Metabolite profiling, enzyme inhibitory activity and antioxidant potential of different extracts from Glycyrrhiza foetida Desf. (Fabaceae, Galegeae, Glycyrrhizinae)

Obesity, a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, represents a socio-economic burden for healthcare systems. Consequently multiple studies aiming to facilitate early diagnostic and prevent complications have demonstrated the promising role of phenolic derivatives on diabetes management. In this frame, the present study aimed to establish for the first time the chemical ingredients and to appraise the antioxidant and the enzyme inhibitory properties of Glycyrrhiza foetida aerial parts and roots extracts using methanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform solvents. The phytochemicals were analyzed via (HPLC-MS/MS). In addition, the extracts were tested for inhibitory activities against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase. The antioxidant capabilities were evaluated using various methods (phospho‑molybdenum, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, and metal chelating assays). Notably, twenty-nine secondary metabolites, namely eleven phenolic acids, seventeen flavonoids and a non-phenolic acid have been identified. Delphinidin 3,5-diglucoside, rutin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, catechin, phloridzin and hesperidin were the major compounds in the aerial parts extracts while trans-cinnamic acid was the dominant compound in roots. Among phenolic acids, vanillic acid was found to be the main constituent in all extracts. The tested extracts were found to yield TPC in amounts ranging from 34.08 to 49.36 mg GAE/g and TFC ranging from 7.01 to 45.74 mg RE/g. G. foetida extracts showed interesting in vitro antioxidant properties. Additionally, all extracts showed a significant anti-tyrosinase activity, with inhibition values ranging between 52.84 and 80.34 mg KAE/g. Thus, G. foetida remains an exceptional matrix for further investigations and application in cosmetics and food additives.

Toxicological characteristics of drinking water in two large-scale municipal water supply systems of a metropolitan city in Central China

Drinking water safety is threatened by numerous toxic organic pollutants difficult to chemically monitor. This study aimed to determine the toxicological profiles of organic extracts (OEs) of water samples from source to tap in two drinking water supply systems in a metropolitan city, Central China, during different hydrological periods. Mortality, DNA damage, growth, and development of Caenorhabditis elegans were evaluated following exposure to OEs. The median lethal doses of OEs of drinking water samples (n = 48) ranged from 266 REF (relative enrichment factor) to > 1563 REF. When tested at a dose of 100 REF, 56.25% (27/48) of OEs induced genotoxicity, 4.17% (2/48) inhibited the growth, and 45.83% (22/48) decreased the offspring number in C. elegans. No clear temporal-spatial variation patterns of the OEs toxicity indicators were observed. The correlations among the toxicity indicators were generally poor. The observed toxicities were not closely related to the level of dissolved organic carbon in drinking water. These findings support using multiple endpoint bioassays, such as C. elegans-based approaches, as complementary tools to conventional chemical analysis for drinking water quality monitoring.

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds of Flower Extracts of Calycopteris floribunda Lam.: A Multi Potent Medicinal Plant

Calycopteris floribunda Lam. is a potent medicinal woody climber that belongs to Combretaceae. This plant is usually found in dry deciduous tropical forests and is used in various medicinal practices like Ayurveda, Unani and Sidda. Whole plant and its different parts like leaves, flowers and stem are used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, jaundice and malaria. It is also have anthelminthic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, hepatoprotective and anticancerous activities. Knowing its medicinal properties, the present study is undertaken to investigate the preliminary phytochemical constituents and bioactive compounds of flower extracts by GC-MS. GC-MS analysis of flower extracts revealed the presence of over all 41 compounds, of which, acetone and ethanol extracts showed the presence of 13 compounds each, chloroform extract 8 and petroleum ether extract 7 compounds. Some compounds were common in two and three extracts only. The significant bioactive compounds identified are 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (59.81%) in chloroform extract, triterpene lupeol (34.98%) in ethanol extract, tetratetracontane (26.99%) in petroleum ether extract and gamma sitosterol (22.04%) in acetone extract.

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antinociceptive activities of Russelia coccinea (L.) Wettst

OBJECTIVE

Some species of the Russelia genus have been used different illnesses associated with pain and inflammation. The aim of this work was to characterize the biological activities (anti-inflammatory and analgesic) and antioxidant capacity of methanol and dichloromethane extracts of Russelia coccinea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, topical anti-inflammatory activity was tested in an in vivo model of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) induced mouse ear edema of organic extracts (doses: 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/ear). The antinociceptive activity was assessed using the formalin test in mice of organic extracts (doses: 56, 100 and 300 mg/kg). Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of the extracts was determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiaziline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays.

