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Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2023Allelopathy is seen as one of the possible factors that favor the invasion of exotic plants in the environment, as these species, by releasing allelochemicals, can...
Allelopathy is seen as one of the possible factors that favor the invasion of exotic plants in the environment, as these species, by releasing allelochemicals, can negatively interfere with the establishment of native plants, facilitating the growth and dissemination of invasive exotic plants. This study aimed to verify the possible allelopathic effects of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit (leucaena) on native tree species Pterogyne nitens Tul. and Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub., via laboratory bioassays. We used Petri dishes containing seeds of native species and aqueous extract of leucaena leaves with 2, 4, 8, 10 and 20% concentrations (m/v) for germination tests and estimated the percentage, mean time, and germination speed index at the end of the germination period. For initial growth, we kept the Petri dishes containing aqueous leucaena extract and germinated seeds of native species in a germination chamber at 25 °C, and after 48 hours we obtained the length of the primary root, hypocotyl, and fresh and dry biomass of the seedlings. We obtained the a, b, and total chlorophyll and carotenoid content of seedling leaves kept in the aqueous extract at different concentrations. We verified the content of total phenolic compounds in mg/L from the aqueous leucaena extracts. Both native species showed a reduction in the percentage and germination speed index when in contact with the aqueous leucaena extracts at the highest concentrations. The initial growth of native species was also negatively affected, and P. nitens showed a reduction of all growth parameters analyzed in all concentrations of the aqueous extract. P. dubium showed a reduction in growth, especially at the highest concentrations. The effects can be associated with phenolic compounds present in leucaena extracts, and we found the highest total phenolic content in the extract with the highest concentration. The results show the allelopathic potential of leucaena, which may contribute to this plant ability to settle in natural areas.
Topics: Allelopathy; Fabaceae; Seedlings; Germination; Biomass; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37851768
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.272274 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Hyalomma dromedarii is an important tick species infesting livestock. This work evaluated the novel adulticidal, insect growth-regulating, and enzymatic efficacy of...
Hyalomma dromedarii is an important tick species infesting livestock. This work evaluated the novel adulticidal, insect growth-regulating, and enzymatic efficacy of ethanol plant extracts of Aloe vera and Rheum rhabarbarum and their nanoemulsions against males and engorged females of the camel tick, H. dromedarii. The physicochemical properties of nanoemulsions were evaluated. The High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analyses indicated that the extracts contained polyphenols and flavonoids, which could enhance their acaricidal effect. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the nanoemulsions of A. vera and R. rhabarbarum were 196.7 and 291 nm, whereas their zeta potentials were - 29.1 and - 53.1 mV, respectively. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) indicated that nanoemulsions showed a regular spherical shape (less than 100 nm). Fifteen days post-treatment (PT) with 25%, the mortality% of A. vera and R. rhabarbarum were 88.5 and 96.2%, respectively. Five days PT, the median lethal concentration values of A. vera, R. rhabarbarum, and their nanoemulsions were 7.8, 7.1, 2.8, and 1.02%, respectively, and their toxicity indices were 91.02, 100, 36.4, and 100%, respectively. Their median lethal time values PT with 3.5% were 6.09, 5.09, 1.75, and 1.34 days, respectively. Nanoemulsions enhanced the efficacy of the crude extract 1-7 folds, 5 days PT, and accelerated their speed of killing ticks 2-4 times. The total protein and carbohydrates, Acetylcholinesterase, Alpha esterase, and Amylase were affected PT. The reproductive potential of engorged females was adversely impacted. In conclusion, the novel A. vera and R. rhabarbarum extracts were promising acaricides, and their nanoformulations enhanced their efficacies.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Ticks; Acaricides; Camelus; Aloe; Rheum; Acetylcholinesterase; Ixodidae; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37798348
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43776-6 -
Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and... Dec 2023Trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease transmitted via This study aimed to examine the metabolic profile and anti-trypanosomal effect of methanol extract of leaves....
