Evaluation of anti-quorum sensing and antimutagenic activity of 2,3-unsaturated and 2,3-dideoxyglucosides of terpene phenols and alcohols

A perspective review on medicinal plant resources for their antimutagenic potentials

Mutagens present in the environment manifest toxic effects and are considered as serious threat for human health and healthcare. Recent reports reveal that medicinal plant resources are being explored for identifying potent antimutagenic as well as cancer preventing agents. There is mounting evidence that cancer and other mutation-related diseases can be prevented with the use of medicinal pant resources including crude extracts, active fractions, phytochemicals, and pure phytomolecules. These medicinal plant resources possessing antimutagenic potentials have been shown to target molecular mechanisms underlying the mutagenic impacts. Technological advents and high-throughput screening/activity methods have revolutionized this field, though several potent plants and their active principles have been reported as effective antimutagens. The translational success rate needs to be improved, but the trends are encouraging. In this review, we present the current understandings and updates on various mutagens in the environment, toxicities related/attributed to them, the resultant mutations (and cancer), and how medicinal plants come to the rescue. A perspective review has been presented on whether and how medicinal plant resources can be an effective approach for addressing mutagens in the environment. An account of medicinal plant resources used as antimutagenic agents has been given along with the underlying mechanism of action and their therapeutic potential in various models of cancer. Recent success stories, current challenges, and future prospects are discussed.

Ameliorative effects of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) against monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced toxicity: genetic and biochemical approach

In this study, the toxic effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is the sodium salt of glutamic acid and used as a flavor-enhancing additive in foods, and the protective role of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) extract against these effects were investigated using Allium cepa L. test material with physiological, cytogenetic, and biochemical parameters. In the study, physiological changes were evaluated by determining root length, weight gain, and rooting percentage; genetic changes were evaluated by chromosomal abnormalities, micronucleus (MN) formation, mitotic index ratio (MI), and DNA damage. Oxidative stress was evaluated by determining the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Further, the relationships between oxidative stress and other parameters in the study were investigated. The antimutagenic effect of P. peruviana L. extract was evaluated as inhibition caused by MSG-induced chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) and DNA damage. In the study, six groups, including one control and five applications, were formed. The bulbs of Allium cepa L. in the control group were treated with tap water; the bulbs in the administration groups treated with 1000 mg/L MSG, 125 mg/L, and 250 mg/L concentrations of P. peruviana L. extract and MSG (1000 mg/L) in combination with P. peruviana L. extracts (125 mg/L and 250 mg/L) for 72 h. At the end of the application, compared to the control group, MSG application caused decreases in rooting percentage, weight gain, root length and MI, increases in frequencies of MN formation, chromosomal abnormalities, and DNA damage. In the biochemical analysis, it was determined that there were increases in MDA, SOD, and CAT levels and a decrease in GSH level. P. peruviana L. extract ameliorated MSG toxicity by showing improvement in all these parameters depending on the application concentration. As a result, considering the toxic effects of MSG, it has been understood that the use as a food additive should be abandoned and the use of P. peruviana L. in addition to daily nutrition has been found to be a good antioxidant nutrient in reducing the effects of exposed toxic substances.

Spice fixed oils as a new source of γ-oryzanol: nutraceutical characterization of fixed oils from selected spices

γ-Oryzanol is an important group of nutraceuticals that play a key role in addressing metabolic disorders. This study, for the first time, examined volatile-free spice fixed oils (FOs) as an alternate plant source for γ-oryzanol and other nutraceuticals (phenolics, flavonoids, phytosterols, and tocopherols) using HPLC, HR-MS and NMR. The in vitro antioxidant activities of FOs were also analysed. The selected spices were Alpinia galanga, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Foeniculum vulgare and Myristica fragrans. The major polyphenols and flavonoids quantified were gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic, syringic, para-coumaric, ferulic, rutin, trans-cinnamic, and quercetin. T. foenum-graecum FOs recorded high levels of ergosterol (48.56 mg/100 g) and stigmasterol (247.36 mg/100 g). The fucosterol levels were high in A. galanga (268.31 mg/100 g) FOs, whereas C. zeylanicum FOs showed high content of β-sitosterols (7037.77 mg/100 g). C. zeylanicum and T. foenum-graecum FOs recorded high α-tocopherol content (47.55 and 15.96 mg/100 g respectively). C. zeylanicum FOs showed high levels of three ferulates, namely, cycloartenyl ferulate, 24-methylene cycloartenyl ferulate and β-sitosteryl ferulate, whose contents were 89.42, 170.23 and 50.23 mg/100 g respectively which was confirmed by HRMS with a molecular mass (m/z) of 601.45, 615.47, and 589.45 respectively. Further, γ-oryzanol ferulates in C. zeylanicum FOs were confirmed by 1H-NMR analysis. The acidified methanolic extractives of FOs showed high free radical scavenging activity and antioxidant potential. These spice FOs have excellent antioxidant activities, and are novel potential functional ingredients against lifestyle disorders.