Total Phenolic Content, Flavonoid Content and Antioxidant Potential of Wild Vegetables from Western Nepal

Alleviation of heavy metals chromium, cadmium and lead and plant growth promotion in Vigna radiata L. plant using isolated Pseudomonas geniculata

Plants exposed to heavy metals (HMs) stress negatively affect their development and production capacity. Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) are the most common hazardous trace metals in agriculture. The physiological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics of crops are being affected. Phytoremediation is a method to alleviate heavy metals from the contaminated soil. The study aims to evaluate the phytoremediation ability of Vigna radiata L. (mung bean) in the absence and the presence of multi-metal tolerant and plant growth promoting Pseudomonas geniculata strain TIU16A3 isolated from soil of tannery industrial estate, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The strain was further assessed with increasing concentrations of Cr, Cd, and Pb (10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/mL) when the mung bean plant was a test crop. The strain significantly increased plant growth, chlorophyll content, increased level of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase, and decreased oxidative stress indicators like H2O2 and electrolyte leakage in the presence of Cr, Cd, and Pb as compared to plants grown in the absence of Pseudomonas geniculata strain. Shoot length responsive gene (Aux/IAA) in the presence of heavy metal alone and Pseudomonas geniculata treated Cd and Cr showed higher relative expression of (Aux/IAA) compared to Pb. Due to these intrinsic abilities, Pseudomonas geniculata strain TIU16A3 can be a plant growth promoter and thus can help in the remediation of heavy metal (Cr, Cd, and Pb) contaminated soil.

Total flavonoid content revised: An overview of past, present, and future determinations in phytochemical analysis

Flavonoids represent an important research topic in the analytical chemistry of secondary plant metabolites. During habitual laboratory determinations, preliminary quantitative analysis is often associated with in vitro colorimetric assessment. Total flavonoid content (TFC) is used as screening method with high relevance in the chemical analysis of plants and derived products, being typically applied before HPLC-MS phytochemical profiling. Its importance stems from affordability, simplicity, rapidity, and low cost. The AlCl3 assay, with or without NaNO2 addition, is the most used method in the present, although less frequently used methods (using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, dimethylamino-cinnamaldehyde, or diethylene glycol) show potential for complementary and specific determinations. Given the prevalence of research papers focusing on a single method for "total flavonoid" determination, we identified the need for an objective and critical comparison of existing methodologies. Moreover, a special notice is dedicated to the past and the future of in vitro TFC determinations, in the context of recent advances in flavonoid research. The focal point of this review is to serve as a basis for laboratory protocol reorganization regarding TFC determination, as a powerful tool before mass spectrometry, as well as to present a potential complementary analysis protocol applicable to biological samples. Among the methods found in the literature, SBC was the only assay providing accurate determinations of TFC.

A sustainable technology for enhancing the oxidative stability of edible oils using jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus lam.) peel extract as a natural antioxidant

Jackfruit peels, often discarded as waste, represent a valuable source of polyphenols that enhance the resistance of soybean and sunflower oils to oxidation at frying temperatures. The JPE exhibited total polyphenolic content (16.32 mg GAE/g), flavonoid content (0.66 mg QuE/g), antioxidant capacity (0.20 mg/mL), and DPPH scavenging activity (5.65 μg/mL). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of polyphenols, primary and secondary alcohols, and other functional groups, while HRAMS analysis identified 64 bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. JPE demonstrated excellent antioxidant activity, particularly under refrigerated (5 °C) and dark conditions. Oils subjected to frying temperatures (150-180 °C) were analyzed for oxidation parameters, composition of fatty acids, and color. The incorporation of JPE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced acid value, peroxide value, TOTOX value, p-anisidine value, total polar compounds, fatty acid degradation, and color changes compared to control samples. Sensory evaluation revealed that polyphenol-enriched sunflower and soybean oils had higher overall acceptability than fresh oil samples.

Bioactive Properties of the Microwave-Assisted Olive Leaf Extract and Its Incorporation into a Whey Protein Isolate Coating of Semi-Hard Cheese

The food industry generates large quantities of biowaste, including olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves, which are rich in phenolic compounds with proven antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. In this study, a microwave-assisted olive leaf extract was produced and evaluated. Antioxidant potential (20.23 ± 0.31 µmol TE g-1), antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 17.62 mg GAE g-1), and cytotoxic effects in breast (MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 38.9 ± 1.8 µg mL-1), MCF-7 (IC50 = 58.9 ± 5.4 µg mL-1) and prostate cancer PC-3 (IC50 = 69.2 ± 7.6 µg mL-1) cell models were confirmed. Further, the extract was incorporated into a whey protein isolate (WPI) edible coating mixture and applied to semi-hard cheese over a 60-day ripening period. When applied to cheese, WPI-based coatings enriched with OLE contributed to an improved antioxidant potential (289.79 ± 16.16 µmol TE L-1), elevated retention of total phenols and flavonoids, and slightly reduced microbial growth without compromising cheese safety. Compared to the uncoated control, coated samples showed higher total solids (up to 62.87 ± 0.13%, CWPIM) and fat contents (up to 26.59 ± 0.17%, CWPIM), moderated proteolysis (WSN in CWPIM: 3.15 ± 0.09% vs. 4.48 ± 0.02% in C0), maintained cohesiveness and resilience compared to the control, and exhibited less pronounced color deviation (ΔE) in some coated samples during ripening. These results highlight the potential of olive leaf extract as a bioactive, sustainable ingredient for functional edible coatings that improve the nutritional, technological, and microbiological quality of ripened cheese.

Isolating, Screening, and Optimizing Antioxidant Production of Endophytic Bacteria From Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger)

Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) is widely used as a herb in traditional cuisines and medicines. This study aimed to identify endophytic bacteria with high antioxidative potential in ginger plants and determine the optimum conditions for antioxidant fermentation from the strain. The bacteria from ginger were isolated and the growth conditions were surveyed. The secondary metabolites of the endophytes extracted using ethyl acetate were used to determine the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities. Six bacterial strains were selected for identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Kosakonia sp. ZO-Rh4 exhibited the highest activity, and the fermentation conditions were optimized. The results showed that 32 endophytic strains isolated from ginger tissues exhibited the significant activity. The strains ZO-Rh4, ZO-L2, ZO-S7, ZO-S8, ZO-L7, and ZO-L8, revealed the highest ones, belonged to the genera Kosakonia, Pantoea, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella. Under optimum fermentation conditions of 32.58 °C, 71.49 h, 14.45 g/L glucose, and a pH of 7.58, the Kosakonia sp. ZO-Rh4 produced a TPC of 285.74 mg gallic acid equivalents/mL and TFC of144.49 mg quercetin equivalents/mL. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity significantly increased, as evidenced by the EC50 values for the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, and reducing power assays. These findings highlight the potential of endophytes, particularly Kosakonia sp. ZO-Rh4 is a natural antioxidant with various applications.

Exploring Anticancer Potential of Aqueous, Hydroethanolic and Methanolic Extract of an Age-old <i>Unani</i> Formulation

Background: Cancer poses a foremost public health challenge worldwide. Several cancer types are preventable and treatable, provided that cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. The derivatives of plant metabolites such as camptothecin, podophyllotoxin, vinca, and others have been a crucial source of numerous clinically effective anti-cancer agents. Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of a traditional Unani formulation against cancer cell lines. Methods: A compound Polyherbal Unani Formulation (PUF) mentioned in the Unani text Kamil-Us-Sana to evacuate Khilt-e-Sawdā’ in the chapter of Saraṭān (Cancer) was selected to screen its anti-cancer potential against A-549, HeLa, MCF-7 and B16F10 cells. Aqueous, hydroethanolic (1:1), and methanolic extract of PUF was prepared and tested. Results: Total phenolics and flavonoids were detected in significant quantities in PUF. PUF and its ingredients exhibited powerful anti-oxidant potential in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assay. Methanolic extract of PUF was found most potent cytotoxic (IC50 value of 28.50±1.53 μg/mL) in B16F10 cells, almost equal to positive control doxorubicin (IC50 24.62±0.19 μg/mL). PUF also increased the caspase-3 activity in HeLa and A-549 cells, suggesting apoptosis induction. The cytotoxic activity of PUF may be attributed to the effect of its ingredients in MCF-7 cells and other cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Present findings validate the traditional claim mentioned in the Unani text and open up a new avenue for further research to explore molecular mechanisms and development of this Unani formulation for effective cancer management. Major Findings: Present study demonstrated the cytotoxic potential of a traditional polyherbal Unani formulation with IC50 values ranging from 28.50±1.53 μg/mL to 207.86±1.24 μg/mL in HeLa, A-549, MCF-7, and B16F10 cancer cells. The methanolic extract of PUF exhibited greater cytotoxic potential compared to hydro-ethanolic and aqueous extract. The cytotoxic effects of PUF are likely due to its ingredients, which have been reported to have cytotoxic activity in other cancer cell lines.

