugar, jam, jelly, butter, chocolates, condiments, pickled dates, oils, coffee etc. This review includes updated information concerning the composition of several varieties of dates, as well as the possible health advantages of Phoenix dactylifera and processed items made from date fruit.

Phytochemical Characterization of Rhus coriaria L. Extracts by Headspace Solid-Phase Micro Extraction Gas Chromatography, Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography, and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation.

Rhus coriaria L. (Anacardiaceae), commonly known as sumac, has been used since ancient times for many different applications, and nowadays is used mostly as a spice obtained from its in the Mediterranean and the Middle ground fruits and employed for flavoring and garnishing food, predominantly Eastern regions. Traditionally, sumac has been also used in popular medicine for the treatment of many ailments including hemorrhoids, wound healing, diarrhea, ulcers, and eye inflammation. Sumac drupes are indeed rich in various classes of phytochemicals including organic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and others, which are responsible of their powerful antioxidant capacity, from which treatment of many common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer could benefit. In this work we evaluated the influence of fruit ripeness, conservation, and processing. To this aim, a phytochemical characterization of six different samples of Rhus coriaria L. was carried out. Specifically, headspace solid-phase micro extraction gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and mass spectrometry detection, were employed. A total of 263 volatile compounds, including terpene hydrocarbons, acids, and aldehydes, as well as 83 polyphenolic compounds, mainly gallic acid derivatives, were positively identified. All samples showed a significant antioxidant activity by means of oxygen radical absorbance capacity, in line with their polyphenolic content and composition. Such findings set a solid ground to support the utilization of this plant as an attractive target for novel nutraceutical approaches and for drug discovery.

Deciphering Synsepalum dulcificum as an Arising Phytotherapy Agent: Background, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties with Associated Molecular Mechanisms

Medicinal plants with less side effects are paramount important for humankind to cure various ailments as compared to newly developed allopathic medicines. Synsepalum dulcificum Daniell, (Sapotaceae), is well known as miracle fruits due to its distinctive taste-modifying property. This review aimed to discuss its recent reported pharmacological properties and associated molecular mechanisms as a novel phytotherapy agent. In addition, background, phytochemical analysis and toxicological studies were also discussed as the foundation and added values for this review. It was discovered that S. dulcificum is endowed with various classes of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins. This review ravelled that S. dulcificum is a potent medicinal plant associated with antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-hyperuricemic, hepatoprotective, anti-hyperlipidaemic, and anticonvulsant activities, with less toxicity shown. Future research may explore further the corresponding phytochemicals, associated molecular mechanisms, toxicological and pharmacokinetic profile before subjecting to clinical testing.

Chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral activities of the leaf extracts of Syzygium myrtifolium.

This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and biological activities of the leaf extracts of Syzygium myrtifolium Walp. (Myrtaceae). The results indicate that the leaf extracts of S. myrtifolium contain various classes of phytochemicals (alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids) and possess antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. Ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and water extracts exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) oxygen radical absorbance capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power than the hexane and chloroform extracts. However, all extracts exhibited stronger inhibitory activity against four tested species of yeasts (minimal inhibitory concentration: 0.02-0.31 mg mL-1) than against six tested species of bacteria (minimal inhibitory concentration: 0.16-1.25 mg mL-1). The ethanolic extract offered the highest protection of Vero cells (viability > 70 %) from the cytopathic effect caused by the Chikungunya virus while the ethyl acetate extract showed significant replication inhibitory activity against the virus (p < 0.001) using the replicon-enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter system.

Pharmacological and Antioxidant Activities of Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac).

Rhus coriaria L. (Anacardiaceae), commonly known as sumac, is a commonly used spice, condiment, and flavoring agent, especially in the Mediterranean region. Owing to its bountiful beneficial values, sumac has been used in traditional medicine for the management and treatment of many ailments including hemorrhoids, wound healing, diarrhea, ulcer, and eye inflammation. This plant is rich in various classes of phytochemicals including flavonoids, tannins, polyphenolic compounds, organic acids, and many others. By virtue of its bioactive, Rhus coriaria possesses powerful antioxidant capacities that have ameliorative and therapeutic benefits for many common diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This review describes the phytochemical properties of R. coriaria and then focuses on the potent antioxidant capacities of sumac. We then dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms of sumac’s action in modulating many pathophysiological instigators. We show how accumulating evidence supports the antibacterial, antinociceptive, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anticancer effects of this plant, especially that toxicity studies show that sumac is very safe to consume by humans and has little toxicity. Taken together, the findings we summarize here support the utilization of this plant as an attractive target for drug discovery.

