A combined in vitro-in silico approach for the discovery of novel endogenous enzymatic and ctDNA sequence of bioactive molecules from aerial and root parts of Centaurea sulphurea as antioxidant's agents

The excess free radicals not neutralized by the antioxidant defenses damage the essential macromolecules of our cells, causing abnormalities in the expression of genes and membrane receptors, cell proliferation or death, immune disorders, mutagenesis, deposits of proteins or lipofuschin in tissues. The first objective of this study was to elucidate the composition of the essential oil of the aerial and root part of Centaurea sulphurea during beginning of the vegetative cycle (March), beginning of the flowering stage (April) and full bloom (May/June) using GC/FID and GC/MS. The second aim was to describe the antioxidant activity using three methods (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), β-carotene bleaching assay) and bioinformatical study of ctDNA sequence and three endogenous enzymes inhibition. The essential oils obtained from the root during the full bloom period consisted mainly of caryophyllene oxide, aplotaxene and (Z)-phytol. While, the aerial parts were dominated by caryophyllene oxide, verridiflorol and humulene epoxide II. The results showed that essential oil presented an excellent antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 2.06 g/L and 1.29 g/L, for aerial and root parts, compared to butylated hydroxyltoluene (BHT) and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) controls and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) co-crystallized inhibitor. The results of the molecular docking revealed that (Z)-phytol (Ligand 39) has an affinity to interact with ctDNA sequence, and three targets Endogenous enzymes. The molecular dynamics study was conducted for the best inhibitors (Z)-phytol. A few key residues were identified at the binding site of receptors. The in-silico assessment of the ADME properties and BOILED-Egg plot reveals that compound (Z)-phytol (L39) is permeable to the blood brain barrier and have high lipophilicity and high coefficient of skin permeability in the intestines with good bioavailability. The ADMET analysis also showed that this oxygenated diterpene is safer to replace the synthetic drugs with side effects. Further testing is needed to assess its effectiveness in reducing oxidative stress for use in the pharmaceutical industry.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Statistical analysis/theoretical investigations of novel vascular endothelial growth factor of Davanoide from Scolymus grandifloras Desf as potent anti-angiogenic drug properties

Many pro-angiogenic factors acting directly or indirectly on the proliferation and differentiation of endothelial cells have been highlighted, in particular: VEGF ('Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor'), FGF ('Fibroblast Growth Factor'), PDGF ('Platelet-Derived Growth Factor'), VEGF exerts its pro-angiogenic activity by binding to the surface of receptors with tyrosine kinase activity (VEGFR). The first objective of this study was to elucidate the composition of the essential oil of the roots of Scolymus grandifloras Desf. The second aim was to describe the intra-species variation in essential oil composition in natural populations of 21 oil samples from different Algerian locations using statistical analysis and bioinformatical study of VEGFR inhibition. The essential oil isolated from the root parts, was a really source of Davanoide compounds. The results of the docking simulation revealed that davanone (Ligand 13) has an affinity to interact with cDNA, VEGF and its receptors. The ADMET properties and BOILED-Egg plot validate the compound 13 pass the brain barrier and have high absorption in the intestines with good bioavailability. The findings of this study contribute to the pharmacological knowledge and the therapeutic efficacy of davanone and can initiate the development of new anti-angiogenic drugs. Results showed that essential oil of Scolymus grandiflorus presented a large level of percentage of davanone, davanol D1 and 2-hydroxy davanone. These components may be a new source of nontoxic anticancer agents. However, an additional in vitro and/or in vivo experimental study should make it possible to verify the theoretical results obtained in silico.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Chemical Composition and Combinatory Antifungal Activities of Ammoides verticillata, Allium sativum and Curcuma longa Essential Oils Against Four Fungi Responsible for Tomato Diseases

BACKGROUND

Tomato is considered a model plant in genetics and is one of the most economically important crops of all those that exist in the world. Several species of fungi are reported on tomato fruit, causing damage both during cultivation and after harvest. Some of the appropriate actions that could be initiated to resolve the problem are to develop and search for new antimicrobial substances isolated from the bioactive natural products, such as essential oils.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition of essential oils of Ammoides verticillata, Allium sativum and Curcuma longa, to evaluate their in-vitro antifungal activities and in-vivo antifungal effect of essential oils to prevent the diseases caused by tomato.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The essential oils obtained from aerial parts of plants were analyzed by GC/MS and tested for their antifungal activities against Penicillium expansum, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer and Alternaria alternata using the radial growth technique method. The effectiveness in-vivo of the association between Allium sativum and Curcuma longa essential oils was also investigated on tomatoes inoculated by fungi.

RESULTS

The essential oil from A. verticilata was mainly composed of phenolic compounds (54.4%), the A. sativum oil was mainly composed of sulfur compounds (91.5%) and C. longa oil was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (82.0%). The obtained results in-vitro antifungal revealed that individual essential oils of A. verticillata and A. sativum were more active than the essential oil of C. longa against all screened microorganisms. An important antifungal effect of A. sativum and C. longa essential oils blend was obtained against P. expansum (100%), F. solani (95.2%), R. stolonifer (95.1%) and A. alternata (48.5%). Furthermore, A. sativum and C. longa essential oils blends have demonstrated promising in-vivo antifungal activity to control infection of tomato against P. expansum and R. stolonifer.