Thymoquinone loaded zinc oxide Nanoformulations synthesis, characterization and evaluation of their efficacy against carbon tetrachloride induced Hepatorenal toxicity in rats

Thymoquinone (THQ), a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactive compound has been reported in numerous studies to prevent the hepatorenal toxicity caused by various xenobiotics. Similarly, the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have been used to protect against the hepatorenal damages caused by oxidative stress due to their potent antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to synthesize and investigate the possible protective effects of THQ, ZnONPs and THQ-loaded ZnONPs against CCl4 induced hepatorenal toxicity in albino rats. ZnONPs and THQ-loaded ZnONPs were synthesized and characterized by various techniques. For the in-vivo study, thirty albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. The control group received normal saline and 2nd group (injury group) received CCl4 only. The 3rd group (T1-group) received CCl4 + ZnONPs, the 4th group (T2-group) received CCl4 + THQ, and the 5th group (T3-group) received CCl4 + THQ-loaded ZnONPs. Renal and hepatic biomarkers (total bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), lipid profiles, antioxidant levels and histopathological studies were investigated. The synthesized NPs showed a spherical shape with an average size of 16-30 nm and exhibited hexagonal structures. Results showed that THQ-loaded ZnONPs resulted in a decrease in liver and kidney biomarkers as well as a reduction in TC, TG, and LDL levels compared to groups received ZnONPs and THQ alone. CAT, SOD, GR and DPPH-radical scavenging ability were maintained at normal levels in group T3, which received THQ-loaded ZnONPs compared to T1 and T2 groups. Hepatic histopathological analysis revealed a reduction in hydropic degeneration and hepatocyte congestion in the central veins, alongside a decrease in tubular cell swelling and normalization of renal histology in the THQ-loaded ZnONPs groups. In conclusion, results of this investigation demonstrate that THQ-loaded ZnONPs can act as an efficient protectant and antioxidant against oxidative stress and hepatorenal toxicity caused by various xenobiotics.

Impact of Different Drying Techniques on Parkia timoriana Pods: Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Bioactive Insights Through In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

Parkia timoriana (Yongchak) is a nutrient-rich, underutilized tree bean widely consumed in northeast India and used traditionally against various ailments. In this study, the different parts of P. timoriana pods (outer pulp [OP], seeds, and whole pods) were processed through four different drying techniques: sun-, oven-, microwave-, and freeze-drying. Further, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of these drying techniques on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of P. timoriana pods, along with the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of their extracts. In addition, a computational approach, incorporating molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, was conducted on 42 previously reported bioactive compounds of P. timoriana pods against α-amylase as target protein, with acarbose as reference. The findings indicated that the seeds of P. timoriana showed the highest protein (31.73 mg/100 g dry weight [DW]) and fat (21.48 mg/100 g DW) contents, whereas carbohydrate (42.59 mg/100 g DW), crude fiber (22.40 mg/100 g DW), and ash (10.40 mg/100 g DW) contents were highest in OP. Moreover, highest phenolic contents (47.68 mg GAE/g), with stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging (IC50: 19.12 µg/mL) and α-amylase inhibitory (IC50: 319.55 µg/mL) activities, were observed in OP extracts. Among the drying methods, sun- and freeze-drying provided higher yield, better rehydration, physical stability, enhanced antioxidant properties, and α-amylase inhibition. All the dehydration methods showed good retention of all the minerals. Further, molecular docking and MD simulation determined stigmasterol (-9.5 kcal/mol) as the potential inhibitor against α-amylase. This study can be helpful in the future utilization of the pods as food additives and as dietary supplements for managing diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study validated the nutritional, physicochemical, and antidiabetic properties of Parkia timoriana pods through in vitro and in silico approaches. These pods can be helpful in the future utilization in functional food development as nutrient-rich food additives and dietary supplements for managing diabetes. This study also concluded that sun- and freeze-drying techniques proved to be commercially beneficial in increasing the shelf life and preserving the nutritional quality of P. timorina pods.

Antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of Thuja orientalis L. extract targeting cariogenic Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212: A combined in-vitro, in-silico study, and cytotoxicity screening

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we explored the efficacy of methanolic extract of Thuja orientalis (TOME) as a novel antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against a cariogenic bacterium, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212.

DESIGN

Antibacterial susceptibility studies were conducted and surface morphology analysis was performed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Antibiofilm activity was evaluated through both qualitative and quantitative biofilm inhibition assays and validated by microscopic analysis. In-silico molecular docking studies were conducted using the EDock server. The effectiveness of TOME was substantiated by biofilm model on dentin discs and cytotoxicity towards the HaCaT cell line was assessed using the MTT assay.

RESULTS

TOME exhibited significant bactericidal activity with minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5 mg/mL and additionally, it effectively compromised bacterial cell wall integrity. Qualitative, quantitative and microscopic studies depicted the inhibition of biofilm formation. TOME significantly impacted the production of extracellular polymeric substance and extracellular DNA. Molecular docking studies identified beta-caryophyllene as a potent inhibitor of the Enterococcal surface protein (Esp). Biofilm model depicted the reduction of bacterial load on dentin discs. Additionally, TOME showed reduced cytotoxicity on HaCaT cells, indicating its potential as a safe therapeutic agent.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight TOME's promise for developing novel treatments for dental infections and biofilm-associated diseases. Further research should focus on isolating and characterizing the active compounds within TOME, particularly beta-caryophyllene, to elucidate their precise mechanisms of action.

Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi enhance plant immune responses against tomato leafminer

Plants employ various defense mechanisms to protect themselves from invaders such as microorganisms and herbivores. By recognizing these threats, plants can trigger a cascade of responses throughout their tissues, effectively priming their defenses and enhancing their resistance to future attacks. In this study, we examined the indirect effects of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana strain GHA and Metarhizium anisopliae strain F01 on tomato growth, expression of selected plant genes, production of secondary metabolites, and preference and performance of the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta). Both B. bassiana and M. anisopliae colonized tomato endophytically. Plants treated with B. bassiana had greater biomass than the untreated control and M. anisopliae treated plants. Oviposition was lower on plants treated with B. bassiana and M. anisopliae than on untreated controls in both choice and no-choice studies, and both endophytic EPF also affected the development of leafminer larvae. Gene expression analysis of tomato leaves inoculated with endophytic EPF provided evidence of triggering plant immune response genes, and of priming genes for herbivore attack, making plants more resistant to herbivory. These findings provide important insights into the mechanisms by which B. bassiana and M. anisopliae promote tomato plant growth and rapidly respond to T. absoluta infestation by priming the immune system. This knowledge could improve the development of entomopathogenic fungi for use in plant-protection strategies.

Phytochemical Analysis, Isolation, and Characterization of Gentiopicroside from Gentiana kurroo and Cytotoxicity of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Against HeLa Cells

Gentiana kurroo Royle, a critically endangered Himalayan herb, is valued in treating leucoderma, syphilis, bronchial asthma, hepatitis, etc. The current investigation performed quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analysis of G. kurroo root extracts prepared in chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were the highest in methanol and chloroform extract, respectively. Several pharmacologically important compounds were identified through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antioxidant analysis revealed methanolic extract to be the most efficient scavenger of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (IC50 = 114 µg mL-1), hydrogen peroxide (IC50 = 109.9 µg mL-1), and superoxide (IC50 = 74.63 µg mL-1) radicals. Gentiopicroside was isolated from the methanolic root extract through silica-gel column-chromatography, and the characterization of concentrated fractions was achieved employing various analytical techniques. Pertaining to silver nanoparticle (GkAgNPs) synthesis, different physicochemical parameters were optimized and it was observed that root extract treated with silver-nitrate (0.5 mM) at 60 °C and incubated in dark for at least 120 min after initial color change, yielded GkAgNPs optimally. GkAgNPs were anisotropic and polydisperse and exhibited characteristic surface plasmon resonance (424 nm), crystalline face-centered cubic geometry, size (50-300 nm), and zeta-potential (- 16.3 mV). FT-IR spectra indicated the involvement of phenols and flavonoids in AgNPs synthesis. GkAgNPs were evidenced as strongly cytotoxic (IC50 = 1.964 µg mL-1) against HeLa cells and also showed deformed cellular morphology, a significant reduction in viable cell counts and colony-forming efficiency (4.08%). The findings suggest potential applications in drug development for treating serious human diseases. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the isolation of gentiopicroside, the bio-fabrication of GkAgNPs using G.kurroo root extract, and their strong bioefficacy against HeLa cells.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity of ethanol extracts of Hagenia abyssinica and Rumex abyssinicus flowers in Swiss albino mice

BACKGROUND

Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel (Family: Rosaceae) and Rumex abyssinicus Jacq (Family: Polygonaceae) are valuable medicinal plants traditionally used in Ethiopia to treat various diseases. Recent studies have also demonstrated that solvent extracts of these plants exhibit molluscicidal activities under laboratory conditions, highlighting their potential for snail control. However, limited information is available regarding their safety profiles.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate acute, and sub-acute toxicity of 70% ethanol extracts of H. abyssinica and R. abyssinicus flowers in Swiss albino mice, following the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines 423 and 407.

METHODS

In the acute toxicity study, both extracts were administered orally to experimental groups at varying concentrations (mg/kg bodyweight): 5, 50, 300, and 2000. For the sub-acute toxicity study, both extracts were given to the experimental groups at doses (mg/kg) of 125, 250, and 500 daily for 28 days. Blood samples were collected from each mouse and analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters. Additionally, the heart, liver, and kidneys were excised, stained, and examined for potential histopathological effects.

