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Rice, a most salt-sensitive cereal plant, adopts diverse pathways to withstand sodium chloride-induced salinity-related adversities. During the present study, attempt was made to understand the role of calcium on metabolite profile of the leaves of salt tolerant rice seedlings of variety of Nonabokra under sodium chloride induced salinity, by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-based metabolomics approach. Calcium availability in the seedlings was reduced or enhanced applying inhibitors (vanadyl sulfate, lanthanum chloride, and verapamil) or promoters of calcium influx (calcimycin also known as calcium ionophore A23187) in the sodium chloride (100 mM) supplemented growth medium. Growth medium of ten-day-old seedlings was replaced by sodium chloride supplemented hydroponic solution with promotor or inhibitors of calcium channel. Fifteen days old seedlings were harvested. It was observed that depletion of calcium availability increased the level of serotonin and gentisic acid whereas increased calcium level decreased these metabolites. It was concluded from the results that production of the signaling molecules serotonin and gentisic acids was elevated in calcium-deficient seedlings under salt stress the condition that was considered as control during the experiment. The two signaling molecules probably help this tolerant rice variety Nonabokra to withstand the salt-induced adversities.

Background: Antioxidants have important role on human health as well as in food industry. Natural antioxidants are preferred to synthetic antioxidants. Objective: In this study attempt was made to explore the leaf biomass, generally wasted and burnt, as sources of important antioxidant compounds. Methods: Extracts of leaves from five plants e.g. Artocarpus heterophyllus, Haldina cordifolia, Magnolia champaca, Mimusops elengi and Syzygium cumini were analyzed for their antioxidant properties by four different systems of assays. Identification and quantification of important components were performed using GC-MS. Results: All the extracts scavenged DPPH radical, superoxide radical, and chelated metal. S. cumini showed strongest antioxidant activities in all systems of assays. Many important phenols and other metabolites were identified. Correlation between activity and metabolite profile helped to identify important antioxidant compounds in the extracts. Important phenolic antioxidants identified were catechin, epicatechin, protocatechuic acid (from S. cumini), gallic acid, myricetin (from S. cumini, M. elengi), arbutin, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (from M. elengi). Conclusion: Thus, the leaf biomass may be used as an alternative source of these important phytochemicals having antioxidant activity.

Rationale Piper betle leaf, used as masticatory in South Asia, is also medicinally important. Objective This work was done to analyze phytochemical composition of two solvent fractions (chloroform and ethyl acetate) of the aqueous extracts obtained from eight varieties of P. betle leaves and to identify the active components against β-glucuronidase by chemometric analysis. Results Twenty-four phenolic compounds, in addition to different organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, and polyols, were identified from the solvent fractions. The extracts inhibited the enzyme β-glucuronidase. Piceatannol was the most active constituent against the enzyme (activity 12 times higher than that of silymarin), Chlorogenic acid also inhibited β-glucuronidase (activity 4.4 times higher when compared to silymarin). 2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and superoxide free radical scavenging activities of both the fractions of eight varieties of P. betle leaf extracts showed very strong antioxidant potentiality. Conclusion The findings validated some medicinal properties of the said leaves. Practical applications Edible leaves of Piper betle are medicinally and economically important. Leaves of different local varieties are reported to be used for the treatment of different diseases. The leaves have many biological properties, hepatoprotection being one of them. A large number of rural population is economically dependent on the cultivation of betel vine. But with a rapid change in lifestyle, the chewing habit of P. betle is decreasing ultimately affecting the livelihood of farmers dependent on betel cultivation. Knowledge on β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity and the mechanism for hepatoprotection of different P. betle varieties may validate the medicinal properties of betel, which would increase consumption of these leaves.

The flower extracts of two cultivated varieties of Musa X paradisiaca viz. Kanthali and Kancha Kela were assayed against the enzymes α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, β-glucuronidase and Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme, which are related to different diseased states like diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, hepatic disorder and cardiovascular diseases, respectively. The extracts inhibited all the enzymes except α-amylase by Musa X paradisiaca cv. Kanthali. Significantly high activities were observed in both the cultivated varieties for inhibiting the enzymes β-glucuronidase and Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme with respect to the known inhibitors of such enzymes silymarin and Lisinopril, respectively. The chemical constituents present in the methanol extracts were profiled following GC-MS based metabolomics approach. Eleven organic acids, seven sugars and sugar alcohols, six fatty acids, three phenols, two amino acids and a sterol could be identified. Practical Applications The male flowers of Musa X paradisiaca are cooked as vegetable in South-East Asia. The flowers are also useful in diabetes. Enzyme inhibitors have properties to prevent or control different noninfectious diseases. So, the flower extracts of two varieties of the plant were assayed for their activities against the glycosidases, acetylcholinesterase, β-glucuronidase and Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme. The activities of the flower extracts against the enzymes suggest that they may have beneficial effects in controlling diseases.

