Phytochemicals: Extraction, Isolation, and Identification of Bioactive Compounds from Plant Extracts

Facile synthesis of novel magnesium oxide nanoparticles for pesticide sorption from water

The quantum of pesticides in surface as well as drinking water has become a serious health hazard. In this experiment, magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) were synthesized using leaves of purple-colored rice variety (Crossa) and utilized for simultaneous removal of three pesticides, namely, thiamethoxam, chlorpyriphos, and fenpropathrin from water. The biogenic MgO NPs were characterized using SEM-EDX, FTIR, XRD, DLS, etc. The optimum synthesis parameters (1 M NaOH, 80 °C, and 2 h) resulted in maximum yield of MgO NPs (87.7 mg), minimum hydrodynamic diameter (35.12 nm), poly dispersity index (0.14) and mean zeta potential (-11 mV). Sorption data of the three pesticides fitted well with non-linear Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and non-linear pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity of MgO NPs for the three pesticides was 87.66 µg/mg, as obtained from the Langmuir isotherm model. Under optimum conditions (initial concentration, 40 mg/L; dose, 30 mg/30 mL; and pH, 9), 60.13, 80.53, and 92.49% removal of thiamethoxam, chlorpyriphos, and fenpropathrin was achieved with a 100% desirability, respectively. Thus, the biogenic MgO NPs could be an efficient adsorbent of pesticides and could be recommended for pesticide decontamination in water treatment plants and domestic water purifier systems.

Extraction and chemical characterisation of agro-waste from turmeric leaves as a source of bioactive essential oils with insecticidal and antioxidant activities

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a significant crop that has historically been used worldwide as a medicinal plant, spice, food colouring agent, and a significant ingredient in cosmetic industries. After harvesting rhizomes, leaves are considered waste material. This research study aims to extract and chemically characterise the essential oil from the leaves waste of turmeric with an evaluation of different insecticidal, antioxidant, and phytotoxic activities. Subsequently, the contact toxicity, fumigant toxicity, and repellent activity were evaluated against two key stored grain insect species. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterisation revealed that α-phellandrene (28.95%), 2-carene (16.51%), eucalyptol (10.54%) and terpinolene (10.24%) were the major chemical constituents. The study's findings on the insecticidal effects of essential oils extracted from turmeric leaves revealed noteworthy repellent, contact (at 24 h, LC50 = 6.51 mg/cm2 for Tribolium castaneum and LC50 = 4.74 mg/cm2 for Rhyzopertha dominica) and fumigant toxicities (at 24 h, LC50 = 2.57 mg/L air for T. castaneum and LC50 = 2.83 mg/L air for R. dominica), against two key stored grain insects. In addition, turmeric leaf essential oil showed notable antioxidant activity (IC50 = 10.04 ± 0.03 µg/mL for DPPH assay; IC50 = 14.12 ± 0.21 µg/mL for ABTS assay. Furthermore, a phytotoxicity study was carried out on stored paddy seeds and no toxic effects were found on germination rate and seedling growth. So, it might be expected that the essential oils extracted from the turmeric leaf waste could be valorised and demonstrate their potential as safe botanical insecticides against stored-product insects, with noble antioxidant properties.

Unraveling the chemical profile, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, cytotoxic potential of different extracts from Astragalus caraganae

Six extracts (water, ethanol, ethanol-water, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and n-hexane) of Astragalus caraganae were studied for their biological activities and bioactive contents. Based on high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), the ethanol-water extract yielded the highest total bioactive content (4242.90 µg g-1 ), followed by the ethanol and water extracts (3721.24 and 3661.37 µg g-1 , respectively), while the least total bioactive content was yielded by the hexane extract, followed by the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts (47.44, 274.68, and 688.89 µg g-1 , respectively). Rutin, p-coumaric, chlorogenic, isoquercitrin, and delphindin-3,5-diglucoside were among the major components. Unlike the dichloromethane extracts, all the other extracts showed radical scavenging ability in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay (8.73-52.11 mg Trolox equivalent [TE]/g), while all extracts displayed scavenging property in the 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay (16.18-282.74 mg TE/g). The extracts showed antiacetylcholinesterase (1.27-2.73 mg galantamine equivalent [GALAE]/g), antibutyrylcholinesterase (0.20-5.57 mg GALAE/g) and antityrosinase (9.37-63.56 mg kojic acid equivalent [KAE]/g) effects. The molecular mechanism of the H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress pathway was aimed to be elucidated by applying ethanol, ethanol/water and water extracts at 200 µg/mL concentration to human dermal cells (HDFs). A. caraganae in HDF cells had neither a cytotoxic nor genotoxic effect but could have a cytostatic effect in increasing concentrations. The findings have allowed a better insight into the pharmacological potential of the plant, with respect to their chemical entities and bioactive contents, as well as extraction solvents and their polarity.

Antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant activities of Pistacia atlantica: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies

To determine the pharmaceutical applications, we assessed the evidence from preclinical studies about the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant potential of Pistacia atlantica (PA) as a natural source for prevention and treatment of diabetes. A comprehensive literature search of the articles published until March 12, 2022 was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Sciences, and Scopus databases, using relevant keywords. This meta-analysis included 12 articles that examined the blood glucose (BG), insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect size. Findings indicated that PA supplementation significantly decreased BG, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, and MDA, and increased insulin and SOD in diabetic animals compared with control group (p < .05). However, PA supplementation had no significant effects on HDL-C (p > .05). The subgroup analysis also confirmed the beneficial effect of PA supplementation with longer duration (>4 weeks) and higher doses (≥100 mg/kg/day) as well as in the extract type. The studies have heterogeneity associated with methodological diversity and there were some concerns about the risk of bias, especially about randomization and blind outcome assessment. This meta-analysis provided convincing evidence for antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant activity of PA in animals. Further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the plant.

Eco-Friendly Methanolic Myrrh Extract Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminum in 1 M HCl

Aluminum corrosion was inhibited by myrrh extract when it was placed in a solution of 1 M HCl. Several procedures were used for these tests, including weight loss WL, potential dynamic polarization PL, and electrochemical impedance EIS in addition to theoretical calculations like density functional theory (DFT), Fukui functions, and Monte Carlo simulation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the compositional surface of Al. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the shape of the Al surface. The inhibition rate of Al corrosion in HCl with varying myrrh extract contents at 25-45 °C was studied. An analysis of the PL curves indicates that myrrh extract is an inhibitor of mixed type. Upon increasing the concentration of myrrh, the inhibition efficiency increased. Moreover, rising temperatures decrease inhibition efficiency. It was discovered that the inhibition process follows the Langmuir isotherm, demonstrating that a monolayer has formed on the surface of aluminum. Theoretical and practical studies proved the validity of the conclusions.

Picrasidine J, a Dimeric β-Carboline-Type Alkaloid from Picrasma quassioides, Inhibits Metastasis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are associated with recurrence, distant metastasis, and poor overall survival. This highlights the need for identifying potential therapeutics with minimal side-effects. The present study was designed to investigate the anticancer effects of picrasidine J, a dimeric β-carboline-type alkaloid isolated from the southern Asian plant Picrasma quassioides. The results showed that picrasidine J significantly inhibits HNSCC cell motility, migration, and invasion. Specifically, picrasidine J inhibited the EMT process by upregulating E-cadherin and ZO-1 and downregulating beta-catenin and Snail. Moreover, picrasidine J reduced the expression of the serine protease KLK-10. At the signaling level, the compound reduced the phosphorylation of ERK. All these factors collectively facilitated the inhibition of HNSCC metastasis with picrasidine J. Taken together, the study identifies picrasidine J as a potential anticancer compound of plant origin that might be used clinically to prevent the distant metastasis and progression of HNSCC.