RESULTS

The acute toxicity study revealed no noticeable changes in behavior at the highest oral dosage of 2000 mg/kg. In the sub-acute toxicity study, no statistically significant changes were observed in hematological and biochemical parameters compared to the control group. Similarly, no abnormal histological findings were noted in the examined organs in comparison to the control group.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that flower extracts of both plants did not show significant toxicity to laboratory mammals at an oral dosage of 2000 mg/kg.

Pharmaceutical Insights Into Ammi and Parsley: Evaluating Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic Content, and Kidney Stone Disintegration Properties

This study investigated the pharmaceutical potential of extracts from Ammi visnaga (Ammi) and Petroselinum crispum (Parsley), specifically focusing on their antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and efficacy in disintegrating calcium oxalate kidney stones. Ammi and Parsley extracts, known for their traditional medicinal uses, contain bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant properties that have attracted attention in pharmaceutical research. Oxidative stress, a key factor in various physiological disorders, underscores the importance of antioxidants in the mitigation of cellular damage. Our investigation revealed concentration-dependent enhancements in antioxidant activity and total phenolic content in both Ammi and Parsley extracts, indicating their potential as natural antioxidant agents. Furthermore, both extracts were effective in reducing the size of calcium oxalate stones, with the Ammi extract demonstrating superior stone-disintegration properties. Dissolution studies have provided valuable insights into the release kinetics of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, suggesting sustained therapeutic potential. Overall, Ammi and Parsley extracts show promise in pharmaceutical development, offering alternative therapeutic avenues for managing oxidative stress-related conditions and kidney stone formation.

Nutrients, bioactive compounds and antinutritional properties of marigold genotypes as promising functional food

The rising demand for health promoting functional foods has sparked interest in diversifying diets by incorporating innovative items like edible flowers. Considering this, the nutritional composition, bioactive properties and antinutritional factors of the flowers of eight marigold genotypes (M1 to M8) were quantified and compared to elucidate their value and safety as functional food. The study outcomes highlighted significant differences among the genotypes for most of the attributes. Anthocyanin, carotenoid and lutein contents were observed within a range of 0.02 to1.90 mg/100 g, 5.02 to 11.08 mg/100 g and 0.19 to 9.78 µg/g, respectively. The content of sugars, β-carotene, vitamins (C and E) and minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron) were also found to be present in substantial amounts. The analysis of bioactive compounds revealed the richness in total phenolic (TPC) (428.58 to 592.71 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g) and flavonoid content (TFC) (135.06 to 233.39 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g). Among the assessed antinutrients, alkaloid, tannin and saponin exceeded permissible limits in the studied genotypes, while phytate remained within the safe range. However, the elevated levels of these antinutrients would not pose any problem if processed through methods such as soaking, boiling or cooking. Out of eight genotypes, M1 had the highest content of anthocyanin (1.90 mg /100 g), reducing sugar (21.63 mg/100 g), and antioxidant activities. M5 stood out with the highest levels of TSS (6.10 °Brix), β-carotene (0.50 mg/100 g), vitamin C (28.61 mg/100 g), Ca (225.33 mg/100 g), and TPC (592.71 mg GAE/100 g), while M6 contained significant amounts of carotenoids (11.08 mg/100 g) and TFC (232.41 mg QE/100 g). Principal component analysis and cluster dendrogram findings further confirmed that among the eight studied genotypes, M1, M5 and M6 genotypes were found as the most prominent with the remarkable contributions of the majority of the studied variables. Hence, these marigold genotypes could be considered as promising options to improve and diversify healthy diets, potentially serving as valuable sources of dietary supplements and functional food ingredients.

Chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Piper betle and Anethum graveolens essential oils against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of infection worldwide due to its antimicrobial resistance. Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) have undergone extensive observational and clinical research to explore their antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to check mec A positive MRSA isolates using sequencing analysis, determination of chemical composition using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of Anethum graveolens and Piper betle EOs against the infectious agent MRSA. The result demonstrates a significant antibacterial activity of both essential oils against MRSA clinical isolates. GC-MS analysis of Piper betle showed (41.06%) 3-Allyl-6-methoxyphenol (Eugenol) as the major compound, whereas Anethum graveolens exhibited o-cymene (14.01%) abundantly. Piper betle essential oil retained appreciable levels of total phenolic (39.5 ± 10.9 mg/g of gallic acid equivalents) and flavonoid content (216 ± 145 mg quercetin equivalent/g), when compared to Anethum graveolens essential oil. A strong correlation was observed between antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS), total phenolic, and total flavonoid content in the Piper betle and displayed using principal component analysis (PCA) and a scatter matrix plot. Parallelly, clear morphological bacterial alterations were visualized by scanning electron microscopy after treating it with essential oils. MRSA showed malformed cell surfaces or broken cells with pore formation and septae. These findings imply that both essential oils are potential natural sources of antimicrobials against the MRSA superbug. They can also be used in combination therapies with other plant EOs or with traditional antibiotics to combat the rise of bacteria resistance.

Impact of geographical variation on nutritional and antioxidant properties of Basella alba L. from Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND

Basella alba L. (Malabar spinach) is a widely consumed leafy vegetable, well known for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. These properties arise from the availability of essential nutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidant potential, which may vary depending on environmental factors induced by the geographical location. In this study our aim is to investigate the correlation between the geographical location and proximate composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant activity of B. alba harvested from fifteen locations in Sri Lanka.

RESULTS

According to the statistical analysis by ANOVA and Tukey test, the results of proximate analysis confirmed that samples from different locations showed statistically significant variance in nutritional content. Furthermore, phytochemical content and antioxidant potential varied showing a significant difference between locations in total chlorophyll (27.53 to 6.69 µg/g dry weight), carotene (4.54 to 1.15 µg/g dry weight), total flavonoid content (10.54 to 3.94 mg/g dry weight in Quercetin equivalents), total phenolic content (8.33 to 0.46 mg/g dry weight in gallic acid equivalents), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (38.03-11.4% inhibition), and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (1.23 to 3.76 mg/g dry weight in ascorbic acid equivalents) (p < 0.05). The Pearson correlation showed a strong positive correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis indicates the role of antioxidant activity and chlorophyll content in location differentiation, forming distinct clusters. Cluster analysis categorized samples into four groups, linking biochemical traits to agro-climatic zones. The principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed a close relationship between some locations due to their high antioxidant and phytochemical accumulation.

CONCLUSION

This study exhibits the importance of geographical location on the phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of B. alba. These findings can be used to refine optimal cultivation sites for B. alba to enhance the efficacy of its nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential.

A Comparative Study of the Biological Properties of Eugenia uniflora L. Fruits and Leaves Related to the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally, emphasizing the need for effective preventive strategies. Plant-based foods, rich in phytochemicals, offer a promising potential in CVD prevention. This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive properties of two Eugenia uniflora L. varieties (orange and purple pitanga) and their leaves. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity assays, while their antihypertensive activity was evaluated through angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Their anti-inflammatory potential was determined via protein denaturation inhibition. Both fruit varieties exhibited similar bioactivities, with the purple variety showing a slightly higher activity, except in the DPPH and ABTS assays. The leaves consistently demonstrated the lowest activities across all assays. Free polyphenols, dominated by gallic acid, were quantified using µ-QuEChERS followed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-PDA). The orange variety contained the highest concentration of gallic acid (13.1 mg/100 g DW). These findings highlight the potential of Eugenia uniflora L. extracts as natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive agents, suggesting their value in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications for promoting human health and preventing CVDs.

Growth Promotion and Secondary Metabolites of Vegetables by Spraying Soil with Psidium guajava, Aloe vera, Allium sativum and Medicago sativa Extracts at Various Stages of Growth

There is a growing need for sustainable, efficient methods to promote plant growth and protect crops, with plant extracts offering natural, multi-component solutions. Based on previous observations, Psidium guajava, Aloe vera, Allium sativum and Medicago sativa were selected from 17 water extracts to investigate how the application times of soil sprays affect the antioxidant enzymes and secondary metabolites in fruity and leafy vegetables at different growth stages. From 1 week after sowing (WAS) to 4 WAS, all applications increased the shoot fresh weight by 42-69% in cucumbers, 40-64% in tomatoes, 46-65% in kale and 42-63% in lettuce. These applications also increased the photosynthesis, flavonoids and antioxidative enzymes (ascorbate peroxide (APOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD)), which provided the plants with a balanced supply of nutrients essential for growth. In the real world, these results show that the use of natural extracts (P. guajava and A. sativum) can be a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, helping to improve crop yields and metabolism without harming the environment. This approach could reduce the reliance on chemical inputs and promote more sustainable agricultural practices, especially in controlled environments, like greenhouses, where crops like cucumbers and kale are grown.

