-
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies May 2021Safrole is a natural compound extracted from various plants, and has shown various biological activities. The current study aimed to investigate the antioxidant,...
BACKGROUND
Safrole is a natural compound extracted from various plants, and has shown various biological activities. The current study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activity of safrole oil and to study the influence of safrole nanoemulgel on these activities.
METHODS
The antioxidant and antidiabetic in-vitro assays were conducted using standard biomedical methods. The safrole oil nanoemulgel was developed using a self-emulsifying technique. Then the antimicrobial activity of the safrole oil and safrole nanoemulgel were performed on different microbial species, and cytotoxicity was determined against Hep3B cancer cell lines using the MTS assay.
RESULTS
Safrole oil showed moderate antioxidant activity compared with standard Trolox, with IC value 50.28 ± 0.44 and 1.55 ± 0.32 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, it had potent α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC 11.36 ± 0.67 μg/ml) compared with Acarbose (IC value 5.88 ± 0.63). The safrole nanoemulgel had pseudo-plastic behaviour, droplet sizes below 200 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.3, and a zeta potential of less than - 30 mV. Safrole oil has potential antimicrobial and anticancer activities, and these activities were improved with safrole nanoemulgel.
CONCLUSION
The safrole oil may be applied for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress, diabetes, different microbial species and cancer, and these activities could be improved by nano-carriers.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Nanostructures; Oils, Volatile; Particle Size; Picrates; Safrole
PubMed: 34051782
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03324-z -
Report on Carcinogens : Carcinogen... 2011
Topics: Animals; Carcinogens; Flavoring Agents; Humans; Neoplasms; Safrole
PubMed: 21863093
DOI: No ID Found -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2022Alkenylbenzenes represent a group of naturally occurring substances that are synthesized as secondary metabolites in various plants, including nutmeg and basil. Many of... (Review)
Review
Alkenylbenzenes represent a group of naturally occurring substances that are synthesized as secondary metabolites in various plants, including nutmeg and basil. Many of the alkenylbenzene-containing plants are common spice plants and preparations thereof are used for flavoring purposes. However, many alkenylbenzenes are known toxicants. For example, safrole and methyleugenol were classified as genotoxic carcinogens based on extensive toxicological evidence. In contrast, reliable toxicological data, in particular regarding genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity is missing for several other structurally closely related alkenylbenzenes, such as myristicin and elemicin. Moreover, existing data on the occurrence of these substances in various foods suffer from several limitations. Together, the existing data gaps regarding exposure and toxicity cause difficulty in evaluating health risks for humans. This review gives an overview on available occurrence data of myristicin, elemicin, and other selected alkenylbenzenes in certain foods. Moreover, the current knowledge on the toxicity of myristicin and elemicin in comparison to their structurally related and well-characterized derivatives safrole and methyleugenol, especially with respect to their genotoxic and carcinogenic potential, is discussed. Finally, this article focuses on existing data gaps regarding exposure and toxicity currently impeding the evaluation of adverse health effects potentially caused by myristicin and elemicin.
PubMed: 35804802
DOI: 10.3390/foods11131988 -
Chimia 2013Ergothioneine and ovothiol A are sulfur-containing histidine derivatives produced by microorganisms including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Trypanosoma cruzi or Erwinia...
Ergothioneine and ovothiol A are sulfur-containing histidine derivatives produced by microorganisms including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Trypanosoma cruzi or Erwinia amylovora and may also play important roles in human physiology. Based on our recent identification of thiohistidine biosynthetic enzymes from Mycobacterium smegmatis and Erwinia tasmaniensis we investigate several aspects of sulfur-based redox biochemistry. For example, we are characterizing the catalytic mechanism of two thiohistidine biosynthetic enzymes which afford O2-dependent sulfur insertion into the C(5)-H and C(2)-H bonds of the imidazolyl side chain of histidine.
Topics: Catalysis; Histidine; Ligases; Methylhistidines; Oxidation-Reduction; Safrole; Sulfhydryl Compounds
PubMed: 23863267
DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2013.333 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2019Oxidation of sulfide to sulfate is known to consist of several steps. Key intermediates in this process are the so-called small oxoacids of sulfur (SOS)-sulfenic HSOH... (Review)
Review
Oxidation of sulfide to sulfate is known to consist of several steps. Key intermediates in this process are the so-called small oxoacids of sulfur (SOS)-sulfenic HSOH (hydrogen thioperoxide, oxadisulfane, or sulfur hydride hydroxide) and sulfoxylic S(OH) acids. Sulfur monoxide can be considered as a dehydrated form of sulfoxylic acid. Although all of these species play an important role in atmospheric chemistry and in organic synthesis, and are also invoked in biochemical processes, they are quite unstable compounds so much so that their physical and chemical properties are still subject to intense studies. It is well-established that sulfoxylic acid has very strong reducing properties, while sulfenic acid is capable of both oxidizing and reducing various substrates. Here, in this review, the mechanisms of sulfide oxidation as well as data on the structure and reactivity of small sulfur-containing oxoacids, sulfur monoxide, and its precursors are discussed.
