Determination of isoflavone content and antioxidant activity in Psoralea corylifolia L. callus cultures

Molecular Pathways of Genistein Activity in Breast Cancer Cells

The most common malignancy in women is breast cancer. During the development of cancer, oncogenic transcription factors facilitate the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. Antiapoptotic proteins are markedly upregulated in cancer cells, which promotes tumor development, metastasis, and cell survival. Promising findings have been found in studies on the cell cycle-mediated apoptosis pathway for medication development and treatment. Dietary phytoconstituents have been studied in great detail for their potential to prevent cancer by triggering the body's defense mechanisms. The underlying mechanisms of action may be clarified by considering the role of polyphenols in important cancer signaling pathways. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, lignans, lignins, naphthoquinones, anthraquinones, xanthones, and stilbenes are examples of natural chemicals that are being studied for potential anticancer drugs. These substances are also vital for signaling pathways. This review focuses on innovations in the study of polyphenol genistein's effects on breast cancer cells and presents integrated chemical biology methods to harness mechanisms of action for important therapeutic advances.

In vitro production of steroidal saponin, total phenols and antioxidant activity in callus suspension culture of Paris polyphylla Smith: an important Himalayan medicinal plant

Paris polyphylla Smith (Melanthiaceae) family, which is native to the Himalayan region, has received a lot of attention recently due to its extensive history of usage in traditional medicine. The production of steroidal saponin from callus suspension cultures of P. polyphylla was observed in the current study. The current study attempted to develop a P. polyphylla plant callus suspension culture through optimization of cultivation technique for callus suspension, quantification of total phenolic components and estimation of the extract's antioxidant activity. A light-yellow callus was formed within six weeks of cultivating rhizomes on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with Thidiazuron (TDZ). Furthermore, the effect of TDZ, Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA), and Yeast Extract (YE) on callus growth, steroidal saponin (dioscin and diosgenin), total phenolic content, total flavonoids, total tannin, and total antioxidant activity was also measured. The medium containing 0.5 μM TDZ depicted the maximum callus biomass (2.98 g fresh weight). Significantly high phenolic and tannin content was observed in the MS medium containing 50 μM MeJA, whereas, no significant increase was observed in total tannin production in any treatment. Three in vitro assays, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential) and FC (Folin-Ciocalteu), were used to assess antioxidant potential of callus. Maximum antioxidant analysis reported in 1.0 μM TDZ (6.89 mM AAE/100 g) containing medium followed by 50 μM MeJA (6.44 mM AAE/100 g). The HPLC analysis showed a high presence of dioscin and diosgenin (5.43% and 21.09%, respectively) compared to the wild sample (2.56% and 15.05%, respectively). According to the results, callus produced on media supplemented with 50 μM MeJA have significant phenolic contents and elevated antioxidant activity; nevertheless, callus growth was greater in the presence of 0.5 μM TDZ. The findings of the current study have commercial implications since greater biomass production will result in active phytochemicals that the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors are in need desperately.

Dominant Enterobacteriaceae in tempeh were primarily originated from soybean

During tempeh production, boiling was considered as heat treatment that could significantly reduce or eliminate bacterial population in soybean before fungal inoculation. The objective of this study was to enumerate and trace Enterobacteriaceae communities in pre-boiling soybean, post-boiling soybean, and fresh tempeh designated as RTI and EMP. Standard plate count and qRT-PCR were employed to determine the culturable and non-culturable bacteria, while Enterobacterial Repetitive Intragenic Consensus PCR was conducted to determine the intraspecies genomic variations. Fresh tempeh from both RTI and EMP contained approximately 10⁷ and 10⁸ CFU/g of Enterobacteriaceae respectively. The number of bacteria in pre-boiling soybean were 10,000 times lower than in fresh tempeh. Our study showed that most Enterobacteriaceae were severely injured or quiescent during boiling process and quickly recovered up to 10⁹ CFU/g in fresh tempeh. Some Klebsiella isolates found in tempeh were genetically identical to isolates in soybean, but different from those of medical isolates. This study suggested that soybean could be the main origin of Klebsiella in fresh tempeh.