RESULTS

Methanol (RcM) and dichloromethane (RcD) extracts of the R. coccinea aerial parts were found to inhibit ear edema (48.95 and 40.13%, respectively) at a dose of 0.3 mg/ear. Acute treatment with RcM produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the late phase of formalin-induced nociception. Moreover, RcM at doses of 56, 100 and 300 mg/kg showed a significant antinociceptive effect through the early and late phases in the formalin test. RcM and RcD showed weak antioxidant capacities in the ABTS and DPPH assays; however, when their reducing capacity was evaluated by the FRAP assay, RcM showed a reducing activity similar to Camellia sinensis standard at the proven concentration of 1000 μg/ml.

CONCLUSION

According to the experimental findings, the organic extracts of R. coccinea display remarkable antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

Evaluation of effect of hazardous contaminants in areas for the abstraction of drinking water

The lower portion of Taquari River is influenced by compounds from anthropic activities causing concern about the drinking water supplied to cities in the region. The study objective was to investigate the presence of contaminants at drinking water abstraction sites, defining the mutagenic effects of these stressors as an ecosystem quality parameter and its possible effects on human health. Geographic Information System techniques were used to investigate sources of contamination and it was found that agricultural activities predominated with a few medium and high potential pollutant agricultural activities, besides a soil area that was contaminated and undergoing an intervention process. Mutagenic effects were evaluated by Salmonella/microsome assay using TA98, TA97a, TA100, YG1041 and YG1042 strains in the presence and absence of metabolic activation (S9). Mutagenesis found in organic sediment extracts and surface water samples showed the prevalence of direct-acting mutagens at the drinking water abstraction sites. Taquari (Ta032, the sampling points were named according to the initial letters of the river (Ta), followed by the number of kilometers from the mouth) showed the highest mutagenic potency in sediment, while Ta063, at Bom Retiro do Sul, presented it in the water sample. In the Triunfo region (Ta011) there were significant responses in sediment and in water samples. The samples at General Câmara (Ta006) showed the least presence of contaminants. The Allium cepa test applied to sediments in natura showed significant micronucleus induction in Ta032 in accordance with the Salmonella/microssome assay. The test performed on Danio rerio embryos (FET) in the in natura water samples did not present significant responses. Chemical analyses of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals already identified as chemical markers in the area indicated a small contribution to the mutagenic potency, calling attention to the fact that other direct-acting pollutants may be present at the drinking water abstraction sites.

Toxicity of crude organic extracts from the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum: A biogeography approach

Marine isolates such as palytoxin (PTX) are of concern within the Caribbean region due to their toxicity. PTX for example has been described as a one of the most known potent marine toxins, known to prevent predation from larger species (e.g. vertebrates) as well as the prevention of being overgrown from other coral species. PTX is a polyhydroxylated polyether toxin with a very large and complex chemical structure that possesses both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. Previous acute toxicity tests using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and PTX extract had shown it to be moderately toxic. In humans, PTX has been credited to be responsible for extreme symptoms such anaphylactic shock, rapid cardiac failure and eventual death occurring within minutes. Extrapolation for human dose ranges has therefore been suggested to be between 2.3 and 31.5 μg. This study isolates a potentially PTX-enriched extract from Palythoa caribaeorum and examines its organic extract toxicity from a biogeography perspective from a within-colony to a variety of reef sites around Trinidad and Tobago that are popular for marine visitors. This research represents an acute study with a high level of crude organic extract toxicity on A. salina whilst postulating potential factors which may contribute to its extreme toxicity and the risk posed to users of these environments.

Pharmacological activities of the organic extracts and fatty acid composition of the petroleum ether extract from Haplophyllum tuberculatum leaves

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Haplophyllum tuberculatum is used in traditional medicine to treat many disorders including inflammation and pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the organic extracts from H. tuberculatum leaves against inflammation, gastric ulcer and pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Acute toxicity was studied in vivo to determine the toxic doses of the organic extracts. Anti-inflammatory activity was also evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema in Wistar rats. Gastroprotective activity was tested using the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer test in rats. Peripheral and central analgesic activities were assessed using the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot-plate method, respectively. The chemical composition of the fatty acids in the petroleum ether (PE) extract was determined with GC-MS.

RESULTS

At 25, 50 and 100mg/kg PE extract was the most active against inflammation. Percentages inhibition 5h after carrageenan-injection were 51.12; 86.71% and 96.92%, respectively. The same extract at 100mg/kg showed good analgesic activities using the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot-plate method. The chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanolic (n-BuOH) extracts exhibited strong anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and analgesic activities at 100mg/kg. The GC-FID analysis revealed that the PE extract was rich in γ-linolenic acid (45.50%) followed by palmitic acid (18.48%), linoleic acid (10.73%), erucic acid (4.72), stearic acid (3.96%) and oleic acid (2.57%).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study support the traditional use of the leaves of H. tuberculatum and may possibly serve as prospective material for further development of safe new phytochemical anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and/or analgesic agents.