Topics: Free Radicals; Hydrogen Sulfide; Kinetics; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxides; Peroxides; Safrole; Sulfates; Sulfenic Acids; Sulfides; Sulfur Compounds
PubMed: 31366103
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24152768 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021Alkenylbenzenes are naturally occurring secondary plant metabolites, primarily present in different herbs and spices, such as basil or fennel seeds. Thus,... (Review)
Review
Alkenylbenzenes are naturally occurring secondary plant metabolites, primarily present in different herbs and spices, such as basil or fennel seeds. Thus, alkenylbenzenes, such as safrole, methyleugenol, and estragole, can be found in different foods, whenever these herbs and spices (or extracts thereof) are used for food production. In particular, essential oils or other food products derived from the aforementioned herbs and spices, such as basil-containing pesto or plant food supplements, are often characterized by a high content of alkenylbenzenes. While safrole or methyleugenol are known to be genotoxic and carcinogenic, the toxicological relevance of other alkenylbenzenes (e.g., apiol) regarding human health remains widely unclear. In this review, we will briefly summarize and discuss the current knowledge and the uncertainties impeding a conclusive evaluation of adverse effects to human health possibly resulting from consumption of foods containing alkenylbenzenes, especially focusing on the genotoxic compounds, safrole, methyleugenol, and estragole.
PubMed: 34574258
DOI: 10.3390/foods10092139 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Oct 2018The formation of o-quinones from direct 2-electron oxidation of catechols and/or two successive one electron oxidations could explain the cytotoxic/genotoxic and/or... (Review)
Review
The formation of o-quinones from direct 2-electron oxidation of catechols and/or two successive one electron oxidations could explain the cytotoxic/genotoxic and/or chemopreventive effects of several phenolic botanical extracts. For example, poison ivy contains urushiol, an oily mixture, which is oxidized to various o-quinones likely resulting in skin toxicity through oxidative stress and alkylation mechanisms resulting in immune responses. Green tea contains catechins which are directly oxidized to o-quinones by various oxidative enzymes. Alternatively, phenolic botanicals could be o-hydroxylated by P450 to form catechols in vivo which are oxidized to o-quinones. Examples include, resveratrol which is oxidized to piceatannol and further oxidized to the o-quinone. Finally, botanical o-quinones can be formed by O-dealkylation of O-alkoxy groups or methylenedioxy rings resulting in catechols which are further oxidized to o-quinones. Examples include safrole, eugenol, podophyllotoxin and etoposide, as well as methysticin. Once formed these o-quinones have a variety of biological targets in vivo resulting in various biological effects ranging from chemoprevention -> no effect -> toxicity. This U-shaped biological effect curve has been described for a number of reactive intermediates including o-quinones. The current review summarizes the latest data on the formation and biological targets of botanical o-quinones.
Topics: Activation, Metabolic; Alkylation; DNA; Glutathione; Hydroxylation; Oxidation-Reduction; Plants; Proteins; Quinones
PubMed: 30063944
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.07.050 -
Biomolecules Oct 2022Consumption of areca nut alone, or in the form of betel quid (BQ), has negative health effects and is carcinogenic to humans. Indonesia is one of the largest producers...
Consumption of areca nut alone, or in the form of betel quid (BQ), has negative health effects and is carcinogenic to humans. Indonesia is one of the largest producers of areca nuts worldwide, yet little is known about the biomolecular composition of Indonesian areca nuts and BQs. We have recently shown that phenolic and alkaloid content of Indonesian BQs exhibits distinct geographical differences. Here, we profiled for the first time the metabolomics of BQ constituents from four regions of Indonesia using non-targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. In addition to well-known alkaloids, the analysis of small-molecule profiles tentatively identified 92 phytochemicals in BQ. These included mainly benzenoids and terpenes, as well as acids, aldehydes, alcohols, and esters. Safrole, a potentially genotoxic benzenoid, was found abundantly in betel () inflorescence from West Papua and was not detected in areca nut samples from any Indonesian region except West Papua. Terpenes were mostly detected in betel leaves and inflorescence/stem. Areca nut, husk, betel leaf, the inflorescence stem, and BQ mixture expressed distinctive metabolite patterns, and a significant variation in the content and concentration of metabolites was found across different geographical regions. In summary, this was the first metabolomic study of BQs using GC-MS. The results demonstrate that the molecular constituents of BQs vary geographically and suggest that the differential disease-inducing capacity of BQs may reflect their distinct chemical composition.
Topics: Humans; Areca; Indonesia; Safrole; Alkaloids; Terpenes; Aldehydes
PubMed: 36291678
DOI: 10.3390/biom12101469 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2022is a renowned traditional Unani medicinal herb and belongs to the family Lauraceae. It has therapeutic applications in various ailments and prophylactic properties to... (Review)
Review
is a renowned traditional Unani medicinal herb and belongs to the family Lauraceae. It has therapeutic applications in various ailments and prophylactic properties to prevent flu-like epidemic symptoms and COVID-19. This comprehensive appraisal is to familiarize the reader with the traditional, broad applications of camphor both in Unani and modern medicine and its effects on bioactive molecules. Electronic databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Research Gate were searched for bioactive molecules, and preclinical/clinical research and including 59 research and review papers up to 2022 were retrieved. Additionally, 21 classical Unani and English herbal pharmacopeia books with ethnomedicinal properties and therapeutic applications were explored. Oxidative stress significantly impacts aging, obesity, diabetes mellitus, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases. The polyphenolic bioactive compounds such as linalool, borneol, and nerolidol of have antioxidant activity and have the potential to remove free radicals. Its other major bioactive molecules are camphor, cineole, limelol, safrole, limonene, alpha-pinene, and cineole with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anxiolytic, analgesic, immunomodulatory, antihyperlipidemic, and many other pharmacological properties have been established in vitro or in vivo preclinical research. Natural bioactive molecules and their mechanisms of action and applications in diseases have been highlighted, with future prospects, gaps, and priorities that need to be addressed.
Topics: Analgesics; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Camphor; Cinnamomum camphora; Ethnopharmacology; Eucalyptol; Hypolipidemic Agents; Limonene; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Safrole; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 36246399
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9354555