Search

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a major public health concern and the fifth major cause of death among the aging population globally. In this study, the total phenols and flavonoids contents (TPC and TFC) and in vitro antioxidant actions of the methanol extract and the various fractions of Aframomum melegueta were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity (NO), lipid peroxidation (TBARS) activity and ferric reducing power assay (FRAP). Furthermore, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities of the two most potent fractions were investigated, and the phytochemicals identified in the ethyl acetate fraction, which had the best antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory effects were subjected to chemoinformatics studies. The extract and its fraction had high amounts of TPC and TFC. The ethyl acetate fraction exerted the best DPPH, NO, TBARS, and FRAP inhibition with IC 50 values of 5.06, 6.58, 2.12, and 88.73 µg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions inhibited AChE (IC 50 16.83 and 11.67 µg/mL) and BuChE (IC 50 7.54 and 5.21 µg/mL) enzymatic activities more than the standard inhibitor, rivastigmine which had 11.99 and 11.40 µg/mL IC 50 values , respectively. A total of 18 compounds were identified in ethyl acetate fraction, and kaempferol was the major component, with 40.01 µg/g (30%). More strikingly, the top-scoring compounds (catechin, and kaempferol) exhibited good binding affinity, and interacted favorably with amino acids residues around and within the active sites of AChE and BuChE and also obeyed drug-likeness rules, and did not show a tendency towards toxicity when placed side by side with rivastigmine which is immunogenic. Thus, A. melegueta seeds contain safe bioactive chemicals, which could be a veritable remedy for managing Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The barks, leaves, fruits, and root of Rhizophora mucronata (R mucronata) have been widely used in traditional and indigenous in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Indonesia for the therapy of inflammation, diarrhoea, angina, dysentery, and haematuria with a long history. The present review aims to achieve up-to-date investigation in ethno-medical uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, distribution, and toxicity of R mucronata particularly its barks, leaves, and fruits based on the literature search from different databases. The literature search from different databases was performed from February 2021 to November 2021 using the pertinent keywords. Approximately, 60 chemical ingredients have been characterised from different parts (eg, leaves, barks, fruits, seeds) of this plant, among these, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, and flavonoids are the major characters and bioactive constituents. The crude extracts and the isolated compounds have demonstrated various in vitro and in vivo pharmacological functions, such as anticancer, anti-inflammation, inhibition of tumour cell proliferation, antimicrobial activity, diuretic effect, antidiabetes, and antiasthma. Various constituents of R mucronata polysaccharides, terpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and diterpenoids are also used to treat anti-HIV activity, angina, haemorrhage, diarrhoea, diabetes, and haematuria. Taken together, R mucronata may be a substantial source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic activity, which explain its traditional and folk values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thousands of people worldwide pass away yearly due to neurological disorders, cardiovascular illnesses, cancer, metabolic disorders, and microbial infections. Additionally, a sizable population has also been impacted by hepatotoxicity, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and breast fissure. These ailments are likewise steadily increasing along with the increase in life expectancy. Finding innovative therapies to cure and consequently lessen the impact of these ailments is, therefore, a global concern. All provided literature on Guaiazulene (GA) and its related compounds were searched using various electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Elsevier, Springer, ACS, CNKI, and books via the keywords Guaiazulene, Matricaria chamomilla, GA-related compounds, and Guaiazulene analogous. The FDA has approved the bicyclic sesquiterpene GA, commonly referred to as azulon or 1,4-dimethyl-7-isopropylazulene, as a component in cosmetic colorants. The pleiotropic health advantages of GA and related substances, especially their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, attracted a lot of research. Numerous studies have found that GA can help to manage various conditions, including bacterial infections, tumors, immunomodulation, expectorants, diuretics, diaphoresis, ulcers, dermatitis, proliferation, and gastritis. These conditions all involve lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response. In this review, we have covered the biomedical applications of GA. Moreover, we also emphasize the therapeutic potential of guaiazulene derivatives in pre-clinical and clinical settings, along with their underlying mechanism(s). GA and its related compounds exhibit therapeutic potential in several diseases. Still, it is necessary to investigate their potential in animal models for various other ailments and establish their safety profile. They might be a good candidate to advance to clinical trials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]