In Vitro Determination of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Antiviral Properties of Greek Plant Extracts

The medicinal potential of plant extracts, especially their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral and cytotoxic properties, has gained significant attention in recent years. This study examined the in vitro bioactivities of several selected Greek medicinal plants, like Eucalyptus globulus L., Thymus vulgaris L., Salvia rosmarinus L. and Ocimum basilicum L., are well-known for their traditional therapeutic use. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the extracts against pathogenic bacteria. The antioxidant activity was carried out using the DPPH method, while the cytotoxicity of the plants was determined using the Alamar Blue method. In addition, the antiviral efficacy of the samples was tested against DENV in different cell lines. The majority of medicinal herbs demonstrated significant antimicrobial action (MIC = 30-3000 μg∙mL-1). The extracts showed great antioxidant activity, while the Salvia rosmarinus L. extract turned out to be the most effective (IC50 = 12.89 ± 0.11 μg∙mL-1). In contrast, the extract of Eucalyptus globulus L. had the lowest antioxidant action (IC50 = 71.02 ± 0.42 μg∙mL-1). The results of the Alamar Blue method were presented with CC50 values, and it was shown that Eucalyptus globulus L. extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity (CC50 = 5.94% v/v ± 0.04). Similarly, the results of the antiviral potential of extracts were expressed as EC50 values, and Eucalyptus globulus L. was characterized as the most effective sample against dengue virus infection, with EC50 values estimated at 2.37% v/v ± 0.6 (HuhD-2 cells infected with DENV-2) and 0.36% v/v ± 0.004 (Huh7.5 cells infected with DVR2A). These findings provide a foundation for further studies in order to combat infectious diseases and promote human health.

Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Antimicrobial Properties of Carica papaya Leaves: Implications for Health Benefits and Food Applications

BACKGROUND

Papaya leaves (PLs) are known for their therapeutic benefits and traditional use in treating inflammation, infections, and various health conditions. Rich in bioactive compounds, PLs are studied for their potential applications in functional foods. This study analyzed their nutritional, phytochemical, structural, thermal, and antimicrobial properties to evaluate their role as a health-promoting ingredient.

METHODS

Phytochemicals were quantified spectrophotometrically and identified via GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Mineral content was determined using ICP-OES. Structural and thermal properties were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, and calorimetry, and antimicrobial activity was tested via the agar well diffusion method.

RESULTS

PLs contained 25.75% crude protein, 41.49% carbohydrates, and high levels of flavonoids (21.00 mg QE/g), phenolics (8.85 mg GAE/g), and tannins (430 mg TAE/g). Antioxidant assays confirmed strong free radical scavenging potential. Mineral analysis showed abundant K, Ca, Mg, Na, and Fe (4071, 1079, 789.2, 361.2, and 228.2 mg/kg, respectively). Structural and thermal analysis revealed bioactive functional groups, 23.9% crystallinity, and thermal degradation characteristics. PLs exhibited antimicrobial activity, inhibiting E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, and K. pneumoniae with zones of 22.05-25.15 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

PLs demonstrate strong nutritional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, supporting their inclusion in functional food.

Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Marine Sponge Species Combined with Multivariate Statistical Analyses: Desmapsamma anchorata, Dysidea etheria and Echinodictyum dendroides

Marine sponges are valuable sources of bioactive compounds, which have attracted pharmacological interest. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical profile, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of the species Desmapsamma anchorata, Dysidea etheria, and Echinodictyum dendroides. The chemical profile involved identifying and quantifying polyphenols, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using various methods. The antibacterial and modulatory activities were evaluated using microdilution against pathogenic strains. The extracts contained a low amount of polyphenols. In the antioxidant assays, the EACDa and EMDa extracts exhibited better inhibitory results. In the antibacterial evaluation, extracts presented MIC ≥1024 μg mL-1. The modulation of the extracts combined with antibiotics showed significant effects against the multiresistant bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study contributes to the deepening of chemical and biological knowledge of sponge species. It indicates that their extracts can act as good modulators of bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics, which requires further investigation into their mechanisms of action.

Assessment of the Anti-adipogenic Effect of Crateva religiosa Bark Extract for Molecular Regulation of Adipogenesis: In Silico and In Vitro Approaches for Management of Hyperlipidemia Through the 3T3-L1 Cell Line

AIMS

This study aimed to determine the phytoconstituents of Crateva religiosa bark (CRB) and evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of bioactive CRB extract by preventing adipocyte differentiation and lipogenesis.

BACKGROUND

After performing the preliminary phytochemicals screening, the antioxidant activity of CRB extracts was determined through a DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Ethyl acetate extract (CREAE) and ethanol extract (CRETE) of CRB were selected for chromatographic evaluation.

METHODS

The antihyperlipidemic potential was analyzed by molecular docking through the PKCMS software platform. Further, a 3T3-L1 cell line study via in vitro sulforhodamine B assay and western blotting was performed to confirm the prevention of adipocyte differentiation and lipogenesis.

RESULTS

The total phenolic contents in CREAE and CRETE were estimated as 29.47 and 81.19 μg/mg equivalent to gallic acid, respectively. The total flavonoid content was found to be 8.78 and 49.08 μg/mg, equivalent to quercetin in CREAE and CRETE, respectively. CRETE exhibited greater scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 61.05 μg/ mL. GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of three bioactive molecules, stigmasterol, gamma sitosterol, and lupeol, in CRETE. Molecular docking studies predicted that the bioactive molecules interact with HMG-CoA reductase, PPARγ, and CCAAT/EBP, which are responsible for lipid metabolism. In vitro, Sulforhodamine B assays revealed that CRETE dose-dependently reduced cell differentiation and viability. Cellular staining using 'Oil Red O' revealed a decreased lipid content in the CRETE-treated cell lines. CRETE significantly inhibited the induction of PPARγ and CCAAT/EBP expression, as determined through protein expression via western blotting.

CONCLUSION

The influence of CRETE on lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells is potentially suggesting a new approach to managing hyperlipidemia.

Abiotic stress-induced changes in Tetrastigma hemsleyanum: insights from secondary metabolite biosynthesis and enhancement of plant defense mechanisms

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-tumor properties, faces increasing abiotic stress due to climate change, agricultural chemicals, and industrialization. This study investigated how three abiotic stress factors influence antioxidant enzyme activity, MDA levels, DPPH free radical scavenging capacity, chlorophyll, carotenoids, active compounds, and gene expression in different T. hemsleyanum strains. The comprehensive evaluation indicates that the ZJWZ strain holds potential as a preferred parental material for future resistance breeding. Furthermore, PAL gene expression was strongly positively correlated with flavonoid and phenol contents, highlighting its role in the stress response through the phenylpropanoid-flavonoid pathway. This study contributes to the standardization of the production and breeding of superior strains of T. hemsleyanum. It also lays the foundation for investigating how plants react to environmental stressors.

Impact of Babaco (Vasoncelea x pentagona (Heilborn) Mabb.) Fruit Ripening Stages on Phytochemical Composition and Biological Properties

Background: This research article delves into Babaco fruit's-an Ecuadorian product with immense nutraceutical potential phytochemical composition and biological activity-in different maturation fruit stages. Bridging the gap between food and medicine, nutraceuticals offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Methods: Specifically, this study investigates Babaco's antioxidant and its phenolic and flavonoid content across different ripening stages: physiological maturity, organoleptic quality immaturity, and commercial maturity. Results: This last stage of maturity exhibits the highest antioxidant activity, making it the optimal phase for marketing Babaco as a nutraceutical product. Further LC-MS analysis reveals the specific secondary metabolites responsible for this potent antioxidant capacity. Conclusions: By introducing Babaco as a nutraceutical fruit, Ecuador can showcase its unique phytochemical profile, which is rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Consumers stand to gain from Babaco's antioxidant properties, supporting overall health and well-being. Recognizing Babaco's antioxidant potential aligns perfectly with Ecuador's diverse biodiversity and offers a promising avenue for health-conscious choices.

Comparative Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology Analysis Reveal Shared Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., two nootropics, are recognized in Indian Ayurvedic texts. Studies have attempted to understand their action as memory enhancers and neuroprotectants, but many molecular aspects remain unknown. We propose that Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. share common neuroprotective mechanisms. Mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics and network pharmacology approach were used to identify potential protein targets for the metabolites from each extract. Phytochemical analyses and cell culture validation studies were also used to assess apoptosis and ROS activity using aqueous extracts prepared from both herbal powders. Further, docking studies were also performed using the LibDock protocol. Untargeted metabolomics and network pharmacology approach unveiled 2751 shared metabolites and 3439 and 2928 non-redundant metabolites from Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica extracts, respectively, suggesting a potential common neuroprotective mechanism among these extracts. Protein-target prediction highlighted 92.4% similarity among the proteins interacting with metabolites for these extracts. Among them, kinases mapped to MAPK, mTOR, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways represented a predominant population. Our results highlight a significant similarity in the metabolome of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., and their potential protein targets may be attributed to their common neuroprotective functions.