Physiological and biochemical alterations in Vigna rdiate L. triggered by sesame derived elicitors as defense mechanism against Rhizoctonia and Macrophomina infestation

Improving agricultural products by the stimulation of plant growth and defense mechanisms by priming with plant extracts is needed to attain sustainability in agriculture. This study focused to consider the possible improvement in Vigna radiata L. seed germination rate, plant growth, and protection against the natural stress by increasing the defense mechanisms through the incorporation of Sesamum indicum phytochemical compounds with pre-sowing seed treatment technologies. The gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the methanol extract of S. indicum leaf extract contained eight major bioactive compounds, namely, 2-ethylacridine (8.24%), tert-butyl (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenoxy) dimethylsilane (13.25%), tris(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) arsane (10.66%), 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane (18.50%), acetamide, N-[4-(trimethylsilyl) phenyl (19.97%), 3,3-diisopropoxy-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexamethyltrisiloxane (6.78%), silicic acid, diethyl bis(trimethylsilyl) ester (17.71%) and cylotrisiloxane, hexamethyl-(4.89%). The V. radiata seeds were treated with sesame leaf extract seeds at concentrations 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L. Sesame leaf extract at 50 and 100 mg/L concentrations was effective in increasing the germination percentage and the fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots. The increased peroxidase activity was noticed after treatment with S. indicum extract. In addition, disease percentage (< 60%) of both fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia and Macrophomina) was significantly reduced in V. radiata plants treated with 100 mg/L of sesame leaf extract. These results revealed that physiochemical components present in S. indicum mature leaf extract significantly enhanced growth and defense mechanism in green gram plants.

Mediterranean Plants as Potential Source of Biopesticides: An Overview of Current Research and Future Trends

The development and implementation of safe natural alternatives to synthetic pesticides are urgent needs that will provide ecological solutions for the control of plant diseases, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, pests, and weeds to ensure the economic stability of farmers and food security, as well as protection of the environment and human health. Unambiguously, production of botanical pesticides will allow for the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources and finally decrease the use of chemical inputs and burden. This is further underlined by the strict regulations on pesticide residues in agricultural products and is in harmony with the Farm to Fork strategy, which aims to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030. Thus, the present work aims to compile the scientific knowledge of the last 5 years (2017-February 2023) regarding the Mediterranean plants that present biopesticidal effects. The literature review revealed 40 families of Mediterranean plants with at least one species that have been investigated as potential biopesticides. However, only six families had the highest number of species, and they were reviewed comprehensively in this study. Following a systematic approach, the extraction methods, chemical composition, biopesticidal activity, and commonly used assays for evaluating the antimicrobial, pesticidal, repellant, and herbicidal activity of plant extracts, as well as the toxicological and safety aspects of biopesticide formulation, are discussed in detail. Finally, the aspects that have not yet been investigated or are under-investigated and future perspectives are highlighted.

Condensed tannins, novel compounds and sources of variation determine the antiparasitic activity of Nordic conifer bark against gastrointestinal nematodes

The antiparasitic potential of plants could offer a vital solution to alleviating the costs of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in ruminant production globally. Leveraging known bioactive molecules, however, is complex, where plant species, extraction processes and seasonality impact bioavailability and efficacy. This study assessed the impact of a comprehensive set of factors on the antiparasitic activity of Norwegian conifers to identify bark compounds specific against GIN. Antiparasitic activity was determined using in vitro assays targeting morphologically distinct life stages of ovine GIN: the egg hatch assay and larval motility assay. In depth characterisation of the chemical composition of the bark extracts was carried out using chromatographic separation, UV-absorbance, and molecular mass profiles to identify compounds implicated in the activity. Three key findings emerged: (1) the activity of bark extracts varied markedly from 0 to 100% antiparasitic efficacy, owing to tree species, extraction solvent and seasonality; (2) the GIN exhibited species-and stage-specific susceptibility to the bark extracts; (3) the presence of condensed tannins, amongst other compounds, was associated with anthelmintic activity. These findings add new insights into urgently needed alternative parasite control strategies in livestock.

Manilkara zapota "chicozapote" as a fruit source of health-beneficial bioactive compounds and its effects on chronic degenerative and infectious diseases, a review

Manilkara zapota "chicozapote" is an autochthonous evergreen tree from the Southern regions of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. Currently, it is widely distributed and extensively grown in Mexico and Southeast Asia. Traditionally, different structures of the plant have been used for medical purposes; seeds have diuretic and purgative properties, aiding in digestive complications and eliminating bladder and kidney stones. Tree bark has antidiarrheal, antipyretic, antibiotic, and astringent properties. Fruits and leaves have been used to treat cold, cough, diarrhea, indigestion, fever, hemorrhages, wounds, and ulcers. Chicozapote fruit is yellow and brown, with an oval shape and rough peel, it is an excellent source of nutrients, such as sugars, proteins, amino acids, and minerals, and is rich in phytochemical components, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. These bioactive compounds exert several biological activities, i.e., as an antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and anti-arthritic agents, to name a few. These beneficial properties assist in preventing chronic and degenerative diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, neurological, infectious, and cardiovascular diseases. The use of chicozapote is still limited to its fresh form, and its non-edible structures produce a lot of waste. Therefore, an alternative valorizing and preserving strategy is to use the fruit as a raw source to design functional foods and pharmacological products. Here, the nutritional and phytochemical profiles and the current view regarding methodologies and conditions, for the extraction and characterization of its bioactive compounds, are described, and focus is placed on their multiple biological effects and specific functional mechanisms.

Separation of Antioxidant-Rich Alternanthera Sessilis Red Extracts by Sephadex LH-20 and Identification of Polyphenols Using HPLC-QToF-MS/MS

This study aimed to fractionate Alternanthera sessilis Red (ASR) crude extracts and determine their antioxidant activities as well as the related active components in the whole plant. ASR was extracted with water and ethanol, and further separated using a Sephadex LH-20 column. Following the assessments of the polyphenolic contents and antioxidant activities of crude extracts (H2 OASR and EtOHASR ) and fractions, a HPLC-QToF analysis was performed on the crude extracts and selected fractions (H2 OASR FII and EtOHASR FII). Three water fractions (H2 OASR FI, FII and FIII) and four ethanolic fractions (EtOHASR FI, FII, FIII and FIV) were derived from their crude extracts, respectively. EtOHASR FII exhibited the greatest total phenolic content (120.41 mg GAE/g fraction), total flavonoid content (223.07 mg RE/g fraction), and antioxidant activities (DPPH IC50 =159.43 μg/mL; FRAP=1.93 mmol Fe2+ /g fraction; TEAC=0.90 mmol TE/g fraction). Correlation analysis showed significant (p<0.01) positive correlations between both TPC (r=0.748-0.970) and TFC (r=0.686-0.949) with antioxidant activities in the crude extracts and fractions. Flavonoids were the major compounds in the four selected samples tentatively identified using HPLC-QToF-MS/MS, with the highest number of 30 polyphenol compounds detected in the most active fraction, EtOHASR FII.

Benchmark Dose Approach to DNA and Liver Damage by Chlorpyrifos and Imidacloprid in Male Rats: The Protective Effect of a Clove-Oil-Based Nanoemulsion Loaded with Pomegranate Peel Extract

Pesticides are widely used around the world to increase crop production. They also have negative impacts on animals, humans, and the ecosystem. This is the first report evaluating a novel pomegranate-extract-loaded clove-oil-based nanoemulsion (PELCN) and its potential for reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage, as well as its hepatoprotective effects against imidacloprid (IM) and chlorpyrifos (CPF) toxicity in male rats. The benchmark dose (BMD) approach was also used to study the dose-response toxicity of IM and CPF. IM and CPF were administered daily for 28 days at doses of 14, 28, and 54 mg/kg body weight (bw) of IM and 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg bw of CPF via drinking water. The PELCN was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day of pomegranate extract, 500 mg/kg bw of the clove oil nanoemulsion, and IM or CPF at high doses in the drinking water. In male rats, IM and CPF caused a reduction in body weight gain and hepatotoxic effects as evidenced by increases in the liver enzymes AST, ALT, and ALP. They caused oxidative damage in the liver of male rats as indicated by the decreased liver activity of the GST, GPX, SOD, and CAT enzymes and decreased serum TAC. IM and CPF produced a significant dose-dependent increase in DNA damage in hepatocyte cells, resulting in moderate to severe liver damage with cells that are more inflammatory and have enlarged sinusoids and compacted nuclei. IM had a higher BMD than CPF for both body and liver weight, suggesting that CPF was more dose-dependently toxic than IM. Albumin was a highly sensitive liver biomarker for IM, while total protein was a biomarker for the CPF-treated rats. GPx was an extremely sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress in the IM treatment, while CAT and GPx were highly sensitive parameters in the CPF-treated rats. Therefore, at comparable doses, CPF has a higher potential to cause liver damage and oxidative stress than IM. The hepatotoxicity of IM and CPF can be mitigated by administering a nanoemulsion containing clove oil and pomegranate extract. The nanoemulsion acts as a protector against the oxidative stress caused by these insecticides, especially at high doses. The nanoemulsion based on clove oil increases the bioavailability and stability of the pomegranate extract, which has antioxidant properties.

