LC-QTOF-MS analysis of xanthone content in different parts of Garcinia mangostana and its influence on cholinesterase inhibition

Bio-fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles mediated by endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. SA17 with antimicrobial and anticancer activities: in vitro supported by in silico studies

Introduction

In recent years, the world's attention has been drawn to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) because to the frightening prospect of growing death rates. Nanomaterials are being investigated due to their potential in a wide range of technical and biological applications.

Methods

The purpose of this study was to biosynthesis zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using Aspergillus sp. SA17 fungal extract, followed by characterization of the produced nanoparticles (NP) using electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), UV-analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).

Results and Discussion

The HR-TEM revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 7.2 nm, and XRD validated the crystalline nature and crystal structure features of the generated ZnONPs, while the zeta potential was 18.16 mV, indicating that the particles' surfaces are positively charged. The FT-IR was also used to identify the biomolecules involved in the synthesis of ZnONPs. The antibacterial and anticancer properties of both the crude fungal extract and its nano-form against several microbial strains and cancer cell lines were also investigated. Inhibition zone diameters against pathogenic bacteria ranged from 3 to 13 mm, while IC50 values against cancer cell lines ranged from 17.65 to 84.55 M. Additionally, 33 compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, organic acids, anthraquinones, and lignans, were discovered through chemical profiling of the extract using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Some molecules, such pomiferin and glabrol, may be useful for antibacterial purposes, according to in silico study, while daidzein 4'-sulfate showed promise as an anti-cancer metabolite.

Neuroprotective Activities of New Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid from Nauclea officinalis

Phytochemical investigation on the bark of Nauclea officinalis led to the isolation of a new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, nauclediol. The structure of the compound was identified through extensive spectroscopic analysis. Nauclediol displayed cholinesterase-inhibitory activities towards AChE and BChE with IC50 values of 15.429 and 8.756 µM, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that the mode of inhibition of nauclediol was non-competitive inhibitor for both AChE and BChE. Molecular docking revealed that nauclediol interacts with the choline-binding site and the catalytic triad of TcAChE and hBChE. This study also demonstrated the neuroprotective potential of nauclediol against amyloid beta-induced cytotoxicity and LPS-induced neuroinflammation activity in a dose-dependent manner.

Botanical characteristics, chemical components, biological activity, and potential applications of mangosteen

Garcinia mangostana L. (Mangosteen), a functional food, belongs to the Garcinaceae family and has various pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects. Mangosteen has abundant chemical constituents with powerful pharmacological effects. After searching scientific literature databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate, Web of Science, VIP, Wanfang, and CNKI, we summarized the traditional applications, botanical features, chemical composition, and pharmacological effects of mangosteen. Further, we revealed the mechanism by which it improves health and treats disease. These findings provide a theoretical basis for mangosteen's future clinical use and will aid doctors and researchers who investigate the biological activity and functions of food.

Targeting cancer stem cells and signalling pathways through phytochemicals: A promising approach against colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are strongly associated with high tumourigenicity, chemotherapy or radiotherapy resistance, and metastasis and recurrence, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, targeting CSCs may be a promising approach. Recently, discovery and research on phytochemicals that effectively target colorectal CSCs have been gaining popularity because of their broad safety profile and multi-target and multi-pathway modes of action.

PURPOSE

This review aimed to elucidate and summarise the effects and mechanisms of phytochemicals with potential anti-CSC agents that could contribute to the better management of CRC.

METHODS

We reviewed PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid, ScienceDirect and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from the original publication date to March 2022 to review the mechanisms by which phytochemicals inhibit CRC progression by targeting CSCs and their key signalling pathways. Phytochemicals were classified and summarised based on the mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

We observed that phytochemicals could affect the biological properties of colorectal CSCs. Phytochemicals significantly inhibit self-renewal, migration, invasion, colony formation, and chemoresistance and induce apoptosis and differentiation of CSCs by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway (e.g., diallyl trisulfide and genistein), the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway (e.g., caffeic acid and piperlongumine), the neurogenic locus notch homolog protein pathway (e.g., honokiol, quercetin, and α-mangostin), the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway (e.g., curcumin, morin, and ursolic acid), and other key signalling pathways. It is worth noting that several phytochemicals, such as resveratrol, silibinin, evodiamine, and thymoquinone, highlight multi-target and multi-pathway effects in restraining the malignant biological behaviour of CSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

This review demonstrates the potential of targeted therapies for colorectal CSCs using phytochemicals. Phytochemicals could serve as novel therapeutic agents for CRC and aid in drug development.

