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Cock IE. Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. extracts reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine and PGE 2 secretion, decrease COX-2 expression and down-regulate cytosolic NF-κB levels. Inflammopharmacology 2024:10.1007/s10787-024-01462-7. [PMID: 38581641 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-024-01462-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Based on their high antioxidant capacity and noteworthy phytochemistry, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit and leaves have attracted considerable recent interest for their therapeutic potential. Whilst those studies have reported a variety of therapeutic properties for the fruit, the anti-inflammatory potential of T. ferdinandiana has been largely neglected and the leaves have been almost completely ignored. This study investigated the immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts by evaluating their inhibition of multiple pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and unstimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages using multiplex bead immunoassays and ELISA assays. The methanolic extracts were particularly good immune-modulators, significantly inhibiting the secretion of all the cytokines and chemokines tested. Indeed, the methanolic extracts completely inhibited IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP-2a secretion, and almost completely inhibited the secretion of TNF-α. In addition, the methanolic T. ferdinandiana extracts also significantly inhibited cytosolic COX-2 levels (by 87-95%) and the synthesis of the PGE2 (by ~ 98%). In contrast, the methanolic extracts stimulated LTB4 secretion by ~ 60-90%, whilst the aqueous extracts significantly inhibited LTB4 secretion (by ~ 27% each). Exposure of RAW 264.7 cells to the methanolic T. ferdinandiana extracts also significantly down-regulated the cytosolic levels of NF-κB by 33-44%, indicating that the immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts may be regulated via a decrease in NF-κB transcription pathways. Taken together, these results demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory properties for the extracts and provide insights into their anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian E Cock
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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Khumalo GP, Loa-Kum-Cheung W, Van Wyk BE, Feng Y, Cock IE. Leaf extracts of eight selected southern African medicinal plants modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Inflammopharmacology 2024; 32:1607-1620. [PMID: 38310564 PMCID: PMC11006729 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01420-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the anti-inflammatory properties of extracts prepared from the leaves of eight southern African medicinal plants used traditionally to treat inflammation and pain. The inhibitory effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines was determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated and unstimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 release were determined using cytokine multiplex-bead assays. The ethanol extracts of Melianthus comosus Vahl (commonly known as honey flower), Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd (misty plume bush) and Warburgia salutaris (G. Bertol.) Chiov. (pepper-bark tree), demonstrated the most significant inhibitory activity, with over 50-fold inhibition of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The aqueous extract of M. comosus also significantly inhibited the secretion of all the tested cytokines and chemokines. Phytochemical investigation of M. comosus ethanol leaf extract using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) led to the detection of crassolide, deoxylimonoic acid D-ring-lactone, 2-hydroxynonanoic acid and 5-noniloxytryptamine. To the best of our knowledge, the cytokine inhibition properties of most of the medicinal plants screened in this study are reported for the first time. Our results support the use of southern African medicinal plants as anti-inflammatory remedies and provide an insight into the immunomodulatory mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gugulethu P Khumalo
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Wendy Loa-Kum-Cheung
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Ben-Erik Van Wyk
- Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | - Yunjiang Feng
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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Khumalo GP, Nguyen T, Van Wyk BE, Feng Y, Cock IE. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines by selected southern African medicinal plants in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 319:117268. [PMID: 37797874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bark is frequently used in southern African traditional medicine to treat inflammation, yet it remains to be rigorously examined for its immunological and anti-inflammatory activity. AIM OF THE STUDY Barks obtained from ten important and popular southern Africa plants were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties against the secretion of some pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) as well as chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2) in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. MATERIALS AND METHODS The inhibitory effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts were determined using cytokine multiplex-bead assays in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated and unstimulated RAW 264.7 cells. RESULTS Overall, the ethanol extracts were more potent cytokine inhibitors compared to the aqueous extracts. The LPS-stimulated cells treated with the ethanol extracts of Erythrina lysistemon Hutch., Pterocelastrus rostratus Walp. Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex Krauss and Warburgia salutaris (G. Bertol.) Chiov., demonstrated significant (p < 0.005) inhibition up to 85% of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α secretion compared to the LPS control. Additionally, P. rostratus and S. cordatum aqueous bark extracts substantially decreased the secretion of all the tested cytokines and chemokines. Chemical investigation of the S. cordatum extract resulted in the identification of four ellagic acid derivatives: ellagic acid 4-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (1), ellagic acid 4-O-α-4″-acetylrhamnopyranoside (2), 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-α-3″-O-acetylrhamnopyranoside (3) and 3-O-methylellagic acid 4'-O-α-4″-O-acetylrhamnopyranoside (4), along with mixtures of ellagic acid 4-O-α-2″-acetylrhamnopyranoside (5), ellagic acid 4-O-α-3″-acetylrhamnopyranoside (6) and ellagic acid (7). Their structures were confirmed by mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and comparison with data from literature. CONCLUSION The cytokine inhibition properties of most of the medicinal plants screened herein are reported for the first time. Our results provide insights into the mechanism of action by which the selected southern African medicinal plants regulate inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gugulethu P Khumalo
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Thanh Nguyen
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Ben-Erik Van Wyk
- Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yunjiang Feng
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
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Cock IE, Cheesman MJ. A Review of the Antimicrobial Properties of Cyanobacterial Natural Products. Molecules 2023; 28:7127. [PMID: 37894609 PMCID: PMC10608859 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of multiple-drug-resistant pathogens has prompted medical research toward the development of new and effective antimicrobial therapies. Much research into novel antibiotics has focused on bacterial and fungal compounds, and on chemical modification of existing compounds to increase their efficacy or reactivate their antimicrobial properties. In contrast, cyanobacteria have been relatively overlooked for antibiotic discovery, and much more work is required. This may be because some cyanobacterial species produce environmental toxins, leading to concerns about the safety of cyanobacterial compounds in therapy. Despite this, several cyanobacterial-derived compounds have been identified with noteworthy inhibitory activity against bacterial, fungal and protozoal growth, as well as viral replication. Additionally, many of these compounds have relatively low toxicity and are therefore relevant targets for drug development. Of particular note, several linear and heterocyclic peptides and depsipeptides with potent activity and good safety indexes have been identified and are undergoing development as antimicrobial chemotherapies. However, substantial further studies are required to identify and screen the myriad other cyanobacterial-derived compounds to evaluate their therapeutic potential. This study reviews the known phytochemistry of cyanobacteria, and where relevant, the effects of those compounds against bacterial, fungal, protozoal and viral pathogens, with the aim of highlighting gaps in the literature and focusing future studies in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian E. Cock
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Cheesman
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia;
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Tran C, Horyanto D, Stanley D, Cock IE, Chen X, Feng Y. Correction: Tran et al. Antimicrobial Properties of Bacillus Probiotics as Animal Growth Promoters. Antibiotics 2023, 12, 407. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1420. [PMID: 37760771 PMCID: PMC10497033 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12091420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the original publication [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Tran
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD), Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Darwin Horyanto
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia
- Bioproton Pty Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4110, Australia
| | - Dragana Stanley
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia
| | - Ian E. Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | | | - Yunjiang Feng
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD), Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
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Cheesman MJ, Alcorn SR, White A, Cock IE. Hamamelis virginiana L. Leaf Extracts Inhibit the Growth of Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1195. [PMID: 37508291 PMCID: PMC10376399 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12071195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Virginian witch hazel (WH; Hamamelis virginiana L.; family: Hamamelidaceae) is a North American plant that is used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments, including bacterial infections. Solvents of varying polarity (water, methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane and chloroform) were used to prepare extracts from this plant. Resuspensions of each extract in an aqueous solution were tested for growth-inhibitory activity against a panel of bacteria (including three antibiotic-resistant strains) using agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays. The ethyl acetate, hexane and chloroform extracts were completely ineffective. However, the water and methanolic extracts were good inhibitors of E. coli, ESBL E. coli, S. aureus, MRSA, K. pneumoniae and ESBL K. pneumoniae growth, with the methanolic extract generally displaying substantially greater potency than the other extracts. Combining the active extracts with selected conventional antibiotics potentiated the bacterial growth inhibition of some combinations, whilst other combinations remained non-interactive. No synergistic or antagonistic interactions were observed for any WH extracts/antibiotic combinations. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the extracts identified three molecules of interest that may contribute to the activities observed, including phthalane and two 1,3-dioxolane compounds. Putative modes of action of the active WH extracts and these molecules of interest are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Cheesman
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
| | - Sean R Alcorn
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia
| | - Alan White
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
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Cock IE, Luwaca N, Van Vuuren SF. The traditional use of Southern African medicinal plants to alleviate fever and their antipyretic activities. J Ethnopharmacol 2023; 303:115850. [PMID: 36306931 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Multiple plant species are used traditionally in southern Africa to treat fever. This review summarises the traditional use, highlights promising plant species and focuses on validation studies to highlight future areas of research. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to critically review the use of southern African plants to alleviate fever. Additionally, an examination of research into those plants was undertaken to highlight gaps in the literature with the aim of stimulating further research in this field. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ethnobotanical books, reviews and primary research studies were searched to identify plant species traditionally used to treat fever in southern Africa and to summarise the current knowledge and identify areas requiring further research. This study was non-biased and did not have any taxonomic preferences, nor did it favour any southern African healing systems over the others. RESULTS The traditional therapeutic uses of 203 southern African plant species to alleviate fever were recorded. Leaves and roots/bulbs/rhizomes were the most commonly used plant part, and they were most commonly prepared as decoctions or infusions and consumed orally. Notably, only twenty-two species (∼11% of the identified species) have been scientifically evaluated for antipyretic properties, with substantially fewer mechanistic studies evident. CONCLUSIONS Despite the availability of ethnobotanical records, the antipyretic properties of southern African medicinal plants are poorly reported. Indeed, the efficacy of most plants is yet to be verified and very few mechanistic studies are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - N Luwaca
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
| | - S F Van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, 2193, South Africa.