A Compiled Update on Nutrition, Phytochemicals, Processing Effects, Analytical Testing and Health Effects of Chenopodium album: A Non-Conventional Edible Plant (NCEP)

Bathua (Chenopodium album) is a rich source of extensive-ranging nutrients, including bio-active carbohydrates, flavonoids and phenolics, minerals, and vitamins that translate to countless health benefits such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. Ascaridole, an important phytoconstituent present in aerial parts of the plant, contributes to its anthelmintic property. Even with vast historical use and significant health benefits, its renown has not spread, and utilization has significantly decreased in recent decades. Gradually, the plant has become known under the name of Non-conventional edible plant (NCEP). This compilation is prepared to bring out the plant under the spotlight for further research by foregrounding previous studies on the plant. Scientific research databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online, were used to fetch data on C. album. This review offers over up-to-date knowledge on nutritious values, phytochemical composition, volatile compounds, as well as health benefits of C. album. The ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of the plant in India and other parts of the world are deliberately discussed. Scrutinizing the reported literature on C. album reveals its powerful nutrient composition advantageous in the development of food products. The impact of various cooking and processing methods on the nutritional profile and bioavailability are discussed. The future perspectives with regards to the potential for food and nutraceutical products are critically addressed. This review proves the necessity of breakthrough research to investigate the pharmacology and safety of phytochemicals and nutraceutical development studies on the C. album.

HPLC-PDA Method for Quantification of Bioactive Compounds in Crude Extract and Fractions of Aucklandia costus Falc. and Cytotoxicity Studies against Cancer Cells

Aucklandia costus Falc. (Synonym: Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.) is a perennial herb of the family Asteraceae. The dried rhizome is an essential herb in the traditional systems of medicine in India, China and Tibet. The important pharmacological activities reported for Aucklandia costus are anticancer, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fatigue activities. The objective of this study was the isolation and quantification of four marker compounds in the crude extract and different fractions of A. costus and the evaluation of the anticancer activity of the crude extract and its different fractions. The four marker compounds isolated from A. costus include dehydrocostus lactone, costunolide, syringin and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde. These four compounds were used as standard compounds for quantification. The chromatographic data showed good resolution and excellent linearity (r² ˃ 0.993). The validation parameters, such as inter- and intraday precision (RSD < 1.96%) and analyte recovery (97.52-110.20%; RSD < 2.00%),revealed the high sensitivity and reliability of the developed HPLC method. The compounds dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide were concentrated in the hexane fraction (222.08 and 65.07 µg/mg, respectively) and chloroform fraction (99.02 and 30.21 µg/mg, respectively), while the n-butanol fraction is a rich source of syringin (37.91 µg/mg) and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (7.94 µg/mg). Further, the SRB assay was performed for the evaluation of anticancer activity using lung, colon, breast and prostate cancer cell lines. The hexane and chloroform fractions show excellent IC₅₀ values of 3.37 ± 0.14 and 7.527 ± 0.18 µg/mL, respectively, against the prostate cancer cell line (PC-3).

Plants as the Extended Phenotype of Endophytes-The Actual Source of Bioactive Compounds

For thousands of years, plants have been used for their medicinal properties. The industrial production of plant-beneficial compounds is facing many drawbacks, such as seasonal dependence and troublesome extraction and purification processes, which have led to many species being on the edge of extinction. As the demand for compounds applicable to, e.g., cancer treatment, is still growing, there is a need to develop sustainable production processes. The industrial potential of the endophytic microorganisms residing within plant tissues is undeniable, as they are often able to produce, in vitro, similar to or even the same compounds as their hosts. The peculiar conditions of the endophytic lifestyle raise questions about the molecular background of the biosynthesis of these bioactive compounds in planta, and the actual producer, whether it is the plant itself or its residents. Extending this knowledge is crucial to overcoming the current limitations in the implementation of endophytes for larger-scale production. In this review, we focus on the possible routes of the synthesis of host-specific compounds in planta by their endophytes.

Phytochemicals from Phillyrea latifolia L. leaves and fruit extracted with various solvents: Their identification and quantification by LC-MS and antihyperglycemic effects

Phillyrea latifolia L. is a type of shrubland, which is widely known as mock privet, and belongs to the Oleaceae family. The objective of this study was to compare and assess the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts of the fruit and leaves of P. latifolia L. Phenolics were analysed by detecting individual bioactive compounds using an LCMS-2020 quadrupole mass spectrometer and by calculating total phenolic content (TPC). For the first time, the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of both leaves and fruit were determined using DPPH radical scavenging. The aqueous extract was indicated to have higher antioxidant activities than ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. The individual constituents within the different extracts for both fruit and leaves were detected as the luteolin-7-O-glucoside in the ethyl acetate (854 μg · g–1 and 1,098 μg · g–1), methanol (1,241 μg · g–1 and 2,136.43 μg · g–1) and aqueous (509 μg · g–1 and 898.23 μg · g–1) extracts, respectively. Extractions of ethyl acetate and methanol demonstrated stronger inhibitory activity against human salivary α-amylase than the aqueous extract of both parts of the mock privet. Similarly, extraction of ethyl acetate from the leaves and fruit of the mock privet indicated significantly better inhibitory activity than the methanol and aqueous extracts, respectively, for the inhibition of α-glucosidase activity. This study indicates that both fruit and leaves of mock privet may use as a potential source of natural biomolecules to promote healthy activities.

Phytochemical Content, Antibacterial Activity, and Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Cytotoxic Effects of Traditional Medicinal Plants against Respiratory Tract Bacterial Pathogens

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are frequent ailments among humans and are a high burden on public health. This study aimed to determine the in vitro antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects of indigenous medicinal plants used in the treatment of RTIs, namely, Senna petersiana, Gardenia volkensii, Acacia senegal, and Clerodendrum glabrum. Dried leaves were extracted using various organic solvents. Antibacterial activity was quantified using the microbroth dilution assay. Protein denaturation assays were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity. The cytotoxicity of the extracts towards THP-1 macrophages was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Antioxidant activity was determined using free radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing power. Total polyphenolics were quantified. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the acetone plant extracts. Nonpolar extracts had noteworthy antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium smegmatis where MIC values ranged between 0.16 and 0.63 mg/mL. At 100 μg/mL, A. senegal, G. volkensii, and S. petersiana had a nonsignificant effect on the viability of the THP-1 macrophages. The LC-MS analysis of the leaf extracts of S. petersiana detected Columnidin, Hercynine, L-Lysine citrate, and Gamma-Linolenate. A pentacyclic triterpenoid, cochalate, was detected in G. volkensii. Two flavonoids 7-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-chroman-5-olate and (3R)-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-hydroxy-4-oxo-chroman-5-olate were detected in the C. glabrum extract. The findings from this study indicated that the leaves of the selected plant extracts possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activity. Therefore, they may serve as good candidates for further pharmaceutical investigations.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Centranthus longiflorus Stems Extracts Recovered Using Ired-Irrad®, an Innovative Infrared Technology, Compared to Water Bath and Ultrasound

Extraction of polyphenols from Centranthus longiflorus stems was conducted using ultrasound and infrared Ired-Irrad^® techniques, and compared to the conventional water bath method. Response surface methodology was used to analyse the effect of time, temperature, and ethanol percentage, as well as to optimize the three extraction methods. The highest phenolic content (81 mg GAE/g DM) and antioxidant activity (76% DPPH inhibition) were recorded with the Ired-Irrad^® extract obtained under the optimal conditions: 55 °C, 127 min, 48% (v/v) ethanol. Biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm) of the three extracts were assessed. All C. longiflorus stems extracts showed limited antibacterial effects regardless of the extraction method (MIC = 50 mg/mL), whereas Ired-Irrad^® extract exhibited the highest biofilm eradication and prevention capacities (93% against Escherichia coli and 97% against Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively). This bioactivity is likely related to abundant caffeoylquinic acid and quercetin rutinoside, as identified by RP-UHPLC-PDA-MS analysis. The results obtained further promote the effectiveness of Ired-Irrad^® as a highly flexible and cost-efficient extraction technique.