The methanolic extract of Cycas revoluta cone (MECR) was analyzed by GC-MS and UHPLC for metabolite profiling and was evaluated for anti-colon cancer property by using in vitro assays like Cell Viability Assay, Colony Formation Assay, ROS Determination, Flowcytometry, DAPI staining assay, Tunel assay. GC-MS and HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of different phytochemicals in the extract of Cycas revoluta cone. In-vitro studies showed MECR extract showed significant anti-colon cancer activity by reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in colon cancer cell (HCT-8) line, but no such activity was seen in normal colon cell (CCD-18Co) line. The investigation confirms that MECR may be a promising candidate in colon cancer protection.

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the antioxidant, anti-amylase, anti-glucosidase and antiacetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) properties of the leafy shoots of three Indian species of Swertia e.g. Swertia chirata and its substitutes Swertia bimaculata, and Swertia decussata, their xanthones and amarogentin. Methods: Antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of leafy shoots was measured in terms of DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radical scavenging activities as well as metal chelating properties. Enzyme inhibitory properties were measured using AChE, α-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively. Five xanthones bellidifolin (1), swerchirin (2), decussatin (3), mangiferin (4) and 1-hydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxy xanthone (6) and one iridoid, amarogentin (5) were isolated from Swertia chirata. The activities of the isolated components were compared. Results: Swertia chirata exhibited best antioxidant and antiAChE properties than the other two species. The plants also possessed α-glucosidase inhibitory properties but weak α-amylase inhibitory activity. Highest activities were observed in Swertia chirata. We report here, for the first time, the antioxidant, anti-AChE and anti-glycosidase activity of 1-hydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxy xanthone. This xanthone had strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity and anti-AChE property. Conclusion: The results suggest the beneficial effects of the xanthones of Swertia chirata. But further study should be carried out to prove the efficacy in vivo.

In human body, several categories of degenerative processes are largely determined by free radicals originating in cell. Free radicals are also known to have correlated with a variety of cognitive disorders (CDs) resulting in neuronal injury and eventually to death. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are such kind of killer CDs that occur due to dysfunction of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons. Plant parts of Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri etc. are being used for the treatment of cognitive disorders in several countries. The present study was aimed to explore the detailed antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of Acaciacatechu leaf (ACL) over CDs. Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were employed to identify the bioactive components present in ACL. Furthermore, the extract was evaluated to check the cytotoxic effects of ACL on normal cells. Amongst several antioxidant assays, DPPH assay, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical and hypochlorous acid inhibitory activities were found to be greater in ACL than that of the respective standards while other assays exhibited a moderate or at per inhibitory activity with standards. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were also found to be present in decent amount. In addition, we found, a greater acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of ACL when compared to other medicinally important plants, indicating its positive effect over CDs. Forty one bioactive components were explored through GC-MS. Of these, gallic acid, epicatechin, catechin, isoquercitrin etc. were found, which are potent antioxidant and a few of them have anti-neurodegenerative properties. Eventually, ACL was found to be nontoxic and safer to consume. Further studies with animal or human model however, would determine its efficacy as a potential anti-schizophrenic drug.

In India, many flowers are consumed as food. During the present study, 37 flowers have been analyzed for their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity. The flowers were found to have different levels of antioxidant properties in the systems tested. On the basis of the activity and availability, a few flowers were further studied for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation prevention, and DNA damage prevention properties. The correlations suggest that the total phenol contents of the flowers were responsible for the antioxidant properties of the aqueous extracts. The unweighted-pair group average dendrogram showing interrelationships between the investigated species grouped them into two high level clusters based on activity.

Seedlings of Trigonella foenum-graecum were treated with four heavy metal salts (CdCl2, CoCl2, K2Cr2O7 and NiCl2) to study the effect of heavy metals on growth and diosgenin production. It was found that CdCl2 increased diosgenin production up to 40-fold and CoCl2 increased diosgenin production up to 41-fold at concentrations which did not affect growth significantly. But K2Cr2O7 and NiCl2 were toxic to growth and inhibited diosgenin production. Effect of exogenously applied methyl jasmonate (MeJa) and calcium (Ca2+) on diosgenin production in seedlings of T. foenum-graecum was also investigated. MeJa enhanced the production of diosgenin. Maximum increase (10.5-fold) was found at 100 µL L−l concentration of MeJa. To study the role of Ca2+ on diosgenin production, seedlings of T. foenum-graecum were treated with a promoter of Ca2+ influx (calcium ionophore A23187), calcium depleted medium, Ca2+ channel blocker (verapamil) and antagonist (LaCl3), a divalent cation chelator (EGTA) and modulator of calcium release (caffeine). All the treatments were compared with a control containing 220 mg L−l concentration of CaCl2. The results suggest that the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ has an inhibitory role on diosgenin production. However, a calcium chelator or Ca2+ channel inhibitors could be used to elicit diosgenin production in this plant.