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Tran C, Horyanto D, Stanley D, Cock IE, Chen X, Feng Y. Antimicrobial Properties of Bacillus Probiotics as Animal Growth Promoters. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:407. [PMID: 36830317 PMCID: PMC9952206 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) suppress the growth of infectious pathogens. These pathogens negatively impact agricultural production worldwide and often cause health problems if left untreated. Here, we evaluate six Bacillus strains (BPR-11, BPR-12, BPR-13, BPR-14, BPR-16 and BPR-17), which are known for their ability to survive harsh environmental conditions, as AGP replacements in animal feed. Four of these Bacillus strains (BPR-11, BPR-14, BPR-16 and BPR-17) showed antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic strains Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at 25 μg/mL, with BPR-16 and BPR-17 also able to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica at 100 μg/mL. Further chemical investigation of BPR-17 led to the identification of eight metabolites, namely C16, C15, C14 and C13 surfactin C (1-4), maculosin (5), maculosine 2 (6), genistein (7) and daidzein (8). Purified compounds (1-4) were able to inhibit all the tested pathogens with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 50 μg/mL. Maculosin (5) and maculosine 2 (6) inhibited C. perfringens, E. coli and S. aureus with an MIC of 25 μg/mL while genistein (7) and daidzein (8) showed no activity. An animal trial involving feeding BPR-11, BPR-16 and BPR-17 to a laboratory poultry model led to an increase in animal growth, and a decrease in feed conversion ratio and mortality. The presence of surfactin C analogues (3-4) in the gut following feeding with probiotics was confirmed using an LC-MS analysis. The investigation of these Bacillus probiotics, their metabolites, their impacts on animal performance indicators and their presence in the gastrointestinal system illustrates that these probiotics are effective alternatives to AGPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Tran
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD), Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia;
| | - Darwin Horyanto
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia; (D.H.); (D.S.)
- Bioproton Pty Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4110, Australia;
| | - Dragana Stanley
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia; (D.H.); (D.S.)
| | - Ian E. Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia;
| | | | - Yunjiang Feng
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD), Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia;
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Akpe V, Biddle TJ, Madu C, Kim TH, Brown CL, Cock IE. Using new solvatochromic parameters to investigate dye–solvent interactions. Aust J Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/ch21201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Solvatochromic behaviours of triazine substituted dyes were evaluated using a novel approach derived from the red shift index (RsI) and associated solvation energy (ASE). These parameters were used to describe the solvation trends of the dye–solvent interactions based on their polarity changes. The concept demonstrates the effect of substituent changes on the triazine scaffold and the induced solvent polarity changes as solvated dyes go through the HOMO–LUMO (highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest uncopied molecular orbital) phases. Primarily, these phases were characterised by evaluating the wavelength of the absorption and emission spectra in different solvents, which, in conjunction with the recently reported computational approaches, provides a well-adjusted model for predicting spectra polarity changes between the dye (solute) and the solvent. Based on the results from this study, predictive polarity changes on the triazine scaffold in different solvents can be empirically monitored both in ground and excited states. Moreover, the solvatochromic parameters can be extended to evaluate the predictive behaviours of different spectra dyes.
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Khumalo GP, Van Wyk BE, Feng Y, Cock IE. A review of the traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of inflammation and inflammatory pain. J Ethnopharmacol 2022; 283:114436. [PMID: 34289396 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Inflammation is a serious global concern due to its debilitating symptoms, resulting in considerable suffering and lost productivity. Chronic and auto-immune inflammatory diseases are of particular concern. Several pharmaceutical therapies are already available. However, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) is accompanied by harmful and toxic side effects. Hence, the search for safer alternative therapeutics with limited side effects is imperative. The use of medicinal plants is common practice amongst the southern African population and may provide targets for drug development. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aims to review and document the medicinal uses and pharmacological properties of southern African medicinal plants used for inflammation and pain-related ailments. MATERIAL AND METHODS An extensive literature review was undertaken to identify southern African plants used traditionally to treat inflammation. A variety of ethnobotanical books and grey literature, as well as ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Scopus search engines were used as sources of information. RESULTS This review identified 555 medicinal plants from 118 families which were traditionally used in southern Africa to treat inflammation and pain. Fabaceae was the most prominent family with 63 species, followed by Asteraceae (54 species) and Apocynaceae (33 species). The top category of ailments indicated include non-specific inflammation with 150 species, followed by inflammatory pain (148 species), headache (114 species) and toothache (114 species). CONCLUSION Despite a large number of southern African medicinal plants used to treat inflammation and pain, relatively few have been screened for their anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, biologically active plant extracts have been tested against relatively few inflammatory markers and considerable further work is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gugulethu P Khumalo
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Griffith Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Ben Erik Van Wyk
- Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Yunjiang Feng
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Griffith Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, 46 Don Young Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
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Akpe V, Biddle TJ, Cock IE. Evaluation of the evaporation route of a liquid droplet on Au coated and non-coated glass surfaces. Aust J Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/ch21197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Cheesman MJ, Alcorn S, Verma V, Cock IE. An assessment of the growth inhibition profiles of Hamamelis virginiana L. extracts against Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp. J Tradit Complement Med 2021; 11:457-465. [PMID: 34522640 PMCID: PMC8427463 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcal and streptococcal species trigger a wide variety of infections involving epithelial tissues. Virginian witch hazel (WH; Hamamelis virginiana L.; family: Hamamelidaceae) is a plant that has been used traditionally by Native Americans to treat a variety of skin conditions. Extracts from the leaves were examined for their inhibitory effects on these bacterial species. Solvents of different polarity (water, methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane and chloroform) were used to prepare extracts from WH leaves, and the aqueous resuspensions were screened for antibacterial activities using disc diffusion and liquid dilution assays. Extract phytochemical profiles and toxicities were also examined, and combinations of extracts with conventional antibiotics were tested against each bacterial strain. The methanolic and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of S. oralis, S. pyogenes, S. epidermidis and S. aureus, but not S. mutans. The extracts were especially active against staphylococcal species, with MIC values between 200 and 500 μg/ml. Combinations of active extracts with conventional antibiotics failed to yield beneficial interactions, except for two cases where additive interactions were observed (aqueous WH extract combined with chloramphenicol against S. oralis, and methanolic WH extract combined with ciprofloxacin against S. aureus). Phytochemical assays indicated an abundance of tannins, triterpenoids and phenolics in the water and methanol extracts, with trace amounts of these components in the ethyl acetate extract. Phytochemicals were not detected in hexane and chloroform extracts. Thus, phytochemical abundance in extracts was concordant with antibacterial activities. All extracts were found to be non-toxic in Artemia nauplii assays. These findings indicate the potential for WH leaf extracts for clinical use in treating staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, while substantiating their traditional Native American uses. H. virginiana extracts inhibited the growth of common bacterial skin pathogens. MIC values were determined and indicated strong inhibitory activity. The aqueous extract potentiated the antibacterial activity of chloramphenicol. The methanolic extracts potentiated activity of ciprofloxacin. All extracts were determined to be non-toxic by Artemia nauplii assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Cheesman
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Quality Use of Medicines Network, Australia
| | - Sean Alcorn
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Quality Use of Medicines Network, Australia
| | - Vishal Verma
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Quality Use of Medicines Network, Australia
| | - Ian E. Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Australia
- Corresponding author. School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
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Ryan RYM, Fernandez A, Wong Y, Miles JJ, Cock IE. The medicinal plant Tabebuia impetiginosa potently reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in primary human lymphocytes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5519. [PMID: 33750911 PMCID: PMC7970899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85211-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Bark from the Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos (Bignoniaceae) tree has long been used in traditional South American healing practises to treat inflammation. However, its anti-inflammatory activity has not been closely examined. Here we use chemical extraction, qualitative phytochemical examination, toxicity testing and quantitative examination of anti-inflammatory activity on human cells ex vivo. All extracts were found to be nontoxic. We found different extracts exhibited unique cytokine profiles with some extracts outperforming a positive control used in the clinic. These results verify the immunomodulatory activity of Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos (Bignoniaceae) tree bark-derived compounds. Collectively, combining a lack of toxicity and potency in human immune cells supports further fractionation and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Y M Ryan
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM), James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia.,Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, 4878, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Alejandra Fernandez
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Yide Wong
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM), James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia.,Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, 4878, Australia.,Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, 4878, Australia
| | - John J Miles
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM), James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, 4878, Australia. .,Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Cairns, 4878, Australia. .,Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University, Cairns, 4878, Australia.