Selective Encapsulation of the Polyphenols on Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles: Optimization Approaches

The present study proposes a method for designing small bioactive nanoparticles using silk fibroin as a carrier to deliver hydrophobic polyphenols. Quercetin and trans-resveratrol, widely distributed in vegetables and plants, are used here as model compounds with hydrophobic properties. Silk fibroin nanoparticles were prepared by desolvation method and using various concentrations of ethanol solutions. The optimization of the nanoparticle formation was achieved by applying Central Composite Design (CCD) and the response surface methodology (RSM). The effects of silk fibroin and ethanol solution concentrations together with the pH on the selective encapsulation of phenolic compounds from a mixture were reported. The obtained results showed that nanoparticles with an average particle size of 40 to 105 nm can be prepared. The optimized system for the selective encapsulation of the polyphenols on the silk fibroin substrate was determined to be 60% ethanol solution and 1 mg/mL silk fibroin concentration at neutral pH. The selective encapsulation of the polyphenols was achieved, with the best results being obtained in the case of resveratrol and quercetin and encapsulation of gallic and vanillic acids being rather poor. Thin-layer chromatography confirmed the selective encapsulation and the loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles exhibited antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant Activity, Metabolism, and Bioavailability of Polyphenols in the Diet of Animals

As the world’s population grows, so does the need for more and more animal feed. In 2006, the EU banned the use of antibiotics and other chemicals in order to reduce chemical residues in food consumed by humans. It is well known that oxidative stress and inflammatory processes must be combated to achieve higher productivity. The adverse effects of the use of pharmaceuticals and other synthetic compounds on animal health and product quality and safety have increased interest in phytocompounds. With the use of plant polyphenols in animal nutrition, they are gaining more attention as a supplement to animal feed. Livestock feeding based on a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach (clean, safe, and green agriculture) would also be a win–win for farmers and society. There is an increasing interest in producing healthier products of animal origin with a higher ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to saturated fatty acids by modulating animal nutrition. Secondary plant metabolites (polyphenols) are essential chemical compounds for plant physiology as they are involved in various functions such as growth, pigmentation, and resistance to pathogenic organisms. Polyphenols are exogenous antioxidants that act as one of the first lines of cell defense. Therefore, the discoveries on the intracellular antioxidant activity of polyphenols as a plant supplement have contributed significantly to the improvement of antioxidant activity, as polyphenols prevent oxidative stress damage and eliminate excessively produced free radicals. To achieve animal welfare, reduce stress and the need for medicines, and increase the quality of food of animal origin, the addition of polyphenols to research and breeding can be practised in part with a free-choice approach to animal nutrition.

Optimization of a Green Microwave-Assisted Extraction Method to Obtain Multifunctional Extracts of Mentha sp

A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) procedure has been optimized to simultaneously provide multifunctional extracts of Mentha sp. leaves with improved antioxidant properties and, for the first time, with optimal antimicrobial activity. Among the solvents evaluated, water was selected as the extractant in order to develop a green procedure and also for its improved bioactive properties (higher TPC and Staphylococcus aureus inhibition halo). MAE operating conditions were optimized by means of a 3-level factorial experimental design (100 °C, 14.7 min, 1 g of dry leaves/12 mL of water and 1 extraction cycle), and further applied to the extraction of bioactives from 6 different Mentha species. A comparative LC-Q MS and LC-QToF MS analysis of these MAE extracts was carried out for the first time in a single study, allowing the characterization of up to 40 phenolics and the quantitation of the most abundant. Antioxidant, antimicrobial (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) and antifungal (Candida albicans) activities of MAE extracts depended on the Mentha species considered. In conclusion, the new MAE method developed here is shown as a green and efficient approach to provide multifunctional Mentha sp. extracts with an added value as natural food preservatives.

Ethnobotany, Biological Activities and Phytochemical Compounds of Some Species of the Genus Eryngium (Apiaceae), from the Central-Western Region of Mexico

There are approximately 250 species of Eryngium L. distributed throughout the world, with North America and South America being centers of diversity on this continent. In the central-western region of Mexico there may be around 28 species of this genus. Some Eryngium species are cultivated as leafy vegetables, ornamental, and medicinal plants. In traditional medicine they are used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, among others. This review addresses the phytochemistry and biological activities, as well as traditional uses, distribution, and characteristics of the eight species of Eryngium reported as medicinal in the central-western region of Mexico: E. cymosum, E. longifolium, E. fluitans (or mexicanum), E. beecheyanum, E. carlinae, E. comosum, E. heterophyllum, and E. nasturtiifolium. The extracts of the different Eryngium spp. have shown biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, renoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant, among others. E. carlinae is the most studied species, and phytochemical analyses, performed mainly by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), have shown its content of terpenoids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, saccharides, polyalcohols, and aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. According to the results of this review on Eryngium spp., they constitute a relevant alternative as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. However, there is a lot of research to be conducted regarding phytochemistry, biological activities, cultivation, and propagation, in those species with few or no reports.

Bioactive compounds from four Indian medicinal plants have different potency to induce sex reversal in Nile tilapia: A chromatographic, molecular docking and in silico analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Herbal plants such as Basella alba (Family: Basellaceae), Tribulus terrestris (Family: Zygophyllaceae), Asparagus racemosus (Family: Asparagaceae) and Mucuna pruriens (Family: Fabaceae) are mentioned in Indian traditional system of medicine Ayurveda to possess androgenic activity and increase male virility. The plants have been reported to improve testosterone level and sperm production in experimental male rodents as well.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Male Nile tilapias grow more quickly than females and hence are preferred for monosex Nile tilapia culture. Ethanol extracts of B. alba leaves (EB) and T. terrestris seeds (ET), and methanol extract of A. racemosus roots (MA) and M. pruriens seeds (MM) were found effective to induce masculinization in Nile tilapia. The present study intends to evaluate the anti-aromatase activity of EB, ET, MA and MM, to identify the androgenic bioactive compounds in the extracts, and to determine their pharmacokinetics. The study may validate the use of those plant extracts and their major bioactive phytoconstituents in the field of aquaculture and pharmaceuticals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The four crude plant extracts were first fractioned through column and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Three days old Nile tilapia juveniles (mean weight 0.025 ± 0.009g; mean length 12.50 ± 0.12 mm; n = 50 fish/replicate, 3 replicates/treatment) were then fed diets fortified with the obtained fractions for 30 days. After 30 days, fish were sacrificed and gonad aromatase mRNA expression, and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and estradiol (E₂) levels were measured. Fractions yielding the highest male percentage for each plant were subject to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The in silico docking and SwissADME study were conducted with the components showing higher peak percentage in chromatogram.

RESULTS

After column chromatography and TLC analysis, EB, ET, MM and MA yielded 6 (EB1 - EB6), 8 (ET1- ET8), 14 (MM1-MM14) and 5 (MA1- MA5) fractions, respectively. Fish fed EB2, ET2, MA2 and MM13 fraction fortified diets showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher male percentage (92.32%-98.39%) compared to other treatment groups. EB2, ET2, MA2 and MM13 fed fish showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher 11-KT level compared to control male (+247.52 - +397.76%) and lower E₂ level compared to control female (-95.92% to -90.65%). Aromatase mRNA expression was significantly (p < 0.05) down-regulated by all these four fractions (-1.32 to -5.65 fold) with respect to control female. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 1-Octadecene (OD) in EB2, Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) (PD) in ET2 and MA2, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (ODDA) in MM13. In silico molecular docking indicated that PD is more effective than ODDA and OD to inhibit aromatase. In addition, PD showed better pharmacokinetics and more drug-likeness compared to OD and ODDA in SwissADME analysis.

CONCLUSION

The present results indicate that ET and MA are more potent to produce all-male tilapia by means of aromatase inhibition. PD can be an ideal compound to achieve masculinization in Nile tilapia through dietary administration, but further investigation is required.

A Scoping Review of Genus Viscum: Biological and Chemical Aspects of Alcoholic Extracts

The genus Viscum comprises a large number of semi-parasitic shrubs popularly known as Mistletoe. The Viscum species grow in many countries of Europe, Africa and Asia with different popular uses in ornamentation, foods and medicine. Many studies about Viscum have been done over the last years focusing on biological activities and chemical composition of the aqueous extracts, mainly related to anthroposophical medicines. However, it is known that non-aqueous preparations, as alcoholic extracts, have demonstrated different biological activities that are species-and host tree-dependent. Considering the potential of these alcoholic extracts, a scoping review was conducted using data from three online databases: PubMed, Scopus and Embase. Inclusion criteria consisted of the in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, clinical and chemical studies of alcoholic extracts from Viscum species. The present review summarized 124 original publications about fourteen Viscum species. Viscum album, Viscum articulatum and Viscum coloratum were the main studied species. Alcoholic extracts demonstrated hypotensive, anticancer, antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory capabilities, among other biological activities. Flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenoids represented 48%, 24% and 11% of the total identified compounds, respectively. This review contributes to the knowledge of alcoholic preparations of the Viscum species and points out the lack of clinical studies concerning these different extracts.

