Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a mixture of fatty acids isolated and purified from sugar cane wax oil

Application of microwave treatment for reduction of microbial load in jaggery cubes

In present study, fresh jaggery cubes were used and treated with microwave heating. Two treatment time has been selected to treat the jaggery such as 30 s and 45 s. Physiochemical and microbial parameters were analysed before and after treatment of microwave. Moisture content of treated jaggery sample was 3.98 ± 0.59 and 3.86 ± 0.63 for 30 s and 45 s microwave treatment respectively. Similarly, this treatment maintains the water activity at 0.6, which is considered as a safe for consumption. The content of iron retains in this microwave treatment; it doesn't affect much on the iron content present in fresh Jaggery sample. Most substantial result has been observed in case of total plate count and yeast and mold count when treated with microwave heating. In this case microwave process at 45 s was found to be the best since it reduced the total plate count (TPC) load to 13 ± 4 from 194 ± 48 cfu/g. Also, in case on yeast and mold count, 45 s microwave treatment showed reduction of load to 28 ± 7 cfu/g from 25,498 ± 2809 cfu/g. Present investigation showed that microwave treatment for 45 s was found to be the best to treat the jaggery.

Protective effects of sugarcane phenolic extract against lipid oxidative damages in raw ground pork and beef during refrigerated storage conditions

The study evaluated the bioactive components and antioxidant properties of sugarcane phenolic extracts (SCPE) against lipid oxidation in raw ground pork and beef during refrigerated storage conditions. Results showed that SCPE has a high total phenolic content of 35.9 g GAE/100 g sample majority of which are vanillic (799.77 mg/100 g), sinapic (434.38 mg/100 g), and coumaric (342.37 mg/100 g) acids. These phenolic compounds exhibited strong radical scavenging activities against DPPH (191.00 mg TE/g) and ABTS (359.80 mg TE/g) radical, ferric reducing capacity (97.80 mg TE/g), and lipid peroxidation inhibition (120.20 mg TE/g) activities which are comparable to BHT. Supplementation of SCPE at 400 mg/kg fresh weight of ground pork and ground beef improved the antioxidant activities of meat samples, leading to the delay in TBARS formation, lower reduction in heme iron content, and minimal increase in metmyoglobin content during 14-day refrigerated storage as compared to BHT-treated and control. Moreover, the redness of meat was preserved in SCPE- and BHT-treated samples as measured by a* color value. Correlation heat maps showed that TBARS, metmyoglobin, and ΔE are positively correlated with each other, and at the same time showed negatively correlated with heme iron and a*. This study revealed that antioxidant extracts from sugarcane presented a positive effect on the oxidative stability of raw ground pork and beef during refrigerated storage.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Medicinal Plants Used by the Tenggerese Society in Java Island of Indonesia

The archipelagic country of Indonesia is inhabited by 300 ethnic groups, including the indigenous people of Tengger. Based on the reported list of medicinal plants used by the Tengger community, we have reviewed each of them for their phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Out of a total of 41 medicinal plants used by the Tengerrese people, 33 species were studied for their phytochemical and pharmacological properties. More than 554 phytochemicals with diverse molecular structures belonging to different chemical classes including flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and volatiles were identified from these studied 34 medicinal plants. Many of these medicinal plants and their compounds have been tested for various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound healing, headache, antimalarial and hypertension. Five popularly used medicinal plants by the healers were Garcinia mangostana, Apium graveolens, Cayratia clematidea, Drymocallis arguta and Elaeocarpus longifolius. Only A. graviolens were previously studied, with the outcomes supporting the pharmacological claims to treat hypertension. Few unexplored medicinal plants are Physalis lagascae, Piper amplum, Rosa tomentosa and Tagetes tenuifolia, and they present great potential for biodiscovery and drug lead identification.

Effects of organic acid, Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 and sugar cane extract in feed against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-induced diarrhea in pigs

Diarrhea can lead to mortality and delayed growth in pigs and is a major economic loss in the pig industry. In this study, we evaluated non-antimicrobial materials that can prevent diarrhea to infection by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in weaned pigs and investigated biological changes. We confirmed the efficacy of fumaric acid, lactic acid, Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC12) and sugar cane extract (SCE) in inhibiting diarrhea and investigated the biological changes by analyzing gut microbiota and plasma metabolites. Administration of EC12 (0.1%, w/w) and SCE (1.0%, w/w) groups had reduced score of diarrhea. Furthermore, the combination of EC12 and SCE was effective at reducing the fecal score of diarrhea even at low concentrations. Administration of either EC12 or SCE greatly reduced the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae in pigs. EC12 and SCE were most effective in suppressing ETEC-induced diarrhea in weaned pigs. Furthermore, we were able to identify biological changes in pigs when EC12 and SCE were administered to pigs. These feeds may have prevented infection by ETEC in weaned pigs and may improve pig productivity and reduce the use of antimicrobial agents.