Cytotoxic and anti-metastatic effects of Hypericum perforatum olive oil extract in colorectal cancer cells and human bone marrow derived stem cells

This study is aimed to investigate the effects of Hypericum perforatum olive oil extract on the cytotoxic and metastatic properties of human colorectal cancer cells and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, ALDH3A1 and Vimentin expressions were evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of methanol extracts prepared with oil enrichment were measured using spectrophotometry-based methods. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts on SW-480 and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were evaluated by MTT assay, resulting in IC50 values of 4.8 mg/ml and 4.9 mg/ml, respectively. It was determined that cell migration and colony formation were significantly reduced at the IC50 values determined for SW-480 and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Antioxidant, Apoptotic, and Wound Healing Effects of Xantolis Cambodiana Extracts in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts

Xantolis cambodiana has demonstrated significant antioxidant properties; however, the mechanisms underlying its protective effects against oxidative stress in cellular systems remain unexplored. This work investigated the efficacy of methanolic extracts in exhibiting oxidative damage and examined their mechanisms. The methanolic extract had a high phenolic content (116.89±29.01 mg GAE/g FW) and exhibited scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals with an IC50 value of 42.35±9.20 μg/ml. In addition, it had the highest antioxidant activity based on ferric-reducing antioxidant power (467.45±50.74 mg AA/100 g). Normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells were pretreated with the methanolic extract in a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 500 mM)-induced oxidative stress model, which resulted in a significant decrease in apoptosis and autophagy. Not only did the methanolic extract reduce mitochondrial membrane potential, it also stimulated NHDF cell migration and reduced reactive oxygen species production through mitochondrial dysfunction in the H2O2-induced stress model. These findings suggested that the methanolic extract (25 μg/ml) attenuated H2O2-induced oxidative stress in NHDF cells, significantly reducing apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, this extract has the potential to support the wound healing process due to its antioxidant activity.

Canopy openness, proportion of deciduous trees and topsoil C/N ratio drive the yield, but their effect on the polyphenol content of medicinal plants is species-specific

Forests and woodlands are the major source of wild medicinal plants worldwide. In our study, we aimed to identify the factors influencing the yield and polyphenol content of Aegopodium podagraria L., Galium aparine L., Rubus fruticosus L., Rubus idaeus L., Stachys sylvatica L. and Urtica dioica L., the common and abundant medicinal plant species in the study areas. We showed that European temperate forests are potentially an important source of the medicinal resources. Light availability, controlled by canopy cover, proportion of deciduous trees and stand basal area were the most important factors positively influencing both abundance and quality of medicinal plants. The C/N ratio and pH of the topsoil were the most important factors positively influencing the content of phenolic compounds. The phenolic content was highly species-specific and varied according to local environmental conditions. A high proportion of deciduous species and a high canopy openness increased the yield and quality of medicinal plants by ensuring high light availability. Plants with high total polyphenol content should also be sought on biologically active (non-acidic) soils with a high C/N ratio. Our results can be used to guide forest management in areas where harvesting of understory medicinal plants is an important provisioning ecosystem service. In many cases a forest management scenario friendly to medicinal plants may require only a minor changes in forest management intensity, as cultivation or enhanced growth of MD plants can take place in intensively thinned forests and cleared forest patches, without competing with timber production.

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities, Toxicity, and Physicochemical Properties of Crassocephalum montuosum (S Moore) Milne-Redh and Crassocephalum picridifolium (DC) S Moore

In traditional Congolese medicine, the plants Crassocephalum montuosum (CrasMon) and Crassocephalum picridifolium (CrasPic) are used to treat bacterial gastroenteritis. In the present study, the antibacterial and antioxidant activities as well as the acute and subacute toxicity of organic extracts from the whole plant of the two investigated taxa were evaluated. Physicochemical parameters were also determined, and total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins were investigated and assayed. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the plant extracts were evaluated using disc diffusion, tube macrodilution, and DPPH tests. Conversely, traditional solution reactions, gravimetric tests, and spectrophotometric tests were used to generate physicochemical profiles, identify secondary metabolite groups, and perform microdilution and DPPH tests to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities, respectively. OECD tests were adapted to assess the acute and subacute toxicity. All the extracts showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. typhi strains with the diameter zone of inhibition (DZI) ranging from 12 to 23 mm and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 15.625-125 μg·mL-1. The methanolic extract of CrasPic showed the most pronounced activity with a DZI of 21-23 mm and MIC of 15.625-62.5 μg·mL-1. All extracts showed high antioxidant activity with IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) ranging from 11.6 to 21.8 μg·mL-1, with the methanolic extract of CrasMon showing the most pronounced activity. Both plants contain a variety of phytochemicals including coumarins, quinones, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. The methanolic extract of CrasPic exhibits the highest content of total phenolics (300 mg·GAE·g-1), flavonoids (56 mg·QE·g-1), and tannins (155 mg·GAE·g-1). These extracts have a median lethal dose (LD50) > 5000 mg·kg-1 and no signs of toxicity at 200 mg·kg-1 after 30 days of oral administration to Cavia porcellus. The total ash content was determined to be 14.2% and 15.8% (on a dry weight basis), with the ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid exhibiting a range of 4.04%-5.03%. CrasMon and CrasPic have been demonstrated to exhibit a good antibacterial and antioxidant activities, at least in part, due to the presence of phenolic compounds. These activities may provide a rationale for their use in traditional Congolese medicine against gastroenteritis.

Phytochemical, Cytoprotective Profiling, and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Colchicum luteum in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Experimental and Simulation Study

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by severe pain, inflammation, and joint deformity. Currently, it affects 1% of the population, with a projection to exceed 23 million cases by 2030. Despite significant advancements, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the first line of treatment, are associated with a range of adverse effects. Consequently, plant-based derivatives are being utilized as an effective alternative. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory and safety profile of Colchicum luteum hydroethanolic extract (CLHE) in comparison to NSAIDs, with a focus on COX-2 and TNFα inhibition.

METHODS

CLHE potential was evaluated by phytochemical screening and in vitro bioactivity assays. Toxicity profile was conducted in Human Colon Epithelial Cells (HCEC) and Balb/c mice. Anti-inflammatory potential was explored in a collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) mice model. Bioactive compounds were identified computationally from GCMS data and subjected to docking and simulation studies against COX2 and TNFα.

RESULTS

CLHE demonstrated significant antioxidant (IC-50 = 6.78 µg/mL) and anti-inflammatory (IC-50 = 97.39 µg/mL) activity. It maintained 50% cell viability at 78.5 μg/µL in HCEC cells and exhibited no toxicity at a dose of 5000 mg/kg in mice. In the CIA model, CLHE significantly reduced paw swelling, arthritic scoring, C-reactive protein levels, and spleen indices, outperforming ibuprofen. Expression analysis confirmed the downregulation of COX-2, TNFα, and MMP-9. Histopathological analysis indicated the superior efficacy of CLHE compared to ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, synovial hyperplasia, and bone erosion. Computational studies identified compound-15 (CL15), (4-(4,7-dimethoxy-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-oxo pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid), a non-toxic compound with strong binding affinities to COX-2 (-12.9 KJ/mol), and TNF-α (-5.8 KJ/mol).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest the potential of Colchicum luteum as a safer, anti-inflammatory, and multi-targeted alternative to NSAIDs for RA treatment.

Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Safety Profile of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Extract Obtained from Romania

Glycyrrhiza glabra L., also known as licorice, belongs to the Fabaceae family and is one of the most commercially valuable plants worldwide, being used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, both for its therapeutic benefits as well as for the sweetening properties of the extract. This study evaluates the phytochemical composition, the biological activities, and the safety profile of a methanolic extract of licorice root (LRE) obtained from Romania. Ten phytocompounds were quantified by the HPLC-DAD-ESI+, the most abundant being the triterpene glycyrrhizin (13.927 mg/g dry extract.), followed by these flavonoids: liquiritin, liquiritigenin-apiosyl-glucoside, and apigenin-rutinoside liquiritigenin. The total phenolic content of the LRE was found to be 169.83 mg gallic acid/g dry extract. (GAE/g d.e.), and the extract showed a maximum of 79.29% antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Good antimicrobial activity of the LRE was observed for Gram-negative bacteria, especially for S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes. The mineral content of the LRE was indicative of the lack of toxicity; heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and cobalt were below the detection limit. The safety profile of the licorice extract was assessed using the in vivo hen egg test-chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM protocol), indicating no irritability, good tolerability, and biocompatibility. The phytochemical and biological characterization of the Romanian licorice root extract reveals a good source of glycyrrhizin and polyphenols with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, along with a safety profile that may be useful for future therapeutic applications.

Evaluation of the inhibitory mechanism of Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet) bioactive compounds for rheumatoid arthritis: an in vitro and computational approach

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial infiltration and pannus formation, and its rising incidence is significantly contributing to the global disability rate. Despite advances in biological drugs, no treatment has successfully cured or averted its progression. Consequently, natural drugs are being explored as alternative therapeutic strategies.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet) and to identify its bioactive compounds to assess their effectiveness against RA targets.

Methods

The therapeutic potential of P. glaucum extracts was evaluated by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was utilized to identify the compounds in P. glaucum extract. The pharmacokinetics and safety profile of these compounds were studied by absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis. Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation were employed to identify the active compounds and their therapeutic targets in P. glaucum for RA treatment.

Results

Acidified methanol (AM) extract of P. glaucum showed the highest phenolic (213 ± 0.008 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid content (138.1 ± 0.03 mg RE/g DW), demonstrating significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. GC-MS of AM extract identified 223 compounds. Lipinski and toxicity parameters screened out 17 compounds. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis shortlisted 20 key targets in RA pathways, nine of which were upregulated in five microarray datasets. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed that compound-7 (benzenesulfonamide, 2-nitro-N-phenyl-) and compound-9 (Pregnane-3,20-diamine, (3.beta.,5.alpha.,20S)-) bind strongly with MMP9, JAK2, PTGS2, and HIF1a compared to the reference, predicting stable interaction with these upregulated genes. Finally, PASS (prediction of activity spectra for biological active substances) analysis further validated the anti-arthritic potential of these compounds based on their chemical structure.

