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Medicinal plants are a major source of numerous therapeutic agents, and the emergence of pathogenic bacteria has rekindled interest in traditional medicine systems as an alternative approach to overcoming resistance. The dried plant material of four medicinal plants, namely Terminalia arjuna (bark), Terminalia bellirica (fruit), Aegle marmelos (leaves), and Bacopa monnieri (leaves), was powdered, and aqueous extracts were prepared. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated against three clinically important strains: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli 385. As E. coli 385 was resistant to the broadest spectrum of antibiotics tested, it was classified as (MDR multi-drug resistant). E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium smegmatis (MTTC), and Vibrio alginolyticus (ATCC) were also assessed using the agar well diffusion method for zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC). Clinically important strains were found to be sensitive to the aqueous extract of T. bellerica (19.51 ± 0.61 mm) with MICs ranging from 0.31 to 0.62 mg/ml. The MDR strain was also sensitive to Bellirica monnieri (16.10 ± 0.31 mm) aqueous extract. To determine the potential for a wide range of applications, the antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The T. arjuna plant extract exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity with the lowest EC50 values for DPPH (1.15 ± 0.061 mg/ml) and ABTS (1.02 ± 0.07 mg/ml). The plant extracts were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and LC-MS/MS.

Abstract Background Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine, and its abnormal production is associated with several immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Biological anti-TNF-α therapy includes treatment with monoclonal antibodies such as infliximab which have proven successful and are well-tolerated in most patients. Unfortunately, some patients may not respond to therapy (primary non-responders) or may lose sensitivity to the biological agent over time (early and late secondary non-responders). Natural products can reduce inflammation and act synergistically with small molecules or biologics, although evidence remains limited. This study aimed to investigate whether complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could play a role in infliximab non-responders. Reportedly, cinnamon can help manage chronic inflammatory conditions owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. Methods We studied the synergistic effects of cinnamon and infliximab in vitro using a two-step approach. First, we investigated whether cinnamon and infliximab act synergistically. Second, we selected conditions that supported statistically significant synergy with infliximab and studied the mRNA expression of several genes involved in non-response to infliximab. We used aqueous cinnamon extract (aCE) from Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cinnamomum loureiroi and bioactive trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), cinnamic acid (CA), and eugenol to study the synergy between infliximab and aCE/bioactive compounds using bioassays in fibroblast (L929) and monocytic (U937) cell lines, followed by qPCR for molecular-level insights. TCA, C. cassia aCE, and C. zeylanicum aCE demonstrated a dose-dependent synergistic effect with infliximab. Moreover, we saw differential gene expression for adhesion molecules, apoptotic factors, signaling molecules, and matrix remodelers in presence and absence of aCE/bioactives. Results CAM supplementation was most effective with C. cassia aCE, where a synergistic effect was observed for all the tested genes specifically for MMP-1, BcL-xL, Bax and JAK2, followed by TCA, which affected most of the tested genes except TLR-2, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and BAX, and C. zeylanicum aCE, which did not affect ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and STAT3. Conclusion In conclusion, cinnamon acted synergistically with infliximab to mitigate inflammation when used as an extract. Purified bioactive TCA also showed synergistic activity. Thus, aCE, or cinnamon bioactive may be used as a CAM to improve patients’ quality of life.

This study was done in order to investigate the changes of the major biochemical components and in vitro antioxidant activity of the water extracts from different kinds of tea during the process of their multistage membrane separation, ultrafiltration membranes with molecular masses cut-off (MMCO) of 20, 10, and 3.5 kDa, respectively were successively used to separate the water extracts from the major kinds of tea in Fujian including green tea, white tea, oolong tea from south Fujian, oolong tea from north Fujian, and black tea into fractions with different molecular masses. The fractions were spray dried and investigated for their ultraviolet (UV) spectra, biochemical compositions and in vitro antioxidant activity. The results showed that the UV absorption spectra of all samples were similar, exhibiting two obvious peaks at 210 and 274 nm. Absorbance at 274 nm exhibited a significant positive correlation with the contents of free amino acids (FAAs), caffeine (CAF), gallic acid (GA) and epicatechin gallate (ECG), and a significantly negative correlation with the contents of epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC). The distribution of biochemical components and the changes in antioxidant activity in vitro were affected by membrane separation, among which, the 20 kDa MMCO membrane had the most pronounced impact. The retentate from black tea after 20 kDa MMCO membrane ultrafiltration had the highest antioxidant activity in vitro, while the antioxidant activity of the permeate was lower than that of the permeate from the other kinds of tea. The biochemical components and antioxidant activity in vitro varied significantly among different types of tea samples, and the changes in biochemical components and antioxidant activity during the membrane separation process were not completely consistent. The water extract from black tea showed the greatest changes after 20 kDa MMCO membrane ultrafiltration. These results could provide a scientific basis for the membrane separation of aqueous extracts from different types of tea.

