Antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extracts of Ichnocarpus frutescens

In the present study antioxidant activities by (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical inhibition, hemolysis by hydrogen peroxide assay, reducing power and total antioxidant activities of polyphenolic extract of Ichnocarpus frutescens leaves were investigated. The flavonoids and total polyphenolic contents of the extract were also determined using standard methods. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins and simple phenolic acids. The results of antioxidant activities of polyphenol extract obtained by different in vitro methods were varied depending on the method used. Nevertheless, polyphenol extract showed significant inhibitory activities in all in vitro reactive oxygen species scavenging, might be attributed due to the high level of polyphenolic compound. Also, these various antioxidant activities were compared to α-tocopherol and l-ascorbic acid as reference antioxidant compounds. These findings provide evidence that the polyphenolic extract of I. frutescens is a natural source of antioxidant against oxidative damage.     

Effect of NaCl on the in vitro Activity of Malate Dehydrogenase in Salt Marsh Halophytes of the U.S.

The in vitro effect of NaCl on NAD-malate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37; MDH) from desalted extracts of roots and leaves of six salt marsh halophytes was investigated. The plants, all native and important constituents of the salt marshes of the east coast of the U.S., included Spartina alterniflora Loisel., Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl., Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene, Juncus roemerianus Schleele, Salicornia virginica L., and Borrichia frutescens (L.) DC. In the leaf extracts of all species except Borrichia frutescens, the MDH activity was slightly stimulated by NaCl at concentrations around 0.05 M at optimal pH (8.0–8.5) and was reduced by NaCl in higher concentrations. MDH activity in the leaf extract of Borrichia frutescens was more salt-tolerant and maximal activity occurred around 0.25 M NaCl at optimal pH (7.0). Even though similar pH optimums for activity were exhibited in the root and leaf extracts of each species, the MDH activity in the root extract was more salt-tolerant than that in the leaf extract. NaCl at concentrations up to 0.1 M stimulated the MDH activity in the root extracts of all species except that of Borrichia frutescens, which had an optimal activity in 0.5 M NaCl. In the root and leaf extracts of Borrichia frutescens, the activity of cytosol MDH was much more salt-tolerant than that of the mitochondrial MDH. A shift of the optimal pH to more acidic values with increasing concentrations of NaCl was noted in the extracts of all the species except Borrichia frutescens. The action of NaCl on MDH activity appeared to be a general ionic effect as judged by the response of the enzyme activity in the presence of iso-ionic concentrations of other salts and isoosmotic mannitol. Thus, the response of the MDH from five of the salt marsh plants to NaCl is similar to that of glycophytes. However, Borrichia frutescens possesses a salt-tolerant MDH that has optimal activity in a salt concentration as high as that of the environment.     

GC/MS and LC/MS analysis,and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of various solvent extracts from Mirabilis jalapa tubers

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of various solvent extracts from Mirabilis jalapa tubers (MJT) were investigated using various in vitro assays. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied from 21.45 to 364.6 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dried extract and 5.2 to 71.6 mg quercetin/g dried extract, respectively. Water extract of MJT was the most potent antioxidant in all assays used, followed by methanol extract. The five solvent extracts were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Water extract was the most effective with minimum inhibitory concentration <200 μg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecalis. Only water extract showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporium and Fusarium granularium. GC/MS analysis of MJT dichloromethane and methanol extracts showed that oleic acid and β-sitosterol were, respectively, the major compounds. LC/MS analysis of the aqueous extract showed a high content of flavanol and flavonol compounds. Phenolic acids such as ferulic and caffeic acid were also detected.To our knowledge, this is the first report on the chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of phenolic extracts from M. jalapa tubers (MJT). The results of the present work indicate that MJT extracts could be used as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in the food preservation and human health.     

