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Biomolecules May 2024The genus is an important source of food in the Mediterranean diet with documented nutritional and medicinal properties. However, few studies have investigated the...
The genus is an important source of food in the Mediterranean diet with documented nutritional and medicinal properties. However, few studies have investigated the phytochemical composition and the biological activity of wild Sicilian taxa. Thus, we aimed to study the chemical profile and the antioxidant potential, in vitro and in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, of a methanolic extract of leaves of wild Guss () (Egadi Islands; Sicily-Italy). methanolic extract showed a large amount of glucosinolates and different phenolic compounds. It exhibited antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay and in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, being able to reduce NO and ROS levels and NOS2 mRNA expression. Our study demonstrated that Sicilian methanolic extract, in LPS-stimulated macrophages, efficiently counteracts oxidative stress and displays radical scavenging activity. Future studies are required to identify the contribution of the single phytocomponents, to characterize the action mechanism, and to reveal possible applications in human health.
Topics: RAW 264.7 Cells; Plant Extracts; Mice; Plant Leaves; Animals; Free Radical Scavengers; Brassica; Antioxidants; Nitric Oxide; Macrophages; Reactive Oxygen Species; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Lipopolysaccharides; Oxidative Stress; Phenols; Sicily; Glucosinolates
PubMed: 38927041
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060636 -
Biomolecules May 2024This study utilized phytochemical screening to conduct the qualitative analysis of plant extracts, aiming to identify various classes of secondary metabolites. Moreover,...
This study utilized phytochemical screening to conduct the qualitative analysis of plant extracts, aiming to identify various classes of secondary metabolites. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of different types of and extracts was determined. To achieve the aim of this study, aqueous, ethanolic, and enzymatic extracts were prepared and screened for phytochemical capacity and antioxidant activities. The determination of the antibacterial activity included phenotypic screening of antibiotic susceptibility pattern of oral and food pathogenic bacterial strains, determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration-via microdilution broth test and in vitro valuation of antibacterial efficacies-of the anti-biofilm properties of the studied herbal extractions. Results: Our study evaluated the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm properties of and extracts. The analyzed samples contained bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, contributing to the observed strong antioxidant effect. Furthermore, they exhibited notable activity against oral biofilm formation and demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against dental caries' microorganisms as well as food pathogens. Despite methodological variations, all extracts showed significant antioxidant capacity and promising antibacterial activity against various pathogens, including resistant strains, while also inhibiting biofilm formation. Although limited to two plant species and facing methodological constraints, this study lays the groundwork for future research, indicating the therapeutic potential of and extracts. Further exploration is needed to report on underlying mechanisms and validate efficacy through clinical trials.
Topics: Origanum; Salvia; Plant Extracts; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Antioxidants; Dental Caries; Phytochemicals; Bacteria; Humans; Food Microbiology; Flavonoids
PubMed: 38927023
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060619 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Entrapping phytochemical bioactive compounds into nano-structured biocompatible polymers has been successfully utilized for improving cancer treatment efficiency....
Entrapping phytochemical bioactive compounds into nano-structured biocompatible polymers has been successfully utilized for improving cancer treatment efficiency. Silibinin is a potent compound that shows promising anticancer properties. In the present study, the Zein-β-cyclodextrin complex was used to encapsulate silibinin and evaluate the induced cell death type and cytotoxic impacts on human cancer cells. The silibinin-loaded Zein-β cyclodextrin nano-carriers (SZBC-NCs) were synthesized utilizing a gradual ultrasound-mediated homogenization technique and characterized by Zeta potential, DLS, FESEM, and FTIR analysis. The SZBC-NCs' antioxidant activity was studied by conducting ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. Finally, the SZBC-NCs selective toxicity and cellular death induction mechanism were studied on the HT-29 and AGS cancer cells by measuring the cell survival and apoptotic gene (Caspase 3, 9), respectively, which were verified by conducting the DAPI staining analysis. The negatively charged (- 27.47 mV) nanoparticles (286.55 nm) showed significant ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the remarkable decrease in the IC50 concentrations of the SZBC-NCs among the HT-29 and AGS cancer cell lines exhibited their selective cytotoxic potential. Also, the overexpressed apoptotic (Caspases 3 and 9) and down-regulated necrotic (NFKB) gene expressions following the SZBC-NCs treatment doses indicated the apoptotic activity of SZBC-NCs, which were verified by the increased apoptotic morphology of the DAPI-stained HT-29 cancer cells. The antioxidant and colon cancer cell-related apoptotic activity of the SZBC-NCs make it an appropriate anti-colon cancer nano delivery system. Therefore, they can potentially be used as a safe efficient colon cancer treatment strategy. However, further in vivo experiments including animal cancer models have to be studied.