Profiling Metabolites and Biological Activities of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum Linn.) Juice and its Product Molasses via a Multiplex Metabolomics Approach

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is an important perennial grass in the Poaceae family cultivated worldwide due to its economical and medicinal value. In this study, a combined approach using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed for the large-scale metabolite profiling of sugarcane juice and its by-product molasses. The polyphenols were analysed via UPLC-UV-ESI-MS, whereas the primary metabolites such as sugars and organic and amino acids were profiled using NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). UPLC/MS was more effective than NMR spectroscopy or GC/MS for determining differences among the metabolite compositions of the products. Under the optimized conditions, UPLC/MS led to the identification of 42 metabolites, including nine flavonoids, nine fatty acids, and two sterols. C/O Flavone glycosides were the main subclass detected, with tricin-7-O-deoxyhexosyl glucuronide being detected in sugarcane and molasses for the first time. Based on GC/MS analysis, disaccharides were the predominant species in the sugarcane juice and molasses, with sucrose accounting for 66% and 59%, respectively, by mass of all identified metabolites. The phenolic profiles of sugarcane and molasses were further investigated in relation to their in vitro antioxidant activities using free radical scavenging assays such as 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging ability (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In view of its higher total phenolic content (TPC) (196 ± 2.1 mg GAE/100 g extract) compared to that of sugarcane juice (93 ± 2.9 mg GAE/100 g extract), molasses exhibited a substantially higher antioxidant effect. Interestingly, both extracts were also found to inhibit α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, suggesting a possible antihyperglycaemic effect. These findings suggest molasses may be a new source of natural antioxidants for functional foods.

Phytochemical profile of sugarcane and its potential health aspects

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum Linn.) is an important perennial grass of Poaceae family, indigenous to tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is cultivated worldwide due to the economical and medicinal value of its high yielding products. Sugarcane juice is well known as a raw material for the production of refined sugar and its wax is considered as a potential substitute for the expensive carnauba wax, which is of cosmetic and pharmaceutical interest. Refined sugar is the primary product of sugarcane juice, but during its processing, various other valuable products are also obtained in an unrefined form, such as, brown sugar, molasses, and jaggery. Sugarcane juice is widely used in India in the treatment of jaundice, hemorrhage, dysuria, anuria, and other urinary diseases. Herein, we have summarized the different phytoconstituents and health benefits of sugarcane and its valuable products. The phytochemistry of sugarcane wax (obtained from the leaves and stalks of sugarcane), leaves, juice, and its products has revealed the presence of various fatty acid, alcohol, phytosterols, higher terpenoids, flavonoids, -O- and -C-glycosides, and phenolic acids. The future prospective of some of the sugarcane products has been discussed, which needs a phytopharmacological study and has a great potential to be a valuable medicinal product.

Topical analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Oxybaphus nyctagineus: phytochemical characterization of active fractions

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Oxybaphus nyctagineus (Michx.) Sweet has traditionally been used by several Native American tribes predominantly as a topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts prepared from the aerial parts of Oxybaphus nyctagineus and to characterize the major chemical constituents of the bioactive extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Crude polar and apolar extracts (PCE and ACE) of the herb of Oxybaphus nyctagineus were prepared and tested in the models of the CFA-induced hyperalgesia in rat knee and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat. To identify the active compounds, subfractions were prepared by column chromatography and subjected in vitro assays, such as antioxidant assays (DPPH, peroxynitrite (ONOO-) scavenging), and the LPS-induced IL-1β release test in human monocytes. Preparative HPLC was employed for the isolation of active substances, while phytochemical analysis was performed by mean of LC-MS/MS and NMR.

RESULTS

The topically administered PCE and ACE of Oxybaphus nyctagineus demonstrated a significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in the inflammation animal models. The subfraction A4 of ACE and the subfraction P5 of PCE considerably inhibited the LPS-induced IL-1β release in human monocytes, while the strongest activity was localized in the subfraction P5 in the antioxidant assays. The HPLC-MS/MS and NMR analysis revealed that 6-methoxyflavonol diglycosides, namely patuletin-3-O-robinobioside (1), 6-methoxykaempferol-3-O-robinobioside (2), spinacetin-3-O-robinobioside (3), and hydroxy-polyenoic fatty acids, namely corchorifatty acid B (4), 9-hydroxy-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid (9-HOT acid) (5), and 9-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (9-HOD acid) (6) were present in PCE, and in ACE as major compounds.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study established a pharmacological evidence for the traditional use of Oxybaphus nyctagineus as an anti-inflammatory agent used topically, and provided data on its phytochemical composition for the first time.