Trypanosomiasis is a protozoan disease transmitted via This study aimed to examine the metabolic profile and anti-trypanosomal effect of methanol extract of leaves. The liquid chromatography-high resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC-HRESIMS) revealed the identification of fifteen compounds of iridoid, flavonoid, lignan, phenolic acid, and alkaloid classes. The extract displayed a promising inhibitory activity against TC 221 with MIC value of 1.90 μg/mL within 72 h. A subsequent in silico analysis of the dereplicated compounds (i.e. inverse docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and absolute binding free energy) suggested both rhodesain and farnesyl diphosphate synthase as probable targets for two compounds among those dereplicated ones in the plant extract (i.e. diphyllin and avacennone B). The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiling of diphyllin and avacennone were calculated accordingly, where both compounds showed acceptable drug-like properties. This study highlighted the antiparasitic potential of leaves.
Topics: Molecular Docking Simulation; Acanthaceae; Lignans; Trypanosoma brucei brucei; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37080775
DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2199950 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023Despite the availability of numerous reports on the discovery of medicinal plant compounds and their properties, one may encounter contradictory results released by...
Despite the availability of numerous reports on the discovery of medicinal plant compounds and their properties, one may encounter contradictory results released by these reports at the level of plant families and even within species. To establish an accurate perspective of the Apiaceae family, this study examined the fruit essential oil and methanolic extract of wild and common species of this family. According to the measurement of the antioxidant property in the methanolic extract of the fruits using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method, Ferula gummosa, Pimpinella anisum and Cuminum cyminum have high power in inhibiting free radicals. However, Bunium persicum had the strongest DPPH radicals inhibitory potential among all essential oils. The results of antimicrobial tests and their classification analysis showed that C. cyminum and B. persicum fruit essential oil with a high amount of cuminaldehyde had the most antibacterial properties. At the same time, the antifungal properties of H. persicum essential oil (rich in aliphatic ester) were stronger than those of the all the studied plants. Also, the essential oils of F. gummosa and Kelussia odoratissima had favourable antimicrobial properties compared to other studied plants. The investigation of the bacterial structure by scanning electron microscope confirmed the effect of the applied essential oils dose and their antibacterial potential. In general, for the first time, this paper determined the biological values of the fruit essential oil of some wild plants, such as K. odoratissima and H. persicum. Besides, in vitro examination and the mathematical models provided a suitable classification, which makes a comprehensive view in terms of the properties of the Apiaceae family.
Topics: Apiaceae; Plant Extracts; Oils, Volatile; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37524766
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39254-8 -
The New Microbiologica Jan 2024The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the active ingredient in antimicrobial magistral drug formulations and plant extracts used in folk medicine were investigated...
The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the active ingredient in antimicrobial magistral drug formulations and plant extracts used in folk medicine were investigated comparatively. Borax, sulfur colloid, hydrogen peroxide, benzoic acid, rivanol, brilliant green and plant extracts as active ingredients, namely: Helianthus tuberosus tuber-H2O (aqueous extract), Cydonia oblonga leaves-H2O, Allium porrum whole plant-H2O, Cistus laurifolius leaves-EtOH, Solanum muricalum-H2O, and Fumaria cilicica leaves-EtOH were studied to determine their antimicrobial activity against different bacteria and fungi (S. pyogenes, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis, K. pneumonia, H. influenza, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, E. coli, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei) by using the microdilution method. The active ingredients and plant extracts showed different activities as MIC between 1->128 μg/mL. Brilliant green and rivanol as active ingredients had MIC values of 1 μg/mL against all tested microorganisms. C. oblonga leaves-H2O as well as C. laurifolius leaves-EtOH as plant extracts were indicated as having the highest antimicrobial effect in MIC value of 16 μg/ml against A. baumannii and S. pyogenes, respectively. On the other hand, F. cilicica leaves-EtOH and C. laurifolius leaves-EtOH showed the highest antifungal activity (MIC; 16 μg/mL).
Topics: Humans; Ethacridine; Escherichia coli; Plants, Medicinal; Staphylococcus aureus; Anti-Infective Agents; Ethanol; Plant Extracts; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
PubMed: 38252047
DOI: No ID Found -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Fungal diseases have always been a major problem for cantaloupe crops; however, synthetic fungicides are hazardous to humans and the environment. Consequently, a...