The world faces a grave threat from antimicrobial resistance. Currently, many bacterial and fungal infections cannot be treated with the majority of well-known antibiotics. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were achieved by a novel, simple green chemistry procedure to counter microbial familiarity using Taraxacum officinale aqueous extract as a reducing agent. The current study was carried out to explore the efficacy of AgNPs by aqueous extract of Taraxacum officinale followed by physicochemical characterization including ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the aqueous extracts AgNPs were assessed using the seeding technique and the tube diluton technique respectively. The UV-Vis distinctive spectral peak was observed at 445 nm. SEM showed a particle size range of 100 nm at 30,000 × magnification whereas TEM showed the spherical shape (100 nm) of nanoparticles. XRD confirmed the crystalline structure of the AgNPs, whereas FTIR validated the phytochemicals in their capping, stabilization, and synthesis of AgNPs. Antibacterial assay of synthesized NPs showed significant action against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Similarly, the antifungal activity of synthesized AgNPs showed significant action against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, and Fusarium oxysporum. These results suggest that the aqueous extract AgNPs of T. officinale could provide a safer alternative to conventional antibacterial and antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The substitution of synthetic colorants with natural ones presents a challenge, as the color and stability of pigments depend on various factors such as pH, temperature, and the presence of oxygen, among others. The objective of this study was to determine the thermal degradation kinetics of anthocyanins present in the aqueous extract of hibiscus flower. Stability studies were conducted under controlled temperature conditions in the range of 60 - 90 °C. Statistical analysis revealed that degradation follows first-order kinetics, and the activation energy values was determined to be 63,3 kJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local communities have extensively utilized different components of mangrove (Sonneratia caseolaris) plants in traditional medicine. These plants are known for their secondary metabolites, including steroids, triterpenoids, saponins, and flavonoids. S. caseolaris grows in Ujung Pangkah waters in Gresik, East Java, Indonesia, and is known for its proximity to environmental waste. It is believed that environmental factors at this site may contribute to the presence of characteristic bioactive compounds in the plant. In this study, the toxicity, bioactive constituents, and pharmacokinetic potentials of the aqueous extracts of the leaves of S. caseolaris were investigated. S. caseolaris leaves were extracted with methanol, distilled water, and three mineral water products produced and distributed in Indonesia. The toxicity of the aqueous S. caseolaris leaf extracts was tested by determining the LC50 using Artemia salina Leach and a 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with TIG-1-20 lung fibroblasts. None of the aqueous S. caseolaris leaf extracts were categorized as toxic substances based on the LC50 and MTT assays. The six compounds detected by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) in a previous study were analyzed using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) methods. Bis(3,5,5- trimethylhexyl) phthalate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were identified as component from S. caesolaris and are known plasticizers. These compounds were suspected to be carcinogenic substances based on QSAR and ADMET analyses, indicating that the environment of S. caseolaris may be a site of plastic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Aqueous extract of unripe Musa paradisiaca fruit is commonly used for the treatment of ulcers in eastern Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the acute and subacute effects of an aqueous extract of unripe fruit on male and female fertility in rats. Methods: Aqueous extracts obtained by maceration were analyzed for acute and subacute toxicity and for the presence of phytochemical constituents using standard procedures. The extract (100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) was administered daily to rats of both sexes for 28 d. Blood samples collected on days 0 and 28 were assessed for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Testes and ovaries were harvested for histopathological analysis. Sperm were also collected to determine the sperm count and motility. