Mode of Antibacterial Activity of Eclalbasaponin Isolated from Eclipta alba

Unlocking Therapeutic Potential: Comprehensive Extraction, Profiling, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. for Dermatological Applications

Herbal medicine has been studied as an alternate approach to modern medicine as it is more cost-effective and accessible via natural sources. Eclipta alba (E. alba, L.) Hassk. is a weed plant abundantly distributed throughout different regions of the world and contains abundant bioactive compounds used for various skin conditions. In this review, we aimed to gather information from the literature about the extraction, separation, and identification of these bioactive compounds and their potential in skin diseases. Relevant studies published before August 2023 were identified and selected from electronic databases, including Scopus, SciFinder, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Wiley Library, using the following keywords: Eclipta alba, Eclipta prostrata, phytochemicals, extraction, separation, isolation, identification, characterization, pharmacological activity, and skin conditions. Up-to-date extraction, separation, and identification methods of bioactive compounds from E. alba and their skin-related pharmacological activities are discussed in this review. As there are limitations regarding extraction, separation, and identification methods, and in-depth mechanistic and human studies of the skin-related pharmacological activities of bioactive compounds, these gaps are areas for future research to expand our understanding and broaden the potential applications of this medicinal weed plant, including the development of cosmeceutical and skincare products, anti-inflammatory agents, and formulations for dermatological treatments.

New Insights into the Cellular Toxicity of Carbon Quantum Dots to Escherichia coli

In this study, the cytotoxicity and toxic mechanism of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) to E. coli were evaluated in vitro. The synthetic CQDs were extremely small in size (~2.08 nm) and displayed strong fluorescence. The results demonstrated that CQDs showed good biocompatibility with E. coli within a short culture time. However, when the exposure time exceeded 24 h, the toxicity of CQDs became apparent, and the contents of reactive oxygen species, lactate dehydrogenase, and the crystal violet absorption rate increased significantly. To further explore the cytotoxic mechanism, approaches including confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and biological transmission electron microscopy combined with zeta potential tests, osmotic pressure measurement, and comet assays were performed. On the one hand, the CQDs altered the surface charges of cells and induced lipid peroxidation by adhesion on the surface of E. coli, leading to an increase in the permeability of the cell wall. On the other hand, when the concentration of CQDs reached 200 µg/mL, the osmotic pressure of the extracellular environment was significantly reduced. These are the main factors that lead to cell edema and death. Finally, the comet assays confirmed that CQDs could induce DNA damage, which could inhibit the proliferation of E. coli.

Synergy based extracts of medicinal plants: Future antimicrobials to combat multidrug resistance

The use of herbal medicines and supplements in the last thirty years has increased enormously. Herbal medication has demonstrated promising and effective potential against various diseases. Herbal and phytoconstituent medications are gaining popularity globally and many people are adopting herbal remedies to deal with different health issues. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics, due to the development of antimicrobial resistance, poses an unprecedented problem for human civilization. Bacterial infections are difficult to cure because of the propensity of microbes to acquire resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial drugs. New compounds are being explored and quantified for possible antibacterial activity with little or no side effects. Researchers are investigating the range of therapeutic plants mentioned in Unani, Ayurveda, and Siddha around the globe. Known and commonly acclaimed global databases such as PubMed, Research Gate, Science Direct, Google Scholar, were searched using different search strings such as Indian medicinal plants, multidrug resistance (MDR), thin layer chromatography (TLC), antimicrobials, and Synergism were used in diverse combinations to reclaim numerous citations associated with this area. Thus, the current review aims to shed a light on the information of medicinal plants as a potential foundation of herbal drugs and elucidate how synergism and TLC bioautography plays a crucial role in finding antimicrobial compounds.

