Isolation, characterization, and docking studies of campesterol and β-sitosterol from Strychnos innocua (Delile) root bark

Diatom-guided bone healing via a hybrid natural scaffold

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) involves the design of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that aim to address current challenges of bone defect healing, such as limited donor availability, disease transmission risks, and the necessity for multiple invasive surgeries. Scaffolds can mimic natural bone structure to accelerate the mechanisms involved in the healing process. Herein, a crosslinked combination of biopolymers, including gelatin (GEL), chitosan (CS), and hyaluronic acid (HA), loaded with diatom (Di) and β-sitosterol (BS), is used to produce GCH-Di-S scaffold by freeze-drying method. The GCH scaffold possesses a uniform structure, is biodegradable and biocompatible, and exhibits high porosity and interconnected pores, all required for effective bone repair. The incorporation of Di within the scaffold contributes to the adjustment of porosity and degradation, as well as effectively enhancing the mechanical property and biomineralization. In vivo studies have confirmed the safety of the scaffold and its potential to stimulate the creation of new bone tissue. This is achieved by providing an osteoconductive platform for cell attachment, prompting calcification, and augmenting the proliferation of osteoblasts, which further contributes to angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects of BS.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds and by-products in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disorders: A systematic review of clinical studies

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The main risk factors are hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and increased serum lipids. The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), also known as the groundnut, goober, pindar, or monkey nut, belongs to the Fabaceae family and is the fourth most cultivated oilseed in the world. The seeds and skin of peanuts possess a rich phytochemical profile composed of antioxidants, such as phenolic acids, stilbenes, flavonoids, and phytosterols. Peanut consumption can provide numerous health benefits, such as anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and hypolipidemic effects. Accordingly, peanuts have the potential to treat CVD and counteract its risk factors.

PURPOSE

This study aims to critically evaluate the effects of peanuts on metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD risk factors based on clinical studies.

METHOD

This review includes studies indexed in MEDLINE-PubMed, COCHRANE, and EMBASE, and the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines were adhered to.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were included and indicated that the consumption of raw peanuts or differing forms of processed foods containing peanut products and phytochemicals could improve metabolic parameters, such as glycemia, insulinemia, glycated hemoglobin, lipids, body mass index, waist circumference, atherogenic indices, and endothelial function.

CONCLUSION

We propose that this legume and its products be used as a sustainable and low-cost alternative for the prevention and treatment of MetS and CVD. However, further research with larger sample sizes, longer intervention durations, and more diverse populations is needed to understand the full benefit of peanut consumption in MetS and CVD.

Molecular Docking Study of Phytosterols in Lygodium microphyllum Towards SIRT1 and AMPK, the in vitro Brine Shrimp Toxicity Test, and the Phenols and Sterols Levels in the Extract

Background

Lygodium microphyllum is a fern plant with various pharmacological activities, and phytosterols were reported contained in the n-hexane and ethyl acetate extract of this plant. Phytosterols are known to inhibit steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are the key proteins that control lipogenesis. However, information about L. microphyllum on SIRT1 and AMPK is still lacking.

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the binding mode of phytosterols in L. microphyllum extract towards AMPK and SIRT1, and the toxicity of the extract against brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae, and to determine the phenols and sterols levels in the extract.

Methods

The molecular docking was performed towards SIRT1 and AMPK using AutoDock v4.2.6, the toxicity of the extract was assayed against brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae, and the phytosterols were analyzed by employing a thin layer chromatography densitometry, and the total phenols were by spectrophotometry.

Results

The molecular docking study revealed that β-sitosterol and stigmasterol could occupy the active allosteric-binding site of SIRT1 and AMPK by binding to important residues similar to the protein's activators. The cold extraction of the plant yields 15.86% w/w. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. The total phenols are equivalent to 126 mg gallic acid (GAE)/g dry extract, the total sterols are 954.04 µg/g, and the β-sitosterol level is 283.55 µg/g. The LC50 value of the extract towards A. salina larvae is 203.704 ppm.

Conclusion

Lygodium microphyllum extract may have the potential to be further explored for its pharmacology activities, particularly in the discovery of plant-based anti-dyslipidemic drug candidates. However, further studies are needed to confirm their roles in alleviating lipid disorders.

J-filter: An experiment to simplify and isolate specific signals in 1 H NMR spectra of complex mixtures based on scalar coupling constants

One-dimensional selective NMR experiments relying on a J-filter element are proposed to isolate specific signals in crowded 1 H spectral regions. The J-filter allows the edition or filtering of signals in a region of interest of the spectrum by exploiting the specific values of their 1 H-1 H coupling constants and certain parameters of protons coupled to them that appear in less congested parts of the spectrum (chemical shifts and coupling constants). The new experiments permitted the isolation of specific peaks of phytosterol components in a sample obtained from a liquid nutraceutical recommended for lowering blood cholesterol levels in regions with complete overlap in the 1 H spectrum.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Studies of Some Major Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Strychnos innocua (Delile) Root Bark

Plant based therapies are very essential in modern medicine, and have long been used to cure and prevent chronic diseases in many parts of the world. Medicinal herbs have been shown to have biological properties due to the presence of active compounds. Strychnos innocua, a medicinal plant from Loganiaceae, is commonly consumed for medicinal purposes in various African countries. The need to assess the usefulness of the plant's root bark in the treatment of disease spurred this study, which involved the isolation of six bioactive compounds and screening for antimicrobial properties against some pathogens using the agar well diffusion method. Chromatography separation led to first time isolation of Umbelliferone (1), Linalool (2), Nerolidol (3), Campesterol (4), β-sitosterol (5), and 2,13-Octadecadien-1-ol (6). GC-MS and NMR spectra, as well as comparisons with published data, were used to determine their structures. The compounds exhibited strong antimicrobial activity comparable to ciprofloxacin and fluconazole against MRSA, B. subtilis, S. pyogenes, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhii, A. fumigatus, C. albicans, C. krusei, and A. nigre. The MIC as well as the MBC/MFC were determined. In conclusion, the compounds (1 - 6) isolated from S. innocua root bark have remarkable antibacterial action against pathogenic microbes.

In silico modelling and NMR Characterization of some steroids from Strychnos innocua (Delile) root bark as potential antifungal agents

The root bark of Strychnos innocua has long been employed by traditional healers to treat a variety of ill health conditions including fungal infections. The objective of this study was to isolate, characterized and evaluate the antifungal potential (insilico approach) of some steroids from root bark of S. innocua. Conventional method of column chromatography was carried out on the ethyl acetate root bark extract of S. innocua, leading to the isolation of two steroids. On the basis of 1D NMR, 2D NMR, GC-ESI/MS analyses, and literature comparisons, the compounds were characterized as Stigmast-5-en-3β-ol (1) and Campest-5-en-3β-ol (2). This is the first time these compounds have been isolated from the plant. The results of the in silico modelling of the compounds 1, 2, and fluconazole (control drug) with the binding sites of SAP2 from Candida albicans (PDB: 1EAG) demonstrated that the binding energies were -8.3, -8.0, and -7.1 kcal/mol, respectively. However, the modelling with binding sites of a deglycating enzyme fructosamine oxidase from Aspergillus fumigatus (PDB: 3DJE) demonstrated that the binding energies were -5.9, -7.2, and -8.0 for Stigmast-5-en-3β-ol (1) and Campest-5-en-3β-ol (2), and fluconazole, respectively. In conclusion, the study found that Stigmast-5-en-3-ol and Campest-5-en-3-ol are both present in the root bark of S. innocua. The compounds exhibited promising interaction with the binding sites of the protein target (SAP2 from C. albicans) compare to fluconazole.