In vitro bioactivity and phytochemical screening of Suaeda maritima (Dumort): A mangrove associate from Bhitarkanika, India

Assessing the potential of Australian indigenous edible halophytes as salt substitutes: From wild to plate

Increased salt (sodium chloride (NaCl)) consumption contributes to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Reducing the intake of NaCl could result in significant public health benefits. Australian grown halophytes are consumed traditionally by indigenous communities as food and medicine. The importance of halophytes has been recently "rediscovered" due to their salty taste and crunchy texture. This study aimed to assess the potential of Australian indigenous edible halophytes (AIEH) as salt substitutes. A benchtop test was carried out to establish a sensory lexicon of four important AIEH (samphire, seapurslane, seablite, and saltbush) and to select the most promising halophyte based on sensory attributes and nutritional composition. Samphire and saltbush, the most common and commercially important halophytes, were used as comparisons. Semolina was used to prepare the halophyte-based test food for the benchtop sensory study. Results of the formal sensory study showed that the growing location of samphire and saltbush can significantly affect their sensory attributes. Samphire had the most favorable sensory attributes and nutritional quality, with dry herb and bran aroma and flavor, whereas the saltbush test food preparations had herbaceous, minty dry wood, and green fruit aroma and flavor. The "optimal" concentration of added freeze-dried samphire/saltbush powder was determined based on the saltiness perception of the NaCl-semolina formulation (0.3% table salt equivalent to 1% samphire freeze-dried powder and 1.4%-2.0% saltbush freeze-dried powder, respectively). This study provided novel and crucial information on the potential use of AIEH as natural salt substitutes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: There is an increasing demand for natural salt substitutes. Halophytes are salt tolerant plants that sustain in arid or semiarid areas and have the potential to be used as natural salt substitutes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the sensory profiles of four important Australian indigenous edible halophytes (samphire, seapurslane, seablite, and saltbush). This study also demonstrated how different growing locations can affect the sensory attributes of halophytes and subsequently their potential food applications. Our findings provide critical information and data to further study halophytes in the context of novel food applications.

Phytochemical Screening, In Silico Molecular Docking, ADME Properties, and In Vitro Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Antidiabetic Activity of Marine Halophyte Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort

Medicinally valuable components derived from natural resources are highly desirable as prospective alternatives to synthetic drugs to treat fatal diseases, such as cancer and diabetes mellitus. Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort (Amaranthaceae) (S. maritima) is a halophyte plant that can thrive in saline environments and possesses excellent medicinal properties. Hence, for the present investigation, S. maritima has been chosen, and its phytochemical constituents have been extracted utilizing various solvents, including hexane, acetone, and methanol, and identified by GC-MS, LC-MS, and HPLC analyses. The antioxidant activity of the compounds using DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power assays demonstrated that all three extracts of S. maritima possessed significant radical scavenging activity comparable to standard ascorbic acid with lower IC50 values (69.20-95.58 μg/mL). In addition, the evaluation of antidiabetic activity by α-amylase inhibition and α-glucosidase inhibition methods revealed that the acetone extract of S. maritima (SMAE) displayed equipotent activity of standard acarbose with an IC50 of 32.6 μg/mL. Advantageously, SMAE also exhibited better inhibition activity against the growth of lung cancer cells with an IC50 of 78.19. μg/mL and less toxicity on the noncancerous HUVEC cells with a high IC50 of 300 μg/mL. In addition, the cancer cell death mechanism via the apoptotic pathway induced by SMAE was confirmed by DAPI staining and ROS analysis. The analysis of ADME properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, witnessed that the physicochemical and druglikeness factors were best catered by stigmasterol, γ-sitosterol, and vitamin E. Further, the key phytochemicals identified from SMAE were docked with CtBP1 and SOX2 bound to importin-α target proteins associated with carcinogenic pathways using Schrodinger software. The results showed that the phytochemicals, scilicet, stigmasterol, γ-sitosterol, octadecadienoic acid, and vitamin E, showed a good binding affinity with Glide scores in the range -2.845-4.018 kcal/mol. Overall, the findings support that the least investigated traditional edible medicinal mangrove-related S. maritima is high in pharmacologically active constituents and might be one of the finest sources of naturally derived molecules for drug development and delivery systems.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Property of a True Mangrove Rhizophora apiculata Bl