| | - Ian E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia. .,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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Akpe V, Murhekar S, Kim TH, Brown CL, Cock IE. Profiling the Neoplasm Microenvironment of Silica Nanomaterial-Derived Scaffolds of Single, 2-, and 3-Composite Systems. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2021; 19:191-203. [PMID: 33471566 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2020.1020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The challenges with scaffold profiling of cell-based assay includes accelerated cancer cell proliferation, induced scaffold toxicity, and identifying irrelevant cancer cell-based assays in batch assessments. This study investigates profiling carcinoma of breast cancer cells of MCF-7 model systems using silica nanoparticles scaffold sourced from synthetic materials and plant extracts. Herein, the engineered tissue scaffolds were used to create temporary structures for cancer cell attachments, differentiation, and subsequently to assess the metabolic activity of the cancer cell colonies. The cell viability of the cancer cells was assessed using the tetrazolium compound (MTS reagent), which was reduced to colored formazan, to indicate metabolically active cancer cells in a proliferating assay. We aimed to develop cancer cell-based scaffolds that not only mimic the neoplastic activity, but that also allowed synergistic interaction with cisplatin for in vitro assay screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Akpe
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Shweta Murhekar
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Tak H Kim
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Christopher L Brown
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia
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15
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Cock IE, Ndlovu N, Van Vuuren SF. The use of South African botanical species for the control of blood sugar. J Ethnopharmacol 2021; 264:113234. [PMID: 32768640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent diseases globally and is of considerable concern to global health. Approximately 425 million people are estimated to have DM globally and this is predicted to increase to >642 million by 2040. Whilst the prevalence of DM in South Africa is slightly lower than the global average, it is expected to rise rapidly in future years as more South Africans adopt a high calorie "westernised" diet. Traditional medicines offer an alternative for the development of new medicines to treat DM and the usage of South African plants is relatively well documented. AIM OF THE STUDY To critically review the literature on the anti-diabetic properties of South African plants and to document plant species used for the treatment of DM. Thereafter, a thorough examination of the related research will highlight where research is lacking in the field. MATERIALS AND METHODS A review of published ethnobotanical books, reviews and primary scientific studies was undertaken to identify plants used to treat DM in traditional South African healing systems and to identify gaps in the published research. The study was non-biased, without taxonomic preference and included both native and introduced species. To be included, species must be recorded in the pharmacopeia of at least one South African ethnic group for the treatment of DM. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-seven species are recorded as therapies for DM, with leaves and roots most commonly used. The activity of only 43 of these species have been verified by rigorous testing, and relatively few studies have examined the mechanism of action. CONCLUSION Despite relatively extensive ethnobotanical records and a diverse flora, the anti-diabetic properties of South African medicinal plants is relatively poorly explored. The efficacy of most plants used traditionally to treat DM are yet to be verified and few mechanistic studies are available. Further research is required in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - N Ndlovu
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Gauteng, 2193, South Africa
| | - S F Van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Gauteng, 2193, South Africa.
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Akpe V, Biddle TJ, Madu C, Brown CL, Kim TH, Cock IE. A Computational Comparative Study for the Spectroscopic Evaluation of Triazine Derivative Dyes in Implicit Solvation Model Systems Using Semi-Empirical and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory Approaches. Aust J Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/ch21196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The spectroscopic data for a range of cyclopenta-[d][1,2,3]-triazine derivative dyes have been evaluated using various standard computational approaches. Absorption data of these dyes were obtained using the ZINDO/S semi-empirical model for vertical excitation energies of structures optimised with the AM1, PM3, and PM6 methods. These studies were conducted under vacuum and solution states using the polarisation continuum model (PCM) for implicit solvation in the linear response model. The accuracy, along with the modest computational costs of using the ZINDO/S prediction, combined with the PM3 optimisation method for absorption data was reliable. While a higher computational cost is required for the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), this method offers a reliable method for calculating both the absorption and emission data for the dyes studied (using vertical and adiabatic excitation energies, respectively) via state-specific solvation. This research demonstrates the potential of computational approaches utilising solvation in evaluating the spectroscopic properties of dyes in the rational design of fluorescent probes.
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17
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Akpe V, Murhekar S, Kim TH, Brown CL, Cock IE. Batch Effect Adjustment to Lower the Drug Attrition Rate of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Exposed to Silica Nanomaterial-Derived Scaffolds. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2021; 19:46-61. [PMID: 33443468 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2020.1016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug attrition rate is the calculation or measure of the clinical efficacy of a candidate drug on a screen platform for a specific period. Determining the attrition rate of a prospective cancer drug is a reliable way of testing the clinical efficacy. A low attrition rate in the last phase of a preclinical trial increases the success of a drug discovery process. It has been reported that the attrition rates of antineoplastic drugs are much higher than for other therapeutic drugs. Among the factors identified for the high attrition rates in antineoplastic drugs are the nature of the screen-based platforms involving human-derived xenografts, extracellular matrix-derived scaffold systems, and the synthetic scaffolds, which all have propensity to proliferate tumor cells at faster rates than in vivo primary tumors. Other factors that affect the high attrition rates are induced scaffold toxicity and the use of assays that are irrelevant, yet affect data processing. These factors contribute to the wide variation in data and systematic errors. As a result, it becomes imperative to filter batch variations and to standardize the data. Importantly, understanding the interplay between the biological milieu and scaffold connections is also crucial. Here the cell viability of MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line) cells exposed to different scaffolds were screened before cisplatin dosing using the calculated p-values. The statistical significance (p-value) of data was calculated using the one-way analysis of variance, with the p-value set as: 0 < p < 0.06. In addition, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the different scaffolds exposed to MCF-7 cells were calculated with the probit extension model and cumulative distribution (%) of the extension data. The chemotherapeutic dose (cisplatin, 56 mg/m2) reduced the cell viability of MCF-7 cells to 5% within 24 h on the scaffold developed from silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) formulation (SNP:PEG) mixtures with a ratio of 1:10, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Akpe
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia
| | - Shweta Murhekar
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia
| | - Tak H Kim
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia
| | - Christopher L Brown
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, Australia
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18
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Cock IE, Van Vuuren SF. The traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of bacterial respiratory diseases: A review of the ethnobotany and scientific evaluations. J Ethnopharmacol 2020; 263:113204. [PMID: 32730881 PMCID: PMC7383173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Multiple plant species were used traditionally in southern Africa to treat bacterial respiratory diseases. This review summarises this usage and highlights plant species that are yet to be verified for these activities. AIM OF THE STUDY This manuscript reviews the traditional usage of southern African plant species to treat bacterial respiratory diseases with the aim of highlighting gaps in the literature and focusing future studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS An extensive review of ethnobotanical books, reviews and primary scientific studies was undertaken to identify southern African plants which are used in traditional southern African medicine to treat bacterial respiratory diseases. We also searched for southern African plants whose inhibitory activity against bacterial respiratory pathogens has been conmfirmed, to highlight gaps in the literature and focus future studies. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-seven southern African plant species are recorded as traditional therapies for bacterial respiratory infections. Scientific evaluations of 178 plant species were recorded, although only 42 of these were selected for screening on the basis of their ethnobotanical uses. Therefore, the potential of 146 species used teraditionally to treat bacterial respiratory diseases are yet to be verified. CONCLUSIONS The inhibitory properties of southern African medicinal plants against bacterial respiratory pathogens is relatively poorly explored and the antibacterial activity of most plant species remains to be verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
| | - Sandy F Van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
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Cock IE, Van Vuuren SF. The traditional use of southern African medicinal plants in the treatment of viral respiratory diseases: A review of the ethnobotany and scientific evaluations. J Ethnopharmacol 2020; 262:113194. [PMID: 32730880 PMCID: PMC7384428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Viral respiratory infections are amongst the most common infections globally, with most of the world's population contracting at least one infection annually. Numerous plant species are used in traditional southern African healing systems to treat these diseases and to alleviate the symptoms. Despite this, the therapeutic potential of these plants against viral respiratory diseases remains poorly explored. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to document the southern African plant species used in traditional medicine to treat viral respiratory infections. We also examined the extent of scientific evaluations of southern African plant species against the respiratory-infective viruses, with the aim of stimulating interest in this area and focusing on future studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS We undertook an extensive review of ethnobotanical books, reviews and primary scientific studies to identify southern African plants which are used in traditional southern African medicine to treat viral respiratory diseases. This information was used to identify gaps in the current research that require further study. RESULTS Two hundred and fifty-seven southern African plant species were identified as traditional therapies for viral respiratory diseases. Surprisingly, only one of those species (as well as twenty-one other species not recorded for these purposes) has been evaluated for the ability to block respiratory virus production. Furthermore, most of these studies screened against a single viral strain and none of those studies examined the mechanism of action of the plant preparations. CONCLUSIONS Despite well documented records of the use of southern African plants to treat respiratory viral diseases, the field is poorly explored. Nearly all of the plant species used in traditional healing systems to treat these diseases are yet to be tested. Substantial further work is required to verify the efficacy of these traditional medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
| | - Sandy F Van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Gauteng, 2193, South Africa
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20