Fungal diseases have always been a major problem for cantaloupe crops; however, synthetic fungicides are hazardous to humans and the environment. Consequently, a feasible alternative to fungicides without side effects could be by using bio agents and naturally occurring plants with antibacterial potential. This study has achieved a novel procedure for managing wilt and root rot diseases by potentially using sp. culture filtrates in consortium with plant extract of , , , and , which were isolated from infected cantaloupe roots with identified root rot symptoms. The antagonistic activity of four isolates and analysis of antibiotics and filtrate enzymes of the most active isolate were determined as well as phytochemical analysis of plant extract using HPLC-UV. The obtained results showed that all isolates considerably lowered the radial growth of , , and in varying degrees. The scanning electron micrographs illustrate the mycoparasitic nature of sp. on . The phytochemical analysis of indicated that phenolic contents were the major compounds found in extracts, such as vanillin (46.79%), chlorogenic acid (30.24%), gallic acid (8.06%), and daidzein (3.45%) but including only a low amount of the flavonoid compounds rutin, naringenin, and hesperetin. The Pot experiment's findings showed that cantaloupe was best protected against wilting and root rot diseases when it was treated with both sp. culture filtrates (10%) and extract of (15 mg/mL), both alone and in combination. This study demonstrates that the application of bio agent spp. filtrate with extract appears useful for controlling wilting and root rot disease in cantaloupe. This innovative approach could be used as an alternative to chemical fungicide for the control of wilting and rot root diseases.
Topics: Humans; Polyphenols; Calotropis; Fungicides, Industrial; Cucumis melo; Trichoderma; Phenols; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Dental Porcelain; Titanium; Metal Ceramic Alloys
PubMed: 38202721
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010139 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Tick and mite infestations pose significant challenges to animal health, agriculture, and public health worldwide. The search for effective and environmentally friendly...
Tick and mite infestations pose significant challenges to animal health, agriculture, and public health worldwide. The search for effective and environmentally friendly acaricidal agents has led researchers to explore natural alternatives. In this study, we investigated the acaricidal potential of the plant extract against ticks and mites. Additionally, we employed a computational approach to identify phytochemicals from the extract that could serve as drug candidates against these ectoparasites. The contact bioassay results demonstrated that the plant extract exhibited significant efficacy against and , with higher concentrations outperforming the positive control acaricide permethrin in terms of mite mortality. Time exposure to the extract also showed a positive correlation with better lethal concentration (LC and LC) values. Similarly, the adult immersion test revealed a notable inhibition of tick oviposition via the plant extract, especially at higher concentrations. The two-protein primary structure, secondary structure and stability were predicted using the Expasy's ProtParam server, SOPMA and SUSUI server, respectively. Using Homology modeling, the 3D structure of the protein was obtained and validated through the ERRAT server, and active sites were determined through the CASTp server. The docking analysis revealed that Alpha-Amyrenyl acetate and alpha-Tocopherol exhibited the highest docking scores for and aspartic protease proteins, respectively. These phytochemicals demonstrated strong binding interactions, suggesting their potential as acaricidal drug candidates. In conclusion, the plant extract displayed significant acaricidal activity against and Moreover, the computational approach identified promising phytochemicals that could serve as potential drug candidates for controlling these ectoparasites.
Topics: Animals; Female; Rhipicephalus; Sarcoptes scabiei; Larva; Plant Extracts; Plants; Phytochemicals; Acaricides
PubMed: 37836773
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28196930 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Walnut green husks (WGHs), by-products of walnut production, are believed to possess antimicrobial properties, making them a potential alternative to antibiotics. In...
Walnut green husks (WGHs), by-products of walnut production, are believed to possess antimicrobial properties, making them a potential alternative to antibiotics. In this study, the antibacterial activities of three extracts, derived from WGH, against , , and were investigated, and the antibacterial mechanisms of an anhydrous ethanol extract of WGH (WGHa) were examined. The results showed that WGHa exhibited inhibitory effects on all tested bacteria. The ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major active compounds present in WGHa were terpenoids, phenols, and flavonoids. Treatment with WGHa resulted in the leakage of intracellular ions and alkaline phosphatase; a reduction in intracellular ATP content, ATPase activity, and nucleic acid content; as well as cellular metabolic viability. The transmission electron microscopy images showed varying degrees of cell deformation and membrane damage following WGHa treatment. The transcriptome sequencing and differentially expressed gene enrichment analyses revealed an up-regulation in pathways associated with RNA degradation, translation, protein export, and oxidative phosphorylation. Conversely, pathways involved in cell movement and localization, as well as cell wall organization and carbohydrate transport, were found to be down-regulated. These findings suggest that WGHa alters cell membrane permeability and causes damage to the cell wall. Additionally, WGHa interferes with cellular energy metabolism, compromises RNA integrity, and induces DNA replication stress, consequently inhibiting the normal growth and proliferation of bacteria. These findings unveiled the antimicrobial mechanisms of WGHa, highlighting its potential application as an antibiotic alternative.
