Chemical composition and therapeutic potential of three Cycas species in brain damage and pancreatitis provoked by γ-radiation exposure in rats

Studying the effects of secondary metabolites isolated from Cycas thouarsii R.Br. leaves on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

The various therapeutic drugs that are currently utilized for the management of cancer, especially breast cancer, are greatly challenged by the augmented resistance that is either acquired or de novo by the cancer cells owing to the long treatment periods. So, this study aimed at elucidating the possible anticancer potential of four compounds 7, 4', 7'', 4'''-tetra-O-methyl amentoflavone, hesperidin, ferulic acid, and chlorogenic acid that are isolated from Cycas thouarsii leaves n-butanol fraction for the first time. The MTT assay evaluated the cytotoxic action of four isolated compounds against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and oral epithelial cells. Interestingly, ferulic acid revealed the lowest IC50 of 12.52 µg/mL against MDA-MB-231 cells and a high IC50 of 80.2 µg/mL against oral epithelial cells. Also, using an inverted microscope, the influence of ferulic acid was studied on the MDA-MB-231, which revealed the appearance of apoptosis characteristics like shrinkage of the cells and blebbing of the cell membrane. In addition, the flow cytometric analysis showed that the MDA-MB-231 cells stained with Annexin V/PI had a rise in the count of the cells in the early and late apoptosis stages. Moreover, gel electrophoresis detected DNA fragmentation in the ferulic acid-treated cells. Finally, the effect of the compound was tested at the molecular level by qRT-PCR. An upregulation of the pro-apoptotic genes (BAX and P53) and a downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene (BCL-2) were observed. Consequently, our study demonstrated that these isolated compounds, especially ferulic acid, may be vital anticancer agents, particularly for breast cancer, through its induction of apoptosis through the P53-dependent pathway.

Cycads: A comprehensive review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

Cycads, which primarily consist of the families Cycadaceae and Zamiaceae, possess intrinsic therapeutic attributes that are prominently expressed across their morphological spectrum, including roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds. In Chinese traditional medicine, the leaves of cycads are particularly revered for their profound healing capabilities. This meticulous review engages with existing literature on cycads and presents insightful avenues for future research. Over 210 phytoconstituents have been isolated and identified from various cycad tissues, including flavonoids, azoxy metabolites, sterols, lignans, non-proteogenic amino acids, terpenoids, and other organic constituents. The contemporary pharmacological discourse highlights the antineoplastic, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities inherent in these ancient plants, which are of particular importance to the field of oncology. Despite the prevalent focus on crude extracts and total flavonoid content, our understanding of the nuanced pharmacodynamics of cycads lags considerably behind. The notoriety of cycads derived toxicity, notably within the context of Guam's neurological disease cluster, has precipitated an established emphasis on toxicological research within this field. As such, this critical review emphasizes nascent domains deserving of academic and clinical pursuit, whilst nested within the broader matrix of current scientific understanding. The systematic taxonomy, traditional applications, phytochemical composition, therapeutic potential, and safety profile of cycads are holistically interrogated, assimilating an indispensable repository for future scholarly inquiries. In conclusion, cycads stand as a veritable treasure trove of pharmacological virtue, displaying remarkable therapeutic prowess and holding vast promise for ongoing scientific discovery and clinical utilization.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction, Optimization, Phytochemical Screening and Analysis of Phenolics from Cycas Zeylanica and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation

The present study focuses on investigating the phytochemical screening of indigenous species, C. zeylanica, for the first time. The leaf extracts have been prepared using ultrasound-assisted methods to obtain the best extraction results using different time and temperature conditions such as 30, 60, and 90 min. and 30, 40, and 60 °C, respectively. The results have been optimized using response surface methodology. Under the optimal extraction conditions of 60 °C for 43.57 minutes, an extract was produced with a yield of 0.238 g and a high total phenolic content of 181.1965 mg GAE/g. The total phenolic content has been evaluated and the presence of gallic acid has been confirmed through the HPLC technique. The optimal extract (OE) showed excellent antioxidant activity for the DPPH assay, with an IC50 of 3.1 μg/ml. Finally, GC-MS profiling has been done to screen the volatile component of the plant extract.

