Chemical characteristics and targeted encapsulated Cordia myxa fruits extracts nanoparticles for antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials

Assessment of the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fermented camel milk fortified with Cordia myxa and its biological effects against oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia in rats

Natural feed additives and their potential benefits in production of safe and highly nutritious food have gained the attention of many researchers the last decades. Cordia myxa is a nutrient-dense food with various health benefits. Despite this fact, very limited studied investigated the physicochemical and sensory impacts of incorporation of fermented camel milk with Cordia myxa and its biological effects. The current study aimed to assess the physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics of fermented camel milk (FCM) fortified with 5, 10, and 15% Cordia myxa pulp. The study demonstrated that fortification of camel milk efficiently enhanced protein, total solids, ash, fiber, phenolic substance, and antioxidant activity. When compared to other treatments, FCM supplemented with 10% Cordia myxa pulp had the best sensory features. In addition, FCM fortified with 10% Cordia myxa pulp was investigated as a potential inhibitor of hypercholesterolemia agents in obese rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were split into two main groups including normal pellet group (n = 8) served as negative control group (G1) and a group of hyperlipidemic animals (n = 24) were feed on a high-fat diet (HFD). Hyperlipidemic rats group (n = 24) were then divided into three subgroups (8 per each); second group or positive control (G2) which include hyperlipidemic rats received distilled water (1 mL/day), the third group (G3) involved hyperlipidemic rats feed on FCM (10 g/day) and the fourth group (G4) included hyperlipidemic animals feed on 10 g/day FCM fortified with 10% of Cordia myxa pulp by oral treatment via an intestinal tube for another 4 weeks. In contrast to the positive control group, G4 treated with Cordia myxa showed a substantial decrease in malondialdehyde, LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, creatinine, and urea levels, while a significant increase in HDL, albumin, and total protein concentrations. The number of large adipocytes decreased while the number of small adipocytes increased after consumption of fortified FCM. The results indicated that fermented milk fortified with Cordia myxa pulp improved the functions of the liver and kidney in hyperlipidemic rats. These results demonstrated the protective effects of camel milk and Cordia myxa pulp against hyperlipidemia in rats.

Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Chitosan Nanofibers Containing Cordia myxa Fruit Extract as Potential Biocompatible Antibacterial Wound Dressings

The goal of the current work was to create an antibacterial agent by using polycaprolactone/chitosan (PCL/CH) nanofibers loaded with Cordia myxa fruit extract (CMFE) as an antimicrobial agent for wound dressing. Several characteristics, including morphological, physicomechanical, and mechanical characteristics, surface wettability, antibacterial activity, cell viability, and in vitro drug release, were investigated. The inclusion of CMFE in PCL/CH led to increased swelling capability and maximum weight loss. The SEM images of the PCL/CH/CMFE mat showed a uniform topology free of beads and an average fiber diameter of 195.378 nm. Excellent antimicrobial activity was shown towards Escherichia coli (31.34 ± 0.42 mm), Salmonella enterica (30.27 ± 0.57 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (21.31 ± 0.17 mm), Bacillus subtilis (27.53 ± 1.53 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.17 ± 0.12 mm) based on the inhibition zone assay. The sample containing 5 wt% CMFE had a lower water contact angle (47 ± 3.7°), high porosity, and high swelling compared to the neat mat. The release of the 5% CMFE-loaded mat was proven to be based on anomalous non-Fickian diffusion using the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. Compared to the pure PCL membrane, the PCL-CH/CMFE membrane exhibited suitable cytocompatibility on L929 cells. In conclusion, the fabricated antimicrobial nanofibrous films demonstrated high bioavailability, with suitable properties that can be used in wound dressings.