Effect of strigolactones and auxins on growth and metabolite content of Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br. microplants in vitro

The influence of strigolactones as hormones in plants is not fully characterised even though they are known to affect plant architecture, both above ground and in the roots. Using an in vitro system, the effects of the synthetic auxins 1-naphthalene acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid (NAA and IBA) and synthetic strigolactones (GR24 and Nijmegen-1) were tested on microplant development of Sutherlandia frutescens, a leguminous medicinal plant native to South Africa. Considerable phytochemical variation in wild populations has led to the proposal of using micropropagation for this species. This will assist with domestication and provide plants with a more predictable chemistry for the phytopharmaceuticals industry. Nodal explants with an axillary bud were grown on Murashige and Skoog (Plant Physiol 15:473–497, 1962) medium [0.8 % (m/v) agar (pH 5.8), 3 % (m/v) sucrose and 0.1 g/L myo-inositol] supplemented with NAA, IBA, GR24 and Nijmegen-1, either singly or in combination. The amino acid profile and secondary metabolite pool was monitored using LC–MS-profiling. Treatment with NAA promoted mass shoot production, whilst a combination of NAA and Nijmegen-1 also positively influenced the accumulation of amino acids, flavonoids (sutherlandins) and terpenoids (sutherlandiosides) that S. frutescens produces. Since these compounds represent the presumed active compounds in this species and the biomarkers used in quality control assessment of S. frutescens tissues harvested for the pharmaceutical industry, this treatment holds promise for the commercial production of Sutherlandia extracts and herbal medications.     

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Sargassum horneri extract in RAW264.7 macrophages

[Purpose]In this study, we investigated whether a 70% ethanolic (EtOH) extract of Sargassum horneri had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells.[Methods]The proximate composition, fatty acids, amino acids, and dietary fiber of S. horneri, various biologically active compounds, and antioxidant activity were analyzed.[Results]The DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities, as well as the reduction power, of the S. horneri extract used here were significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner. This indicates that S. horneri contains bioactive compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids, that have excellent antioxidant activity. The cellular viability and metabolic activity results confirmed that the extract had no discernible toxicity at concentrations up to 100 μg/mL. The levels of nitrites and cytokines (PGE₂, TNF-α and IL-6), which mediate pro-inflammatory effect, were significantly inhibited by treatment with either 50 or 100 μg/mL S. horneri extract, whereas that of IL-1β was significantly inhibited by treatment with 100 μg/mL of the extract. Similarly, the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins also decreased according to 50 or 100 μg/mL extract concentrations. NF-κB binding to DNA was also significantly inhibited by treatment with 100 μg/mL of extract.[Conclusion]These results suggest that 70% EtOH extracts of S. horneri can relieve inflammation caused by disease or high intensity exercise.     

Biological Insights and NMR Metabolic Profiling of Different Extracts of Spermacoce verticillata (L.) G. Mey.

Spermacoce verticillata (L.) G. Mey. is commonly used in the folk medicine by various cultures to manage common diseases. Herein, the chemical and biological profiles of S. verticillata were studied in order to provide a comprehensive characterization of bioactive compounds and also to highlight the therapeutic properties. The in vitro antioxidant activity using free-radical scavenging, phosphomolybdenum, ferrous-ion chelating and reducing power assays, and the inhibitory activity against key enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase of S. verticillata extracts (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) were investigated. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content were observed in the methanolic and aqueous extracts. Exhaustive 2DNMR investigation has revealed the presence of rutin, ursolic and oleanoic acids. The methanolic extract, followed by aqueous extract have showed remarkable free radical quenching and reducing ability, while the dichloromethane extract was the best source of metal chelators. The tested extracts showed notable inhibitory activity against cholinesterases (AChE: 1.63–4.99 mg GALAE/g extract and BChE: 12.40–15.48 mg GALAE/g extract) and tyrosinase (60.85–159.64 mg KAE/g extract). No inhibitory activity was displayed by ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts against BChE and tyrosinase, respectively. All the tested extracts showed modest α-amylase inhibitory activity, while only the ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts were potent against α-glycosidase. This study further validates the use of S. verticillata in the traditional medicine, while advocating for further investigation for phytomedicine development.     