Psoralea corylifolia L: Ethnobotanical, biological, and chemical aspects: A review

Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae) is a well-known traditional medicinal plant used from ancient times for treatment of various ailments. It is widely distributed and an important part of therapeutics in Ayurveda and in Chinese medicines. The aim of this review is to present comprehensive and most up to date report on its ethnobotanical, ethnopharmacological, clinical, phytochemical, and side effects. Studies on the ethnobotanical, ethnopharmacological, clinical, phytochemical, and side effects of P. corylifolia were published until year 2017 and were searched using various scientific databases. The scientific literature searched revealed that these plant species has been extensively investigated in vivo and in vitro for various biological and phytochemical studies. It has cardiotonic, vasodilator, pigmentor, antitumor, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anti-helminthic properties and locally used for alopecia, inflammation, leukoderma, leprosy, psoriasis, and eczema. So far, about a hundred bioactive compounds have been isolated from seeds and fruits, and most important compounds identified belongs to coumarins, flavonoids, and meroterpenes groups. This review article summarized the most updated scientific literature on bioactive phytochemical and biological activities of P. corylifolia. This article will be a useful addition to providing information for future research, and more standard clinical trials are needed for the plant to be used as therapeutic agent.

Daidzein Production and HeLa Cytotoxicity of Bituminaria bituminosa Hairy Root Cultures

Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H. Stirt is a perennial species widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin and the Canary Islands. This species is used in folk medicine and currently has considerable pharmaceutical interest for its content in phenylpropanoids, furanocoumarins and pterocarpans. In vitro cultures (shoots and hairy roots) have been performed to obtain plant material useful for the production of these metabolites. Hairy root cultures were successfully established after inoculation of hypocotyls with the LBA 9402 A. rhizogenes strain. The HRPB3 line was selected for further analysis and elicited with chitosan and salicylic acid. All the HRPB3 cultures showed higher polyphenol content and greater DPPH-antioxidant activity than shoots cultured in vitro. The presence of isoflavone daidzein was detected in the hairy root extracts. The cytotoxic effect of HR extracts has been further tested on HeLa cells: the salicylic acid elicited HR exhibited good antiproliferative effects.

High frequency direct shoot organogenesis of leaf explants and a comparative evaluation of phytochemicals, antioxidant potential of wild vs. in vitro plant extracts of Lysimachia laxa

The present studies were attempted to develop direct shoot organogenesis from in vitro grown leaf explants of Lysimachia laxa and comparative evaluation of phytochemical and antioxidant potential of in vitro raised and wild plants extracts. The fresh leaves of this species are used for deworming gastrointestinal worm infection in traditional medicine. Overexploitation of this species and poor regeneration has led to rapid decline in wild population, therefore, present investigation was attempted to develop an efficient rapid mass propagation protocol for this species. Our result showed significantly (P < 0.05) high adventitious shoot proliferation of 17.21 ± 0.24 number per leaf explants cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium fortified with 1.25 mg L^-1 thiadizuron and 1.0 mg L^-1 α-naphthalene acetic acid. Further enhancement was achieved through elongation medium fortified with 1.0 mg L^-1 6-benzylaminopurine by average shoot number of 31.1 ± 0.80 and length of 5.96 ± 0.13 cm. Murashige and Skoog medium fortified with 0.50 mg L^-1 Indole-3-acetic acid showed high rooting induction (100%) with average root number of 11.70 and length 7.35 cm. All rooted plants were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse and transferred to field condition with a survival rate of 97%. The contents of phenolic and flavonoid were higher in in vitro raised plant in compared to wild plant extracts. Antioxidants assay showed high radical scavenging activity of IC₅₀ 1.61 ± 0.07 mg dry material and reducing power of 49.79 ± 0.11 mg/g ascorbic acid equivalent by aqueous methanol extracts of in vitro raised 3-months-old plants in compare to the wild plants. The present protocol is a viable option for pharmaceutical or nutraceutical industries for sustainable utilization of L. laxa with enhanced of phytochemical and antioxidant potency which is not reported elsewhere.