Oral bioavailability of bioactive compounds; modulating factors, in vitro analysis methods, and enhancing strategies

Foods are complex biosystems made up of a wide variety of compounds. Some of them, such as nutrients and bioactive compounds (bioactives), contribute to supporting body functions and bring important health benefits; others, such as food additives, are involved in processing techniques and contribute to improving sensory attributes and ensuring food safety. Also, there are antinutrients in foods that affect food bioefficiency and contaminants that increase the risk of toxicity. The bioefficiency of food is evaluated with bioavailability which represents the amount of nutrients or bioactives from the consumed food reaching the organs and tissues where they exert their biological activity. Oral bioavailability is the result of some physicochemical and biological processes in which food is involved such as liberation, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (LADME). In this paper, a general presentation of the factors influencing oral bioavailability of nutrients and bioactives as well as the in vitro techniques for evaluating bioaccessibility and is provided. In this context, a critical analysis of the effects of physiological factors related to the characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) on oral bioavailability is discussed, such as pH, chemical composition, volumes of gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, transit time, enzymatic activity, mechanical processes, and so on, and the pharmacokinetics factors including BAC and solubility of bioactives, their transport across the cell membrane, their biodistribution and metabolism. The impact of matrix and food processing on the BAC of bioactives is also explained. The researchers' recent concerns for improving oral bioavailability of nutrients and food bioactives using both traditional techniques, for example, thermal treatments, mechanical processes, soaking, germination and fermentation, as well as food nanotechnologies, such as loading of bioactives in different colloidal delivery systems (CDSs), is also highlighted.

Aflatoxin B1 Detoxification Potentials of Garlic, Ginger, Cardamom, Black Cumin, and Sautéing in Ground Spice Mix Red Pepper Products

The uses of natural plant origin bioactive compounds are emerging as a promising strategy to detoxify aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This study aimed to explore the potential of cooking, phytochemicals content, and antioxidant activities derived from garlic, ginger, cardamom, and black cumin to detoxify AFB1 on spice mix red pepper powder (berbere) and sauté. The effectiveness of the samples was analyzed for AFB1 detoxification potential through standard methods for the examination of food and food additives. These major spices showed an AFB1 level below the detection limit. After cooking in hot water for 7 min at 85 ℃, the experimental and commercial spice mix red pepper showed the maximum AFB1 detoxification (62.13% and 65.95%, respectively). Thus, mixing major spices to produce a spice mix red pepper powder had a positive effect on AFB1 detoxification in raw and cooked spice mix red pepper samples. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power, and ferrous ion chelating activity revealed good positive correlation with AFB1 detoxification at p < 0.05. The findings of this study could contribute to mitigation plans of AFB1 in spice-processing enterprises. Further study is required on the mechanism of AFB1 detoxification and safety of the detoxified products.

Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Biomedical Applications: A Review

Nanotechnology has inscribed novel perception into the material science and one of the most extensively used nanomaterials is Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with healthcare and biomedical applications. Because of its outstanding biocompatibility, low toxicity, and low cost, ZnO NPs have become one of the most prominent metal oxide NPs in biological applications. This review highlights the different aspects of ZnO NPs, like their green synthesis as a substitute of conventional route due to avoidance of threat of hazardous, costly precursors and subsequent mostly therapeutic applications. Due to their wide bandwidth and high excitation binding energy, ZnO NPs have undergone extensive research. In addition to their potential applications as antibiotics, antioxidants, anti-diabetics, and cytotoxic agents, ZnO NPs also hold a promising future as an antiviral treatment for SARS-CoV-2. Zn has antiviral properties and may be effective against a variety of respiratory virus species, particularly SARS-CoV-2. This review includes a variety of topics, including the virus's structural properties, an overview of infection mechanism, and current COVID-19 treatments. Nanotechnology-based techniques for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 are also discussed in this review.

Discovery and excavation of lichen bioactive natural products

Lichen natural products are a tremendous source of new bioactive chemical entities for drug discovery. The ability to survive in harsh conditions can be directly correlated with the production of some unique lichen metabolites. Despite the potential applications, these unique metabolites have been underutilized by pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries due to their slow growth, low biomass availability, and technical challenges involved in their artificial cultivation. At the same time, DNA sequence data have revealed that the number of encoded biosynthetic gene clusters in a lichen is much higher than in natural products, and the majority of them are silent or poorly expressed. To meet these challenges, the one strain many compounds (OSMAC) strategy, as a comprehensive and powerful tool, has been developed to stimulate the activation of silent or cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters and exploit interesting lichen compounds for industrial applications. Furthermore, the development of molecular network techniques, modern bioinformatics, and genetic tools is opening up a new opportunity for the mining, modification, and production of lichen metabolites, rather than merely using traditional separation and purification techniques to obtain small amounts of chemical compounds. Heterologous expressed lichen-derived biosynthetic gene clusters in a cultivatable host offer a promising means for a sustainable supply of specialized metabolites. In this review, we summarized the known lichen bioactive metabolites and highlighted the application of OSMAC, molecular network, and genome mining-based strategies in lichen-forming fungi for the discovery of new cryptic lichen compounds.

Acai Berry (Euterpe sp.) Extracts Are Neuroprotective against L-Glutamate-Induced Toxicity by Limiting Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cellular Redox Stress

Aberrant accumulation of the neurotransmitter L-glutamate (L-Glu) has been implicated as a mechanism of neurodegeneration, and the release of L-Glu after stroke onset leads to a toxicity cascade that results in neuronal death. The acai berry (Euterpe oleracea) is a potential dietary nutraceutical. The aim of this research was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acai berry aqueous and ethanolic extracts to reduce the neurotoxicity to neuronal cells triggered by L-Glu application. L-Glu and acai berry effects on cell viability were quantified using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays, and effects on cellular bioenergetics were assessed via quantitation of the levels of cellular ATP, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuroblastoma cells. Cell viability was also evaluated in human cortical neuronal progenitor cell culture after L-Glu or/and acai berry application. In isolated cells, activated currents using patch-clamping were employed to determine whether L-Glu neurotoxicity was mediated by ionotropic L-Glu-receptors (iGluRs). L-Glu caused a significant reduction in cell viability, ATP, and MMP levels and increased ROS production. The co-application of both acai berry extracts with L-Glu provided neuroprotection against L-Glu with sustained cell viability, decreased LDH production, restored ATP and MMP levels, and reduced ROS levels. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that L-Glu toxicity is not mediated by the activation of iGluRs in neuroblastoma cells. Fractionation and analysis of acai berry extracts with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified several phytochemical antioxidants that may have provided neuroprotective effects. In summary, the acai berry contains nutraceuticals with antioxidant activity that may be a beneficial dietary component to limit pathological deficits triggered by excessive L-Glu accumulations.

Effect of altitude and solvent on Psidium guajava Linn. leaves extracts: phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity against food spoilage microbes

BACKGROUND

Guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) has been traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases due to its rich content of secondary metabolites.

AIM

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of altitude and solvent systems on guava leaves crude extract's phenolics and flavonoid content, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity nature.

METHODS

Guava leaves were collected from three different geographical locations in Nepal while solvents with an increasing polarity index were used for extraction. The yield percentage of extracts was calculated. Total Phenolic Content, Total Flavonoid Content, and antioxidant activity were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, Aluminium chloride colorimetric method, and DPPH (2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay respectively. The quantification of fisetin and quercetin was performed using the HPLC with method validation. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against bacteria and fungus isolated from spoiled fruits and vegetables and identified through 16s and 18s rRNA sequencing. Finally, Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) was used for testing the toxicity of the extracts.

RESULTS

The phenolic and total flavonoid content was found to be higher in ethanol extract (331.84 mg GAE/g dry extract) and methanol extract (95.53 mg QE/g dry extract) from Kuleshwor respectively. Water extract of guava leaves from Kuleshwor (WGK) did not show significantly different antioxidant activity when compared to methanol and ethanol extracts. Fisetin and quercetin were higher in WGK (1.176 mg/100 g) and (10.967 mg/100 g) dry extract weight respectively. Antibacterial activity against food spoilage bacteria was dose-dependent and found to be highest for all the extracts from different solvents and altitudes at higher concentrations (80 mg/ml). Similarly, methanol and ethanol guava extracts from all locations showed antifungal activity against Geotrichum candidum RIBB-SCM43 and Geotrichum candidum RIBB-SCM44. WGK was found to be non-toxic.