Alpha glucosidase inhibition activity of phenolic fraction from Simarouba glauca: An in-vitro, in-silico and kinetic study

A phenolic rich fraction purified from Simarouba glauca leaves was effective in alpha glucosidase inhibition. The purified fraction named 'fraction-14' had shown significant inhibition of yeast alpha glucosidase enzyme activity (IC₅₀ = 2.4 ± 0.4 μg/mL) when compared to anti-diabetic drug acarbose (IC₅₀ = 2450 ± 24 μg/mL). The purified fraction also had reasonable DPPH (IC₅₀ = 14.4 ± 0.1 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC₅₀ = 7.6 ± 0.5 μg/mL) free radical scavenging activity when compared to the standard ascorbic acid. The LC-MS analysis of bioactive 'fraction-14' revealed four compounds, eclalbasaponin-v (1), cyanidin-3-O-(2'galloyl)-galactoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-glucoside (3) and kaempferol-3-O-pentoside (4) for the first time in S. glauca in this study. The kinetic study of the 'fraction-14' indicates a mixed type of inhibition on the alpha glucosidase enzyme with K _i , 6.2 μg/mL. Docking studies showed promising binding energy for the compounds 2 (-7.769 kJ/mol), 3 (-7.04 kJ/mol) and 4 (-7.127 kJ/mol) against yeast alpha glucosidase which was better than acarbose (-6.867 kJ/mol). In conclusion, the phenolic rich fraction from S. glauca possessing good in-vitro antioxidant property and alpha glucosidase enzyme inhibition potential along with mixed inhibition kinetics. Also, better binding energy of compounds (1, 2 & 3) appears to contain potential lead-molecule for antidiabetic therapy.

Plant Extracts Containing Saponins Affects the Stability and Biological Activity of Hempseed Oil Emulsion System

In this study, two saponins-rich plant extracts, viz. Saponaria officinalis and Quillaja saponaria, were used as surfactants in an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion based on hempseed oil (HSO). This study focused on a low oil phase content of 2% v/v HSO to investigate stable emulsion systems under minimum oil phase conditions. Emulsion stability was characterized by the emulsification index (EI), centrifugation tests, droplet size distribution as well as microscopic imaging. The smallest droplets recorded by dynamic light scattering (droplets size v. number), one day after the preparation of the emulsion, were around 50-120 nm depending the on use of Saponaria and Quillaja as a surfactant and corresponding to critical micelle concentration (CMC) in the range 0-2 g/L. The surface and interfacial tension of the emulsion components were studied as well. The effect of emulsions on environmental bacteria strains was also investigated. It was observed that emulsions with Saponaria officinalis extract exhibited slight toxic activity (the cell metabolic activity reduced to 80%), in contrast to Quillaja emulsion, which induced Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 17400 growth. The highest-stability samples were those with doubled CMC concentration. The presented results demonstrate a possible use of oil emulsions based on plant extract rich in saponins for the food industry, biomedical and cosmetics applications, and nanoemulsion preparations.

Bioactive terpenoid constituents from Eclipta prostrata

Chemical fractionation of the ethanolic extract of Eclipta prostrata yielded a series of unreported terpenoid constituents, including a rare 6/6/6/6-fused tetracyclic triterpenoid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, two pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins, a diterpenoid and a sesquiterpenoid. Structures were assigned to these compounds on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, with the absolute configurations of the tetracyclic triterpenoid, the diterpenoid and the sesquiterpenoid being determined via explanation of electronic circular dichroism data. Screening of these isolates in an array of bioassays revealed antibacterial, cytotoxic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities for selective compounds. Of particular interest, the tetracyclic triterpenoid showed very strong inhibition against α-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ of 0.82 ± 0.18 μM, being 10³-fold as active as the positive control acarbose.

A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Eclipta prostrata, a traditional herbal medicine, has long been used in Asia and South America for the therapy of hemorrhagic diseases (e.g. hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematuria, epistaxis and uterine bleeding), skin diseases, respiratory disorders, coronary heart disease, hair loss, vitiligo, snake bite and those caused by the deficiency of liver and kidney.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

In this review, we highlight relatively comprehensive and up-to-date information of E. prostrata on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity, along with featuring the gaps in current knowledge, aiming to provide references for future research and possible opportunities for well applications of this medicinal plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Information on E. prostrata was gathered from scientific databases (Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scifinder, Baidu Scholar, PubMed and CNKI). Information was also obtained from local books, Ph.D. theses and M.Sc. dissertations and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The plant taxonomy was validated by the database "The Plant List".

