The Detailed Pharmacodynamics of the Gut Relaxant Effect and GC-MS Analysis of the Grewia tenax Fruit Extract: In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approach

Exploring the Volatile Profile of Vanilla planifolia after Fermentation at Low Temperature with Bacillus Isolates

Vanilla planifolia is grown as a high-value orchid spice for its odor and savor attributes that increase due to the curing process associated with microbial colonization. This tends to influence the aromatic properties of vanilla. Hence, 11 Bacillus sp. strains were isolated from V. planifolia and identified with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The liquid culture (1 mL of 107 CFU mL-1) of selected Bacillus vallismortis NR_104873.1:11-1518, Bacillus velezensis ZN-S10, and Bacillus tropicus KhEp-2 effectively fermented green-blanched vanilla pods kept at 10 °C during the sweating stage. GC-MS analysis showed that the methanol extract of non-coated, and B. vallismortis treated vanilla detected three (3) volatile compounds, whereas seven (7) components were obtained in B. tropicus and B. velezensis treatment. 4H-pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl was found in B. velezensis ZN-S10, B. tropicus KhEp-2, and B. vallismortis while it was not present in the control samples. This ketone compound suggested a Maillard reaction resulting in brown-increased aroma pods. Linoleic acid and Hexadecanoic acid ethyl esters were detected only in ZN-S10 strain-coated vanilla. A novel 3-Deoxy-d-mannoic lactone was detected only in B. vallismortis-treated vanilla characterized as a new compound in V. planifolia which suggested that the new compound can be altered with the coating of bacteria in vanilla during fermentation. Thus, the Bacillus strains improved the volatile profile and exhibited a new aroma and flavor profile of vanilla owing to bacteria fermentation during the curing process.

New flavonoids with multiple bronchodilator activity pathways from Tephrosia purpurea L. (Pers.) growing in Saudi Arabia

Total extract of Tephrosia purpurea (T. purpurea) expressed potent ex-vivo bronchodilator effect in isolated Guinea pigs' tracheal muscles. Fractionation of T. purpurea total extract (TPTE) using liquid-liquid technique followed by ex-vivo bronchodilator testing indicated that the activity was trapped to the chloroform (CHCl3) soluble fraction. Phytochemical study of the CHCl3 fraction guided by ex-vivo bronchodilator activity led to the isolation of 7 active flavones of which compounds 1 (epi-Tephroapollin G), 3 (Acetyltephroapollin C), 4 (4''-Dehydroxytephroapollin E), and 5 (epi-Tephroapollin F) were new. Structures were identified using relevant spectroscopic tools including optical rotations and CD data. Compounds 1, 3, 4 and lanceolatin A (6) behaved like papaverine by inhibiting carbachol (CCh) as well as high potassium (K+)-mediated contractions at equivalent concentrations with varied potencies whereas (-)-Tephroapollin G (2) selectively inhibited CCh-mediated contractions but was not found active against high K+. epi-Tephroapollin F (5) and (-)-Pseudosemiglabrin (7) in contrast were significantly more potent to abolish CCh induced contraction when compared with high K+ similar to dicyclomine. Papaverine like dual phosphodiesterase enzyme Ca++ ion inhibitory activities of 1, 3, 4 and 6 were confirmed indirectly by the bolster of the isoprenaline curves against CCh to the left whereas Ca++ inhibitory effect of 1 and 3-7 was confirmed by the rightward deflection of Ca++ concentration-response curves (CRCs) towards right with quashing of the maximum response in same fashion like verapamil. Moreover, compounds 2, 5 and 7 at lower concentrations showed selective blockade of muscarinic receptor similar to atropine. Oral administration of the TPTE, CHCl3 and 7 to guinea pigs significantly protected against bronchospasm induced by 0.2 % histamine aerosol in vivo.