A new glycosidic flavonoid from Jwarhar mahakashay (antipyretic) Ayurvedic preparation

The aqueous extract of Jwarhar mahakashay Ayurvedic preparation (from the roots of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br., Rubia cordifolia L., Cissampelos pareira L.; fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz., Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Terminalia bellirica Roxb., Vitis vinifera L., Grewia asiatica L., Salvadora persica L. and granules of Saccharum officinarum L.) has been used as a traditional antipyretic. Experimental studies confirmed its antipyretic–analgesic effect with very low ulcerogenicity and toxicity. Flavonoids, glycosides and tannins were later found to be present in the extract. Detailed chemical investigations were undertaken after hydrolysis of extract using spectroscopic and chromatography methods to determine its active chemical constituent. UV-Visible spectroscopy showed absorbance maxima at 220 and 276 nm, while fourier transform infra-red investigations indicated an end carboxylic O–H structure at 2940 cm⁻¹ suggesting the presence of glycoside-linked flavonoids. Thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography also confirmed the possibility of at least one major and two minor compounds in this abstract. Detailed examination using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of the principal component as 2-(1-oxopropyl)-benzoic acid, which is quite similar to the active compound found in the standard drug Aspirin (2-acetyl-oxybenzoic acid).

Antinociceptive activities of the liposoluble fraction from Vitex negundo seeds

The antinociceptive activities of the petroleum ether fraction (PEF) from the aqueous ethanol extract of Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) seeds have been evaluated in several nociceptive mouse models. Given orally, the PEF (at doses of 12, 24, and 48 mg/kg body weight) produced significant dose-related inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and sub-plantar formalin injections and on thermal nociception in the hot-plate test. Naloxone (1 mg/kg bw subcutaneously), a non-selected opioid receptor antagonist, notably reversed the analgesic effect caused by the PEF (48 mg/kg bw) when assessed against the first phase of the formalin test, but this effect was less significant for the PEF in the second phase. Our observations suggest that the PEF probably interacted with the opioid system and may be more effective on inflammatory pain. In addition, potent anti-inflammatory activity of the PEF was observed in the xylene-induced ear edema test, which further indicates that the analgesic effects of the PEF may be partially mediated by its anti-inflammatory activity. Further chemical analysis suggests that the analgesic activities of the PEF could be mostly due to the abundance of fatty acids with synergetic effects in the present work.

Effects of a mixture of fatty acids from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax oil in two models of inflammation: zymosan-induced arthritis and mice tail test of psoriasis

A mixture of fatty acids obtained from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax oil (FAM), in which the main constituents are palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, was evaluated in two models of inflammation: zymosan-induced arthritis and in the tail test for psoriasis, both on mice. In the first model, FAM significantly reduced zymozan-induced increase of beta glucuronidase (DE(50) 90+/-7 mg/kg). Histopathological studies showed inhibition in cellular infiltration and reduction of synovial hyperplasia and synovitis, whereas in the second test, histopathological and ultrastructural studies showed that topical application of FAM induced orthokeratosis with the presence of keratohyalin granules in the previously parakeratotic adult mouse tail, and without effects on epidermal thickness. The ED(50) of FAM in this model was 155+/-10 mg. The results of our studies showed that topical application of FAM exerts an important anti-inflammatory activity in both tests without evidence of irritant effects. The anti-inflamatory effects exerted by FAM may be due to its inhibitory effects on arachidonic acid metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-inflammatory effect of sugar cane by-products in experimental models of arthritis and psoriasis.

Effects of sugar cane extract on pseudorabies virus challenge of pigs

This experiment aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sugar cane extract (SCE) on the modulation of porcine immunity against pseudorabies virus (PrV) infection. Twelve-week-old experimental pigs were fed with SCE (500 mg/kg of body weight per day) for 3 days and challenged with PrV (2 x 10(5) TCID(50)) on the second day. Pigs that were only challenged with PrV and without SCE-treatment served as controls. The leukocyte functional assays were performed on the 7th and 14th day post-PrV challenge. Our results showed a significant enhancement (P<0.05) of natural killer cytotoxicity, lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytic function of monocytes, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production of CD4(+) and gammadelta T cells in the SCE-treated pigs compared with the controls. In addition, SCE administration reduced the severity of clinical signs and brain lesion in the course of disease in PrV-challenged pigs. SCE-treated pigs showed a 12% growth enhancement compared with untreated controls. SCE administration had an immunostimulating effect on porcine immunity that may subsequently enhance protective activities against PrV infection which may be extensively applied in field for the prevention of infections.

Effects of sugar cane extract on the modulation of immunity in pigs

The experiment was aimed to test the efficacy of sugar cane extract (SCE) on the modulation of pig immunity under field conditions. The SCE preparation consisted of sugar cane extract (20%) and oilcake of rice bran (80%). SCE (500 mg/kg of body weight per day) was fed to weanling pigs on 3 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks. The results showed a significant enhancement of cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells and phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes, compared to untreated pigs. The enhancement of NK cell function may have protected against porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS), as there was a reduction in seroconversion rates in treated pigs. Moreover, SCE-treated pigs showed a 7.87% growth enhancement compared with untreated controls. Thus SCE produces an immunostimulative effect on porcine innate immunity that may provide protection against pathogens.