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Tiwana G, Cock IE, White A, Cheesman MJ. Use of specific combinations of the triphala plant component extracts to potentiate the inhibition of gastrointestinal bacterial growth. J Ethnopharmacol 2020; 260:112937. [PMID: 32464314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Triphala is used in Ayurveda to treat a wide variety of diseases, including numerous bacterial infections. Interestingly, the plant components of triphala (Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula and Emblica officinalis) are also good inhibitors of bacterial growth when used individually, yet plant preparations are generally used in combination in traditional medicine. Surprisingly, no previous studies have addressed the reason why the combination is preferred over the individual components to treat bacterial infections. AIM OF THE STUDY To test and compare the antibacterial efficacy of triphala and its component parts to quantify their relative efficacies. The individual plant components will also be tested as combinations, thereby determining whether combining the individual components potentiates the antibacterial activity of the components used alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS Triphala and the three individual plant components were extracted using solvents of varying polarity (methanol, water, ethyl acetate) and the antibacterial activity of the aqueous resuspensions was quantified by disc diffusion and broth microdilution MIC assays. Combinations of extracts produced from the individual components were also tested against each bacterial species and the ΣFICs was calculated to determine the class of interaction. Where synergy was detected, isobologram analysis was used to determine the optimal component ratios. The Artemia nauplii bioassay was used to test for toxicity and GC-MS headspace profiling analysis was used to highlight terpenoid components that may contribute to the antibacterial activity of triphala. RESULTS The aqueous and methanolic triphala, T. bellirica, T. chebula and E. officinalis extracts displayed good inhibitory activity against all bacterial strains, with MICs often in the 250-750 μg/mL range. The methanolic extracts were generally more potent than the aqueous extracts and T. chebula was the most potent of the individual plant components. Combining the extracts of the different plant species resulted in potentiation of the growth inhibitory activity of most combinations compared to that of the individual components. Indeed, with the exception of S. flexneri, all bacterial species were potentiated by at least one combination of methanolic plant extracts, with a substantial proportion of these displaying synergistic interactions. All extracts were found to be either non-toxic, or of low to moderate toxicity in Artemia nauplii assays. CONCLUSION Whilst the individual plant components of triphala all inhibit the growth of multiple pathogenic bacteria, the activity is potentiated for multiple combinations. Therefore, the traditional usage of the combination of the three plant materials in triphala not only extends the activity profile of the mixture over that of the individual components, but it also substantially potentiates the inhibitory activity towards multiple bacteria, partially explaining the preference of triphala compared to the individual components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagan Tiwana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Quality Use of Medicines Network, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
| | - Alan White
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Matthew J Cheesman
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Quality Use of Medicines Network, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
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21
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Kim TH, Raiz A, Unni AD, Murhekar S, Donose BC, Floetenmeyer M, Cock IE, Brown CL. Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Strains with Tetracycline-Conjugated Carbon Nanoparticles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:e2000074. [PMID: 32803868 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Nontoxic carbon nanoparticle samples prepared by both bottom-up and top-down approaches do not inhibit Gram-negative bacterial growth, indicating excellent biocompatibilities. However, cell growth inhibitory efficacies increase considerably when the carbon nanoparticles are conjugated with the antibiotic tetracycline. In tetracycline-resistant bacteria, these efficacies can approach tenfold higher activities when compared to tetracycline alone. No structural abnormality such as membrane disruptions is evident in the tested bacterial strains; this is in contrast with other nanocarbon systems such as graphene oxides, carbon nanotubes, and amine-functionalized carbon nanoparticles which do exhibit membrane disruptions. In comparison, the tetracycline-conjugated carbon nanoparticles induce membrane perturbations (but not membrane disruptions), inhibiting bacterial efflux mechanisms. It is proposed that when tetracycline is conjugated to the surface of carbon nanoparticles, it functions to direct the nanoparticles to membrane-associated tetracycline efflux pumps, thereby blocking and subsequently inhibiting their function. The conjugation between biocompatible carbon nanoparticles and subtherapeutic but well-established antibiotic molecules may provide hybrid antibiotic assembly strategies resulting in effective multidrug efflux inhibition for combating antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tak H Kim
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Asim Raiz
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Aradhana Devi Unni
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Shweta Murhekar
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Bogdan C Donose
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Matthias Floetenmeyer
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Christopher L Brown
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
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Abstract
Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have recently been identified as valuable biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic evaluations, as well for monitoring therapeutic responses to treatments. CTCs are rare cells which may be present as one CTC surrounded by approximately 1 million white blood cells and 1 billion red blood cells per millilitre of peripheral blood. Despite the various challenges in CTC detection, considerable progress in detection methods have been documented in recent times, particularly for methodologies incorporating nanomaterial-based platforms and/or integrated microfluidics. Herein, we summarize the importance of CTCs as biological markers for tumour detection, highlight their mechanism of cellular invasion and discuss the various challenges associated with CTC research, including vulnerability, heterogeneity, phenotypicity and size differences. In addition, we describe nanomaterial agents used for electrochemistry and surface plasmon resonance applications, which have recently been used to selectively capture cancer cells and amplify signals for CTC detection. The intrinsic properties of nanomaterials have also recently been exploited to achieve photothermal destruction of cancer cells. This review describes recent advancements and future perspectives in the CTC field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Akpe
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Tak H. Kim
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Christopher L. Brown
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E. Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
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Akpe V, Shiddiky MJA, Kim TH, Brown CL, Yamauchi Y, Cock IE. Cancer biomarker profiling using nanozyme containing iron oxide loaded with gold particles. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200180. [PMID: 32574540 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanozymes are nanomaterials with intrinsic magnetism and superparamagnetic properties. In the presence of an external magnet, nanozyme particles aggregate and redisperse without a foreign attraction. We evaluated the performances of nanozyme by changing the biosensing platforms and substituting other biological variants for a complete cancer assay detection. We investigated the expression of morphological variants in the transmission of signals using an electrochemical method. The signal responses, including signal enhancement with the nanozyme (Au-Fe2O3), showed a wide capturing range (greater than 80%, from 102 to 105 cells ml-1 in phosphate-buffered saline buffer, pH 7.4). The platform showed a fast response time within a dynamic range of 10-105 cells ml-1 for the investigated T47D cancer cell line. We also obtained higher responses for anti-HER2 (human epidermal receptor 2)/streptavidin interface as the biosensing electrode in the presence of T47D cancer cells. The positive assay produced a sixfold increase in current output compared to the negative target or negative biological variant. We calculated the limit of detection at 0.4 U ml-1, and of quantitation at 4 U ml-1 (units per millilitre). However, blood volume amounts in clinical settings may constrain diagnosis and increase detection limit value significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Akpe
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Muhammad J A Shiddiky
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia.,Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Tak H Kim
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Christopher L Brown
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Yusuke Yamauchi
- School of Chemical Engineering and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland 4111, Australia
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24
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Cock IE, Van Vuuren SF. A review of the traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of fungal skin infections. J Ethnopharmacol 2020; 251:112539. [PMID: 31899200 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Human dermatophyte infections are one of the most common classes of infection globally, with an estimated 1.7 billion people contracting at least one infection annually. Southern African ethnic groups used multiple plants to treat dermatophytosis and to alleviate the symptoms, yet the anti-dermatophyte properties of most species remain poorly explored. AIM OF THE STUDY Our study aimed to critically review the literature to document southern African plant species used to treat one or more dermatophytic infections, and to summarise scientific evaluations of these and other plant species. Our study aims to stimulate and focus future studies in this field. MATERIALS AND METHODS A thorough review of the ethnobotanical books, reviews and primary scientific studies were undertaken to identify southern African plants used traditionally to treat dermatophytosis, thereby identifying gaps in the research requiring further study. RESULTS Eighty-nine southern African plant species are recorded as traditional therapies for dermatophytosis. Scientific evaluations of 140 plant species were identified, although most of the species in those studies were selected for reasons apart from their traditional uses. None of those studies examined the mechanism of action of the plant species, and only a single study screened the extracts for toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Despite southern Africa having some of the longest continuous human civilisations globally, as well as unique and diverse flora, and good ethnobotanical records, the anti-dermatophyte properties of southern African medicinal plants remains relatively poorly explored. The efficacy of the majority of plants used traditionally to treat fungal skin disease are yet to be verified and substantial further research is required in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
| | - S F Van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Gauteng, 2193, South Africa
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Cock IE, Rayan P. Ascorbic acid potentiates the Giardia duodenalis growth inhibitory activity of pure Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell compounds. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1125-1137. [PMID: 31907666 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06579-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Giardiasis, one of the most common causes of diarrhoeal disease, is caused by gastrointestinal protozoal parasites of the genus Giardia. Metronidazole is the most commonly used drug to treat giardiasis. However, metronidazole resistance is increasingly common, making the development of new anti-giardial drugs a high priority. A panel of 11 compounds previously identified in T. ferdinandiana fruit extracts were investigated for the ability to inhibit G. duodenalis proliferation. Eight of the 11 compounds inhibited the growth of all three G. duodenalis strains. 2,3-Dihydroxyphenyl B-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (DPGA) was the most potent anti-giardial compound, with IC50 values as low as 126 μM (38 μg/mL). Notably, DPGA inhibited a metronidazole-resistant G. duodenalis strain with similar activity as determined for the metronidazole-sensitive strains. Furthermore, the activity of DPGA was greatly potentiated when it was tested in combination with ascorbic acid, to approximately 17 μM (5 μg/mL) for the metronidazole-sensitive G. duodenalis strains and 40 μM (12 mg/mL) for the resistant strain. The T. ferdinandiana tannins (gallic acid and chebulic acid) were moderate inhibitors of G. duodenalis growth when tested in combination with ascorbic acid, although they had only low levels of activity when tested alone. All of the tested compounds (and their combinations with ascorbic acid) displayed low toxic effects and all compounds are conformed to Lipinski's rules of 5 with few violations, indicating their potential as drug leads and chemotherapies for the treatment and prevention of giardiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia.