Immune-modulating activities of polysaccharides extracted from brown algae Hizikia fusiforme

The immuno-modulating activities of seaweed (Hizikia fusiforme) extracts on murine macrophage and splenocyte were studied in vitro. Polysaccharide (HFP) exhibited the potential macrophage stimulating effects than water extract (HFW) such as NO production and enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokines on the Raw 264.7 cells and splenocytes. From the mono-sugar composition, HFP-associated fucose based on HFP of H. fusiforme acts as immune modulator.     

Bioactive compounds determination in the callus and hydroalcoholic extracts from Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvia przewalskii – Preliminary study on their anti-alcoholic activity effects

Studies on hairy roots and callus cultures of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Salvia przewalskii showed that the polysaccharide fraction of yeast extract efficiently stimulated the production of tanshinones in elicited tissues. The aim of our studies was to obtain the biomass of both species enriched in active compounds and to determine tanshinones and phenolic compounds in raw material (callus) and the extracts. Moreover, anti-alcoholic activities of the extracts were tested on one of animal models of alcoholism. It was found that the two Salvia species differed in content of some active compounds. In the hydroalcoholic extracts, an increased content of some compounds was revealed in comparison with the calluses. Only the extract from the S. przewalskii callus (but not from S. miltiorrhiza) reduced significantly an alcohol intake in alcohol-dependent animals, which was correlated with the content of tanshinones (cryptotanshinone, in particular) in the S. przewalskii callus extract, but not with phenolic acids.     

A chemometric approach to the quality control of Sutherlandia (cancer bush)

Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae) commonly known as cancer-bush, is a well-known traditional phytomedicine in South Africa used to treat a range of ailments. There is limited information available on the phytochemistry and chemical variation within and between the S. frutescens and Sutherlandia microphylla species complex. This paper aims to elucidate the chemical variation of phytoconstituents (other than the non-protein amino acids) between the two species S. frutescens and S. microphylla and also between the wild and cultivated varieties of S. frutescens. An UPLC–MS analysis in tandem with chemometric analysis has been performed to assess the metabolite content of aerial plant parts obtained from different populations. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to observe groupings and trends in the data matrix. An orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was performed which resulted in clear groups between the two taxa. Several flavonoid and triterpenoid glycoside derivatives contribute to the quantitative chemotypic variation within and between the species as observed. The identification of these compounds using advanced chromatographic techniques (UPLC–MS) and chemometric analysis leads to a better understanding of the phytochemical variation of Sutherlandia which can aid in quality control of raw material, phytomedicines and commercial herbal products.     

In vitro antioxidant,antimicrobial and antiproliferative studies of four different extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus,Gynura procumbens and Ficus deltoidea

BackgroundMedicinal plants are important source of drugs with pharmacological activities. Therefore, there is always rising demands to discover more therapeutic agents from various species. Orthosiphon stamineus, Gynura procumbens and Ficus deltoidea are high valued medicinal plants of Malaysia contain rich source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The aims of the present study were to evaluate anti-oxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative effects on A549, HePG2 and MCF7 cell lines of four different extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus, Gynura procumbens and Ficus deltoidea.MethodologyThe leaves of all selected plants were extracted with methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol separately with simple cold maceration. Antioxidant activity of all crude extracts were quantitatively measured against DPPH and Ferric Reducing Assay. Antimicrobial evaluation was done by Microdilution and MTT assay and antipoliferative activity of all extracts of selected plant were evaluated against A549, HePG2 and MCF7 cell lines.ResultsResults showed that methanol extract exhibited highest percentage free radical scavenging activity of almost all extracts of selected plants. Antimicrobials results showed chloroform and methanol extracts of O. stamineus extract were the two most active extracts against resistant MRSA but not S. aureus. Only methanol extract of G. procumbens showed antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. Chloroform and methanol extracts of F. deltoidea elicited antimicrobial activity against S. aureus but not MRSA. Antiproliferative activity against three tested cell lines results showed that ethyl acetate extract of O. stamineus showed good effect whereas methanol extract of F. deltoidea and G. procumbens exhibited good antiproliferative activity.ConclusionsThe results of the present investigation demonstrated significant variations in the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects of different solvent extracts. These data could be helpful in isolation of pure potent compounds with good biological activities from the extracts of plants.     