Mangroves are abundant in bioactive natural substances that fight off pathogenic diseases. Different parts of R. apiculata, an abundant mangrove found in Bhitarkanika National Park, India were extracted with methanol and a mixture of solvents methanol/ethanol/chloroform (60 : 20 : 20) to evaluate their antimicrobial properties. The combination solvent extract of bark had the highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 18.62 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a ZOI of 17.41 mm against Streptococcus mitis. Bark extracts had the highest DPPH (43 %) and FRAP (96 %) activities. The combination solvent bark extract of R. apiculata had the highest ZOI of 20.42 mm (lowest MIC of 2.12 μg/ml) against Candida albicans and ZOI of 15.33 mm (MIC of 3.02 μg/mL) against Penicillium chrysogenum. Combination bark extracts of R. apiculata contained flavanols than methanolic extracts. The crude extract of R. apiculata bark made with a mixture of solvents containing more active ingredients could be used in novel drug formulation.

GC-MS Analysis and Bioactivities of the Essential Oil of Suaeda aegyptiaca

Suaeda aegyptiaca is a halophytic plant widely growing in northeast Africa and Asia. The current study reports on the GC-MS analysis of S. aegyptiaca essential oil. The essential oil was prepared using three different methods: cold n-hexane extraction (CHE), hot n-hexane extraction (HHE), and hydro-distillation extraction (HDE). The GC-MS analysis detected twenty-eight compounds in both CHE (97.28%) and HHE (97.35%) and twenty compounds in HDE (98.65%). 2-methyloctacosane (48.72%); 11-decyldocosane (29.20%); and 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester (57.87%) were the main constituents in CHE, HHE, and HDE, respectively. Free radical scavenging activity testing using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) revealed the notable anti-oxidant potential of HDE (IC50 0.358 mg/mL) compared to ascorbic acid (IC50 0.264 mg/mL). Moreover, in vitro anti-inflammatory activity testing using COX-1 and COX-2 showed the notable activity of HDE (IC50 5.50 µg/mL and 2.59 µg/mL, respectively). The observed anti-inflammatory activity of HDE was further confirmed by the characteristic decrease in TNF-α levels in RAW264.7 to 572.20 Pg/mL compared to the decrease of 442.80 Pg/mL caused by the positive control (Celecoxib®). On the other hand, a cytotoxic activity investigation indicated that CHE was the most potent against the Caco-2 and HCT-116 cell lines (IC50 8.11 and 11.18 µg/mL, respectively), and it was closely followed by HHE (IC50 12.42 µg/mL) against the Caco-2 cell line. Collectively, S. aegyptiaca essential oil prepared by the hydro-distillation method exhibited notable anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, while the same essential oil prepared by solvent extraction methods displayed a characteristic cytotoxic activity against the Caco-2 and HCT-116 cell lines. These results confirmed that different extraction methods greatly influence the biological potential of an essential oil, which, in turn, is attributable to the different constituents in each extract Moreover, S. aegyptiaca was noted as a promising halophytic plant for more phytochemical and biological investigations.

Effect of mangrove leaf extract (Acanthus ilicifolius) on non-specific immune status and vibriosis resistance of black tiger shrimps (Penaeus monodon) challenged with Vibrio harveyi

Background and Aim

There has been continuous effort to search for alternative medicinal plants that are applicable to ameliorate viral disease on shrimp pond. This study aimed to examine the effect of Acanthus ilicifolius leaf extract on clinical symptoms and non-specific immune response of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon).

Materials and Methods

A total of 330 shrimps were equally assigned into three extract forms (crude extract, ethyl acetate extract, and n-butanol extract, respectively) in which three levels were provided for each extract. Negative control (without leaf extract) and positive control (with oxytetracycline at 0.05 mg/mL) were used, giving a total of 11 experimental treatments.

Results

The results showed that shrimps induced into all form of leaf extracts had significantly higher survival rates, clinical symptoms, and pathological anatomy than those negative control (C-) and positive control (C+). Total hemocyte cells, granulocytes, percentage of phagocytic, and prophenoloxidase activity were similar among leaf extract treatments (p>0.05), but those groups were significantly higher than those of C- and C+ (p<0.05).