| | - P Rayan
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
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Cock IE, Selesho MI, van Vuuren SF. A review of the traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of malaria. J Ethnopharmacol 2019; 245:112176. [PMID: 31446074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMALOGICAL RELEVANCE Malaria is one of the most prevalent and deadly parasitic diseases globally, with over 200 million new cases and nearly 500,000 deaths reported annually. It is estimated that approximately half of the world's population lives in malaria endemic areas. Malaria is substantially less prevalent in South Africa than in other African regions and the disease is limited to some regions of the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. However, it still has a significant impact on the health of the populations living in those regions. Traditional medicines have long been used in South Africa by multiple ethic groups and many people continue to rely on these natural therapies for their healthcare. The usage of South African medicinal plants in several traditional healing systems to treat malaria have been documented (particularly for Zulu and Venda traditional medicine), although ethnobotanical investigations of other ethnic groups living in endemic malaria areas remains relatively neglected. AIM OF THE STUDY To document the use of South African medicinal plants known to be used traditionally to treat Plasmodium spp. infections. We also critically reviewed the literature on the therapeutic properties of these and other South African plants screened against Plasmodium spp. parasites with the aim of highlighting neglected studies and fostering future research in this area. MATERIALS AND METHODS Books and ethnobotanical reviews were examined for medicinal plants used specifically for fever. Exclusion criteria were studies not involving southern African medicinal plants. Furthermore, while fever is a common symptom of malaria, if not accompanied by the term "malaria" it was not considered. Databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar were used to source research relevant to southern African plants and malaria. Exclusion criteria were those publications where full articles could not be accessed. RESULTS Eighty South African plant species were identified as traditional therapies for malaria. The majority of these species were documented in Zulu ethnobotanical records, despite malaria occurring in only a relatively small portion of the Zulu's traditional territory. Surprisingly, far fewer species were reported to be used by Venda, Ndebele, northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, and Pedi people, despite them living in endemic malaria areas. Interestingly many of the identified species have not been investigated further. This review summarises the available ethnobotanical and laboratory research in this field, with the aim of promoting and focusing research on priority areas. CONCLUSION Although malaria remains a serious disease affecting millions of people, medicinal plants while used extensively, have not been given the attention warranted for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - M I Selesho
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Gauteng, 2193, South Africa
| | - S F van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, Gauteng, 2193, South Africa.
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Cheesman MJ, White A, Matthews B, Cock IE. Terminalia ferdinandiana Fruit and Leaf Extracts Inhibit Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Growth. Planta Med 2019; 85:1253-1262. [PMID: 31597166 DOI: 10.1055/a-1013-0434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria has vastly depleted our repertoire of effective antibiotic chemotherapies. The development of multi-β-lactam-resistant strains are particularly concerning due to our previous reliance on this class of antibiotics because of their initial efficacy and broad-spectrum activity. With increases in extended-spectrum β-lactam-resistance and an expanded resistance to other classes of antibiotics, there is an urgent need for the development of effective new antibiotic therapies. Terminalia ferdinandiana is an endemic Australian plant known for its high antioxidant and tannin contents. T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts have strong antibacterial activity against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens. However, T. ferdinandiana extracts have not been tested against ESBL and MRSA antibiotic-resistant pathogens. An objective of this study was to screen T. ferdinandiana fruit and leaf extracts for bacterial growth inhibitory activity by disc diffusion assay against β-lactam-sensitive and -resistant E. coli strains and against methicillin-sensitive and -resistant S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was quantified by liquid dilution techniques. The fruit methanolic extract, as well as the methanolic, aqueous, and ethyl acetate leaf extracts strongly inhibited the growth of the MRSA, with MICs as low as 223 µg/mL. In contrast, the extracts were ineffective inhibitors of ESBL growth. Metabolomic fingerprint analysis identified a diversity and relative abundance of tannins, flavonoids, and terpenoids, several of which have been reported to inhibit MRSA growth in isolation. All extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia nauplii and HDF toxicity assays, further indicating their potential for medicinal use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Cheesman
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Quality Use of Medicines Network, Australia
| | - Alan White
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Australia
| | - Ben Matthews
- Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Australia
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Cock IE, Wright MH, Matthews B, White A. Bioactive compounds sourced from Terminalia spp. in bacterial malodour prevention: an effective alternative to chemical additives. Int J Cosmet Sci 2019; 41:496-508. [PMID: 31381160 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recently, our group reported that extracts prepared from the Australian native plant Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. are potent inhibitors of the growth malodorous bacteria with similar efficacy to triclosan and through these results, we highlighted a potential biological alternative to the current chemical additives. Other members of the genus Terminalia are also well documented for their antibacterial potential and tannin contents and thus were investigated as potential deodorant additives. METHODS Solvent extractions prepared from of selected Indian, Australian and South African Terminalia spp. were screened by disc diffusion and liquid dilution assays against C. jeikeium, S. epidermidis, P. acnes and B. linens. The antibacterial activity was quantified by liquid dilution MIC assays. The extracts were screened for toxicity using Atremia franciscana nauplii and HDF cell viability bioassays. High-resolution time-of-flight (TOF) LC-MS and GC-MS headspace fingerprint analysis was used to detect tannin, flavonoid and terpenoid components in the extracts. RESULTS Bacterial growth inhibition was observed in all Terminalia extracts with the methanolic T. chebula, T. carpenteriae and T. sericea extracts the most promising bacterial growth inhibitors, yielding MIC values as low as 200 µg mL-1 . Toxicity analyses of the extracts were favourable, and we determined that the methanolic T. chebula, T. carpenteriae and T. sericea extracts were all non-toxic. Using previously detected T. ferdinandiana antimicrobials as benchmarks, LC-MS and GC-MS fingerprint analyses revealed similar compounds in the methanolic T. chebula, T. carpenteriae and T. sericea extracts. CONCLUSION Through these results, we propose that Terminalia spp. extracts may be useful deodorant additives to inhibit the growth of axillary and plantar malodorous bacteria, offering a biological alternative to their chemically synthesized counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - M H Wright
- Department of Research and Development, First Choice College, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.,Division of Education Quality, iLearn eCollege, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - B Matthews
- NSW Health Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Endocrinology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A White
- School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Omer E, Elshamy AI, Nassar M, Shalom J, White A, Cock IE. Plantago squarrosa Murray extracts inhibit the growth of some bacterial triggers of autoimmune diseases: GC-MS analysis of an inhibitory extract. Inflammopharmacology 2018; 27:373-385. [PMID: 30446926 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-018-0547-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever are autoimmune inflammatory diseases that may be triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by specific bacterial pathogens. Inhibiting the growth of these bacteria with high antioxidant plant extracts may inhibit the aetiology of these diseases, as well as inhibiting the later phase symptoms. P. squarrosa extracts were analysed for antioxidant activity using a DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Bacterial growth inhibitory activity was evaluated using disc diffusion assays and the activity was quantified by MIC determination. The extracts were screened for toxicity by A. franciscana nauplii assays. The most potent antibacterial extract (ethyl acetate) was analysed by GC-MS headspace profile analysis and compounds were identified with reference to a phytochemical database. All extracts displayed strong DPPH radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate extract was particularly potent (IC50 1.4 µg/mL), whilst the other extracts also had significant radical scavenging activity (IC50 values between 11 and 22 µg/mL). Notably, the bacterial growth inhibitory activity of the extracts correlated with their DPPH radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate extract, which had the greatest DPPH scavenging activity, generally displayed the most potent bacterial growth inhibitory activity. This extract was particularly potent against P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris and A. baylyi (MIC values of 484, 575 and 880 µg/mL, respectively). It also inhibited P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes growth, albeit with higher MICs (1600-3700 µg/mL). All other extract-bacteria combinations were either inactive or resulted in mid-low potency inhibition. All extracts were non-toxic in the A. franciscana bioassay (LC50 substantially > 1000 µg/mL). In total, 89 unique mass signals were identified in the P. squarrosa ethyl acetate extract by non-biased GC-MS headspace analysis. A number of compounds which may contribute to the antibacterial activity of this extract have been highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsayed Omer
- Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Abdelsamed I Elshamy
- Chemistry of Natural Compounds Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Nassar
- Chemistry of Natural Compounds Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Joseph Shalom
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Alan White
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E Cock
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia. .,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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Cock IE, Selesho MI, Van Vuuren SF. A review of the traditional use of southern African medicinal plants for the treatment of selected parasite infections affecting humans. J Ethnopharmacol 2018; 220:250-264. [PMID: 29621583 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Worldwide, more than three billion cases of parasitic disease are reported yearly and it is likely that this figure is substantially under-estimated. Approximately one in six people globally are estimated to be infected with at least one parasite species annually. In South Africa, the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium (bilharzia) and intestinal worms and helminths are particularly high, especially in children and in crowded or poorer rural communities with inadequate sanitation and nutrition. Despite alarmingly high estimates, medical research into parasitic diseases remains neglected and only malaria receives significant attention and funding. Traditional medicines have been used for centuries in Africa by multiple ethnic groups and many people rely on these healing systems as their primary healthcare modality. The traditional use of South African medicinal plants to treat parasite infestations is relatively well documented, and it is important to link these traditional uses to scientific evidence validating efficacy. AIM OF THE STUDY To document the medicinal plants used for parasitic infections and critically review the literature on the anti-parasitic properties of South African plants against some neglected parasitic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS A review of the literature (ethnobotanical books and publications documenting traditional plant use) was undertaken related to specific medicinal use for parasitic infections in Southern Africa. Inclusion criteria focused on human use. Exclusion criteria included veterinary use and malaria due to the extensive nature of these subject matters. An in-depth analysis of previous studies was undertaken and future prospectives are considered. RESULTS In particular, bilharzia, gastrointestinal worms and helminths, ectoparasites, trichomoniasis, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis are reviewed with special emphasis on the gaps in research. CONCLUSIONS Despite the availability of relatively extensive ethnobotanical records on the anti-parasitic properties of southern African medicinal plants, the antiparasitic properties of many plants have been poorly examined. There was in many instances a lack of evidence to support traditional use of many species towards some parasites and research is urgently needed in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia; Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - M I Selesho
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Rd, Parktown, Gauteng 2193, South Africa
| | - S F Van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Rd, Parktown, Gauteng 2193, South Africa.