Therapeutic and palliative role of a Unani herbal decoction in COVID-19 and similar respiratory viral illnesses: Phytochemical & pharmacological perspective

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Outbreaks of respiratory viral infections like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome, and Coronavirus Disease-2019 have been a regular occurrence in the past 100 years. A significant proportion of the morbidity and mortality in influenza is attributed to the co-morbidities and complications induced by the disease, involving the vital organs and physiological functions. In this context, traditional medicines offer effective protective, palliative, and therapeutic benefits, as observed in several studies on various types of influenza, including COVID-19. The Unani herbal decoction comprising of 'Unnāb (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. fruit), Sapistān (Cordia dichotoma G. Forst. fruit), and Behīdāna (Cydonia oblonga Mill. seed) was originally prescribed by Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868-1927 AD) for various respiratory ailments as a bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, and for clearing the respiratory tract. During COVID-19, the decoction was prescribed by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), Government of India, for mild patients in home isolation, and also as a self-care drink for healthy people. Preliminary studies are of the view that the decoction could reduce COVID-19 incidence and prevent severe disease in the population where it was administered.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

We intend to review the pharmacological activity of the Unani decoction ingredients, i.e., Z. jujuba, C. dichotoma, and C. oblonga, in context with respiratory viral infections and their co-morbidities, to develop an understanding of its action mechanism.

METHODOLOGY

We reviewed Unani classical textbooks for information on the therapeutic activity of the decoction ingredients. Scientific studies published in English from the year 2000 onwards on leading scientific websites (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Springer) were searched for information regarding the efficacy of the drugs in influenza and its common complications. Non-English language articles, or those published prior to 2000, and those which included plant parts other than those traditionally included in the decoction were excluded.

OBSERVATIONS

A wide range of therapeutic and palliative effects have been observed in the three herbs included in the Unani decoction, including anti-viral, anti-bacterial, immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, hepato-, and nephroprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-tussive, broncho-dilatory, and regulation of gut microbiota. Together, these effects can help to mitigate and prevent most of the complications caused as a result of respiratory viral infections.

CONCLUSION

The combined effects of ingredients in this Unani herbal decoction can potentially help to mitigate most of the pathological changes and complications caused by influenza viruses. With further clinical research, the decoction may be potentially utilized as a prophylactic and therapeutic against viral influenza.

The effects of the ethanol extract of Cordia myxa leaves on the cognitive function in mice

Background

Cordia myxa L. (Boraginaceae) is widely distributed in tropical regions and it’s fruits, leaves and stem bark have been utilized in folk medicine for treating trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. A population-based study showed that T. cruzi infection is associated with cognitive impairments. Therefore, if C. myxa has ameliorating activities on cognitive function, it would be useful for both T. cruzi infection and cognitive impairments.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the effects of an ethanol extract of leaves of C. myxa (ELCM) on memory impairments and sensorimotor gating deficits in mice. The phosphorylation level of protein was observed by the Western blot analysis.

Results

The administration of ELCM significantly attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice, as measured by passive avoidance test and novel object recognition test. Additionally, in the acoustic startle response test, we observed that the administration of ELCM ameliorated MK-801-induced prepulse inhibition deficits. We found that these behavioral outcomes were related with increased levels of phosphorylation phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) in the cortex and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus by western blot analysis.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ELCM would be a potential candidate for treating cognitive dysfunction and sensorimotor gating deficits observed in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.

The Impact of Innovative Plant Sources (Cordia myxa L. Fruit (Assyrian Plum) and Phoenix dactylifera L. Biowaste (Date Pit)) on the Physicochemical, Microstructural, Nutritional, and Sensorial Properties of Gluten-Free Biscuits

