LC-MS profile, in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, antibacterial and hemostatic properties of Ranunculus bullatus extract

The ethanol extract from aerial parts of Ranunculus were investigated for its chemical composition by LC-ESI-MS/MS technique, which allowed to identify a series of glycosylated flavonoids and one phenolic acid. RBEE extract showed acetyl-cholinesterase inhibition higher than the reference compound Galantamine at a concentrationof 200 µg/mL. A moderate antibacterial activity of the extract was also obtained against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC43300, Citrobacter freundii ATCC8090, and Proteus vulgaris ATCC29905 at a concentration 100 µg. Additionally, a good reduction in plasma coagulation time at 200 μL was also observed for RBEE.

Protective effect of Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) extract against scopolamine-induced memory loss and oxidative stress in mouse brain

Objectives The juice extract of Cyperus esculentus commonly known as tiger nuts (TINUT) is widely used for its numerous health promoting effects including alleviation of symptoms associated with neurological disorders. Herein, we investigated the influence of the aqueous extract of C. esculentus on cognitive disorder and the underlying changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress biomarkers in mice exposed to scopolamine. Methods C. esculentus (50-200 mg/kg) or saline (10 mL/kg) was given alone or with scopolamine 30 min after, to male Swiss mice (6/group) daily for seven days. We evaluated the cognitive performance using Y-maze and object recognition on day seven post-treatment. Brains of the animals were afterwards processed for spectrophotometric determination of AChE activity and contents of oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], catalase, superoxide dismutase and nitrite). Results The extract improves cognitive function and also upturned scopolamine amnesia in mice. The extract markedly reduced brain AChE, MDA, and nitrite contents in mice injected with scopolamine (p<0.05). It also attenuated scopolamine-induced deregulated GSH contents and antioxidant enzymes in mouse brain. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that regular consumption of TINUT might offer beneficial effects in memory-related disorders.

A disposable organophosphorus pesticides enzyme biosensor based on magnetic composite nano-particles modified screen printed carbon electrode

A disposable organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) enzyme biosensor based on magnetic composite nanoparticle-modified screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) has been developed. Firstly, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-coated Fe₃O₄/Au (GMP) magnetic nanoparticulate (GMP-AChE) was synthesized. Then, GMP-AChE was absorbed on the surface of a SPCE modified by carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/nano-ZrO₂/prussian blue (PB)/Nafion (Nf) composite membrane by an external magnetic field. Thus, the biosensor (SPCE│CNTs/ZrO₂/PB/Nf│GMP-AChE) for OPs was fabricated. The surface of the biosensor was characterized by scanning electron micrography (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometery (XRFS) and its electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The degree of inhibition (A%) of the AChE by OPs was determined by measuring the reduction current of the PB generated by the AChE-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine (ATCh). In pH = 7.5 KNO₃ solution, the A was related linearly to the concentration of dimethoate in the range from 1.0 × 10⁻³–10 ng·mL⁻¹ with a detection limit of 5.6 × 10⁻⁴ ng·mL⁻¹. The recovery rates in Chinese cabbage exhibited a range of 88%–105%. The results were consistent with the standard gas chromatography (GC) method. Compared with other enzyme biosensors the proposed biosensor exhibited high sensitivity, good selectivity with disposable, low consumption of sample. In particular its surface can be easily renewed by removal of the magnet. The convenient, fast and sensitive voltammetric measurement opens new opportunities for OPs analysis.