Topics: Humans; Zein; Silybin; HT29 Cells; beta-Cyclodextrins; Antioxidants; Nanoparticles; Apoptosis; Cell Survival; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38926533
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65881-w -
The Journal of Veterinary Medical... Jun 2024Phytochemicals isolated from essential oils are effective alternatives for inhibiting microbial pathogens. Bovine protothecal mastitis is the cause of a reduction in...
Phytochemicals isolated from essential oils are effective alternatives for inhibiting microbial pathogens. Bovine protothecal mastitis is the cause of a reduction in milk production and the secretion of thin, watery milk with white flakes. In the present study, we performed in vitro susceptibility testing of the phytochemicals carvacrol, citral, and thymol in Prototheca strains isolated from cases of protothecosis in small animals and cow feces. The susceptibility of the algae to carvacrol, citral, and thymol was assessed using the modified CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. The ranges of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC%) of the phytochemicals in all isolates were 0.03% to 0.125% for carvacrol, 0.03% to 0.25% for citral, and 0.06% to 0.25% for thymol. Based on these results, carvacrol, citral, and thymol appear effective against Prototheca species at the tested concentrations, and may thus be useful for environmental disinfection in barns.
PubMed: 38925982
DOI: 10.1292/jvms.24-0032 -
Journal of Vector Borne Diseases Apr 2024The incidence of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) continues to increase over time in the world, including Indonesia. One of the prevention efforts against dengue virus...
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES
The incidence of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) continues to increase over time in the world, including Indonesia. One of the prevention efforts against dengue virus transmission is to avoid vector mosquito bites by the use of repellants. Using repellents can reduce exposure to mosquito bites that may cause infection with the dengue virus. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of repellent lotion composed of patchouli batik extract (Pogostemon cablin) from Southeast Sulawesi varieties against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
METHODS
The research subjects were Aedes aegypti adult mosquitoes. The research consisted of three stages. The first stage was a phytochemical test (qualitative method), the second stage was the analysis of patchouli essential oil (GC-MS method) and the third stage was a test of the effectiveness of lotions made from patchouli extract in lotion preparations against Aedes aegypti.
RESULTS
The results of the effectiveness test of patchouli leaf repellent (Pogestemon cablin) lotion preparations were as follows: for a concentration of 2.5%, protective power 81.5%; concentration 5%, protection power 83.67%; concentration 7.5%, protection power 88.64 %; the concentration of 10%, protection power 90.44%, and the concentration of 12.5% had protection power 90.89%. Probit analysis and linear regression showed the value of ProbitLc 50 was 6.631.
INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION
The results of the effectiveness test of Pogestemon cablin repellent lotion preparations with the most effective concentrations were 10% and 12.5%. The results of ANOVA test indicated there was no difference in the average value of the protection power in patchouli leaves.
Topics: Animals; Aedes; Insect Repellents; Pogostemon; Indonesia; Plant Extracts; Oils, Volatile; Female; Mosquito Vectors; Plant Leaves; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38922650
DOI: 10.4103/jvbd.jvbd_38_22 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024Plants that produce allelopathic compounds against weeds have emerged as a potential solution for the development of ecologically correct bioherbicides. Talinum...