The gluten-free products available on the markets are deficient in bioactive compounds and high in cost. The present study is designed to develop gluten-free biscuits with enhanced nutritional properties. The gluten-free biscuits are formulated with rice flour (RF) incorporated with Assyrian plum fruit flour (APF) and bio-waste date-pit flour (DPF) according to the following ratios; RF:DPF:APF (100:0:0)/T0, (90:5:5)/T1, (80:10:10)/T2, and (70:15:15)/T3. The results demonstrate that flour blends with different concentrations of APF and DPF incorporated in RF have high contents of protein, damaged starch, crude fiber, ash, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in contrast to 100% RF, which shows the lowest values for all these parameters. The pasting properties of the flour blends reveals that the values of peak, final, breakdown, and setback viscosities reduce from T1 to T3. Similarly, a differential scanning calorimeter reveals that the phase transition temperature of the flour blends decreases with the increasing amylose content. Moreover, the scanning electron microscopy of the biscuit samples shows a positive contribution of APF and DPF for the development of the desired compactness of the structure due to the leaching of amylose content from the starch. The total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) increase from 38.43 to 132.20 mg GAE/100 g DW and 18.67 to 87.27 mg CE/100 g DW, respectively. Similarly, the antioxidant activities of biscuits improved. The protein and fiber contents of the biscuits increased from 10.20 to 14.73% and 0.69 to 12.25%, respectively. The biscuits prepared from T3 resulted in a firmer texture with a reduced spread ratio. However, the formulation of T1 and T2 biscuit samples contributed to desirable physical and sensory properties. Therefore, the addition of DPF and APF to RF is a sustainable way to make gluten-free biscuits as they provide adequate amylose, damaged starch, and fiber content to overcome the essential role of gluten in the baked product with nutraceutical properties.

Anticancer Activity of Cordia dichotoma against a Panel of Human Cancer Cell Lines and Their Phytochemical Profiling via HPLC and GCMS

The current study was conducted to examine the in vitro anticancer potential of Cordia dichotoma (bark, leaves, pulp and seed). The plant material was collected from UT of J&K and methodical bioassays were carried out on ten human cancer cell lines (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7), M.D. Anderson-Metastatic Breast (MDA-MB-231), Neuroblastoma-2a (N2A), SH-SY5Y, U-251, HCT-116, SW-620, A-549, MIA PaCa-2, Panc-1) from five different origins (breast, CNS, colon, lung, pancreas) respectively. Methanolic extracts were produced and fractions were then obtained from the extracts and evaluated for cytotoxicity. Mechanistic assays, HPLC, and GCMS profiling were performed on the highest active fraction. The Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay determined the in vitro cytotoxicity. The findings revealed that the bark portion had in vitro cytotoxicity against the A-549 human lung cancer cell line. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that the plant’s bark has anticancer properties and induced chromatin condensation, confirmed cell death via ROS generation, and significantly decreased colony formation in A-549 cell line from lung origin in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HPLC and GCMS investigations indicated the presence of a number of bioactive molecules such as gallic acid (144,969.86) uV*sec, caffeic acid (104.26) uV*sec, ferulic acid (472.87) uV*sec, vanillic acid (13,775.39) uV*sec, palmitic acid (18.34%), cis vaccenic acid (28.81%), etc. and one of the compounds was reported for the first time from the bark. As a result of its promising efficacy, it may become an essential cancer chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic medication for patients with lung carcinoma.

Spent Coffee Grounds Valorization as Bioactive Phenolic Source Acquired Antifungal, Anti-Mycotoxigenic, and Anti-Cytotoxic Activities

Spent coffee grounds (SCGs), which constitute 75% of original coffee beans, represent an integral part of sustainability. Contamination by toxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins is a hazard that threatens food production. This investigation aimed to examine SCGs extract as antimycotic and anti-ochratoxigenic material. The SCGs were extracted in an eco-friendly way using isopropanol. Bioactive molecules of the extract were determined using the UPLC apparatus. The cytotoxicity on liver cancer cells (Hep-G2) showed moderate activity with selectivity compared with human healthy oral epithelial (OEC) cell lines but still lower than the positive control (Cisplatin). The antibacterial properties were examined against pathogenic strains, and the antifungal was examined against toxigenic fungi using two diffusion assays. Extract potency was investigated by two simulated models, a liquid medium and a food model. The results of the extract showed 15 phenolic acids and 8 flavonoids. Rosmarinic and syringic acids were the most abundant phenolic acids, while apigenin-7-glucoside, naringin, epicatechin, and catechin were the predominant flavonoids in the SCGs extract. The results reflected the degradation efficiency of the extract against the growth of Aspergillus strains. The SCGs recorded detoxification in liquid media for aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OCA). The incubation time of the extract within dough spiked with OCA was affected up to 2 h, where cooking was not affected. Therefore, SCGs in food products could be applied to reduce the mycotoxin contamination of raw materials to the acceptable regulated limits.