Transcriptional response to organic compounds from diverse gasoline and biogasoline fuel emissions in human lung cells

Modern vehicles equipped with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine have emerged as an important source of particulate emissions potentially harmful to human health. We collected and characterized gasoline exhaust particles (GEPs) produced by neat gasoline fuel (E0) and its blends with 15% ethanol (E15), 25% n-butanol (n-But25) and 25% isobutanol (i-But25). To study the toxic effects of organic compounds extracted from GEPs, we analyzed gene expression profiles in human lung BEAS-2B cells. Despite the lowest GEP mass, n-But25 extract contained the highest concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), while i-But25 extract the lowest. Gene expression analysis identified activation of the DNA damage response and other subsequent events (cell cycle arrest, modulation of extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis) following 4 h exposure to all GEP extracts. The i-But25 extract induced the most distinctive gene expression pattern particularly after 24 h exposure. Whereas E0, E15 and n-But25 extract treatments resulted in persistent stress signaling including DNA damage response, MAPK signaling, oxidative stress, metabolism of PAHs or pro-inflammatory response, i-But25 induced changes related to the metabolism of the cellular nutrients required for cell recovery. Our results indicate that i-But25 extract possessed the weakest genotoxic potency possibly due to the low PAH content.

Bacterial toxicity assessment of drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) and lake sediment amended with DWTR

Drinking water treatment residue (DWTR) seems to be very promising for controlling lake sediment pollution. Logically, acquisition of the potential toxicity of DWTR will be beneficial for its applications. In this study, the toxicity of DWTR and sediments amended with DWTR to Aliivibrio fischeri was evaluated based on the Microtox(®) solid and leachate phase assays, in combination with flow cytometry analyses and the kinetic luminescent bacteria test. The results showed that both solid particles and aqueous/organic extracts of DWTR exhibited no toxicity to the bacterial luminescence and growth. The solid particles of DWTR even promoted bacterial luminescence, possibly because DWTR particles could act as a microbial carrier and provide nutrients for bacteria growth. Bacterial toxicity (either luminescence or growth) was observed from the solid phase and aqueous/organic extracts of sediments with or without DWTR addition. Further analysis showed that the solid phase toxicity was determined to be related mainly to the fixation of bacteria to fine particles and/or organic matter, and all of the observed inhibition resulting from aqueous/organic extracts was identified as non-significant. Moreover, DWTR addition not only had no adverse effect on the aqueous/organic extract toxicity of the sediment but also reduced the solid phase toxicity of the sediment. Overall, in practical application, the solid particles, the water-soluble substances transferred to surface water or the organic substances in DWTR had no toxicity or any delayed effect on bacteria in lakes, and DWTR can therefore be considered as a non-hazardous material.

Cytokine responses induced by diesel exhaust particles are suppressed by PAR-2 silencing and antioxidant treatment, and driven by polar and non-polar soluble constituents

Adsorbed soluble organics seem to be the main drivers of inflammatory responses induced by diesel exhaust particles (DEP). The specific compounds contributing to this process and the cellular mechanisms behind DEP-induced inflammation are not well known. We have assessed pro-inflammatory effects of DEP and various soluble DEP fractions, in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). DEP increased the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and CXCL8. Silencing of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by siRNA or pretreatment with AhR-antagonists did not attenuate DEP-induced IL-6 and CXCL8 responses. However, the halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon (HAH)-selective AhR antagonist CH223191 caused a considerable reduction in DEP-induced CYP1A1 expression indicating that this response may be due to dioxin or dioxin-like constituents in DEP. Knock-down of protease activated receptor (PAR)-2 attenuated IL-6 responses without affecting CXCL8. Antioxidants did not affect IL-6 expression after 4h DEP-exposure and only partly reduced CXCL8 expression. However, after 24h exposure antioxidant treatment partly suppressed IL-6 protein release and completely blocked CXCL8 release. Furthermore, a heptane-soluble (non-polar) extract of DEP induced both IL-6 and CXCL8 release, whereas a PBS-soluble (highly polar) extract induced only IL-6. Thus, pro-inflammatory responses in DEP-exposed epithelial cells appear to be the result of both reactive oxygen species and receptor signaling, mediated through combinatorial effects between both non-polar and polar constituents adhered to the particle surface.