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. bioactive extracts from supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction

In this study, supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction technology was developed to gain the active components from a native plant, Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. We studied the biological effects of A. oxyphylla extracts via multiple assays and demonstrated bio-functions at various concentration ranges. Investigations of A. oxyphylla extracts indicated that anti-oxidative properties in dose-dependant manners on radical scavenging activities, reducing power and metal chelating power. The cultured human normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to test the properties of the extracts in inflammatory cytokine release, and the data did not induce inflammatory molecule releases from un-stimulated PBMCs. A. oxyphylla extracts were able to induce Th1 cytokine IFN-γ released, but not Th2 cytokine IL-13, showing an enhanced anti-bacterial/viral immune function without possible allergic response mediated by IL-13. The extracts also had in vitro mushroom tyrosinase inhibition and cellular tyrosinase melanin decreasing activities in B16F10 cells. In addition, the cell proliferation assay illustrated anti-growth and anti-migration effects in dose-dependent manners of the extracts on human skin melanoma cells, A375 and A375.S2, indicating that the extracts exerted the anti-cancer properties. To our knowledge, this was the first report presenting these bioactivities on A. oxyphylla extracts including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, de-pigmentation and anti-melanoma     

Avocado seeds (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.): Lipophilic compounds profile and biological activities

This study aimed to evaluate the volatile or lipophilic chemical profiling and the biological activities of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts. Chemical profile of volatile compounds (GC/MS), antioxidant properties (phenolic compounds, DPPH radical scavenging activities and reducing power), and antimicrobial activity (Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus) of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts (ethanol and acetone) were characterized. Sixteen volatile chemical compounds were determined, including isoprenoid derivatives (estragole), esters of fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), and their derivatives (9,12-Octadecadien-1-ol and 9,12,15-Octadecatrien-1-ol). Acetone was the best solvent to obtain volatile compounds from avocado seed; this extract also showed a higher reducing power (56.35 mg AAE/100 g). Maximum S. aureus and S. Typhimurium log reductions were 4.0 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.3 at the highest amount used (2000 mg/L), without significant effect (p < 0.05) of the solvent used. According to the results of the volatile chemical profiling of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts, they can have potential application as antioxidant (212.75 and 183.75 mg Trolox/100 g) and antimicrobial additives.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Antrodia camphorata Extracts against Oral Bacteria

Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) is a unique, endemic and extremely rare mushroom species native to Taiwan, and both crude extracts of and purified chemical compounds from A. camphorata have been reported to have a variety of significant beneficial effects, such as anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activity. However, reports on the effects of A. camphorata against dental pathogens have been limited. Oral health is now recognized as important for overall general health, including conditions such as dental caries, periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) are the most common bacteria associated with dental plaque and periodontopathic diseases, respectively. Thus, our study examined the ability of five various crude extracts of A. camphorata to inhibit the growth of dental bacteria and anti-adherence in vitro. Among the extracts, the ethanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts exhibited the lowest MICs against P. gingivalis and S. mutans (MIC = 4∼16 µg/mL). The MIC of the aqueous extract was greater than 2048 µg/mL against both P. gingivalis and S. mutans. In vitro adherence of S. mutans was significantly inhibited by the addition of either the ethyl acetate extract or chloroform extract (MIC = 16∼24 µg/mL), while the ethanol extract (MIC = 32∼64 µg/mL) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity. Based on the result of this study, the ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of A. camphorata may be good candidates for oral hygiene agents to control dental caries and periodontopathic conditions.     