Plants that produce allelopathic compounds against weeds have emerged as a potential solution for the development of ecologically correct bioherbicides. Talinum triangulare is noteworthy in this regard, as its phytochemical composition encompasses flavonoids, alkaloids and other metabolites that can be used to develop inhibitory weed growth solutions. Lactuca sativa (lettuce) has been widely applied as a bioindicator species for bioherbicides and several chemicals, animal waste, water and soil quality, and atmospheric contamination, among others. In this context, this study aimed to assess the potential allelopathic effect of aqueous T. triangulare extracts on the development of L. sativa seedlings. A completely randomized design employing a 2x4 factorial scheme (shoot and root extracts) x the concentration of each extract (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5%) was applied, comprising four replications. Lactuca sativa seeds were sown on germitest papers soaked with the extracts in a germination chamber at 20°C. Physiological seed evaluations comprising the germination test, where normal and abnormal seedlings are counted on the seventh day after sowing, first normal seedling counts on the fourth day after sowing, and seedling and root length measurements. At the end of the germination test, L. sativa seedlings were separated for morphoanatomical characterizations and chlorophyll a fluorescence analyses. The T. triangulare extracts significantly influenced L. sativa root growth, with shoot extract exposure leading to more abnormal plants and lower root lengths at increasing concentrations and compared to the root extract. Root extract exposure led to evident cellular changes and lower non-photochemical quenching and unregulated dissipation quantum yields at a 5% exposure dose compared to shoot extract exposure. These findings suggest that both aqueous T. triangulare root and shoot extracts from 5% exposure doses exhibit high potential as bioherbicides, acting directly on plant structure, anatomy, quality, size and physiology.
Topics: Lactuca; Seedlings; Plant Extracts; Germination; Allelopathy
PubMed: 38922190
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.279983 -
Toxics Jun 2024The management of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) still relies on traditional nematicides that threaten the environment and human health. Novel solutions are urgently...
The management of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) still relies on traditional nematicides that threaten the environment and human health. Novel solutions are urgently needed for PPN pest management that are effective while safeguarding non-target organisms. Volatile phytochemicals belong to a structurally diverse group of bioactive metabolites that are believed to hold safer environmental characteristics than synthetic pesticides. Nonetheless, not many studies have analysed the potential environmental benefits of shifting to these novel bionematicides. In the present study, 20 phytochemical volatiles with reported nematicidal activity were compared to traditional pesticides using specific parameters of environmental and human health safety available on applied online databases and predicted in silico through specialised software. Overall, the reviewed nematicidal phytochemicals were reportedly less toxic than synthetic nematicides. They were predicted to disperse to the air and soil environmental compartments and were reported to have a lower toxicity on aquatic organisms. On the contrary, the synthetic nematicides were reportedly toxic to aquatic organisms while showing a predicted high affinity to the water environmental compartment. As alternatives, β-keto or fatty acid derivatives, e.g., aliphatic alcohols or ketones, showed more adequate properties. This study highlights the importance of complementing studies on nematicidal activity with a risk assessment-based analysis to allow for a faster selection of nematicidal phytochemical volatiles and to leverage the development and implementation of bionematicides.
PubMed: 38922086
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12060406 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024species, a group of economically destructive phytopathogens, are poorly studied in Mauritius where agriculture holds much significance. Furthermore, the increasing...
BACKGROUND
species, a group of economically destructive phytopathogens, are poorly studied in Mauritius where agriculture holds much significance. Furthermore, the increasing popularity of organic farming has prompted interest in alternatives to chemical fungicides.
METHODS
After gaining an overview of prevalence in Mauritius fields through a survey, the pathogen was isolated from infected crops and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Methanol and water extracts were then prepared from , , cinnamon and cloves before determining their phytochemical profiles. Additionally, the antioxidant and antifungal effects of different concentrations of aqueous extracts were assessed.