Studies on secondary metabolite profiling, anti-inflammatory potential, in vitro photoprotective and skin-aging related enzyme inhibitory activities of Malaxis acuminata, a threatened orchid of nutraceutical importance

Malaxis acuminata D. Don., a small, terrestrial orchid, is endemic to tropical Himalayas at an altitude of 1200-2000m asl. The dried pseudobulbs are important ingredients of century old ayurvedic drug 'Ashtavarga' and a polyherbal immune-booster nutraceutical 'Chyavanprash', known to restore vigour, vitality and youthfulness. Considering tremendous medicinal importance of this threatened orchid species, a detailed study was undertaken for the first time to address its antioxidant potential, secondary metabolite contents and biological activities against skin-aging related enzymes (anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase) and anti-inflammatory activity (5-lipoxygenase and hyaluronidase) in different plant parts of wild and in vitro-derived plants of M. acuminata. Methanolic leaf and stem extracts were further evaluated for in vitro photoprotective activity against UV-B and UV-A radiations. Furthermore, secondary metabolite profiling of various plant parts was carried out by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). A significantly higher antioxidant potential (DPPH, metal chelating and ABTS^•+) with a comparative higher yield of secondary metabolites was observed in in vitro-derived plantlets as compared to the wild plants. Among various solvent systems used, methanolic leaf and stem extracts showed promising inhibitory activity against major skin aging-related enzymes and anti-inflammatory potential. Methanolic leaf and stem extracts of both wild and in vitro-derived plants showed promising photoprotective activity against UV-B and UV-A radiations in vitro with comparatively higher sun protection factor (SPF). Furthermore, GC-MS analysis of methanolic extracts of leaves and stems of wild as well as in vitro-derived plantlets revealed presence of many bioactive metabolites such as, dietary fatty acids, α-hydroxy acids, phenolic acids, sterols, amino acids, sugars and glycosides which substantially explain the use of M. acuminata as one of the potential rejuvenator and anti-aging ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies on the Genus Psoralea: A Mini Review

The genus Psoralea, which belongs to the family Fabaceae, comprises ca. 130 species distributed all over the world, and some of the plants are used as folk medicine to treat various diseases. Psoralea corylifolia is a typical example, whose seeds have been widely used in many traditional Chinese medicine formulas for the treatment of various diseases such as leucoderma and other skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, nephritis, osteoporosis, and cancer. So, the chemical and pharmacological studies on this genus were performed in the past decades. Here, we give a mini review on this genus about its phytochemical and pharmacological studies from 1910 to 2015.

Protective effect of a hydrogel containing Achyrocline satureioides extract-loaded nanoemulsion against UV-induced skin damage

Achyrocline satureioides is a medicinal plant widely used in South America that exhibits a well-documented antioxidant activity. Such activity has been related to their main aglycone flavonoids quercetin, luteolin, and 3-O-methylquercetin (3MQ). This study addresses the development of antioxidant hydrogels containing an A. satureioides extract-loaded nanoemulsions aimed at topical application. The systems investigated were A. satureioides extract-loaded nanoemulsions (ASNE) obtained by spontaneous emulsification procedure formulated in semisolid hydrogels composed of Carbopol® Ultrez 20 (HASNE). Hydrogels exhibit a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior. A higher release of 3MQ from ASNE (3.61μg/cm(2)/h) was observed when compared with HASNE (2.83μg/cm(2)/h). Different parameters that may have an influence on the retention of flavonoids into the skin were investigated by using a Franz-type diffusion cells. Indeed, the amount of formulation applied on donor compartment was found to play a crucial role. At the optimized conditions, retention of approximately 2μg/cm(2) of flavonoids was detected into the skin. A higher retention of 3MQ was detected (approximately 1.0μg/cm(2)) in comparison with the other flavonoids. Finally, a protection the porcine ear skin by formulations, against oxidative stress generated by UVA/UVB light was demonstrated by means of TBARS, protein carbonylation, and protein thiol content assays. The overall results showed the potential of the formulations developed in this study for the prevention of oxidative stress on the skin.

Effect of light wavelength on cell growth, content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in cell suspension cultures of Thevetia peruviana

Thevetia peruviana (T. peruviana) has been considered as a potentially important plant for industrial and pharmacological application. Among the number of compounds which are produced by T. peruviana, antioxidants and polyphenols are of particular interest due to their benefits on human health. Cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana were established under different conditions: 1) constant illumination (24h/day) at different light wavelengths (red, green, blue, yellow and white), 2) darkness and 3) control (12h/12h: day light/dark) to investigate their biomass, substrate uptake, polyphenols production and oxidizing activity. The results showed biomass concentrations between 17.1g dry weight (DW)/l (green light) and 18.2g DW/l (control) after 13days. The cultures that grew under green light conditions consumed completely all substrates after 10days, while other cultures required at least 13days or more. The total phenolic content was between 7.21 and 9.46mg gallic acid (GA)/g DW for all light conditions. In addition the ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid antioxidant activity ranged from 5.41-6.58mg ascorbic acid (AA)/g DW and 82.93-110.39μmol Trolox/g DW, respectively. Interestingly, the samples which grew under the darkness presented a higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity when compared to the light conditions. All together, these results demonstrate the extraordinary effect of different lighting conditions on polyphenols production and antioxidant compounds by T. peruviana.