CONCLUSION

Our study concludes that the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of WGK was found to be similar statistically to that of methanol and ethanol extracts of Bishnupur Katti and Mahajidiya. These results suggest the possibility of using water as a sustainable solvent to extract natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds which can further be used as natural preservatives to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Subcritical low temperature extraction of bioactive ingredients from foods and food by-products and its applications in the agro-food industry

Bioactive ingredients are part of the food chain and are responsible for numerous health benefits. Subcritical low temperature extraction has been employed to acquire bioactive ingredients because of its excellent properties, such as energy conservation, low temperature, elimination of residual solvent, and high extraction yield and quality. This review aims to provide a clear picture of the basics of subcritical-temperature extraction, its bioactive ingredient extraction efficiency, and possible applications in the agro-food industry. This review suggested that the extraction temperature, time, co-solvents, solid-fluid ratio, and pressure impacted the extraction efficiency of bioactive ingredients from foods and food by-products. Subcritical solvents are appropriate for extracting low polar ingredients, while the inclusion of co-solvents could extract medium and high polar substances. Bioactive ingredients from foods and food by-products can be used as antioxidants, colorants, and nutritional supplements. Additionally, this technology could remove pesticide residues in tea, concentrate edible proteins, and reduce cigarette tar. A new trend toward using subcritical low temperature extraction in extracting bioactive ingredients will acquire momentum.

Chemical Characterization and Several Bioactivities of Cladanthus mixtus from Morocco

The purpose of this work was to investigate, for the first time to our knowledge, the chemical composition and bioactivity of methanolic extracts (roots, stems, leaves, and flowers) from Cladanthus mixtus (L.) Chevall. that grows wild in northern Morocco (the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region). The phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometer methods, and the composition of derivatized methanolic extracts from C. mixtus using N-O-bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity was carried out by applying the 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) tests. The micro-dilution technique was chosen to investigate the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts against two bacterial strains and three fungal species. The results showed that the values of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found to be higher in flower extracts (30.55 ± 0.85 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of dried weight (DW) and 26.00 ±1.34 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g DW, respectively). Other groups of chemical compounds were revealed by GC-MS, such as carbohydrates (27.25–64.87%), fatty acids (1.58–9.08%), organic acids (11.81–18.82%), and amino acids (1.26–7.10%). Root and flower methanolic extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity using ABTS (39.49 mg of Trolox equivalents (TE)/g DW) and DPPH (36.23 mg TE/g DW), respectively. A positive correlation between antioxidant activity and polyphenol and flavonoid amounts was found. Antibacterial tests showed that the best activity was presented by the leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) = 20 mg/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC of 30 mg/mL and MBC of 35 mg/mL). S. aureus was more sensitive to the extracts compared to E. coli. All extracts showed antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, with the best efficacy reported by the flower and leaf extracts (MIC = 1.25 mg/mL and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) = 2.5 mg/mL). In general, extracts of C. mixtus appeared less effective against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus.

The bio-adsorption competence of tailor made lemon grass adsorbents on oils: An in-vitro approach

The oil contamination in aquatic system is considered as most serious environmental issues and identifying a suitable ecofriendly solution for this oil pollution management is critical. Hence, this research was designed to evaluate the oils (petrol, diesel, engine oil, and crude oil) adsorptive features through raw lemon grass adsorbent, physically/chemically treated adsorbents. Initially, such raw and treated adsorbents were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. These characterization techniques revealed that the lemon grass adsorbent had considerable level of pollutant adsorption potentials owing to porous morphological structure, active functional groups and pollutants interaction with chemical elements. The physically treated adsorbent exhibited better adsorption characteristics than others. Accordingly, the petrol adsorption potential of raw adsorbent, physically treated and chemically treated ones was discovered as their weight incremented up to 2.0, 3.0, and 1.5 times their initial weight, respectively. Similarly, the weight of raw form, physically and chemically treated ones on diesel had increased significantly, up to 2.5 times, 4.0 times, and 2.0 times, respectively. It was evaluated that the weight of these tested adsorbents on engine oil incremented by 3.5, 5.0, and 3.0 times their initial weight, while on crude oil these incremented by 4.0, 6.0, and 4.0 times their initial weight respectively. When the media are compared, it's indeed evident about absorption which is preferred as follows: Crude oil, engine oil, diesel, and petrol. The physically treated lemon grass adsorbent showed maximum adsorption and retention potential than others. The kinetic study reveals that the pseudo second order kinetics is the best fit for the adsorption of oil with R² value of 0.99.

Statistical optimization and characterization of fucose-rich polysaccharides extracted from pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) along with antioxidant and antiviral activities

Biologically active phytochemicals from pumpkin reveal versatile medical applications, though little is known about their antiviral activity. The fucose-rich polysaccharide extraction conditions were optimized through Box-Behnken design and purified by column chromatography. The purified fucose-rich polysaccharide was characterized through SEM, FT-IR, 1H NMR, XRD, TGA, and GS-MS. The analysis results revealed an irregular and porous surface of the purified polysaccharide with high fucose, rhamnose, galactose, and glucose contents. The tested fucose-rich polysaccharides revealed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity at very low concentrations. The purified fucose-rich polysaccharides exerted a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses, accompanied by high safety toward normal cells, where the maximum safe doses (EC100) were estimated to be about 3-3.9 mg/mL for both Vero and PBMC cell lines. Treatment of HCV, ADV7, HSV1, and HIV viruses with the purified polysaccharides showed a potent dose-dependent inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 95.475, 20.96, 5.213, and 461.75 μg/mL, respectively. This activity was hypothesized to be through inhibiting the viral entry in HCV infection and inhibiting the reverse transcriptase activity in HIV. The current study firstly reported the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities of Cucurbita maxima fucose-rich polysaccharide against several viral infections.

Old Meets New: Mass Spectrometry-Based Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Unusual Larvicidal Nitropropanoyl Glycosides from the Leaves of Heteropterys umbellata

The Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito is the vector of several arboviruses in tropical and subtropical areas of the globe, and synthetic pesticides remain the most widely used combat strategy. This study describes the investigation of secondary metabolites with larvicidal activity from the Malpighiaceae taxon using a metabolomic and bioactivity-based approach. The workflow initially consisted of a larvicidal screening of 394 extracts from the leaves of 197 Malpighiaceae samples, which were extracted using solvents of different polarity, leading to the selection of Heteropterys umbellata for the identification of active compounds. By employing untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and multivariate analyses (PCA and PLS-DA), it was possible to determine that the metabolic profiles of different plant organs and collection sites differed significantly. A bioguided approach led to the isolation of isochlorogenic acid A (1) and the nitropropanoyl glucosides karakin (2) and 1,2,3,6-tetrakis-O-[3-nitropropanoyl]-beta-glucopyranose (3). These nitro compounds exhibited larvicidal activity, possibly potentialized by synergistic effects of their isomers in chromatographic fractions. Additionally, targeted quantification of the isolated compounds in different extracts corroborated the untargeted results from the statistical analyses. These results support a metabolomic-guided approach in combination with classical phytochemical techniques to search for natural larvicidal compounds for arboviral vector control.

Yogurt Products Fortified with Microwave-Extracted Peach Polyphenols

Pectin and polyphenols have been obtained from choice peach flesh using microwave extraction, with the resulting extracts used in functionalizing strained yogurt gels. A Box-Behnken design was utilized in order to co-optimize the extraction process. Soluble solid content, total phenolic content, and particle size distributions were measured in the extracts. Extraction at pH 1 yielded the highest phenolic content, while increases in the liquid-to-solid ratio resulted in a decrease in soluble solids and an increase in particle diameter. Selected extracts were then incorporated into strained yogurt, and the resulting gel products were assessed for color and texture over a two-week period. All samples were darker and had more red tones than the control set yogurt, while exhibiting less yellow tones. The cohesiveness of all samples remained stable over the gels' aging of two weeks (break-up times always remaining within 6 s and 9 s), which is close to the expected shelf-life of such products. The work required for the deformation of most samples increases with time, indicating that the products became firmer due to the macromolecular rearrangements in the gel matrix. The extracts obtained with the highest microwave power (700 W) give less firm samples. This was due to the microwave-induced loss of conformation and self-assembly of the extracted pectins. The hardness of all samples increased over time, gaining from 20 to 50% of the initial hardness due to the rearrangement of the pectin and yogurt proteins over time. The products with pectin extracted at 700 W were again exceptions, losing hardness or remaining stable after some time. Overall, this work combines the sourcing of polyphenols and pectin from choice fruit; it uses MAE for isolating the materials of interest; it mechanically examines the resulting gels; and it performs all the above under a specifically-set experimental design aiming towards optimizing the overall process.