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Shalom J, Cock IE. Terminalia ferdinandianaExell. Fruit and Leaf Extracts Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in Selected Human Cancer Cell Lines. Nutr Cancer 2018; 70:579-593. [DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2018.1460680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Shalom
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian E. Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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McManus K, Wood A, Wright MH, Matthews B, Greene AC, Cock IE. Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell. Extracts inhibit the growth of body odour-forming bacteria. Int J Cosmet Sci 2017; 39:500-510. [PMID: 28488331 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts are potent growth inhibitors of many bacterial pathogens. They may also inhibit the growth of malodour-producing bacteria and thus be useful deodorant components, although this is yet to be tested. METHODS Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit and leaf solvent extracts were investigated by disc diffusion and liquid dilution MIC assays against the most significant bacterial contributors to axillary and plantar malodour formation. Toxicity was determined using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. Non-targeted HPLC separation of the methanolic leaf extract coupled to high-resolution time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectroscopy was used for the identification and characterization of individual components in the extract. RESULTS The T. ferdinandiana leaf extracts were the most potent bacterial growth inhibitors. The leaf methanolic extract was particularly potent, with low MIC values against C. jeikeium (233 μg mL-1 ), S. epidermidis (220 μg mL-1 ), P. acnes (625 μg mL-1 ) and B. linens (523 μg mL-1 ). The aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extracts were also potent growth inhibitors of C. jeikeium and S. epidermidis (MICs < 1000 μg mL-1 ). In comparison, the fruit extracts were substantially less potent antibacterial agents, although still with MIC values indicative of moderate growth inhibitory activity. All T. ferdinandiana leaf extracts were non-toxic in the Artemia franciscana bioassay. Non-biased phytochemical analysis of the methanolic leaf extract revealed the presence of high levels of and high diversity of tannins and high levels of the flavone luteolin. CONCLUSION The low toxicity of the T. ferdinandiana leaf extracts and their potent growth inhibition of axillary and plantar malodour-producing bacteria indicate their potential as deodorant components.
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Affiliation(s)
- K McManus
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, 4111, Australia
| | - A Wood
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, 4111, Australia
| | - M H Wright
- Division of Environmental and Biomolecular Systems, Institute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - B Matthews
- Smartwaters Research Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Qld, 4222, Australia
| | - A C Greene
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, 4111, Australia
| | - I E Cock
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, 4111, Australia.,Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, 4111, Australia
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Cheesman MJ, Ilanko A, Blonk B, Cock IE. Developing New Antimicrobial Therapies: Are Synergistic Combinations of Plant Extracts/Compounds with Conventional Antibiotics the Solution? Pharmacogn Rev 2017; 11:57-72. [PMID: 28989242 PMCID: PMC5628525 DOI: 10.4103/phrev.phrev_21_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of penicillin nearly 90 years ago revolutionized the treatment of bacterial disease. Since that time, numerous other antibiotics have been discovered from bacteria and fungi, or developed by chemical synthesis and have become effective chemotherapeutic options. However, the misuse of antibiotics has lessened the efficacy of many commonly used antibiotics. The emergence of resistant strains of bacteria has seriously limited our ability to treat bacterial illness, and new antibiotics are desperately needed. Since the discovery of penicillin, most antibiotic development has focused on the discovery of new antibiotics derived from microbial sources, or on the synthesis of new compounds using existing antibiotic scaffolds to the detriment of other lines of discovery. Both of these methods have been fruitful. However, for a number of reasons discussed in this review, these strategies are unlikely to provide the same wealth of new antibiotics in the future. Indeed, the number of newly developed antibiotics has decreased dramatically in recent years. Instead, a reexamination of traditional medicines has become more common and has already provided several new antibiotics. Traditional medicine plants are likely to provide further new antibiotics in the future. However, the use of plant extracts or pure natural compounds in combination with conventional antibiotics may hold greater promise for rapidly providing affordable treatment options. Indeed, some combinational antibiotic therapies are already clinically available. This study reviews the recent literature on combinational antibiotic therapies to highlight their potential and to guide future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Cheesman
- School of Parmacy and Pharmacology, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland 4222, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Quality Use of Medicines Network, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Aishwarya Ilanko
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Baxter Blonk
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Ian E. Cock
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
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Winnett V, Sirdaarta J, White A, Clarke FM, Cock IE. Inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae growth by selected Australian plants: natural approaches for the prevention and management of ankylosing spondylitis. Inflammopharmacology 2017; 25:223-235. [PMID: 28239782 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-017-0328-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A wide variety of herbal remedies are used in traditional Australian medicine to treat inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune inflammatory diseases. One hundred and six extracts from 40 native Australian plant species traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation and/or to inhibit bacterial growth were investigated for their ability to inhibit the growth of a microbial trigger for ankylosing spondylitis (K. pneumoniae). Eighty-six of the extracts (81.1%) inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae. The D. leichardtii, Eucalyptus spp., K. flavescens, Leptospermum spp., M. quinquenervia, Petalostigma spp., P. angustifolium, S. spinescens, S. australe, S. forte and Tasmannia spp. extracts were effective K. pneumoniae growth inhibitors, with MIC values generally <1000 µg/mL. The T. lanceolata peppercorn extracts were the most potent growth inhibitors, with MIC values as low as 16 µg/mL. These extracts were examined by non-biased GC-MS headspace analysis and comparison with a compound database. A notable feature was the high relative abundance of the sesquiterpenoids polygodial, guaiol and caryophyllene oxide, and the monoterpenoids linalool, cineole and α-terpineol in the T. lanceolata peppercorn methanolic and aqueous extracts. The extracts with the most potent K. pneumoniae inhibitory activity (including the T. lanceolata peppercorn extracts) were nontoxic in the Artemia nauplii bioassay. The lack of toxicity and the growth inhibitory activity of these extracts against K. pneumoniae indicate their potential for both preventing the onset of ankylosing spondylitis and minimising its symptoms once the disease is established.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Winnett
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - J Sirdaarta
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - A White
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - F M Clarke
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Eskitis Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - I E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia. .,School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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Kim TH, White AR, Sirdaarta JP, Ji W, Cock IE, St John J, Boyd SE, Brown CL, Li Q. Yellow-Emitting Carbon Nanodots and Their Flexible and Transparent Films for White LEDs. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016; 8:33102-33111. [PMID: 27934198 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b12113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We report carbon nanodots that can be utilized as effective color converting phosphors for the production of white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Blue-excitable and yellow-emitting carbon nanodots, functionalized with 3-(imidazolidin-2-on-1-yl)propylmethyldimethoxysilane (IPMDS)-derived moieties (IS-CDs), are synthesized by a novel one-pot reaction in which the products from the initial reaction occurring between urea and 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propylmethyl-dimethoxysilane (AEPMDS) are further treated with citric acid. Distinctive from the majority of carbon nanodots reported previously, IS-CDs emit at 560 nm, under 460 nm excitation, with a quantum yield of 44%. Preliminary toxicity studies, assessed by the Artemia franciscana nauplii (brine shrimp larvae) bioassay, indicate that IS-CDs are largely nontoxic. Furthermore, the IS-CDs form flexible and transparent films without the need of encapsulating agents, and the solid films retain the optical properties of solvated IS-CDs. These features indicate an immense potential for the IS-CDs as an environmental-friendly, blue-excitable carbon nanodot-based phosphor in solid-state lighting devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tak H Kim
- Queensland Micro- and Nano-Technology Centre , 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | | | | | - Wenyu Ji
- College of Physics, Jilin University , Changchun 130023, China
| | | | | | | | - Christopher L Brown
- Queensland Micro- and Nano-Technology Centre , 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Qin Li
- Queensland Micro- and Nano-Technology Centre , 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