Facile Green Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles by Upcycling Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Pericarp Extract

In the present report, green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) was performed by upcycling mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp extract (methanol and ethyl acetate extracts). Field emission scanning electron microscopy images revealed an aggregated structure with a highly porous network of TiO₂ NPs. TiO₂ NPs synthesized with ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc-TiO₂ NPs) exhibited more monodispersity and possessed smoother surfaces than the control TiO₂ NPs (Con-TiO₂ NPs) and TiO₂ NPs synthesized with methanol extract (MeOH-TiO₂ NPs). High-resolution X-ray diffraction patterns clearly confirmed that TiO₂ NPs had a crystalline nature. A mixture of anatase and rutile was observed in Con-TiO₂ NPs and MeOH-TiO₂ NPs, while EtOAc-TiO₂ NPs had only anatase with the smallest size (12.50 ± 1.81 nm). Ethyl acetate extract contained the highest amount of α-mangostin; thus, the surface of TiO₂ NPs was functionalized with ethyl acetate extract. The functionalized TiO₂ NPs synthesized with ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc-TiO₂-αm) showed the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. In vitro cell viability on mouse fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) indicated that the newly synthesized TiO₂ NPs did not show any significant cytotoxicity. Therefore, the TiO₂ NPs in the present report have the potential to be used in cosmetic applications such as sunscreens.

Inhibitory Effects against Alpha-Amylase of an Enriched Polyphenol Extract from Pericarp of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)

The pericarp of mangosteen, a by-product of the mangosteen, is rich in polyphenols. In this study, an efficient and environmentally friendly method for preparative enrichment of polyphenols from mangosteen pericarp (MPPs) was developed, and the inhibitory effects on starch digestion were also evaluated. It was found that the optimal extract method of MPPs was at a solid to solvent ratio of 1:50 g/mL, pH of 2, and at 80 °C for 2 h. The IC₅₀ of MPPs for α-amylase was 0.28 mg/mL. Based on the fluorescence quenching results, we presumed that MPPs could alter the natural structure of α-amylase, resulting in inhibitory activity on α-amylase. In addition, MPPs significantly reduced the blood glucose peak and AUC of glucose responses in rats after ingestion of the starch solution. Taken together, MPPs may have the potential as a functional supplement for blood glucose control and diabetes prevention.

Coffee Leaves: An Upcoming Novel Food?

Unlike those of coffee beans, the healthy properties of coffee leaves have been overlooked for a long time, even if they are consumed as a beverage by local communities of several African countries. Due to the presence of xanthines, diterpenes, xanthones, and several other polyphenol derivatives as main secondary metabolites, coffee leaves might be useful to prevent many daily disorders. At the same time, as for all bioactive molecules, careless use of coffee leaf infusions may be unsafe due to their adverse effects, such as the excessive stimulant effects on the central nervous system or their interactions with other concomitantly administered drugs. Moreover, the presence of some toxic diterpene derivatives requires careful analytical controls on manufactured products made with coffee leaves. Accordingly, knowledge about the properties of coffee leaves needs to be increased to know if they might be considered a good source for producing new supplements. The purpose of the present review is to highlight the biosynthesis, metabolism, and distribution of the 4 main classes of secondary metabolites present in coffee leaves, their main pharmacological and toxicological aspects, and their main roles in planta. Differences in coffee leaf chemical composition depending on the coffee species will also be carefully considered.

Volatile and phenolic profiling of a traditional medicinal plant, Hypericum empetrifolium with in vitro biological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hypericum empetrifolium Willd is a member of the Hypericaceae family, mainly known in southern Greece, and western Turkey. Being a centuries-old medicinal plant, the aerial parts of the plant have been used for the treatment of herpes, kidney stones, gastric ulcer, and also for their anti-helminthic, and diuretic purposes traditionally.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profiles of the essential oil, and two ethanol extracts prepared from the aerial parts (H. empetrifolium aerial parts extract - HEA), and roots of the plant (H. empetrifolium roots extract - HER), and to provide data on antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antityrosinase, antiurease, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities of the extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, volatile and phenolic compounds of the HEA and HER were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS, respectively. Antioxidant potential of the extracts was clarified by using DPPH radical scavenging assay, ABTS cation radical assay, and the CUPRAC assay. Acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, urease, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity assays were used to determine enzyme inhibition capacity of the extracts. Cytotoxic activity of the extracts was established by using XTT assay. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by the microbroth dilution technique.