Green synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles reveal potent in vivo and in vitro antibacterial efficacy against Proteus mirabilis isolates

Currently, the spread of antimicrobial resistance dissemination is expanding at an accelerated rate. Therefore, numerous researchers haveinvestigatedalternative treatments in an effort to combat this significant issue. This study evaluated the antibacterial properties of zinc-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesised by Cycas circinalis against Proteus mirabilis clinical isolates. HPLC was utilised for the identification and quantification of C. circinalis metabolites. The green synthesis of ZnO NPs has been confirmed using UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum of metal oxide bonds has been compared to the free C. circinalis extract spectrum. The crystalline structure and elemental composition were investigated using X-ray diffraction and Energy-dispersive X-ray techniques. The morphology of nanoparticles was assessed by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, which revealed an average particle size of 26.83±5.87 nm with spherical outlines. The dynamic light scattering technique confirms the optimum stability of ZnO NPs with a zeta potential value equal to 26.4±0.49 mV. Using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods, we elucidated the antibacterial activity of ZnO NPs in vitro. MIC values for ZnO NPs ranged from 32 to 128 µg/mL. In 50% of the tested isolates, the membrane integrity was compromised by ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, we assessed the in vivo antibacterial capacity of ZnO NPs by a systemic infection induction using P. mirabilis bacteria in mice. The bacterial count in the kidney tissues was determined, and a significant decrease in CFU/g tissues was observed. The survival rate was evaluated, and the ZnO NPs treated group had higher survival rates. The histopathological studies demonstrated that kidney tissues treated with ZnO NPs had normal structures and architecture. Moreover, the immunohistochemical examinations and ELISA revealed that ZnO NPs substantially decreased the proinflammatory mediators NF-kβ, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in kidney tissues. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that ZnO NPs are effective against bacterial infections caused by P. mirabilis.

Phytochemical analysis, in silico study and toxicity profile of Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham seed in mice

Fruit of Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham has been used as medicine by the local community in some parts of the north eastern state of India. Despite its uses for different purposes, the safety assessment study has not been conducted. Therefore, we have evaluated the acute and the sub-acute toxicity of methanolic extract of C. pectinata fruit (CPFE) in a mice model via oral route of administration. Phytochemicals analysis was carried out by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The acute toxicity study was performed at a single dose of 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg and the sub-acute toxicity study at a dose of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg was administered daily for 28 days. The calculated Lethal dose 50 (LD50) of CPFE was found to be 4000 mg/kg. Both acute and sub-acute studies showed that 5000 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose was toxic to the mice. The results of acute toxicity showed CPFE could have a mild toxic effect on the kidney at a dose of 3000 and 5000 mg/kg, as some deteriorated changes in the kidney along with increase creatinine levels were observed. Acute toxicity also showed an increase in white blood cells (WBC) at a dose of 3000 mg/kg.However, sub-acute toxicity studies do not show any detrimental effects on liver, kidney and hematological parameters. Thus, it can be suggested that CPFE at a dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg would be safe for consumption. The phytochemicals analysis by LC-MS, NMR and FTIR showed the presence of 32 major chemical compounds with certain biological activity like anti-neoplastic, antioxidant, and possible modulator of steroid metabolism (cholesterol antagonist and agonist of testosterone 17β-dehydrogenase) as predicted by PASS analysis.

Garcinia cambogia Phenolics as Potent Anti-COVID-19 Agents: Phytochemical Profiling, Biological Activities, and Molecular Docking

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and became a pandemic in a critically short time. Phenolic secondary metabolites attracted much attention from the pharmaceutical industries for their easily accessible natural sources and proven antiviral activity. In our mission, a metabolomics study of the Garcinia cambogia Roxb. fruit rind was performed using LC-HRESIMS to investigate its chemical profile, especially the polar aspects, followed by a detailed phytochemical analysis, which led to the isolation of eight known compounds. Using spectrometric techniques, the isolated compounds were identified as quercetin, amentoflavone, vitexin, rutin, naringin, catechin, p-coumaric, and gallic acids. The antiviral activities of the isolated compounds were investigated using two assays; the 3CL-M^pro enzyme showed that naringin had a potent effect with IC₅₀ 16.62 μg/mL, followed by catechin and gallic acid (IC₅₀ 26.2, 30.35 μg/mL, respectively), while the direct antiviral inhibition effect of naringin confirmed the potency with an EC₅₀ of 0.0169 μM. To show the molecular interaction, in situ molecular docking was carried out using a COVID-19 protease enzyme. Both biological effects and docking studies showed the hydrophobic interactions with Gln 189 or Glu 166, per the predicated binding pose of the isolated naringin.