Conclusion

n-butanol leaf extract at 300 mg/L is suggested to be the most effective treatment since it showed the highest efficacy on the parameters observed. Thus, it is possible to use the leaf extract of A. ilicifolius on-farm as a strategy to enhance bacterial disease resistance and prevent mortality.

Green synthesis, characterization, antioxidant, antibacterial, and photocatalytic activity of Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort aqueous extract-mediated copper oxide nanoparticles

Background

The aim of this work was to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) utilizing heartwood aqueous extract of Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort. The synthesis of CuO NPs using green methodology with small size and high stability paved the way to protect the environment by not involving toxic chemicals and environment-friendly methodology for pharmacological and photocatalytic applications. The aqueous areal parts extract of S. maritima (L.) Dumort was used for synthesis, characterization of CuO NPs was studied, and further its antioxidant, antibacterial, and photocatalytic activity for the removal of methylene blue was studied.

Results

The synthesized CuO NPs shows characteristic UV-visible absorption maximum at 282 nm. The FT-IR spectra shows peak at 3640 cm⁻¹ attributed to hydrogen bonded O-H group of poly phenols, alcohols, and N-H of amide. Strong peak at 1122 cm⁻¹ corresponds to C-OH stretch in phenols and alcohols. Peaks at 1467 cm⁻¹ and 1585 cm⁻¹ corresponds to C=C in aromatic compounds. Strong peak at 1749 cm⁻¹ represents the C=O in aldehydes or in keto compounds. Several strong bonds identified in the range of 1088 to 1225 cm⁻¹ representing C-O-C stretch vibrations. The synthesized particles were circular in shape with rough surface morphology and dispersed as clusters with size of 37 nm with metallic content of 73.8%. The synthesized CuO NPs were proved as potent antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The photocatalytic for the removal of methylene blue in aqueous solution was studied and results proved that the CuO NPs were effectively remove the dye up to 86.91% within less time of 75 min. Hence, the CuO NPs synthesized are high efficiency with less particle size and can be used as antioxidant, antibacterial agent, and also applicable for the removal of hazardous methylene blue dye from effluents and can contribute indirectly to clean up the environment.

Conclusions

The investigation reports the eco-friendly, cost-effective method for synthesizing copper oxide nanoparticles from S. maritima extract with biomedical applications.

Evaluation of Phytochemicals and Bioactive Properties in Mangrove Associate Suaeda monoica Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel. of Indian Sundarbans

Suaeda monoica Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel. (Amaranthaceae), a mangrove associate and ethno-medicinal herb of Indian Sundarbans, was investigated as a promising source of bioactive compounds. Various polar and nonpolar solvent extracts of the leaf and root-shoot parts of the plant exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, allelopathic, mosquitocidal, antihaemolytic and antidiuretic potential. Moreover, to meet pharmacological requirements, the antioxidant ability of the plant was validated by both chemical and biological analyses. Extraction yield and presence of different phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and saponins were compared in various solvent-extracted fractions. Principle component analysis revealed that the antioxidant property present in different extracts maintained a positive correlation with the occurrence of polyphenols (phenolics, tannins and flavonoids). Biochemical evaluation, HPLC examination and GC–MS analysis showed a differential level of the presence of various phytochemicals in different solvent extracts. In contrast to mosquitocidal, antioxidant, antihaemolytic and phytotoxic properties which were observed to be dominant in polar solvent extracts, maximum antibacterial potency was detected in nonpolar n-hexane fractions. Overall, the plant extract is nontoxic in nature and a dose amounting to 3,000 mg/kg was well tolerated by Swiss albino mice. A combination of HPLC and GC–MS analyses showed the presence of a large number of structurally diverse phytochemicals, many of which had already been reported as insecticidal, mosquitocidal, antibacterial, herbicidal, antidiuretic, antioxidant and anti-haemolytic compounds. All these findings support that the least explored traditional edible medicinal mangrove associate S.monoica is enriched with multiple bioactive molecules and may be considered as one of the richest sources of various lead molecules of pharmaceutical importance.