RESULTS

The major compounds of the essential oil were revealed as alloaromodendrene (24.7%), α-pinene (14.7%), β-pinene (10.7%), and α-terpineol (7.7%) by the GC-MS analysis. According to the LC-MS/MS analysis results, quinic acid was the most abundant constituent in both extracts with 20612.42 ± 169.02 μg/g extract in HEA extract, and with 2254.34 ± 18.49 μg/g extract in HER extract, respectively. The HEA extract was also found to be rich in terms of chlorogenic acid (5583.14 ± 38.52 μg/g extract), isoquercitrin (3076.77 ± 40.92 μg/g extract), and malic acid (2822.90 ± 31.90 μg/g extract). HEA extract exhibited a significant antioxidant effect with an IC₅₀ value of 11.98 ± 0.22 μg/mL according to the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Similar results were obtained with the ABTS cation radical assay, and the CUPRAC assay. HER extract showed a strong butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory effect with 88.69 ± 0.62% at 200 μg/mL concentration. Both extracts were considered to have moderate anti-tyrosinase activity compared to the standard at 200 μg/mL. The best antimicrobial activity was obtained for HEA against C. parapsilosis with an MIC value of 4.88 μg/mL. HEA also exhibited antifungal activity against C. tropicalis with 19.53 μg/mL. Only HER exhibited low cytotoxicity on A498 renal cell lines with 60.6% cell viability.

CONCLUSION

Unquestionably, H. empetrifolium Willd has ethnopharmacological importance according to these results, and further investigations are required to evaluate other therapeutic properties of the plant.

Neuroprotective Effect of α-Mangostin in the Ameliorating Propionic Acid-Induced Experimental Model of Autism in Wistar Rats

Several studies have documented the role of hyper-activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) in Autism pathogenesis. Alpha-mangostin (AMG) is a phytoconstituents with anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, and ERK inhibition properties in many diseases. Our research aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of AMG in the rat model of intracerebroventricular-propionic acid (ICV-PPA) induced autism with a confirmation of its effect on the ERK signaling. Autism was induced in Wistar rats (total 36 rats; 18 male/18 female) by multiple doses of PPA through ICV injection for 11 days. Actophotometer and beam walking tasks were used to evaluate animals’ motor abilities, and the Morris water maze task was utilized to confirm the cognition and memory in animals. Long term administration of AMG100 mg/kg and AMG200 mg/kg continued from day 12 to day 44 of the experiment. Before that, animals were sacrificed, brains isolated, morphological, gross pathological studies were performed, and neurochemical analysis was performed in the brain homogenates. Cellular and molecular markers, including ERK, myelin basic protein, apoptotic markers including caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, neuroinflammatory markers, neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress markers, have been tested throughout the brain. Thus, AMG reduces the overactivation of the ERK signaling and also restored autism-like behavioral and neurochemical alterations.

Biological Activities of Snowdrop (Galanthus spp., Family Amaryllidaceae)

Snowdrop is an iconic early spring flowering plant of the genus Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae). Galanthus species (Galanthus spp.) are economically important plants as ornaments. Galanthus spp has gained significance scientific and commercial interest due to the discovery of Galanthamine as symptomatic treatment drug for Alzhiermer disease. This review aims to discuss the bioactivities of Galanthus spp including anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer potential of the extracts and chemical constituents of Galanthus spp. This review highlights that Galanthus spp. as the exciting sources for drug discovery and nutraceutical development.

Antifungal Activity of Alpha-Mangostin against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides In Vitro and In Vivo

We investigated alpha-mangostin (α-mangostin, α-MG), a xanthone natural product extracted from the pericarp of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), for its antifungal activities and possible mechanism against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which causes mango anthracnose. The results demonstrated that α-MG had a relatively high in vitro inhibitory activity against C. gloeosporioides among 20 plant pathogenic fungi. The median effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of α-MG against mycelial growth were nearly 10 times higher than those of spore germination inhibition for both strains of C. gloeosporioides, the carbendazim-sensitive (CBD-s) and carbendazim-resistant (CBD-r). The results suggested that α-MG exhibited a better inhibitory effect on spore germination than on the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. Further investigation indicated that the protective effect could be superior to the therapeutic effect for mango leaves for scab development. The morphological observations of mycelium showed that α-MG caused the accumulation of dense bodies. Ultrastructural observation further revealed that α-MG caused a decrease in the quantity and shape of the swelling of mitochondria in the mycelium cells of C. gloeosporioides. In addition, bioassays disclosed that the inhibitory activity of α-MG on spore germination was reduced by adding exogenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP). These results suggested that the mode of action of α-MG could be involved in the destruction of mitochondrial energy metabolism. The current study supports α-MG as a natural antifungal agent in crop protection.