Assessment of antidiabetic potential and phytochemical profiling of Rhazya stricta root extracts

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia that may occur due to genetic, environmental or lifestyle factors. Natural remedies have been used to treat diabetes since long and many antidiabetic compounds of varied efficacies have been isolated from medicinal plants. Rhazya stricta has been used for decades for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and associated ailments. Considering the folkloric use of R. stricta against diabetes, it was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of its root extracts against diabetes through in vitro assays and in vivo studies using animal model along with phytochemical profiling through GCMS.MethodsVarious fractions of Rhazya stricta obtained through column chromatography were evaluated for a variety of assays including α-glucosidase, Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), β-secretase and Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion studies. For the in vivo studies the alloxan-induced diabetic mice were treated with root extracts and blood glucose levels, HbA1C, and other biochemical markers along with the histological study of the liver were done. The phytochemical identification was performed using an Agilent 7890B GC coupled to a 7010 Triple Quadrupole (MS/MS) system. GraphPad Prism software version 5.01 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsMajority of the extract fractions showed excellent results against diabetes by inhibiting enzymes DPP-IV (Up to 61%) and β-secretase (Up to 83%) with IC50s 979 μg/ml and 169 μg/ml respectively with increase in the GLP1 secretion. The results of in vivo studies indicated a marked reduction in blood glucose and HbA1c levels along with positive effects on other parameters like lipid profile, liver functions and renal functions of extract-treated mice as compared to control. The histological examination of the liver demonstrated hepatoprotective effects against diabetes led changes and various classes of phytochemicals were also identified through GCMS in different fractions.ConclusionThe results revealed strong antidiabetic activity of R. stricta root with the potential to protect body organs against diabetic changes. Moreover, a variety of phytochemicals has also been identified through GCMS that might be responsible for the antidiabetic potential of Rhazya stricta root.Graphical abstract

Phytochemical Profile, Mineral Content, and Bioactive Compounds in Leaves of Seed-Propagated Artichoke Hybrid Cultivars

The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. Scolymus (L.) Hegi) is a multi-year species rich in various classes of phytochemicals with known nutritional and pharmacological properties, such as polyphenols, sesquiterpene lactones, and terpenoids. Over the last decade, hybrids cultivars are transforming the artichoke market for their higher uniformity and stability over the traditional landraces, further increasing the potential of the artichoke as a source of commercial extracts and bioactive molecules. Our aim was to investigate the mineral and phytochemical profiles of leaves from seven seed-propagated hybrids by using an untargeted metabolomic approach based on ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Metabolomics identified several compounds in the tested varieties, namely 98 polyphenols, 123 sesquiterpene lactones, and 221 other metabolites. The phenolic content ranged from 3.01 mg Eq./g fw (for ‘Opera’) to 4.71 mg Eq./g fw (for ‘Opal’). Sesquiterpene lactones were, on average, 2.11 mg Eq./g fw. Multivariate statistics (HCA, PCA and OPLS-DA) highlighted the main metabolomics differences among cultivars, which weakly correlated with their agronomic classification. The seven cultivars showed distinctive metabolomics profiles, with ‘Opal’ and ‘Istar’ being the most valuable hybrids. The 3-hydroxyphenyl-valeric acid (a medium-chain fatty acid) and the 6-Gingesulfonic acid (a methoxyphenol) were the most discriminant markers. Our findings illustrated the quantitative and qualitative variation of several classes of phytochemicals in seed-propagated artichoke cultivars and allowed identifying distinctive metabolic signatures for both phenolic compounds and sesquiterpene lactones. This work supports the exploitation of the artichoke leaves from hybrid cultivars as a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals.

Evaluación farmacológica del extracto de Raíz de rhazya stricta

The present study aimed to screen the Rhazya stricta Decne root for its antihyperglycemic and antioxidants potential through in-vitro assays along with phytochemical and elemental analyses. The crude extract was prepared through maceration and fractionated using solvent-solvent extraction technique. The spectroscopic studies indicated the presence of various phytochemical classes in the extract and its fractions. The antioxidant assays showed notable results along with a good concentration of phenolic and flavonoid contents. Enzyme inhibition assays demonstrated glucose-lowering effects by inhibiting the enzyme activity which could reduce post-prandial blood glucose level. The Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibition assay results showed the novel DPP-IV inhibition activity of the plant extract and all fractions showed noteworthy enzyme inhibition and antihyperglycemic activity. Conclusively, the Rhazya stricta root extract displayed its antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potential due to the presence of various classes of phytochemicals and micro-nutrients.