Applicability of ISSR and DAMD markers for phyto-molecular characterization and association with some important biochemical traits of Dendrobium nobile, an endangered medicinal orchid

Dendrobium nobile is an important medicinal orchid having profound importance in traditional herbal drug preparations and pharmacopeias worldwide. Due to various anthropogenic pressures the natural populations of this important orchid species are presently facing threats of extinction. In the present study, genetic and chemical diversity existing amongst 6 natural populations of D. nobile were assessed using molecular markers, and the influence of genetic factors on its phytochemical activity especially antioxidant potential was determined. Molecular fingerprinting of the orchid taxa was performed using ISSR and DAMD markers along with the estimation of total phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloid contents. Antioxidant activity was also measured using DPPH and FRAP assays which cumulatively revealed a significant level of variability across the sampled populations. The representatives from Sikkim in Northeast India revealed higher phytochemical activity whereas those from Mizoram showed lesser activity. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that variation amongst the populations was significantly higher than within the populations. The data generated by UPGMA and Bayesian analytical models were compared in order to estimate the genetic relationships amongst the D. nobile germplasm sampled from different geographical areas of Northeast India. Interestingly, identical grouping patterns were exhibited by both the approaches. The results of the present study detected a high degree of existing genetic and phytochemical variation amongst the populations in relation to bioclimatic and geographic locations of populations. Our results strongly establish that the cumulative marker approach could be the best suited for assessing the genetic relationships with high accuracy amongst distinct D. nobile accessions.

Biomass Yield and Steviol Glycoside Production in Callus and Suspension Culture of Stevia rebaudiana Treated with Proline and Polyethylene Glycol

Enhanced production of steviol glycosides (SGs) was observed in callus and suspension culture of Stevia rebaudiana treated with proline and polyethylene glycol (PEG). To study their effect, yellow-green and compact calli obtained from in vitro raised Stevia leaves were sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l(-1) NAA and different concentrations of proline (2.5-10 mM) and PEG (2.5-10 %) for 2 weeks, and incubated at 24 ± 1 °C and 22.4 μmol m(-2) s(-1) light intensity provided by white fluorescent tubes for 16 h. Callus and suspension culture biomass (i.e. both fresh and dry weight content) was increased with 5 mM proline and 5 % PEG, while at further higher concentrations, they got reduced. Further, quantification of SGs content in callus (collected at 15th day) and suspension culture (collected at 10th and 15th day) treated with and without elicitors was analysed by HPLC. It was observed that chemical stress enhanced the production of SGs significantly. In callus, the content of SGs increased from 0.27 (control) to 1.09 and 1.83 % with 7.5 mM proline and 5 % PEG, respectively, which was about 4.0 and 7.0 times higher than control. However, in the case of suspension culture, the same concentrations of proline and polyethylene glycol enhanced the SG content from 1.36 (control) to 5.03 and 6.38 %, respectively, on 10th day which were 3.7 times and 4.7 times higher than control.

Enhancement of β-secretase inhibition and antioxidant activities of tempeh, a fermented soybean cake through enrichment of bioactive aglycones

CONTEXT

Soybean and its fermented products are the most common source of isoflavones in human food.

OBJECTIVE

The present study quantifies the major glycosides and aglycones in soybean and its fermented product tempeh isoflavone extracts. The comparision of antioxidant effects and BACE1 inhibitory activity between the isoflavones of soybean and tempeh were also established.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The major isoflavones such as daidzein and genistein (aglycones), and their sugar conjugates (glycosides) daidzin and genistin in soybean and tempeh isoflavones were quantified using HPLC analysis. Comparative studies on BACE 1 (β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 or β-secretase 1) inhibition and free-radical scavenging activities (diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferrous ion chelating ability) were conducted.