Nutraceutical and antimicrobial potentials of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean): A review

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) [BGN] is an easy-to-cultivate vegetable crop neglected over the past years. It is a drought-tolerant crop with nutritional and medicinal values and as a result, the crop is referred to as nutraceuticals. Based on this, there exist a need to review the beneficial potential (nutraceutical value) of this neglected and underutilized crop to protect and promote its cultivation for food (source of nutrients) and medicines especially among rural poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa. This review systematically examines the background information and uses of BGN. The antimicrobial properties of BGN were also considered and examined to ascertain its nutraceutical importance. BGN has been reported as a crop possessing antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Clinically, the extracts of BGN have been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activities against bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae ATCC 700603, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 33591, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, yeast (Candida albicans) and mold (Aspergillus niger). This review outlines the uses of BGN as a functional food crop as well as its nutraceutical and antimicrobial potentials. However, there exist paucity of knowledge and literature on the crop's antimicrobial activities especially against plant pathogens of economic importance. Hence, this review proposes that more research be geared towards assessing the nutraceutical value and antimicrobial potentials of this crop against plant pathogens of economic importance and the promotion of the crop's cultivation.

A review of hepatoprotective plants used in saudi traditional medicine

Liver disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. According to WHO estimates, about 500 million people are living with chronic hepatitis infections resulting in the death of over one million people annually. Medicinal plants serve as a vital source of potentially useful new compounds for the development of effective therapy to combat liver problems. Moreover herbal products have the advantage of better affordability and acceptability, better compatibility with the human body, and minimal side effects and is easier to store. In this review attempt has been made to summarize the scientific data published on hepatoprotective plants used in Saudi Arabian traditional medicine. The information includes medicinal uses of the plants, distribution in Saudi Arabia, ethnopharmacological profile, possible mechanism of action, chemical constituents, and toxicity data. Comprehensive scientific studies on safety and efficacy of these plants can revitalise the treatment of liver diseases.

Phytochemical profiling and bioactivity of a mangrove plant, Sonneratia apetala, from Odisha Coast of India

OBJECTIVE

To test the antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer and antibacterial activities along with phytochemicals of Sonneratia apetala Buch.-Ham.

METHODS

The antibacterial activity was determined by agar well diffusion method. The antioxidant activity was determined by standard assay. The antidiabetic activity was evaluated by α-glucosidase inhibition assay and in vivo anticancer property was determined against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss Albino mice. Further partial characterization of the methanol extracts was carried out by thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform-infra red spectrum spectral analysis.

RESULTS

Four solvent extracts (acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous) of leaf and bark possess strong antioxidant properties. In vivo anticancer activity of methanol extract leaf indicated positive activity showing 34% inhibition against EAC cells in Swiss Albino mice. All extracts exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner indicating presence of promising antidiabetic properties. The extracts possess strong antibacterial activity against the selected pathogenic bacteria (minimal inhibitory concentration ranging from 1.25-5.00 mg/mL). The partial characterization of the methanol extracts of leaf and bark revealed the presence of phenolics as the lead compound responsible for studied bioactivities of the plant extracts.

CONCLUSION

Sonneratia apetala extracts have potent antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer properties which can be further exploited for its pharmaceutical applications.

Recent advances on the use of biochemical extracts as filaricidal agents

Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic infection that causes a devastating public health and socioeconomic burden with an estimated infection of over 120 million individuals worldwide. The infection is caused by three closely related nematode parasites, namely, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori, which are transmitted to human through mosquitoes of Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes genera. The species have many ecological variants and are diversified in terms of their genetic fingerprint. The rapid spread of the disease and the genetic diversification cause the lymphatic filarial parasites to respond differently to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. This in turn prompts the current challenge encountered in its management. Furthermore, most of the chemical medications used are characterized by adverse side effects. These complications urgently warrant intense prospecting on bio-chemicals that have potent efficacy against either the filarial worms or thier vector. In lieu of this, we presented a review on recent literature that reported the efficacy of filaricidal biochemicals and those employed as vector control agents. In addition, methods used for biochemical extraction, screening procedures, and structure of the bioactive compounds were also presented.