Conclusion

This study uncovered a therapeutic drug candidate against HIF1a, MMP9, JAK2, and PTGS2 for RA from P. glaucum active compounds, laying the groundwork for future research.

Comparison of Free Flavonoids and the Polyphenol Content in the Bran of a Newly Developed Sorghum Variety and Two Commercially Available Sorghum Varieties

Background/Objectives: Sorghum bicolor is a source of many bioactive components, such as polyphenols. Those components are present mainly in its bran, often removed in industrial processes through decortication. In that sense, this work aimed to analyze the polyphenol content, especially free flavonoids, from the bran of a newly developed variety compared to other commercially available varieties. Methods: The samples were white sorghum TDN® Sorgho, red sorghum Mini Sorgho, and the newly developed red sorghum RILN-156. First, decortication was conducted to obtain the bran samples, which were triturated and then sieved. The use of colorimetric methods allowed the general quantification of the polyphenolic components. First, the polyphenol content was extracted using 70% methanol. Then, the samples' total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total tannin content, total anthocyanin content, and antioxidant potential were determined. To analyze the different components and identify the free flavonoids, an untargeted metabolomics analysis (with liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (LC/MS) and capillary electrophoresis coupled with a mass spectrometer (CE/MS)) was performed. Results: The results have shown that apart from anthocyanin and tannin, the newly developed variety, RILN-156, presented the highest concentration of polyphenolic content, including a higher antioxidant capacity. The exploratory analysis identified 19 flavonoids within the samples, with galangin and daidzein being the most abundant ones. Conclusions: These results show a promising finding for using this newly developed sorghum variety (RILN-156) industrially and further investigating its health benefits. They also elucidate the differences between colored sorghum within themselves and with white sorghum varieties.

The Role of Aspergillus niger in Regulating Internal Browning Involves Flavonoid Biosynthesis and the Endophytic Fungal Community of Pineapple

Endophytic fungi are commonly used to control plant diseases, overcoming the drawbacks of chemical agents. The internal browning (IB) of postharvest pineapple fruit, a physiological disease, leads to quality losses and limits industrial development. This work investigated the relationship among the effects of Aspergillus niger (An) on IB controlling, flavonoid metabolism and the endophytic fungal community of pineapple through metabolomics, transcriptomics, microbiomics and microorganism mutagenesis technology. We obtained an endophyte An that can control the IB of pineapple and screened its mutant strain AnM, through chemical mutagenesis, that cannot control IB. The transcriptome of fungi showed that An and AnM were different in oxidative metabolism. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses of pineapple showed that An upregulated genes of flavonoid synthesis, including dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and flavonoid 3'-monooxygenase and increased the flavonoid content in pineapple fruit, i.e., Hispidulin, Hispidulin-7-O-Glucoside, and Diosmetin, while AnM could not. Microbiomics analysis identified an increase in the abundance of eight endophytic fungi in An-inoculated fruit, among which the abundance of six endophytic fungi (Filobasidium magnum, Naganishia albida, A. niger, Aureobasidium melanogenum, Kwoniella heveanensis and Lysurus cruciatus) was positively correlated with the content of three flavonoids mentioned above but not in AnM-inoculated fruit. Overall, this suggested, for the first time, that A. niger alleviated IB mainly by enhancing flavonoid synthesis and content and the abundance of endophytic fungi and by regulating the interaction between flavonoid content and endophytic fungi abundance in pineapple. This work adds to the understanding of the IB mechanism in postharvest pineapple and provides a new green approach for reducing postharvest losses and controlling physiological diseases.

The Application of Mulberry Elements into a Novel Form of Easy-to-Prepare Dried Smoothie

The European market offers a variety of functional foods targeted at prediabetic and diabetic patients, with different approaches to reducing postprandial glucose levels. The utilization of white and black mulberry in new products could be an area of interest to many conscious consumers. The study aimed to design a novel form (dried) of easy-to-prepare product by applying nutritious mulberry in various proportions and creating an aesthetically appealing smoothie product with a distinctive taste profile. Such an easy-to-prepare form of smoothie was obtained by utilizing the freeze-drying process, while typical market smoothies are liquid. Sensory evaluations of the fresh, dried, and reconstructed smoothies and their basic characteristics were conducted. Moreover, antiradical tests (with ABTS+• and DPPH•), the phenolic compound profile (HPLC/PDA), and the L*a*b profile were analyzed. The results of the sensory evaluation tests were divided into two groups: Polish and foreign panelists. It was observed that mulberry-licorice drop-based smoothies were preferred fresh. Yet dried and reconstituted capsule-based smoothies were favored overall. Generally, both Polish and foreign panelists preferred lower concentrations of mulberry and licorice extracts (DB) in fresh smoothies, while in dried or reconstructed smoothie form, panelists scored higher (DC) and lower (DB) concentrations quite similarly (favored both concentrations). From the group of identified phenolic compounds, cinnamic acid derivates dominated all analyzed smoothies. Many analyzed types of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, kaempferol) and naringenin were found in the smoothies. Some differences were noted in the antiradical tests but were only statistically significant for DPPH• scavenging activity, which was higher for the DB1, DB2, and DC1 samples. Generally, even higher addition of licorice and mulberry did not negatively affect panelists’ ratings and the analyzed activities.

Portulaca oleracea L.: literature quantitative research analysis

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) has always been considered a plant with excellent qualities; in fact, it has been consumed for centuries as an edible plant but also used in folk medicine. This work aims to give an updated shot of the main features and potentialities of purslane. A literature quantitative research analysis was carried out. Besides the botanical and geographical aspects, we have explored the nutritional properties and possible beneficial effects on human health due to the presence of bioactive compounds, indicating their traditional use in food and medicine preparation as well as proposing possible future applications. Purslane is a rich source of vitamins, flavonoids, organic acids, lignans, alkaloids, terpenoids, cerebrosides, sterols and minerals; in particular, it is considered a good vegetable source of unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. Due to its profile of bioactive components, several potential beneficial effects on humans have been reported, i.e. hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant. Purslane finds several applications: enhancing the nutritional and sensory properties of bread, stabilising yoghurt, improving fish sausages' quality and shelf-life, acting as a natural additive due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, it can be utilised for phytoremediation and recycling drainage water in saline environments.

Unveiling the apoptotic potential of antioxidant-rich Bangladeshi medicinal plant extractives and computational modeling to identify antitumor compounds

Nowadays, there has been a significant surge in the exploration of anticancer compounds derived from medicinal plants due to their perceived safety and efficacy. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the antioxidant and antiproliferative properties, along with the phytoconstituents, of methanol extracts from various parts of 15 selected Bangladeshi medicinal plants. Standard spectrophotometric methods and confocal microscopy were utilized to assess the antioxidant and antiproliferative potential of these extracts. Additionally, phytochemical profiling was executed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Among the extractives, Bombax ceiba bark exhibited the highest scavenging capacity against DPPH (IC50: 10.3 ± 0.7 μg/mL) and hydroxyl (IC50: 3.9 ± 0.1 μg/mL) free radicals. Furthermore, the total antioxidants, reducing power, and polyphenols of B. ceiba bark were higher than those of other extracts. B. ceiba bark also showed significant antiproliferative capacity against MCF-7 cells (86.67 %) in the MTT assay, followed by Cocos nucifera roots (83.92 %), Bixa orellana leaves (44.09 %), and Leea macrophylla roots (25 %). Moreover, B. ceiba bark, L. macrophylla roots, C. nucifera roots, and B. orellana leaves-treated Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells demonstrated growth inhibition rates of 87.27 %, 80.45 %, 42.9 %, and 37.27 %, respectively. Fluorescence microscopic analysis of EAC cells treated with these extracts revealed apoptotic features such as condensed chromatin, cell shrinkage, nucleus fragmentation, and membrane blebbing compared to untreated EAC cells. The GC-MS analysis of B. ceiba bark identified 18 compounds, including various alcohols, alkenes, and esters. Additionally, a molecular docking study revealed oxalic acid, cyclohexyl dodecyl ester as the most potent compound (-6.5) active against breast cancer. In summary, our results demonstrate that B. ceiba bark possesses robust antioxidant and antiproliferative properties, along with potent antitumor compounds, which could be utilized in the treatment of carcinoma.