RESULTS

The amount of actives (mg/100 g) in soybean isoflavone compared with tempeh isoflavone is as follows: daidzein 16.72 mg/100 g versus 38.91 mg/100 g, genistein 11.10 mg/100 g versus 24.03 mg/100 g, daidzin 6.16 mg/100 g versus 0.69 mg/100 g, and genistin 24.61 mg/100 g versus 6.57 mg/100 g. The IC50 values of soybean and tempeh isoflavones against BACE1 were 10.87 and 5.47 mg/ml, respectively. The tempeh isoflavone had a more potent DPPH free-radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 2.67 mg/ml) than the soybean isoflavone (IC50 = 10 mg/ml). The ferrous ion chelating ability of the isoflavones was practically similar (IC50 = 10.40 mg/ml, soybean and 11.13 mg/ml, tempeh).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The present study indicates that tempeh is a healthy supplement to alleviate oxidative stress through the enrichment of aglycones.

Comparison of the Inhibitory Potential of Bavachalcone and Corylin against UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases

Bavachalcone and corylin are two major bioactive compounds isolated from Psoralea corylifolia L., which has been widely used as traditional Chinese medicine for many years. As two antibiotic or anticancer drugs, bavachalcone and corylin are used in combination with other drugs; thus it is necessary to evaluate potential pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions (HDI) of the two bioactive compounds. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT 1A10, and UGT2B4 inhibited by bavachalcone and corylin. 4-Methylumbelliferone (4-MU) was used as a nonspecific “probe” substrate. Bavachalcone had stronger inhibition on UGT1A1 and UGT1A7 than corylin which did not inhibit UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A10, and UGT2B4. Data fitting using Dixon and Lineweaver-Burk plots demonstrated the noncompetitive inhibition of bavachalcone against UGT1A1 and UGT1A7-mediated 4-MU glucuronidation reaction. The values of inhibition kinetic parameters (Ki) were 5.41 μM and 4.51 μM for UGT1A1 and UGT1A7, respectively. The results of present study suggested that there was a possibility of UGT1A1 and UGT1A7 inhibition-based herb-drug interaction associated with bavachalcone and provided the basis for further in vivo studies to investigate the HDI potential between bavachalcone and UGT substrates.

Insecticidal and genotoxic activity of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. (Fabaceae) against Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823

BACKGROUND

Indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides to eradicate mosquitoes has caused physiological resistance. Plants provide a reservoir of biochemical compounds; among these compounds some have inhibitory effect on mosquitoes. In the present study the larvicidal, adulticidal and genotoxic activity of essential oil of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. against Culex quinquefasciatus Say was explored.

METHODS

Essential oil was isolated from the seeds of P. corylifolia Linn. Larvicidal and adulticidal bioassay of Cx. quinquefasciatus was carried out by WHO method. Genotoxic activity of samples was determined by comet assay. Identification of different compounds was carried out by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry analysis.

RESULTS

LC50 and LC90 values of essential oil were 63.38±6.30 and 99.02±16.63 ppm, respectively against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae. The LD50 and LD90 values were 0.057±0.007 and 0.109±0.014 mg/cm2 respectively against adult Cx. quinquefasciatus,. Genotoxicity of adults was determined at 0.034 and 0.069 mg/cm2. The mean comet tail length was 6.2548±0.754 μm and 8.47±0.931 μm and the respective DNA damage was significant i.e. 6.713% and 8.864% in comparison to controls. GCMS analysis of essential oil revealed 20 compounds. The major eight compounds were caryophyllene oxide (40.79%), phenol,4-(3,7-dimethyl-3-ethenylocta-1,6-dienyl) (20.78%), caryophyllene (17.84%), α-humulene (2.15%), (+)- aromadendrene (1.57%), naphthalene, 1,2,3,4-tetra hydro-1,6-dimethyle-4-(1-methyl)-, (1S-cis) (1.53%), trans- caryophyllene (0.75%), and methyl hexadecanoate (0.67%).

CONCLUSION

Essential oil obtained from the seeds of P. corylifolia showed potent toxicity against larvae and adult Cx. quinquefasciatus. The present work revealed that the essential oil of P. corylifolia could be used as environmentally sound larvicidal and adulticidal agent for mosquito control.