Dietary phytochemicals in the regulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and associated enzymes: A promising anticancer therapeutic approach.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological phenomenon that plays a primordial role for initiation of metastasis. It renders cancer cells with increased self-renewal and tumor-initiating capabilities and exacerbated resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy. Hence, regulation of EMT stands out to be an important strategy in controlling the behavior of malignant cells. Despite the enormous amount of preclinical data on the implication of EMT in cancer progression, there is still lack of routine clinical translation at therapeutic levels. The need of EMT-modulating drugs with high efficacy and low cytotoxicity has led to studies involving the evaluation of the efficacy of a plethora of various classes of phytochemicals present in dietary sources of fruits and vegetables. This review summarizes the role of these different classes of phytochemicals, their natural/synthetic analogs, and their nano-formulations in regulation of EMT in various preclinical models through attenuation of primary signaling pathways. Numerous proteins, transcription factors and enzymes targeted by various classes of phytochemicals in repression of EMT has been presented in this review. Additionally, we have critically analyzed the existing literature and provided views on new direction for accelerating the discovery of novel drug candidates which could be cautiously administered without concomitant effects.

Ethnopharmacological and Phytopharmaceutical Evaluation of Prosopis cineraria: An Overview and Future Prospects.

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce ('khejri') is an important tree that occurs worldwide in arid regions. It has been mentioned in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicines as having several clinical properties. Different parts of this plant are used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran for treating various ailments such as leprosy, leucoderma, dysentery, asthma, bronchitis, piles, jaundice and muscular tremors. Since all parts of the tree are useful, it is called 'Kalp Taru' or 'Wonder Tree' in India. Phytochemical studies of P. cineraria have underlined the presence of various classes of phytochemicals, such as flavone derivatives (prosogerin A, B, C, D and E), alkaloids (spicigerine and prosophylline), tannins (gallic acid), steroids (stigmasterol, campesterol and sitosterol, etc.), fatty acids and amino acids, etc., that have been obtained from different parts of the plant. We undertook a comprehensive, critical and systematic literature survey on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of P. cineraria. Efforts were made to establish/corroborate the scientific reasons of ethnomedicinal use with the help of published modern studies. Based on in-depth analysis of more than 200 studies, we were able to corroborate a large number of facts pertaining to uses of different parts of this plant for treating various maladies. Further, it yielded several new insights on phyto-pharmacological aspects of P. cineraria. Results of this study are useful for commercialization of the products derived from phytochemicals of P. cineraria.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation of selected medicinal plants in Meru community of Kenya

Background: Increased resistance against antimicrobial medication used to combat bacterial infection necessitates the need for alternative medication. Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the antimicrobial potential and phytochemical profiles of 10 medicinal plants collected from Chuka, Tharaka-Nithi County of Kenya. Plant samples were collected, dried, pulverised into fine powders and extracted with distilled water. Methodology: Qualitative phytochemical screening and disc-agar diffusion methods were used according to standard method to determine phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extracts against four bacterial strains and a fungus. Results: Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of terpenoids, tannins and reducing sugars in all the plants except one. Saponins were found to be present in Albizia anthelmintica, Entada leptostachya, Raponae rhododendroides and Warbugia ugandensis. Steroids were present in seven plants while alkaloids were present in five. Albizia anthelmintica, E. leptostachya and W. ugandensis extracts were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Escherichia coli was the most susceptible bacteria against all the plant extracts tested, except Harrisonia abyssinica. Vernonia lasiopus and Uvariodendron anisatum were the least active extracts. Susceptibility against E. coli and C. albicans was significantly comparable to benzathine penicillin and streptomycin. Conclusion: The type of ailments the plants are claimed to treat can be attributed to the presence of various classes of phytochemicals. In conclusion, the plants evaluated were found to be active against the microorganisms tested.

Chemical Composition, Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of &lt;i&gt;Acmella uliginosa&lt;/i&gt; (Sw.) Cass Leaves

Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass is widely used in traditional medicine and used in the treatment of many diseases. Extraction of component in leaves of Acmella uliginosa used methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane solvent. The percentage yield of extract from the leaves in methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane were 6.50, 0.49, and 0.66, respectively. Analysis of component in various extracts of Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass leaves used Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The various classes of phytochemicals were identified from fractions of methanolic leaves extract by GC-MS. Qualitative analysis of phytochemical constituents in methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extract were tannins, flavonoids, saponin, alkaloid and steroid. Antioxidant activity of Acmella uliginosa leaves from Indonesia was carried out by using 1,1,diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazine (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The IC50 of three extract was calculated. A comparative study determined that Acmella uliginosa in ethyl acetate extract showed the highest antioxidant potential (IC50 = 28.09 µg/mL) compared to methanol extract (IC50 = 44.31 µg/mL) and n-hexane extract (181.23 µg/mL) against DPPH free radicals.