Optimization and pharmacological evaluation of phytochemical-rich Cuscuta reflexa seed extract for its efficacy against chlorpyrifos-induced hepatotoxicity in murine models

The popular organophosphorus (OP) compound chlorpyrifos (CP) has recently gained significant attention due to its health risks, particularly among farmers exposed to OP pesticides. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of Cuscuta reflexa seed extract (CRSE) and its efficacy of mitigating the adverse effects of CP in albino male mice. For acute toxicity analysis, the first group was served as the control group, while the second group was received CRSE (200 mg/kg/bw) on the first day of the 14-day experiment. For hepatotoxicity analysis, the first group was the control group, the second group (vehicle control) received corn oil (CO) (2 mL/kg/bw), the third group was given CP (20 mg/kg/bw) dissolved in corn oil and the fourth group was given CP (20 mg/kg/bw) along-with CRSE (200 mg/kg/bw) orally via gavage once daily for 21 days. The acute toxicity examination revealed no statistically significant differences between the CRSE-treated and control groups in serum biochemical indicators and histopathological analyses of various organs, suggesting that CRSE as safe at a dosage of 200 mg/kg/bw, with an oral LD50 in mice higher than 200 mg/kg. The hepatotoxicity study demonstrated that the CP administration resulted in liver damage and oxidative stress, while CRSE acted as an antioxidant and attenuated the signs of oxidative stress in liver damage. Hence, a promising therapeutic approach for lowering CP hepatotoxicity is co-treatment with CRSE.

Investigation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Sunda Porcupine's (Hystrix javanica, F.Cuvier, 1823) Quills Ethanolic Crude Extract

The Sunda porcupine (Hystrix javanica, F.Cuvier, 1823) is a rodent-mammal species native to Indonesia and is utilised in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Some ethnic communities in Indonesia have traditional beliefs regarding Sunda porcupine's quills, which are thought to relieve back pain and toothache. Despite this traditional knowledge, there is limited scientific research on the topic. The aim of this study was to identify active compound in an ethanolic crude extract of Sunda porcupine's quills, and to evaluate its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging assay while the antimicrobial activity was evaluated through microdilution resazurin assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined to support the antioxidant properties. The active compounds were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GCMS) with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST-11) library. The result showed that the extract possesses antioxidant properties (IC50 138.93 μg/mL) and antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) (IC50 range 0.40 mg/mL-33.05 mg/mL). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were 27.29 ± 2.20 mgGAE/g and 27.09 ± 1.66 mgQE/g, respectively. A total of 24 active compounds from the crude extract were identified. As much as five compounds serve as antioxidant agents, including: butylated hydroxytoluene; eicosane; 1-iodo-hexadecane; methyl ester hexadecanoic acid; and L-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate. Furthermore, as much as 11 compounds serve as antimicrobial agents, including: tetradecane; pentadecane; 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1-heptanol; hexadecane; butylated hydroxytoluene; eicosane; 1-iodo-hexadecane; methyl ester hexadecanoic acid; benzenepropanoic acid, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-, methyl ester; L-(+)-ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate; and octadecanoic acid. This study provides scientific validation for the use of the Sunda porcupine's quills in traditional medicine and highlights the potential for further research in animal bioprospecting.

Effects of Plant Extracts on Growth Promotion, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Secondary Metabolites in Rice (Oryza sativa) Plants

Plant extracts are widely used in sustainable agriculture practices to enhance crop production and reduce chemical usage in agriculture. This study employed several extraction solutions of various plant extracts to synthesize planting and spraying strategies, assess the persistence efficacy of rice, and investigate the influence of selected water extracts on secondary chemicals at different rice planting stages. Among 17 water extracts that were evaluated on rice seeds, 7 were enhanced to align with the lengths of rice roots 50-70% and shoots 40-50%. The analysis of extraction, spraying, and planting experiments revealed that water extracts, soil application, and transplanting were the most efficient methods for stimulating rice growth, especially 0.1 and 0.5% concentrations. The efficacy of the extracts remained intact also after 14 days of treatment. This study showed that photosynthesis and antioxidant activities may play crucial roles in plant growth. Rice growth stimulation has been linked to photosynthesis, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant enzymes, providing a balanced supply of nutrients for plant growth. Among all tested water extracts, Psidium guajava, Aloe vera, Allium sativum, and Medicago sativa extracts can be used to promote plant growth in organic farming.

Effects of Drying Methods on the Phytochemical Contents, Antioxidant Properties, and Anti-Diabetic Activity of Nasturtium officinale R.Br. (Betong Watercress) from Southern Thailand

Nasturtium officinale R.Br. (Betong watercress) contains high levels of secondary metabolites that offer health benefits. However, fresh-cut watercress has a short shelf life. This study aimed to assess the effect of drying methods on the phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity, and anti-diabetic activity of Betong watercress. The watercress was dried using three methods: roasting (R, 50 °C, 40 min); roasting and drying (RD, 40 min roasting at 50 °C and 1 h drying at 80 °C); and blanching, roasting, and drying (BRD, 30 s blanching at 80 °C, 20 min roasting at 50 °C, and 1 h drying at 80 °C). Aqueous extracts from each drying method were analyzed for total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total glucosinolate content, antioxidant activities (FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays), and α-amylase enzyme inhibition. From the results, the R method provided the highest level of total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total glucosionolate content compared to the RD and BRD methods. Similarly, antioxidant activities and α-amylase enzyme inhibition were highest in the R method, followed by the RD and BRD methods. Our results demonstrate that roasting of Betong watercress without the addition of blanching or drying effectively preserves the phytochemical contents, antioxidant activities, and anti-diabetic activity.

Mango peel extracts and mangiferin chromatographic Fourier-transform infrared correlation with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and advanced glycation end product inhibitory potentials using in silico modeling and in vitro assays

Mangifera indica peels are a rich source of diverse flavonoids and xanthonoids; however, generally these are discarded. Computational studies revealed that mangiferin significantly interacts with amino acid residues of transcriptional regulators 1IK3, 3TOP, and 4f5S. The methanolic extract of Langra variety of mangoes contained the least phenol concentrations (22.6 ± 0.32 mg/gGAE [gallic acid equivalent]) compared to the chloroform (214.8 ± 0.12 mg/gGAE) and ethyl acetate fractions (195.6 ± 0.14 mg/gGAE). Similarly, the methanolic extract of Sindhri variety contained lower phenol concentrations (42.3 ± 0.13 mg/gRUE [relative utilization efficiency]) compared with the chloroform (85.6 ± 0.15 mg/gGAE) and ethyl acetate (76.1 ± 0.32 mg/gGAE) fractions. Langra extract exhibited significant α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 0.06 mg/mL), whereas the ethyl acetate fraction was highly active (IC50 0.12 mg/mL) in Sindhri variety. Mangiferin exhibited significant inhibition (IC50 0.026 mg/mL). A moderate inhibition of 15-LOX was observed in all samples, whereas mangiferin was least active. In advanced glycation end product inhibition assay, the chloroform fraction of Langra variety exhibited significant inhibition in nonoxidative (IC50 64.4 μg/mL) and oxidative modes (IC50 54.7 μg/mL). It was concluded that both Langra and Sindhri peel extracts and fractions possess significant antidiabetic activities. The results suggest the potential use of peel waste in the management and complications of diabetes.

Evaluation of antifungal potentials of Albizia kalkora extract as a natural fungicide: In vitro and computational studies

The antifungal bioactivity potential of the organic extract of silk tree (Albizia kalkora) was investigated in the current study. The crude extracts of A. kalkora and methanol, n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions were prepared. The antifungal activity of obtained fractions of A. kalkora was studied at different concentrations ranging from 0.39-50 µg/mL. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was taken as a toxicity control, whereas thiophanate methyl (TM) as a positive control. All the fractions significantly reduced the FOL growth (methanolic: 9.49-94.93 %, n-hexane: 11.12-100 %, chloroform: 20.96-91.41 %, and ethyl acetate: 18.75-96.70 %). The n-hexane fraction showed 6.25 µg/mL MIC as compared to TM with 64 µg/mL MIC. The non-polar (n-hexane) fraction showed maximum antifungal bioactivity against FOL in comparison with chloroform, methanol, and ethyl acetate fractions. GC/MS analysis exhibited that the n-hexane fraction contained hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, methyl stearate, and [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylic acid. The results of in vitro antifungal inhibition were further reinforced by molecular docking analysis. Five virulence proteins of FOL i.e., pH-responsive PacC transcription factor (PACC), MeaB, TOR; target of rapamycin (FMK1), Signal transducing MAP kinase kinase (STE-STE7), and High Osmolarity Glycerol 1(HOG1) were docked with identified phytocompounds in the n-hexane fraction by GC/MS analysis. MEAB showed maximum binding affinities with zinnimide (-12.03 kcal/mol), HOG1 and FMK1with α-Tocospiro-B (-11.51 kcal/mol) and (-10.55 kcal/mol) respectively, STE-STE7 with docosanoic acid (-11.31 kcal/mol), and PACC with heptadecanoic acid (-9.88 kcal/mol) respectively with strong hydrophobic or hydrophilic interactions with active pocket residues. In conclusion, the n-hexane fraction of the A. kalkora can be used to manage FOL.

Phytochemical screening along with in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activity of Senna auriculata (L.) bark extracts

This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical content and biological properties of Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. Four extracts-acetone, methanol, ethanol, and chloroform-were tested for antioxidant potential, enzymatic activity (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase), antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. GC-MS analysis identified 34 bioactive compounds. The acetone extract exhibited the highest total alkaloid (5.8%), phenolic (752.78 ± 2.25 mg GAE/g), and flavonoid (285.78 ± 1.25 mg QE/g) content, along with the highest antioxidant (1489.42 ± 4.35 mg AAE/g) and enzyme activities. All extracts inhibited both Gram-positive and negative bacteria, with the acetone extract showing superior inhibition against S. aureus and B. subtilis. Additionally, the acetone and methanol extracts demonstrated anticancer effects on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. These findings suggest that Senna auriculata has potential as a therapeutic agent for various diseases.