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Cock IE, Winnett V, Sirdaarta J, Matthews B. The potential of selected Australian medicinal plants with anti-Proteus activity for the treatment and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacogn Mag 2015; 11:S190-208. [PMID: 26109767 PMCID: PMC4461961 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.157734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A wide variety of herbal medicines are used in indigenous Australian traditional medicinal systems to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammation. The current study was undertaken to test the ability of a panel of Australian plants with a history of the ethnobotanical usage in the treatment of inflammation for the ability to block the microbial trigger of RA. Materials and Methods: One hundred and six extracts from 40 plant species were investigated for the ability to inhibit the growth of the bacterial trigger of RA (Proteusmirabilis). The extracts were tested for toxicity in the Artemia nauplii bioassay. The most potent inhibitor of P.mirabilis growth was further analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled to high accuracy time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectroscopy. Results: Sixty-five of the 106 extracts tested (61.3%) inhibited the growth of P. The Aleurites moluccanus, Datura leichardtii, Eucalyptus major, Leptospermum bracteata, L. juniperium, Macadamia integriflora nut, Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Petalostigma pubescens, P. triloculorae, P. augustifolium, Scaevola spinescens, Syzygiumaustrale, and Tasmannia lanceolata extracts were determined to be the most effective inhibitors of P. mirabilis growth, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values generally significantly below 1000 μg/ml. T. lanceolata fruit extracts were the most effective P. mirabilis growth inhibitors, with a MIC values of 11 and 126 μg/ml for the methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Subsequent analysis of the T. lanceolata fruit extracts by RP-HPLC coupled to high-resolution TOF mass spectroscopy failed to detect resveratrol in either T. lanceolata fruit extract. However, the resveratrol glycoside piceid and 2 combretastatin stilbenes (A-1 and A-4) were detected in both T. lanceolata fruit extracts. With the exception of the Eucalyptus and Syzygium extracts, all extracts exhibiting Proteus inhibitory activity were also shown to be nontoxic, or of low toxicity in the Artemia nauplii bioassay. Conclusions: The low toxicity of these extracts and their inhibitory bioactivity against Proteus spp. indicate their potential in blocking the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia ; School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - V Winnett
- School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - J Sirdaarta
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia ; School of Natural Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - B Matthews
- Smartwaters Research Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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Rayan P, Matthews B, McDonnell PA, Cock IE. Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts as inhibitors of Giardia duodenalis proliferation: a new treatment for giardiasis. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:2611-20. [PMID: 25876047 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4465-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Giardisis is a debilitating disease caused by gastrointestinal parasites of the genus Giardia. High-antioxidant T. ferdinandiana fruit extracts were investigated for the ability to block Giardia duodenalis growth. Methanolic and aqueous extracts had the most potent growth inhibitory activity (IC50 values of approximately 700 and 140 μg/ml, respectively). Ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts also inhibited G. duodenalis growth, albeit with lower potency. The hexane extract was completely devoid of G. duodenalis growth inhibitory activity. All extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia fransiscana bioassay. Nontargeted HPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectroscopy (with screening against three compound databases) putatively identified 17 compounds in all of the inhibitory extracts but not in the inactive hexane extract. The low toxicity of the Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extracts and their potent G. duodenalis growth inhibitory bioactivity indicate their potential as medicinal agents in the treatment and prevention of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Rayan
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
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Cock IE, Van Vuuren SF. A comparison of the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of six combretum and two terminalia species from southern Africa. Pharmacogn Mag 2015; 11:208-18. [PMID: 25709234 PMCID: PMC4329625 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.149740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Plants of the family Combretaceae are amongst the most widely used plants for traditional medicinal purposes in southern Africa. In particular, many species of Combretum and Terminalia are used for their antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antidiarrhoeal, analgesic, antimalarial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, yet their antimicrobial potential has not been rigorously studied and compared. Materials and Methods: A survey of antimicrobial activity was undertaken on selected South African Combretum and Terminalia species. Sixteen extracts from 6 Combretum and 2 Terminalia plant species with a history of medicinal usage were investigated by disc diffusion assay against a panel of bacteria and fungi and their MIC values were determined. Toxicity was determined using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. Results: All extracts tested displayed broad spectrum antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of 12-16 (75-100%) of the bacteria tested, with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria being approximately equally susceptible. Potent antibacterial activities (generally in the range 200-5000 μg/ml) were evident for all Combretaceae extracts against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Similarly, the extracts also displayed good antifungal activity, inhibiting the growth of 2-3 (66.7-100%) of the fungal species tested, with fungal growth inhibition activities generally in the range 200–4000 μg/ml. In general, the Terminalia extracts had better efficacies than the Combretum extracts. Furthermore, the methanol extracts were generally better antimicrobial agents than the water extracts. All extracts were also shown to be non-toxic in the Artemia nauplii bioassay. Conclusion: The lack of toxicity of these extracts and their inhibitory bioactivity against a panel of bacteria and fungi indicate their potential as medicinal agents and partially validate their usage in multiple South African traditional medicinal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia ; Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - S F Van Vuuren
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, South Africa
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Kalt FR, Cock IE. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of bioactive petalostigma extracts: Toxicity, antibacterial and antiviral activities. Pharmacogn Mag 2014; 10:S37-49. [PMID: 24914307 PMCID: PMC4047571 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.127338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Petalostigma pubescens and Petalostigma triloculare were common components of pharmacopeia's of multiple Australian Aboriginal tribal groupings which traditionally inhabited the areas in which they grow. Among these groups, they had a myriad of medicinal uses in treating a wide variety of bacterial, fungal and viral infections. This study was undertaken to test P. pubescens and P. triloculare leaf and fruit extracts for the ability to inhibit bacterial and viral growth and thus validate Australian Aboriginal usage of these plants in treating bacterial and fungal diseases. Materials and Methods: P. pubescens, and P. triloculare leaves and fruit were extracted and tested for antimicrobial, antiviral activity and toxicity. The bioactive extracts were further examined by RP-HPLC and GC-MS to identify the component compounds. Results: The methanol, water and ethyl acetate leaf and fruit extracts of displayed potent antibacterial activity. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts displayed the broadest specificity, inhibiting the growth of 10 of the 14 bacteria tested (71%) for the leaf extract and 9 of the 14 bacteria tested (64%) for the fruit extracts. The water extracts also had broad spectrum antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of 8 (57%) and 7 (50%) of the 14 bacteria tested, respectively. All antibacterial extracts were approximately equally effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, inhibiting the growth of 50-75% of the bacteria tested. The methanol, water and ethyl acetate extracts also displayed antiviral activity in the MS2 plaque reduction assay. The methanol and water extracts inhibited 26.6-49.0% and 85.4-97.2% of MS2 plaque formation, respectively, with the fruit extracts being more potent inhibitors. All ethyl acetate extracts inhibited 100% of MS2 plaque formation. All extracts were also non-toxic or of low toxicity. Analysis of these extracts by RP-HPLC showed that the P. triloculare ethyl acetate fruit extract was the least complex of the bioactive extracts. Subsequent analysis of this extract by GC-MS revealed that it contained 9 main compounds: acetic acid; 2,2-dimethoxybutane; 4-methyl-1,3-dioxane; decane; unadecane; 2-furanmethanol; 1,2-benzenediol; 1,2,3-benzenetriol; and benzoic acid. Conclusion: These studies validate Australian Aboriginal therapeutic usage of Petalostigma species and indicate their medicinal potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R Kalt
- Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - I E Cock
- Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia ; Environmental Futures Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
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Winnett V, Boyer H, Sirdaarta J, Cock IE. The potential of tasmannia lanceolata as a natural preservative and medicinal agent: antimicrobial activity and toxicity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.5530/pc.2014.1.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Cock IE, van Vuuren SF. Anti-Proteus activity of some South African medicinal plants: their potential for the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammopharmacology 2013; 22:23-36. [PMID: 23877712 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-013-0179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A wide variety of herbal remedies are used in traditional African medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammation. Thirty-four extracts from 13 South African plant species with a history of ethnobotanical usage in the treatment of inflammation were investigated for their ability to control two microbial triggers for RA (Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris). Twenty-nine of the extracts (85.3 %) inhibited the growth of P. mirabilis and 23 of them tested (67.7 %) inhibited the growth of P. vulgaris. Methanol and water extracts of Carpobrotus edulis, Lippia javanica, Pelargonium viridflorum, Ptaeroxylon obliquum, Syzygium cordatum leaf and bark, Terminalia pruinoides, Terminalia sericea, Warburgia salutaris bark and an aqueous extract of W. salutaris leaf were effective Proteus inhibitors, with MIC values <2,000 μg/ml. The most potent extracts were examined by Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and UV-Vis spectroscopy for the presence of resveratrol. Only extracts from T. pruinoides and T. sericea contained resveratrol, indicating that it was not responsible for the anti-Proteus properties reported here. All extracts with Proteus inhibitory activity were also either non-toxic, or of low toxicity in the Artemia nauplii bioassay. The low toxicity of these extracts and their inhibitory bioactivity against Proteus spp. indicate their potential for blocking the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- Environmental Futures Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia,
