Search

Inflammation is a physiological condition that when unattended causes serious health concerns over the long term. Several phytocompounds have emerged as promising sources of anti-inflammatory agents. Thottea siliquosa is a traditional medicine for inflammatory and toxicity insults; however, this has not been scientifically confirmed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of T. siliquosa methanol leaf extract in a mouse model. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory activities of a plant extract obtained from leaves of T. siliquosa (TSE) with a focus on carrageenan- and formalin-induced paw oedema in mice. The extract's efficacy was assessed using well-established inflammation models, and the results showed a considerable reduction in paw edema in both cases. In the case of carrageenan model TSE at 50 mg/kg showed a 53.0 ± 2.5% reduction in edema, while those treated with TSM at 100 mg/kg exhibited a 60.0 ± 1.8% reduction ( p < 0.01). In the case of a formalin model when a higher dose of TSE (100 mg/kg) was given, paw thickness decreased by 47.04 ± 1.9% on the fifth day and by 64.72 ± 2.2% on the tenth day. LC-MS analysis reported the presence of gallic acid, quinic acid, quercetin, clitorin, myricitrin, retronecine, batatasin II, gingerol, and coumaric acid in the extract. Overall, this study confirms that T. siliquosa extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects in animals and is possibly mediated through the combined effects of these phytochemicals.

Ethnomedicinal plants are important sources of drug candidates, and many of these plants, especially in the Western Ghats, are underexplored. Humboldtia , a genus within the Fabaceae family, thrives in the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, Kerala, India, and holds significant ethnobotanical importance. However, many Humboldtia species remain understudied in terms of their biological efficacy, while some lack scientific validation for their traditional uses. However, Humboldtia sanjappae , an underexplored plant, was investigated for the phytochemical composition of the plant, and its antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities were assessed. The LC-MS analysis indicated the presence of several bioactive substances, such as Naringenin, Luteolin, and Pomiferin. The results revealed that the ethanol extract of H. sanjappae exhibited significant in vitro DPPH scavenging activity (6.53 ± 1.49 µg/mL). Additionally, it demonstrated noteworthy FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) activity (8.46 ± 1.38 µg/mL). Moreover, the ethanol extract of H. sanjappae exhibited notable efficacy in inhibiting the activities of α-amylase (47.60 ± 0.19µg/mL) and β-glucosidase (32.09 ± 0.54 µg/mL). The pre-treatment with the extract decreased the LPS-stimulated release of cytokines in the Raw 264.7 macrophages, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory potential. Further, the antibacterial properties were also evident in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The observed high zone of inhibition in the disc diffusion assay and MIC values were also promising. H. sanjappae displays significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties, likely attributable to its rich composition of various biological compounds such as Naringenin, Luteolin, Epicatechin, Maritemin, and Pomiferin. Serving as a promising reservoir of these beneficial molecules, the potential of H. sanjappae as a valuable source for bioactive ingredients within the realms of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries is underscored, showcasing its potential for diverse applications.

Bifidobacterium longum NCIM 5672 is a probiotic strain isolated from the Indian infant feces. The probiotic efficacy of Bifidobacteria is majorly affected by its acid tolerance. This study determined the probiotic properties and acid-tolerance mechanism of B. longum NCIM 5672 using whole-genome sequencing. The genome annotation is carried out using the RAST web server and NCBI PGAAP. The draft genome sequence of this strain, assembled in 63 contigs, consists of 22,46,978 base pairs, 1900 coding sequences and a GC content of 59.6%. The genome annotation revealed that seven candidate genes might be involved in regulating the acid tolerance of B. longum NCIM 5672. Furthermore, the presence of genes associated with immunomodulation and cell adhesion support the probiotic background of the strain. The analysis of candidate acid- tolerance-associated genes revealed three genes, argC, argH, and dapA, may play an essential role in high acid tolerance in B. longum NCIM 5672. The results of RT-qPCR supported this conclusion. Altogether, the results presented here supply an effective way to select acid-resistant strains for the food industry and provide new strategies to enhance this species' industrial applications and health-promoting properties., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)