Effects of solvent extraction on the phytoconstituents and in vitro antioxidant activity properties of leaf extracts of the two selected medicinal plants from Malawi

This study evaluated and compared the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of the solvent extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Vernonia amygdalina Del leaves. Methanolic and aqueous extracts showed high (P ≤ 0.05) extract yields (in %), compared to chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts from both V. amygdalina and A. indica leaves. The study exhibited high phytochemical content in methanol and aqueous extracts compared to chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts, confirming the potential for medicinal use. V. amygdalina methanol and aqueous extracts had higher (P ≤ 0.05) total phenolic content (TPC), in mg GAE/gDW, (158.810±0.846 and 217.883±0.265, respectively) than chloroform (37.574±0.118) and ethyl acetate (104.758±0.236) but higher ethyl acetate content in A. indica extracts. Low polar solvents extracted high (P ≤ 0.05) total flavonoids, in mgQE/gDW, (367.051±0.858 and 149.808±0.009) compared to high polar solvents (14.863±0.071 and 54.226±0.014 ) in V. amygdalina while as in A. indica leaf extracts, low polar solvents showed high TFC ( 658.469±3.451 and 275.288±10.490) compared to high polar solvents (26.312±0.063 and 48.858±0.063) respectively. In vitro total antioxidant capacity, in mg/g, was higher in polar solvents than in low-polar solvents, ranging from 34.300±1.784 to 121.015±6.839 for A. indica ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts. A strong correlation between TPC and tannic acid content was observed, except in A. indica methanolic extracts of A. indica. Ferric reducing power was high, except for V. amygdalina chloroform and methanol leaf extracts, which were lower (P≤ 0.05) than that of the standard ascorbic acid. The study revealed that high polar solvents, such as methanol and water, are more efficient in the extraction of antioxidants from A. indica but lower in V. amygdalina extracts. High phytochemical content and antioxidative capacity could be significant in treating various diseases in humans.

Probing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Combretum paniculatum Extract and GC-FID-Identified Phytochemicals as Novel Agents for Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives

Oxidative stress is implicated in several metabolic cascades involved in glucose control. Hence, investigating antioxidant and antidiabetic activities is crucial for discovering an effective diabetes mellitus (DM) agent. This study was aimed at probing the therapeutic efficacy of hydro-ethanolic extract of Combretum paniculatum (HECP) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID)-identified phytochemicals as novel agents for DM.

Methods

We determined the total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant vitamins in HECP using standard methods. A GC-FID was used to decipher phytochemicals of HECP. The antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of HECP were assessed using in vitro and in silico approaches.

Results

The results revealed that HECP is affluent in phenols, flavonoids, and vitamin E and demonstrated engaging antioxidant activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydroxyl (DPPH; IC50 = 0.83 µg/mL), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances TBARS; IC50 = 2.28 µg/mL), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP; IC50 = 2.89 µg/mL). Compared with the reference drug, acarbose, HECP exhibited good α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity, having IC50 values of 14.21 and 13.23 µg/mL, respectively, against 13.06 and 11.71 µg/mL recorded for acarbose. More so, the extract's top 6 scoring phytochemicals (rutin, kaempferol, epicatechin, ephedrine, naringenin, and resveratrol) had strong interactions with amino acid residues within and around α-amylase and α-glucosidase active site domains. All the compounds but rutin had favourable drug-like characteristics, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles when compared with acarbose.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results vindicate the use of this herb in treating DM locally and reveal that it has pharmaceutically active components that could be used as novel leads in the development of DM drugs.

Integrated GC-MS and UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS based untargeted metabolomics analysis of in vitro raised tissues of Digitalis purpurea L

Digitalis purpurea L. is one of the important plant species of Nilgiris, Kashmir and Darjeeling regions of India, belonging to the family Plantaginaceae, with well-known pharmacological applications. In the present investigation, an in vitro culture technique of indirect shoot organogenesis of D. purpurea is being explored; the biochemical attributes, the antioxidant activities and the metabolomic analyses were made by utilizing untargeted Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with electronspray ionization/quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) approaches. Initially, the leaf explants were used for callus induction and proliferation and maximum callusing frequency (94.44%) and fresh biomass (4.9 g) were obtained on MS, fortified with 8.8 µM BAP (6-benzyl amino purine) + 0.9 µM 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), subsequently shoot formation (indirect organogenesis) was noted on the same MS medium with a shoot induction frequency of 83.33%. Later on, the biochemical and antioxidant potential of in vivo-, in vitro grown leaf and leaf derived callus were assessed. Significantly higher total phenol, flavonoid, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), POD (peroxidase) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activities were noticed in in vitro grown callus and leaf tissues compared with field grown leaf. The GC-MS analysis of each methanolic extract (in vivo-, in vitro derived leaf and leaf derived callus) displayed the presence of more than 75 bioactive compounds viz loliolide, stigmasterin, alpha-tocopherol, squalene, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, beta-amyrin, campesterol etc. possessing immense therapeutic importance. The UPLC-MS based metabolite fingerprinting of each methanolic extracts were conducted in both positive and negative ionization mode. The obtained results revealed variation in phytochemical composition in field - and laboratory grown tissues, indicating the impact of in vitro culture conditions on plant tissues. The detected phytocompounds belongs to various classes such as flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, carbohydrates, tannins, lignans etc. The medicinally important metabolites identified were 20, 22-dihydrodigoxigenin, digoxigenin monodigitoxoside, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferide, rosmarinic acid, nepitrin and others. The results of the present study suggest that in vitro culture of D. purpurea could successfully be utilized for the novel drug discovery by producing such important phytocompounds of commercial interest in shorter duration without harming the plants' natural population.

An Investigation into the Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Wound-Healing Activities of Curculigo latifolia Found in Brunei Darussalam

This present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical content and antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Curculigo latifolia leaves (CL) and C. latifolia roots (CR) found in Brunei Darussalam. Phytochemical screening showed that CL and CR extracts contain saponins, tannins, glycosides, and terpenoids. CR showed higher total phenolic content (TPC), but lower total flavonoid content (TFC) when compared to CL. The high TPC in CR contributed to its potent radical scavenging activity (RSA) against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and strong ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Additionally, CR exerted significant inhibition of ∝-glucosidase and ∝-amylase, suggesting a potential link between the chemical compounds and its antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. In the animal study of antihyperglycemic activity, treatment with 250 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of the CL extract normalised the blood glucose levels and improved body weight gain of alloxan-induced diabetic rats within 14 weeks. Furthermore, our investigation into the wound-healing effects of young C. latifolia leaves (YCL) and matured C. latifolia leaves (MCL) showed a significant reduction in wound size on Day 3, 5, and 7 of the experimental study, indicating its wound-healing potential. Based on our findings, C. latifolia can be consumed as part of a balanced diet due to its antioxidant and antidiabetic properties.

3-Methyl Thiophene-Modified Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) Electrodes as Efficient Catalysts for Phenol Detection-A Case Study for the Detection of Gallic Acid in Three Specific Tea Types

Polymer modification has been established as a cost-effective, simple, in situ method for overcoming some of the inherent disadvantages of boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes, and its application has been extended to reliable, low-cost environmental monitoring solutions. The present review focuses on modifying BDD electrodes with semi-conductive polymers acting as redox mediators. This article reports on the development of a 3-methyl thiophene-modified boron-doped diamond (BDD/P3MT) sensor for the electrochemical determination of total phenolic compounds (TPCs) in tea samples, using gallic acid (GA) as a marker. GA is a significant polyphenol with various biological activities, making its quantification crucial. Thus, a simple, fast, and sensitive GA sensor was fabricated using the electroanalytical square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. The sensor utilizes a semi-conductive polymer, 3-methyl thiophene, as a redox mediator to enhance BDD's sensitivity and selectivity. Electrochemical synthesis was used for polymer deposition, allowing for greater purity and avoiding solubility problems. The BDD/P3MT sensor exhibits good electrochemical properties, including rapid charge transfer and a large electrochemical area, enabling GA detection with a limit of detection of 11 mg/L. The sensor's response was correlated with TPCs measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) showed a good linear relationship between peak currents and GA concentrations in a wide linear range of 3-71 mg/L under optimal conditions. The BDD/P3MT sensor accurately measured TPCs in green tea, rooibos tea, and black tea samples, with green tea exhibiting the highest TPC levels. The results demonstrate the potential of the modified BDD electrode for the rapid and accurate detection of phenolic compounds in tea, with implications for quality control and antioxidant activity assessments. The prolific publications of the past decade have established BDD electrodes as robust BDD sensors for quantifying polyphenols. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, plant-derived beverages such as tea and wine, traditional Eastern remedies and various herbal nutritional supplements contain phenolic chemicals. The safety concerns of contaminated food intake are significant health concerns worldwide, as there exists a critical nexus between food safety, nutrition, and food security. It has been well established that green tea polyphenol consumption promotes positive health effects. Despite their potential benefits, consuming high amounts of these polyphenols has sparked debate due to concerns over potential negative consequences.