CONCLUSION

A. sativum and C. longa essential oil blends can be used as a natural food preservative and alternative to chemical fungicides to protect stored tomato against many phytopathogens.

Synergistic Effects of Essential Oils of Ammoides verticillata and Satureja candidissima Against Many Pathogenic Microorganisms

Background:

Antibiotic resistance is today one of the most serious threats to global health, food security and development. Due to the growing number of infections, treatment becomes more difficult, if not impossible, because of the loss of antibiotic efficacy.

Objective:

In the present investigation, the chemical composition of essential oils of Ammoides verticillata and Satureja candidissima and their synergistic effects on antimicrobial activities were investigated.

Methods:

The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was investigated using dilution-agar method against nine bacterial strains three Gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Salmonella typhi (ATCC 14028), and six Gram-positive: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 43300,) Clostridium sporogenes (ATCC 19404), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 7314), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (ATCC 53103) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579).

Results:

The essential oil of A. verticillata was characterized principally by carvacrol (44,3%), Limonene (19,3%) and p-cymene (19,2%). The constituents identified of S. candidissima essential oil were principally oxygenated monoterpenes represented by pulegone (70,4%). The essential oil of A. verticillata had a good antimicrobial activity against four bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bacillus cereus) with MIC and MBC values between 0.2-0.4 µl/ml and 0.2-6.2 µl/ml, respectively. While, S. candidissima essential oil had moderate antimicrobial activities against all strains with MIC and MBC values between 1.5-6.2 µl/ml and 6.2-12.5 µl/ml, respectively. The results of antimicrobial activity of essential oils blend presented higher antimicrobial activity against all tested bacteria with MIC and MBC values between 0.3-1.5 µl/ml and 0.4-6.2 µl/ml, respectively.

Conclusion:

The essential oils blend presented high antimicrobial activity compared to virgin oils. This activity can be due to the association of active compounds such as carvacrol and pulegone. These findings provide a new source of drugs that may help in therapy to lead to the development of a new treatment based on a combination of these essential oils against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria that continue to pose a threat to public health.

Antimicrobial Activity of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Fruit Oil from Algerian Sahara

Three fruit oil samples of Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cosson & Durieu from Algerian Sahara were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The main compounds were perillaldehyde (87.0-87.9%) and limonene (7.4-8.2%). The antimicrobial effect of the essential oil was evaluated against bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. High antibacterial activity was observed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloaceae, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella typhimurium, with MIC values between 0.5-1.0 μL/mL. Fungal strains were also sensitive to the essential oil (MIC values: 0.25-0.75 μL/mL). The most potent activity was observed against the filamentous fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus (0.25-0.50 μL/mL).

New compounds, chemical composition, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of the essential oil from Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab., an endemic species of Central Sahara

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGIC RELEVANCE

Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab. (Myrtaceae) known as Sahara myrtle is appreciated by the Touaregs as medicinal plant. Infusion of leaves is employed against diarrhea and blennorrhea. Crushed leaves added to oil or to butter ointment have been traditionally used for the treatment of dermatosis. Aim of the study is to consider the traditional medicinal uses and the lack of scientific studies on their biological activities, the present study was designed to elucidate the chemical composition, the antifungal activity of its essential oils against fungi responsible for human infections, as well as, its cytotoxicity in the mammalian keratinocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical analysis of Myrtus nivellei essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation of aerial parts (leaves and flowers), was carried out using a combination of chromatographic (CC, GC with retention indices) and spectroscopic techniques (MS, (13)C NMR, 2D NMR). The antifungal activity was evaluated by using broth macrodilution methods for yeasts and filamentous fungi. Cytotoxicity was tested in HaCaT keratinocytes through the MTT assay.

RESULTS

Ten samples coming from two localities of harvest were investigated. The chemical composition was largely dominated by 1,8-cineole (33.6-50.4%) and limonene (17.5-25.0%). The structure of two new compounds bearing the isoamylcyclopentane skeleton has been elucidated. The oil was more active against Cryptococcus neoformans with MIC of 0.16μL/mL followed by dermatophytes, with MICs of 0.64 and 1.25μL/mL. Furthermore, evaluation of cell viability showed no cytotoxicity in HaCaT keratinocytes at concentrations up to 1.25µL/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

The composition of Myrtus nivellei oil differed from that of Myrtus communis. The structure of two di-nor-sesquiterpenoids has been elucidated. It was possible to find appropriate doses of Myrtus nivellei oil with both antifungal activity and very low detrimental effect on keratinocytes. These findings add significant information to the pharmacological activity of Myrtus nivellei essential oils, specifically to its antifungal properties, thus justifying and reinforcing the use of this plant in traditional medicine.