Preliminary Investigation of Bioactive Compounds and Bioautographic Studies of Whole Plant Extract of Euphorbia pulcherrima on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The aim of this study is to carry out preliminary investigation of bioactive compounds and bioautographic studies of whole plant extract of Euphorbia pulcherrima on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Tukey HSD test of hierarchy for the effect of different solvents crude extract on bacterial isolates indicates the methanol extract as the most bioactive. The Tukey HSD analysis also showed that the bioactivities of the crude extracts of the various parts of Euphorbia pulcherrima were part dependent and the whole plant was the most bioactive. The ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract of the whole plant of Euphorbia pulcherrima has been shown in this work to contain phytochemicals which have shown remarkable activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bioactivities against the test organisms were due to the combined effects of the compounds separated on TLC plates. Families of terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponin, and steroids that were detected in the extracts were identified by GC-MS. The various classes of phytochemicals in the E. pulcherrima plant provided the antimicrobial potency of the plant.

Antioxidant, total phenolic contents and antinociceptive potential of Teucrium stocksianum methanolic extract in different animal models.

BackgroundOxidative stress and analgesia are connected with different pathological conditions. The drug candidates from synthetic sources are associated with various side effects; therefore, researchers are giving priority to find novel, effective and safe phytomedicines. Teucrium species possesses antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities. The essential oils of Teucrium stocksianum have shown strong antinociceptive potential. Our current study is designed to embark total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant and antinociceptive potential of the methanolic extract of Teucrium stocksianum (METS).MethodPhytochemical composition was determined by using standard methods. Free radical scavenging potential and TPC of METS were assessed by using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin-Ciocalteu Reagent (FCR) respectively. Antinociceptive potential was determined by acetic acid induced abdominal writhing, formalin induced paw licking and tail immersion tests. Different test dose 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of METS were administered intra peritonealy (i.p) to various groups of mice for the evaluation of analgesic potential.ResultsPhytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, anthraquinone, steroid, phlobatannin, terpenoid, glycoside and reducing sugars. METS was found safe at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight. A concentration dependent free radical scavenging effect was observed with methanolic aerial parts extract of Teucrium stocksianum (MAPETS) and methanolic roots extracts of Teucrium stocksianum (MRETS). MAPETS and MRETS have shown highest antioxidant activity 91.72% and 86.19% respectively at 100 μg/ml. MAPETS was found more rich (115.32 mg of GAE/g of dry material) in TPC as compared to MAPETS (105.41 mg of GAE/g). METS demonstrated a dose dependent antinociceptive potential in different pain models, like in acetic acid, formalin and tail immersion showing 83.103%, 80.872% and 67.58% at a dose of 150 mg/kg, similar to acetylsalicylic acid (74.79%, 82.87%, 100 mg/kg) and TramadolR (74%, 30 mg/kg) respectively.ConclusionStrong antioxidant potential and high TPCs are residing in the methanolic extract of T. stocksianum. METS showed analgesic potential in all models of nociception implying that both peripheral and central pathways of analgesia are involved. This might be due to the presence of various classes of phytochemicals in the plant extract.

Date Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera Linn): An Emerging Medicinal Food

Date palm is one of the oldest trees cultivated by man. In the folk-lore, date fruits have been ascribed to have many medicinal properties when consumed either alone or in combination with other herbs. Although, fruit of the date palm served as the staple food for millions of people around the world for several centuries, studies on the health benefits are inadequate and hardly recognized as a healthy food by the health professionals and the public. In recent years, an explosion of interest in the numerous health benefits of dates had led to many in vitro and animal studies as well as the identification and quantification of various classes of phytochemicals. On the basis of available documentation in the literature on the nutritional and phytochemical composition, it is apparent that the date fruits are highly nutritious and may have several potential health benefits. Although dates are sugar-packed, many date varieties are low GI diet and refutes the dogma that dates are similar to candies and regular consumption would develop chronic diseases. More investigations in these areas would validate its beneficial effects, mechanisms of actions, and fully appreciate as a potential medicinal food for humans all around the world. Therefore, in this review we summarize the phytochemical composition, nutritional significance, and potential health benefits of date fruit consumption and discuss its great potential as a medicinal food for a number of diseases inflicting human beings.