RESULTS

Various phytochemical classes has been identified and isolated from the plant covering triterpenes, flavonoids, thiopenes, coumestans, steroids and others. Among these, coumestans are reported as the most common ingredients. The isolated crude extracts and individual compounds have been reported to exhibit promising pharmacological properties, such as hepatoprotective, osteoprotective, cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, hypolipidemic, promoting hair growth, rejuvenative and neuroprotective effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Until now, significant progress has been witnessed in phytochemistry and pharmacology of E. prostrata. Thus, some traditional uses has been well supported and clarified by modern pharmacological studies. Moreover, E. prostrata also showed therapeutic potential in some refractory diseases such as cancer, dementia and diabetes. But, present findings are still insufficient that cannot satisfactorily explain some mechanisms of action. More well-designed studies in vitro especially in vivo are required to establish links between the traditional uses and bioactivities, discover new skeletons and activity molecules, as well as ensure safety before clinical use.

Antifungal Activity of Eclipta alba Metabolites against Sorghum Pathogens

Unscientific use of synthetic fungicides in plant disease management has environmental ramifications, such as disease resurgence and serious health problems due to their carcinogenicity. This has prompted the identification and development of eco-friendly greener alternatives. Eclipta alba extract was evaluated for its antifungal activity in in vitro and in vivo against sorghum fungal pathogens Fusarium thapsinum, Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum sorghinum, and Curvularia lunata. The column purified methanolic extract of E. alba exhibited good antifungal activity against the target pathogens. The MIC was observed at 80 mg/mL for all tested pathogenic fungi, whereas MFC was 80 mg/mL for E. sorghinum, 100 mg/mL for F. thapsinum, A. alternata, and C. lunata. In vitro germination percentage was significantly high in seeds treated with E. alba extract (98%) over untreated control (91%). Significant disease protection of 95% was observed in greenhouse and 66% disease protection was noticed in field experiments. The efficacy of E. alba extract in field conditions was improved with the use of E. alba extract formulation. The profile of phytochemicals in E. alba methanol fractions was obtained by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) mass spectroscopy. The [M-H]⁻ at m/z 313.3, m/z 797.9, and m/z 269.0 revealed the presence of wedelolactone, eclalbasaponin II, and apigenin, respectively. The H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) chemical shift value supported the findings of the mass spectrometry. The results highlighted the possible use of E. alba methanolic extract as alternative to chemical fungicide in sorghum disease management.

Ethyl acetate fraction of Eclipta alba: a potential phytopharmaceutical targeting adipocyte differentiation

Natural products have always fascinated mankind for their miraculous properties. Eclipta alba (E. alba), a medicinal herb has long been used in traditional medicine for curing several pathologies. It has been shown to have anti-diabetic effect as well as hepato-protective activity. Here, in order to address metabolic derangements, the study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of E. alba and its fractions in adipogenesis inhibition and dyslipidemia. Of the crude extract and fractions screened, ethyl acetate fraction of E. alba inhibited adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and hMSC derived adipocytes. It inhibited mitotic clonal expansion and caused cell cycle arrest in G1 and S phase as suggested by western blot analysis and flow cytometry. It was also shown to have lipolytic effects. Oral administration of ethyl acetate fraction of E. alba to hamsters unveiled its anti-adipogenic as well as anti-dyslipidemic activity in-vivo. Mass spectrometry analysis of ethyl acetate fraction confirmed the presence of several bioactive components, projecting it as an effective phytopharmaceutical agent. In conclusion, ethyl acetate fraction of E. alba possesses potent anti-adipogenic as well as anti-dyslipidemic activity and could be projected as an herbal formulation towards obesity.

Ethnopharmacological Significance of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. (Asteraceae)

Eclipta alba can be found growing wild in fallow lands of Bangladesh where it is considered as a weed by farmers. Traditional medicinal systems of the Indian subcontinent countries as well as tribal practitioners consider the plant to have diverse medicinal values and use it commonly for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory tract disorders (including asthma), fever, hair loss and graying of hair, liver disorders (including jaundice), skin disorders, spleen enlargement, and cuts and wounds. The plant has several phytoconstituents like wedelolactone, eclalbasaponins, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, luteolin, and apigenin. Pharmacological activities of plant extracts and individual phytoconstituents have revealed anticancer, hepatoprotective, snake venom neutralizing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Phytoconstituents like wedelolactone and ursolic and oleanolic acids as well as luteolin and apigenin can form the basis of new drugs against cancer, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases, and liver disorders.