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Mohanty S, Cock IE. The chemotherapeutic potential of Terminalia ferdinandiana: Phytochemistry and bioactivity. Pharmacogn Rev 2012; 6:29-36. [PMID: 22654402 PMCID: PMC3358965 DOI: 10.4103/0973-7847.95855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants contain a myriad of natural compounds which exhibit important bioactive properties. These compounds may provide alternatives to current medications and afford a significant avenue for new drug discovery. Despite this, little information is available in the literature regarding native Australian plants and their potential for medicinal and industrial uses. Recent studies have reported Terminalia ferdinandiana to be an extremely good source of antioxidants. Indeed, T. ferdinandiana has been reported to have ascorbic acid levels per gram of fruit more than 900 times higher than blueberries. T. ferdinandiana also has high levels of a variety of other antioxidants, including phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. Antioxidants have been associated with the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological degenerative disorders. They are also linked with antidiabetic bioactivities and have been associated with the reduction of obesity. Antioxidants can directly scavenge free radicals, protecting cells against oxidative stress-related damage to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Therefore, T. ferdinandiana has potential in the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders and its potential bioactivities warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mohanty
- Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Environmental Future Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Cock IE, Kukkonen L. An examination of the medicinal potential of Scaevola spinescens: Toxicity, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Pharmacognosy Res 2011; 3:85-94. [PMID: 21772751 PMCID: PMC3129029 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.81955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Revised: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Scaevola spinescens is an endemic Australian native plant with a history of use as a medicinal agent by indigenous Australians. Yet the medicinal bioactivities of this plant are poorly studied. Materials and Methods: S. spinescens solvent extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity, antiviral activity and toxicity in vitro. Results: All extracts displayed antibacterial activity in the disc diffusion assay. The methanol extract proved to have the broadest specificity, inhibiting the growth of 7 of the 14 bacteria tested (50%). The water, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hexane extracts inhibited the growth of 6 (42.9%), 5 (35.7%), 5 (35.7%), and 4 (28.6%) of the 14 bacteria tested, respectively. S. spinescens methanolic extracts were equally effective against Gram-positive (50%) and Gram-negative bacteria (50%). All other extracts were more effective at inhibiting the growth of Gram-negative bacteria. All extracts also displayed antiviral activity in the MS2 plaque reduction assay with the methanol, water, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hexane extracts inhibiting 95.2 ± 1.8%, 72.3 ± 6.3%, 82.6 ± 4.5%, 100 ± 0% and 47.7 ± 12.9% of plaque formation, respectively. All S. spinescens extracts were nontoxic in the Artemia fransiscana bioassay with no significant increase in mortality induced by any extract at 24 and 48 h. The only increase in mortality was seen for the water extract at 72 h, although even this extract displayed low toxicity, inducing only 41.7 ± 23.3% mortality. Conclusions: The lack of toxicity of the S. spinescens extracts and their inhibitory bioactivity against bacteria and viruses validate the Australian Aboriginal usage of S. spinescens and indicates its medicinal potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian E Cock
- Department of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan
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Mohanty S, Cock IE. Bioactivity of Syzygium jambos methanolic extracts: Antibacterial activity and toxicity. Pharmacognosy Res 2011; 2:4-9. [PMID: 21808530 PMCID: PMC3140127 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.60577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 03/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Methanol extracts from S. jambos leaves were tested for antimicrobial activity and toxicity. S. jambos leaf extract inhibited the growth of 4 of the 14 bacteria tested (29%). Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial growths were inhibited by S. jambos leaf extract, although gram-positive bacteria appeared more susceptible. Two of the 10 gram-negative bacteria (20%) and 2 of the 4 gram-positive bacteria (50%) tested had their growths inhibited by the extract. The leaf extract also proved to be toxic in the Artemia franciscana bioassay, with a 48-h LC50 of 387.9 ± 38.8 µg/mL, making it slightly more toxic than Mevinphos (505.3± 37.7 µg/mL) and approximately 5-fold less toxic than potassium dichromate (80.4 ± 4.3 µg/mL). Whilst potassium dichromate's LC50 remained constant across the 72-hour test period (24-h LC50, 86.3 ± 5.1; 72-h LC50, 77.9 ± 4.9), the extract and Mevinphos LC50 values decreased by 72 hours (87.0 ± 11.3 µg/mL and 103.9 ± 12.8 µg/mL, respectively), indicating their similar levels of toxicity in the assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mohanty
- Department of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Rd., Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
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Cock IE, Kalt FR. Toxicity evaluation of Xanthorrhoea johnsonii leaf methanolic extract using the Artemia franciscana bioassay. Pharmacogn Mag 2011; 6:166-71. [PMID: 20931073 PMCID: PMC2950376 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1296.66929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2010] [Revised: 02/05/2010] [Accepted: 07/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The toxicity of Xanthorrhoea johnsonii methanolic leaf extract was investigated using the Artemia franciscana nauplii bioassay. At 24 h, the extract produced an EC50 of 361.0 ± 41.8 μg/ml, indicating that it was substantially more toxic than the pesticide Mevinphos (1346.2 ± 80.1 μg/ml) and approximately 4 fold less toxic than potassium dichromate (87.1 ± 5.2 μg/ml). Whilst potassium dichromate LC50 values remained constant across the 72-h test period, these values decreased for the extract and Mevinphos to similar values (199.8 ± 60.5 and 114 ± 12.8 μg/ml, respectively), indicating their similar level of efficacy. Noteworthy was the apparent anesthetic effect of X. johnsonii leaf extract. Although the extract initially appeared to kill the A. franciscana nauplii, they were seen to temporarily recover by 48 h only to die by 72 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Cock
- Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111 Australia
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Sirdaarta J, Cock IE. Effect of Aloe barbadensis Miller juice on oxidative stress biomarkers in aerobic cells using Artemia franciscana as a model. Phytother Res 2010; 24:360-4. [PMID: 19610042 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
This study reports on the induction of oxidative stress in aerobic cell systems by Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) juice using the salt water crustacean Artemia franciscana as a model. A consistent pattern was observed in which Artemia franciscana nauplii responded to Aloe vera juice exposure with a decrease in the overall activity of redox related enzymes. Exposure of Artemia franciscana to sub-lethal levels of Aloe vera juice resulted in a decreased activity of thioredoxin reductase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase by 34% (66% enzymatic activity), 79% (21% enzymatic activity) and 90% (10% enzymatic activity), respectively. Similarly apparent was the trend whereby the co-exposure of the nauplii to vitamin E counteracted this effect. For each of the biomarker enzymes tested, vitamin E co-exposure resulted in enzyme activities closer to the control value (78%, 56% and 32% of control enzymatic activities for thioredoxin reductase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity, respectively). These results indicate that exposure to sub-lethal doses of Aloe vera juice induces alterations in the cellular redox status of Artemia franciscana and that the addition of vitamin E helps the Artemia franciscana nauplii to overcome/block the juice induced oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sirdaarta
- Biomolecular and Physical Sciences, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia
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Ruebhart DR, Wickramasinghe W, Cock IE. Protective efficacy of the antioxidants vitamin E and Trolox against Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystin-LR in Artemia franciscana nauplii. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2009; 72:1567-1575. [PMID: 20077231 DOI: 10.1080/15287390903232459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective efficacy of the antioxidants vitamin E and Trolox (a water-soluble vitamin E derivative) against the toxicity of microcystin-LR (MC-LR), Microcystis aeruginosa aqueous extract (CE), and a reference toxin, menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB), in Artemia franciscana nauplii. This was achieved by using the well-established brine shrimp bioassay. The experiment was conducted in 2 stages, with (1) 12-h mortality time course and (2) LC50 determination for 12- and 24-h exposures. Treatments consisted of MC-LR, CE, and MSB alone and with 4-h pretreatments of either vitamin E or Trolox. Sensitivity of A. franciscana nauplii with 24-h LC50 values of 11 (10.1-12.1) microg/ml for MSB and 9.5 (8.8-10.4) microg/ml for MC-LR were in general agreement with values reported for Artemia sp. Both antioxidant pretreatments resulted in significant reductions in mortality of approximately 50% at 9 h postexposure when challenged by either 40 microg/ml MC-LR or 20 microg/ml MSB. In contrast, the antioxidant pretreatments offered little to no protection from CE, suggesting that other uncharacterized bioactive compounds contributed to overall toxicity. The described bioassay is easily accessible, inexpensive, rapid, and complies with animal ethics guidelines of many countries, and thus provides a potential alternative to the mouse bioassay for the initial screening for chemoprotectants against MC-LR toxicity.
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Ruebhart DR, Cock IE, Shaw GR. Brine shrimp bioassay: importance of correct taxonomic identification of Artemia (Anostraca) species. Environ Toxicol 2008; 23:555-560. [PMID: 18214884 DOI: 10.1002/tox.20358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite the common use of the brine shrimp bioassay in toxicology, there is confusion in the literature regarding citation of the correct taxonomic identity of the Artemia species used. The genus Artemia, once thought to be represented by a single species Artemia salina, is now known to be composed of several bisexual species as well as parthenogenetic populations. Artemia franciscana is the best studied of the Artemia species and is considered to represent the vast majority of studies in which Artemia is used as an experimental test organism. We found that in studies referring to the use of A. salina, the zoogeography of the cyst harvest site indicated that the species used was actually A. franciscana. Those performing bioassays with Artemia need to exercise diligence in assigning correct species identification, as the identity of the test organism is an important parameter in assuring the validity of the results of the assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Ruebhart
- HydroTox Services Australia Pty Ltd, PO Box 248, Corinda, Queensland 4075, Australia.
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