Chemical composition and biological properties of Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn: A comparative investigation of different extraction methods

Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae), is a weed with ethnomedicinal uses. To extend scientific information on this species, we evaluated the effects of different extraction procedures (maceration, Soxhlet, sonication and homogenizer-assisted extraction (HAE)) using methanol as solvent, on the chemical composition and biological potential. The chemical profiles of the extracts were identified using a chromatographic (UHPLC-HRMS) technique. The antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of the studied extracts were determined. The extract obtained by Soxhlet technique showed a higher level of total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) and was a superior source of antioxidant compounds. The macerated extract was the most potent inhibitor of cholinesterases and α-glucosidase, whereas the highest activity against tyrosinase was observed in the order of sonication > Soxhlet > HAE > maceration. A modest activity was observed against α-amylase for all the extracts. Multivariate analysis showed that the bioactive compounds recovery and the biological activities of S. nodiflora were mostly dependent on the nature of the extraction technique used. In conclusion, S. nodiflora extracts showed good biological potential and data massed from this study could serve as a scientific baseline for further investigation in order to exploit its potential for designing novel bio-products with therapeutic applications.     

Essential oils and its bioactive compounds modulating cytokines: A systematic review on anti-asthmatic and immunomodulatory properties

BackgroundAsthma, the main inflammatory chronic condition affecting the respiratory system, is characterized by hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction, recruitment of inflammatory cells and excessive production of mucus. Cytokines as biochemical messengers of immune cells, play an important role in the regulation of allergic inflammatory and infectious airway processes. Essential oils of plant origin are complex mixtures of volatile and semi volatile organic compounds that determine the specific aroma of plants and are categorized by their biological activities.PurposeWe reviewed whether essential oils and their bioactive compounds of plant origin could modulate cytokines’ immune responses and improve asthma therapy in experimental systems in vitro and in vivo.MethodsElectronic and manual search of articles in English available from inception up to November 2018 reporting the immunomodulatory activity of essential oils and their bioactive compounds for the management of asthma. We used PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science. Publications reporting preclinical experiments where cytokines were examined to evaluate the consequence of anti-asthmatic therapy were included.Results914 publications were identified and 13 were included in the systematic review. Four articles described the role of essential oils and their bioactive compounds on bronchial asthma using cell lines; nine in vivo studies evaluated the anti-inflammatory efficacy and immunomodulating effects of essential oil and their secondary metabolites on cytokines production and inflammatory responses. The most important immunopharmacological mechanisms reported were the regulation of cytokine production, inhibition of reactive oxygen species accumulation, inactivation of eosinophil migration and remodeling of the airways and lung tissue, modulation of FOXP3 gene expression, regulation of inflammatory cells in the airways and decreasing inflammatory mediator expression levels.ConclusionPlant derived essential oils and related active compounds have potential therapeutic activity for the treatment of asthma by modulating the release of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8), Th17 (IL-17), anti-inflammatory (IL-10), Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13) cytokines and the suppression of inflammatory cell accumulation.     

Antiangiogenic,anti-inflammatory and their antioxidant activities of Turnera subulata Sm. (Turneraceae)

Turnera subulata is a substantial medicinal plant used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. The current study was assess the total phenolic and flavonoid contents to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the sequentially extracted T. subulata plant samples. In vitro anti-angiogenic activity was evaluated by chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model for chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts. The results obtained revealed that total phenolic content of the chloroform extract (24.13 ± 0.27 mg/g) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the chloroform extract (22.28 ± 0.40 mg/g) were found to be suggestively higher than the other extracts. A strong antioxidant property was observed for all the six extracts. A study anti-inflammatory activity was observed in chloroform and ethanol extracts, with IC₅₀ ranging from 79 ± 1.01 μg/mL to 81 ± 1.01 μg/mL for protein denaturation assay and from 74 ± 0.11 μg/mL to 76 ± 1.11 μg/mL for HRBC membrane stabilization assay, respectively. The chloroform and ethanol extracts have exhibited good antiangiogenic property. Eventually, these results justified that the chloroform and ethanol extracts of T. subulata with great antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis potentials could be promising candidates for the development of a cost effective, potent anticancer drug with minimal side effects.     