Topics: Juglans; Plant Extracts; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria
PubMed: 38138470
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28247981 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Asteraceae (Compositae), commonly known as the sunflower family, is one of the largest plant families in the world and includes several species with pharmacological...
Asteraceae (Compositae), commonly known as the sunflower family, is one of the largest plant families in the world and includes several species with pharmacological properties. In the search for new antiviral candidates, an in vitro screening against dengue virus (DENV) was performed on a series of dichloromethane and methanolic extracts prepared from six Asteraceae species, including , , , , , and , along with pure phytochemicals isolated from Asteraceae: mikanolide (), eupatoriopicrin (), eupahakonenin B (), minimolide (), estafietin (), 2-oxo-8-deoxyligustrin (), santhemoidin C (), euparin (), jaceidin (), nepetin (), jaceosidin (), eryodictiol (), eupatorin (), and 5-demethylsinensetin (). Results showed that the dichloromethane extracts of and and the methanolic extracts prepared from and were highly active and selective against DENV-2, affording EC values of 0.11, 0.15, 1.80, and 3.85 µg/mL, respectively, and SIs of 171.0, 18.8, >17.36, and 64.9, respectively. From the pool of phytochemicals tested, compounds , , and stand out as the most active (EC = 3.7, 3.1, and 6.8 µM, respectively; SI = 5.9, 6.7, and >73.4, respectively). These results demonstrate that Asteraceae species and their chemical constituents represent valuable sources of new antiviral molecules.
Topics: Plant Extracts; Asteraceae; Methylene Chloride; Phytochemicals; Antiviral Agents; Sesquiterpenes
PubMed: 38398567
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040814 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Oct 2023Dolomiaea costus (syn: Saussurea costus; Family Asteraceae) occupies an important place in the traditional Chinese medicinal plants and is prescribed for a wide range...
HPLC-ESI/MS-MS characterization of compounds in Dolomiaea costus extract and evaluation of cytotoxic and antiviral properties: molecular mechanisms underlying apoptosis-inducing effect on breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Dolomiaea costus (syn: Saussurea costus; Family Asteraceae) occupies an important place in the traditional Chinese medicinal plants and is prescribed for a wide range of disorders. The current study aimed to tentatively identify the phytoconstituents of D. costus extract and to explore antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cells and its possible apoptotic mechanism along with antiviral activity against human adenovirus 5 (Adv-5).
METHODS
The phytoconstituents of 70% ethanol extract of D. costus were assessed using HPLC/ESI-MS/MS technique. The cell viability was investigated against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Mechanistically, the apoptotic effects on the Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase 3 were determined via quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Further, the antiviral activity was assessed against Adv-5 based on virucidal and adsorption mechanisms.
RESULTS
The HPLC/MS analysis of the extract revealed tentative identification of twenty compounds of polyphenolic nature, mainly flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, and anthocyanidins. The plant extract showed a cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 and Vero cells with IC values of 15.50 and 44 µg/ml, respectively, indicating its aggressiveness against the proliferation of breast cancer cells as confirmed by apoptotic genes expression which revealed upregulation of Bax and Caspase 3 but further insight analysis is needed to explore exact mechanistic pathway. Antiviral activity against Adv-5 was observed at a non-toxic concentration of the tested extract.
CONCLUSIONS
Such observations against human breast cancer and viral replication supported further studies for nanoformulations in drug delivery systems as targeting therapy and in vivo studies before biomedical applications.
Topics: Animals; Chlorocebus aethiops; Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Caspase 3; Costus; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Antiviral Agents; Vero Cells; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Antineoplastic Agents; Plant Extracts; Apoptosis; Asteraceae
PubMed: 37803435
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04164-9