RESULTS
The isolate was confirmed as , and cloves inhibited its growth by up to 100%, especially at 60 and 90 g/L, with the results being significantly higher than those of the synthetic fungicide mancozeb. Over 50% inhibition was also noted for cinnamon and , and these effects could be linked to the flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids in the extracts.
CONCLUSION
This study presented the aqueous extracts of cloves, cinnamon and as potential alternatives to chemical fungicides. It also confirmed the prevalence of infection in Mauritius fields, thereby highlighting the need for additional studies on the pathogen.
PubMed: 38921734
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060436 -
Marine Drugs Jun 2024The main goal of this study was to assess the bioactive and polysaccharide compositions, along with the antioxidant and antibacterial potentials, of five seaweeds...
The main goal of this study was to assess the bioactive and polysaccharide compositions, along with the antioxidant and antibacterial potentials, of five seaweeds collected from the northeastern coast of Algeria. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, the study investigated the elemental composition of these seaweeds and their chemical structure. In addition, this study compared and identified the biochemical makeup of the collected seaweed by using cutting-edge methods like tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, and it searched for new sources of nutritionally valuable compounds. According to the study's findings, contains the highest levels of extractable bioactive compounds, showing a phenolic compound content of 235.67 ± 1.13 µg GAE·mg and a total sugar content of 46.43 ± 0.12% DW. Both and have high concentrations of good polyphenols, such as vanillin and chrysin. Another characteristic that sets brown algae apart is their composition. It showed that has an extracted bioactive compound content of 12.07% and a high capacity to scavenge ABTS radicals with a value of 78.65 ± 0.96 µg·mL, indicating high antioxidant activity. In terms of antibacterial activity, seaweed showed excellent growth inhibition. In conclusion, all five species of seaweed under investigation exhibited unique strengths, highlighting the variety of advantageous characteristics of these seaweeds, especially .
Topics: Seaweed; Algeria; Antioxidants; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Plant Extracts; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Sargassum; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Phaeophyceae; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38921584
DOI: 10.3390/md22060273 -
Marine Drugs May 2024In this research, the chemical compositions of various extracts obtained from , a type of green seaweed collected from the Nador lagoon in the northern region of...
In this research, the chemical compositions of various extracts obtained from , a type of green seaweed collected from the Nador lagoon in the northern region of Morocco, were compared. Their antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties were also studied. Using GC-MS technology, the fatty acid content of the samples was analyzed, revealing that palmitic acid, eicosenoic acid, and linoleic acid were the most abundant unsaturated fatty acids present in all samples. The HPLC analysis indicated that sinapic acid, naringin, rutin, quercetin, cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, apigenin, flavone, and flavanone were the most prevalent phenolic compounds. The aqueous extract obtained by maceration showed high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, with values of 379.67 ± 0.09 mg GAE/g and 212.11 ± 0.11 mg QE/g, respectively. This extract also exhibited an impressive ability to scavenge DPPH radicals, as indicated by its IC value of 0.095 ± 0.12 mg/mL. Additionally, the methanolic extract obtained using the Soxhlet method demonstrated antioxidant properties by preventing β-carotene discoloration, with an IC of 0.087 ± 0.14 mg/mL. Results from in-vitro studies showed that extracts from were able to significantly inhibit the enzymatic activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Among the various extracts, methanolic extract (S) has been identified as the most potent inhibitor, exhibiting a statistically similar effect to that of acarbose. Furthermore, molecular docking models were used to evaluate the interaction between the primary phytochemicals found in these extracts and the human pancreatic α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. These findings suggest that extracts contain bioactive substances that are capable of reducing enzyme activity more effectively than the commercially available drug, acarbose.
Topics: Hypoglycemic Agents; Antioxidants; Ulva; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; alpha-Amylases; alpha-Glucosidases; Molecular Docking Simulation; Morocco; Humans; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Polyphenols; Flavonoids; Edible Seaweeds
PubMed: 38921551
DOI: 10.3390/md22060240