Comparative Study on Phenolic Profile and Biological Activities of the Aerial Parts of Sinapis pubescens L. subsp. pubescens (Brassicaceae) Wild from Sicily (Italy)

This work aimed to investigate Sinapis pubescens subsp. pubescens spontaneously grown in Sicily (Italy) as new potential source of active metabolites; specifically, a comparative study on leaf, flower, and stem hydroalcoholic extracts was performed. Polyphenols were quantitatively determined by spectrophotometric methods and characterized by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS; a total of 55 polyphenolic compounds were identified, highlighting considerably different qualitative-quantitative profiles. The extracts showed antioxidant activity, evaluated by in vitro assays; particularly, the leaf extract displayed the best radical scavenging activity (DPPH test) and reducing power, while the flower extract showed the greatest chelating activity. The antimicrobial properties of the extracts were investigated against bacteria and yeasts by standard methods; no antimicrobial activity was found against the strains tested. The extracts resulted to be non-toxic after preliminary toxicity evaluation by the Artemia salina lethality bioassay. The aerial parts of S. pubescens subsp. pubescens proved to be valuable sources of antioxidants for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.     

Profiling the phyto-constituents of Punica granatum fruits peel extract and accessing its in-vitro antioxidant,anti-diabetic,anti-obesity,and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory properties

This context was investigated to assess the in vitro antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition traits of Punica granatum fruits peel extract. Initially, among various extracts tested, aqueous and ethanolic peel extracts depicted the presence of diverse phytoconstituents. In vitro antioxidative properties of peel extracts were determined using standard methodologies. Results showed that aqueous and ethanolic extracts had IC₅₀ values of 471.7 and 509.16 μg/mL, respectively in terms of 1,1,diphenyl 2,2,picrylhydrazyl scavenging. Likewise, IC₅₀ values of aqueous and ethanol extract were obtained as 488.76 and 478.47 μg/mL towards the degradation of hydrogen peroxide. The ethanolic extract exhibited the highest inhibition of α-glucosidase by showing activity of 53.34 ± 2.0 to 15.18 ± 1.4 U/L in a dose dependent manner (100–1000 µg/mL). Ethanolic extract was reported as the most active inhibitor of lipase with an IC₅₀ value of 603.50 µg/mL. Ethanolic extract showed increased inhibition of ACE in a concentration dependent manner (100–1000 µg/mL) with IC₅₀ value of 519.45 µg/mL. Fourier transform-infrared spectrum revealed the availability of various functional groups in the ethanolic extract of peel. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry chromatogram of peel extract illustrated 23 diversified chemical constituents including 1,2,3,4-butanetetrol, Dimethyl sulfone, 9-octadecenamide, and Pentadecanoic acid as predominant compounds. In summary, P. granatum fruits peel extract revealed promising antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-hypertensive properties.     

Chemical constituents from Vietnamese mangrove Calophyllum inophyllum and their anti-inflammatory effects

In a search for anti-inflammatory activity in resources from Vietnamese mangroves, we found that a methanolic extract from the leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum (CIL) showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. Using various chromatographic techniques, we subsequently isolated 12 compounds (1–12) from a methanolic extract of CIL, including two novel compounds (1–2). The inhibitory effects of these compounds on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells were also evaluated. Compound 1 significantly suppressed NO production (IC₅₀ = 2.44 ± 0.88 µM), the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha), and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase through downregulation of nuclear factor-kappa-B signaling cascades. These results suggest that C. inophyllum leaves might be a useful resource for the development of drugs for the treatment of inflammation.     

Metabolism of β-alanyl-l-tyrosine in Sarcophaga bullata

Soluble enzymes have been demonstrated in extracts of Sarcophaga bullata larvae and pupae which both synthesize and hydrolyze the dipeptide β-alanyl-l-tyrosine (β-AT). In vitro assays for the synthesis and hydrolysis of β-AT were developed using thin-layer chromatography and (1-¹⁴C)β-alanine.The fat body was identified as the tissue origin of both the synthetase and hydrolase enzymes. The specific activity of β-AT synthetase in fat body extracts was constant throughout larval development, whereas hydrolytic activity in fat body extracts rose sharply after completion of the white puparium, reached a maximum in 12 to 18 hr, and then fell to its initial level. The rôle of the two enzymic activities in the formation of the puparium of S. bullata is discussed.