Antioxidant properties and cytotoxic effects of selected edible plants in Southeast Asia for further use as phytogenic antioxidant additives

Excessive free radicals in human and animal bodies can cause oxidative stress (OS) which damages cells and tissues. Plant materials with high antioxidant potential would resolve the OS problem. Thus, this study proposed to investigate the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant capacities and cytotoxicity in 17 edible plant materials from herbs, fruits, vegetables and plant by-products available in Southeast Asia for future use in the food or feed industry. Among 17 plant materials, Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Camellia sinensi (green tea pomace) from the beverage industry and Persicaria odorata (Vietnamese coriander) showed a prominent amount of TPC and TFC. These three plants and their combination (1:1:1 ratio, v:v:v) also possessed a remarkable antioxidant function in terms of DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, as well as showing a strong ROS inhibition through HepG2 cells. The cytotoxicity test of the crude extract of clove, green tea pomace and Vietnamese coriander, or their combination can be used between 0.032 and 0.255, 0.011 to 0.088, 0.022 to 0.178 and 0.021 to 0.346 mg/mL, respectively, without impeding cell viability. A combined mixture of clove, green tea pomace and Vietnamese coriander revealed the synergistic properties of antioxidants and cell safety. This indicates that there is a potential use of various antioxidant bioactive compounds in plant materials tested for use as phytogenic antioxidant additives.

Impact of Shodhana an Ayurvedic purification process on cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of Croton tiglium Linn

BACKGROUND

Croton tiglium Linn. (CT) which is commonly called Jaypal is used in Ayurvedic preparations like Ichhabhedi Ras, Asvakancuki Rasa. Due to its toxic contents, seeds of Croton tiglium are purified before use, by the process mentioned in classical Ayurvedic texts called Shodhana meaning purification.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present study is to study the impact of Ayurvedic Purification process on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Croton tiglium Linn.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Croton tiglium Linn. Seeds were processed for Shodhana by soaking in water, heating with milk (Snehan) and later grinding in Lemon Juice (Bhavana). Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared before and after purification i.e. Shodhana. Cytotoxicity of the Croton tiglium was studied against Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line by MTT assay. Ames test was performed to study the mutagenicity of the extracts in Salmonella typhi TA 98, 100 and 102 strains. Phytoconstituents were studied by using LCMS analysis.

RESULTS

The results indicated decrease in cytotoxic concentration (IC50) of Croton tiglium seeds after purificationa from 3.03 mg/mL to 0.99 mg/mL in aqueous extract and 18.56 mg/mL to 5.45 mg/mL. Genotoxicity study by Ames test indicated Croton tiglium Linn. Croton tiglium Linn. Seeds are non-genotoxic in strains like S. typhi, TA 98, 100 and 102. There was change in Phytochemical profile before and after shodhana.

CONCLUSION

Although both the concentrations are practically non-toxic, the decrease in cytotoxic concentration indicates Purification process as described in classical ayurvedic texts i.e. Shodhana has definitely increased the potency of the seeds of Croton tiglium Linn.

Phytochemicals, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials and LC-MS Analysis of Centaurea parviflora Desf. Extracts

Centaurea parviflora (C. parviflora), belonging to the family Asteraceae, is an Algerian medicinal plant used in folk medicine to treat different diseases related to hyperglycemic and inflammatory disorders, as well as in food. The present study aimed to assess the total phenolic content, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and phytochemical profile of the extracts of C. parviflora. The extraction of phenolic compounds from aerial parts was conducted using solvents of increasing polarity starting from methanol, resulting in crude extract (CE), to chloroform extract (CHE), ethyl acetate extract (EAE) and butanol extract (BUE). The total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents of the extracts were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl₃ methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was measured with seven methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, galvinoxyl free-radical-scavenging test, 2,2'-Azino-Bis(3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic Acid) (ABTS) assay, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), reducing power, Fe⁺²-phenanthroline reduction assay and superoxide-scavenging test. The disc-diffusion method aimed at testing the sensitivity of bacterial strains toward our extracts. A qualitative analysis with thin-layer chromatography of the methanolic extract was performed. Moreover, HPLC-DAD-MS was used to establish the phytochemical profile of the BUE. The BUE was found to contain high amounts of total phenolics (175.27 ± 2.79 µg GAE/mg E), flavonoids (59.89 ± 0.91 µg QE/mg E) and flavonols (47.30 ± 0.51 µg RE/mg E). Using TLC, different components such as flavonoids and polyphenols were noted. The highest radical-scavenging ability was recorded for the BUE against DPPH (IC₅₀ = 59.38 ± 0.72 µg/mL), galvinoxyl (IC₅₀ = 36.25 ± 0.42 µg/mL), ABTS (IC₅₀ = 49.52 ± 1.54 µg/mL) and superoxide (IC₅₀ = 13.61 ± 0.38 µg/mL). The BUE had the best reducing power according to the CUPRAC (A_0.5 = 71.80 ± 1.22 μg/mL), phenanthroline test (A_0.5 = 20.29 ± 1.16 μg/mL) and FRAP (A_0.5 = 119.17 ± 0.29 μg/mL). The LC-MS analysis of BUE allowed us to identify eight compounds including six phenolic acids and two flavonoids: quinic acid, five chlorogenic acid derivatives, rutin and quercetin 3-o-glucoside. This preliminary investigation revealed that the extracts of C. parviflora have a good biopharmaceutical activity. The BUE possesses an interesting potential for pharmaceutical/nutraceutical applications.

Oral Administration Evaluation of the Hydro-Ethanolic Extract of Ginger (Rhizome of Zingiber officinale) against Postoperative-Induced Peritoneal Adhesion: Investigating the Role of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Effects

Peritoneal adhesions (PAs) occur and develop after abdominal surgery. Abdominal adhesions are common and often develop after abdominal surgery. Currently, there are no effective targeted pharmacotherapies for treating adhesive disease. In this regard, ginger is wildly used in traditional medicine because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and has been investigated for peritoneal adhesion treatment. This study analyzed ginger ethanolic extraction via HPLC to have a 6-gingerol concentration. Four groups induced peritoneal adhesion to evaluate ginger's effects on peritoneal adhesion. Then, ginger extract (50, 150, and 450 mg/kg) was administered by gavage in various groups of male Wistar rats (220 ± 20 g, 6-8 weeks). After scarifying the animals for biological assessment, macroscopic and microscopic parameters were determined via scoring systems and immunoassays in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Next, the adhesion scores and interleukin IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-) α, transforming growth factor-(TGF-) β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were elevated in the control group. The results showed that ginger extract (450 mg/kg) notably decreased inflammatory (IL-6 and TNF-α), fibrosis (TGF-β1), anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), angiogenesis (VEGF), and oxidative (MDA) factors, while increased antioxidant factor glutathione (GSH), compared to the control group. These findings suggest that a hydro-alcoholic extract of ginger is a potentially novel therapeutic strategy for inhibiting adhesion formation. Also, it might be considered a beneficial anti-inflammatory or antifibrosis herbal medicine in clinical trials. However, further clinical studies are required to approve the effectiveness of ginger.

The Potential of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products in the Treatment of Burns and Sunburn-A Review

Treating burns remains a challenge for modern medicine, especially in developing countries that cannot afford expensive, advanced therapies. This review article summarises clinical and animal model studies of botanical preparations and their mixtures in treating burn wounds and sunburn. Articles available in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar, published in English in 2010-2022, were considered. In the described clinical trials, it was shown that some herbal preparations have better effectiveness in treating burn wounds, including shortening the healing time and reducing inflammation, than the conventional treatment used hitherto. These herbal preparations contained extracts from Albizia julibrissin, Alkanna tinctoria, Aloe vera, Arnebia euchroma, Betula pendula and Betula pubescens, Centella asiatica, Hippophaë rhamnoides, Juglans regia, Lawsonia inermis, and mixtures of Matricaria chamomilla and Rosa canina. Research on animal models shows that many extracts may potentially benefit the treatment of burn wounds and sunburn. Due to the diverse mechanism of action, antibacterial activity, the safety of use and cost-effectiveness, herbal preparations can compete with conventional treatment. The growing interest in alternative medicine and herbal medicine encourages further research. Not only single preparations but also their mixtures should be taken into account because the research conducted so far often suggests a synergistic effect of the ingredients.