Eleven edible leafy vegetables of India have been analysed for their free radical-scavenging activity in different systems of assay, e.g. DPPH radical-scavenging activity, superoxide radical-scavenging activity in riboflavin/light/NBT system, hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO4 in egg yolk. Total antioxidant activity was measured, based on the reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(V) by the extract and subsequent formation of green phosphate/Mo(V) complex at acid pH. The extracts were found to have different levels of antioxidant properties in the systems tested. Considering all the activities, it can be said that Ipomoea reptans has good activity amongst the eleven plant materials screened for their antioxidant properties. Lowest activity was found in Nyctanthes arbortristis. Many flavonoids and related polyphenols contribute significantly to the total antioxidant activity of many fruits and vegetables. However, there was no correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenol/flavonoid content.

Food rich in antioxidants plays an essential role in the prevention of diseases. The fruits of wild Indian Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), also known as black plum, are edible. Traditionally they are also used to cure a number of ailments. In this paper, the antioxidant activity of the fruit skin has been analysed using different assays, such as hydroxyl radical-scavenging assay, based on the benzoic acid hydroxylation method, superoxide radical-scavenging assay, based on photochemical reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) in the presence of a riboflavin-light-NBT system, DPPH radical-scavenging assay, and lipid peroxidation assay, using egg yolk as the lipid-rich source. Total antioxidant capacity was determined by the assay based on the reduction of Mo(VI)–Mo(V) by the extract and subsequent formation of a green phosphate/Mo(V) complex. In all the systems, a significant correlation existed between concentration of the extract and percentage inhibition of free radicals or percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant property of the fruit skin may come in part from the antioxidant vitamins, phenolics or tannins and anthocyanins present in the fruit.

Piper betle leaves are used as masticatory in Asian countries. In the present study, antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts of three local varieties of P. betle leaves were evaluated by several in vitro systems, e.g. DPPH radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity in a riboflavin/light/NBT system, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO 4 in egg yolk. Total antioxidant activity was measured by the reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(V), by the extract, and subsequent formation of a green phosphate/Mo(V) complex at acid pH. The extracts were found to have different levels of antioxidant activity in the systems tested. The data indicate that the antioxidant activities differed in varieties. The antioxidant activities of the three varieties are in the order Kauri > Ghanagete > Bagerhati. All three varieties of P. betle have more potential to prevent lipid peroxidation than does tea. Total antioxidant capacity (equivalent to gallic acid) of Kauri is also higher than tea. Total phenolic concentration, expressed as gallic acid equivalents showed correlation with the antioxidant activity, being highest in Kauri and lowest in Bagerhati.

To study the effect of ethylene on growth, diosgenin production and activities of the two antioxidant enzymes catalase and peroxidase, the seedlings of Trigonella foenum-graecum were treated with different concentrations of ethephon (as ethylene generating agent). The fresh weight and the length of seedlings decreased significantly and the dry weight of seedlings increased with increase in concentration of ethephon. At 100 mg/l concentration of ethephon, enzyme activities and diosgenin content decreased significantly. Subsequently, enzyme activities and diosgenin content increased with increase in concentration of ethephon. But diosgenin content did not increase over that of the control. The results suggest that although there is a relation between ethephon concentration, ethephon-induced catalase and peroxidase activities and diosgenin content, ethylene is not required for induction of diosgenin content in T. foenum-graecum seedlings.

Background Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. F. (Family: Asparagaceae) rhizome has been claimed to possess antidiabetic activity in the ethno-medicinal literature in India. Therefore, present experiments were carried out to explore the protective role of edible (aqueous) extract of S. roxburghiana rhizome (SR) against experimentally induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its associated cardiomyopathy in Wistar rats. Methods SR was chemically characterized by GC-MS analysis. Antidiabetic activity of SR (50 and 100 mg/kg, orally) was measured in high fat diets (ad libitum) + low-single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) induced type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat. Fasting blood glucose level was measured at specific intermissions. Serum biochemical and inflammatory markers were estimated after sacrificing the animals. Besides, myocardial redox status, expressions of signal proteins (NF-κB and PKCs), histological and ultrastructural studies of heart were performed in the controls and SR treated T2D rats. Results Phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, sugar alcohols, sterols, amino acids, saturated fatty acids within SR. T2D rats exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) higher fasting blood glucose level with respect to control. Alteration in serum lipid profile (p < 0.01) and increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.01) and creatine kinase (p < 0.01) in the sera revealed the occurrence of hyperlipidemia and cell destruction in T2D rats. T2DM caused significant (p < 0.05–0.01) alteration in the biochemical markers in the sera. T2DM altered the redox status (p < 0.05–0.01), decreased (p < 0.01) the intracellular NAD and ATP concentrations in the myocardial tissues of experimental rats. While investigating the molecular mechanism, activation PKC isoforms was observed in the selected tissues. T2D rats also exhibited an up-regulation in nuclear NF-κB (p65) in the cardiac tissues. So, oral administration of SR (50 and 500 mg/kg) could reduce hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, membrane disintegration, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation and prevented the activation of oxidative stress induced signaling cascades leading to cell death. Histological and ultra-structural studies of cardiac tissues supported the protective characteristics of SR. Conclusions From the present findings it can be concluded that, SR could offer protection against T2DM and its associated cardio-toxicity via multiple mechanisms viz. hypoglycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.