Neuroprotective activity of novel phenanthrene derivative from Grewia tiliaefolia by in vitro and in silico studies

Medicinal plants possess range of phytochemicals accountable for their diverse biological activities. Presently, such compounds have been isolated from medicinal plants, characterized and evaluated for their pharmacological potential. In the present study, the efforts have been made to isolate the compound(s) from Grewia tiliaefolia Vahl., plant known for its ameliorative effect on brain related diseases such as anxiety, depression, cognitive disorders and Parkinson's disease. Plant extract was subjected to isolation of compound(s) using column chromatography and isolated compound was characterized by NMR FTIR and LCMS. The isolated compound was novel with the IUPAC name of the compound is propyl 3-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-17-carboxylate, designated as A-1 and has not been reported before. A-1 was further evaluated for its antioxidant potential using in vitro antioxidant assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate, DPPH assay and reducing power assay, RPA). Also, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential of A-1 and extract was analysed. Results showed that A-1 exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity in both DPPH and RPA assay as compared to plant extract. In case of AChE inhibitory activity again, A-1 has shown significantly higher activity as compared to plant extract. In silico study was conducted to predict its action on proteins playing crucial role in neurological and neurodegenerative disorders such as gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptor and glutamate α amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (Glu AMPA) receptor in epilepsy and AChE enzyme in Alzheimer's diseases. The compound has shown interaction in following order: AChE > GABA receptor > Glu AMPA receptor. Further, molecular dynamic simulations and ADME studies of A-1 and AChE enzyme revealed that A-1 yielded good results in all parameters and hence can relieve Alzheimer's like symptoms.

Nutritional benefits, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and toxicity of Spondias mombin Linn: a comprehensive review

OBJECTIVES

Spondias mombin is traditionally used as an herbal medicine for several human diseases and ailments in the tropical regions across the globe including the African countries. This study aimed to provide comprehensive information on nutritional benefits, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological properties and toxicology study of S. mombin. Information was gathered from documented literatures in scientific database.

KEY FINDINGS

The study revealed that S. mombin has nutritional values; with the leaf, fruit, flower, seed, and stem bark possessing a wide range of ethnomedicinal uses across several regions, with documented pharmacological properties. S. mombin has a frequent rate of ethnomedicinal utility in cases of abortion, constipation, fever, gonorrhea, postpartum hemorrhage, digestive pain, diarrhoea, dysentery and wounds. Ethnopharmacological studies showed that crude extracts and chemical compounds from S. mombin manifested in vivo and in vitro biological and pharmacological activities. About 102 isolated compounds from the leaf, fruit, or stem bark of S. mombin have been reported.

SUMMARY

Overall, S. mombin has several nutritive and ethnomedicinal benefits owing to its chemical constituents, which are linkable to the several pharmacological activities. There remains however, the need for dosage intake caution, upon the advice of medical professionals.

Antioxidant-Activity-Guided Purification and Separation of Octocrylene from Saussurea heteromalla

Plants have been a source of medicine since ancient times, and such traditional medications are widely practiced nowadays. Saussurea heteromalla is widely used in traditional medicine in the Himalayan region for the treatment of different ailments. However, despite its traditional uses, it is not widely explored for its free radical scavenging abilities and other biological activities. Thus, the current study is aimed at exploring the free radical scavenging ability of S. heteromalla extracts, along with the isolation and evaluation of its compound through bioassay-guided purification. From different solvent fractions, an n-hexane extract of a whole plant is found to be most active; thus, it is processed for large-scale extraction and column chromatography. Further, the purification of an active fraction is performed using HPLC–DAD, which led to the isolation of an active peak, identified by GC/MS, as 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3, 3-diphenylprop-2-enoate. This compound, commonly known as octocrylene, is widely recommended for UV-B filter, to be used in the cosmetic industry as photoprotection products. The presence of free radical scavenging activity enhances the sun protection factor of octocrylene. The present study presents the first report on the isolation of this compound from the family Asteraceae. The compound has good free radical scavenging activity and is widely used in the cosmetic industry as a sun protectant and is much less reported from botanical sources.

Antimicrobial Activity of Spices Popularly Used in Mexico against Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infectious diseases worldwide. These infections are common in all people; however, they are more prevalent in women than in men. The main microorganism that causes 80-90% of UTIs is Escherichia coli. However, other bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae cause UTIs, and antibiotics are required to treat them. However, UTI treatment can be complicated by antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. Therefore, medicinal plants, such as spices generally added to foods, can be a therapeutic alternative due to the variety of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenes present in their extracts that exert antimicrobial activity. Essential oils extracted from spices have been used to demonstrate their antimicrobial efficacy against strains of pathogens isolated from UTI patients and their synergistic effect with antibiotics. This article summarizes relevant findings on the antimicrobial activity of cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano, pepper, and rosemary, spices popularly used in Mexico against the uropathogens responsible for UTIs.

Synthesis of Gingerol-Metals Complex and in-vitro Cytotoxic Activity on Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

Introduction

Herbs are excellent sources of medicinal substances, and their curative abilities have been recognized to treat many ailments and are used for example as antioxidants, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antipyretics, and many other medicinal uses. The properties of natural compounds and their health effects have been studied extensively, especially those that originate from plant sources such as ginger. The ginger plant contains many chemical compounds, such as 6-gingerol, which is characterized by containing active groups such as carbonyl and hydroxide, which can be attached to metal molecules. This is what was done in this study, where the formation of complexes with a group of metals was studied and their effect on cancer cells was investigated. These complexes will open new horizons for further study of medicinal uses.

Methods

The synthesis of gingerol-metal complexes was carried out by conjugating gingerol molecules with Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn metal ions. The extracted gingerol was transferred to culture tubes and deionized water-DMSO were added followed by sonication. The tubes were incubated at 90°C for two days as well as the control sample. The samples were then filtered and the complex solutions were transferred into new tubes for further studies. Different characterization techniques such as FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy, FESEM, and EDX are used to confirm the formation of the complexes. The in vitro of the complexes was tested by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay against the human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT29 which exhibited strong cytotoxicity.

Results

The gingerol-metal complexes showed an enhancement as an anticancer agent compared to the control. The in vitro anticancer activity showed that the Ag-gingerol complex showed the most activity among the other complexes.

Discussion

Gingerol-metal complexes can inhibit cancer cells, noting that the potency of the complex depends on the type of metal used.

A Comprehensive Review with Future Prospects on the Medicinal Properties and Biological Activities of Curcuma caesia Roxb

Plants are the primary source of the food chain and are rich in nutrients and biochemical compounds that mainly give beneficial effects to humans as well as other living organisms. Curcuma caesia Roxb. is a family member of Zingiberaceae commonly known as black turmeric. The leaves and rhizomes of this plant are extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine and as traditional remedies for various ailments. The aromatic rhizomes and leaves are due to the presence of essential oils reported as camphor, ar-turmerone, (Z)-β-ocimene, ar-curcumene, 1,8-cineole, β-elemene, borneol, bornyl acetate, tropolone, ledol, β-elemenone, and α-bulnesene. Previous research studies have revealed most of the biological activities of C. caesia, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which are due to the presence of various bioactive components. The diverse chemical composition contained in this plant contributes to various biological activities, which may be beneficial for the health, food, and cosmetic industries. The purpose of this review was to summarise updated research on the in vitro and in vivo activities of C. caesia as well as the current clinical investigations. A compilation of the latest findings regarding the potential activities of C. caesia and mechanisms related to its health benefits is discussed and reviewed. This valuable information is the key that can be used for the development of drugs, functional food ingredients, and food products.

Major Phytochemicals: Recent Advances in Health Benefits and Extraction Method

Recent scientific studies have established a relationship between the consumption of phytochemicals such as carotenoids, polyphenols, isoprenoids, phytosterols, saponins, dietary fibers, polysaccharides, etc., with health benefits such as prevention of diabetes, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc. This has led to the popularization of phytochemicals. Nowadays, foods containing phytochemicals as a constituent (functional foods) and the concentrated form of phytochemicals (nutraceuticals) are used as a preventive measure or cure for many diseases. The health benefits of these phytochemicals depend on their purity and structural stability. The yield, purity, and structural stability of extracted phytochemicals depend on the matrix in which the phytochemical is present, the method of extraction, the solvent used, the temperature, and the time of extraction.