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, and resins. After an oral dose of up to 5000 mg/kg, there were no deaths in the acute toxicity test. The extract (500 mg/kg) significantly (P <.05) enhanced sperm count and motility relative to the untreated control; significantly (P <.05) reduced SOD, CAT, and glutathione levels, while significantly (P <.05) elevated LH, FSH, and MDA levels in male and female rats. Histological examination revealed significant structural damage to the ovaries. Conclusion: Unripe Musa paradisiaca fruit exhibited an adverse toxicological profile following prolonged administration and caused oxidative stress in rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allelopathy has a profound impact on the germination and growth of plants, influencing the establishment of plant populations and shaping community ecological patterns. However, the allelopathic potential of many grassland species remains poorly understood. In this study, we prepared aqueous extracts from 17 herbaceous plants to investigate their allelopathic effects on the seed germination and seedling growth of Leymus chinensis, a dominant grassland species. Our results revealed that the response of L. chinensis to allelopathic compounds was dependent on the specific plant species, extract concentration, and target plant organ. Notably, Fabaceae plants exhibited a stronger allelopathic potential than Poaceae, Asteraceae, and other plant families. Moreover, we observed that root growth of L. chinensis was more sensitive to allelopathy than shoot growth, and seed germination was more affected than seedling growth. Generally, the germination of L. chinensis was strongly inhibited as the donor plant extract concentration increased. The leachate of Fabaceae plants inhibited the seedling growth of L. chinensis at concentrations ranging from 0.025 to 0.1 g mL−1. On the other hand, the leachate from other families' plants exhibited either inhibitory or hormetic effects on the early growth of L. chinensis, promoting growth at 0.025 g mL−1 and hindering it at concentrations between 0.05 and 0.1 g mL−1. These findings highlight the significant allelopathic potential of grassland plants, which plays a critical role in establishing plant populations and associated ecological processes. In addition, they shed light on the coexistence of other plants with dominant plants in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal mobility disorders are either hypo or hypermotility conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract due to smooth muscle or neuronal disorders. Betalains are good candidates to be evaluated for their intestinal modulating properties since they may have a higher safety index and pleiotropic efficacy. In this small sample, clinical trials (N = 26 cases of motility disorders), fasting, and betalains intake cases of motility disorders had been measured for their electro enterography EEnG at 8:00 am. Betalains intake cases were given oral doses of 12 mg/kg betalains extract 30 minutes before measurements. A biosignal interface was used (UNO, Italy) and the driver was installed within the Simulink R2021b block with the use of a lowpass filter to cancel ECG wave interference. The participant's privacy, autonomy, and information about the use of this habitually used beetroot extract were insured and verbally explained regarding the purpose of the study, the method, and the time of analysis. The results have clearly shown that the oral administration of the aqueous extract of betalains achieved mild antispasmodic effects in cases with intestinal hypermotility disorders by decreasing the maximum force of contraction as had been indicated by EEnG reduction in the mean amplitude difference from 1.25 micV to 1.07 micV. Moreover, betalains caused EEnG frequency to decline from 21.5 MHz to 18.5 MHz. These effects were mild although statistically significant (P = 0.04). The oral dose of 12 mg/kg of betalains aqueous extract showed mild but significant intestinal relaxing effects in patients with intestinal hypermotility disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we employed an eco-friendly approach to produce nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) employing an aqueous leaf extract derived from Alternanthera sessilis. The resulting NiO NPs exhibited a monodispersed nature, as verified through UV-Vis spectroscopy, which exposed a clear peak at λmax 280 nm and stabilizing agents during the synthesis of A.S-NiO NPs. The XRD examination asserted the Face Centre Cubic (FCC) crystallinity of the biogenic A.S-NiO NPs. TEM examination revealed a size of 18 nm and a spherical morphology for A.S-NiO NPs. The biogenic NiO NPs demonstrated noteworthy antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. The DPPH scavenging activity was shown to be maximum at an amount of 100 µg/ml, at 62.72%, and an IC50 value of 86.46 µg/ml. Additionally, A.S-NiO NPs exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and other bacteria showed the strongest antibacterial activity. S. pyogenas, and S. aureus, resulting in Zone of Inhibition values of 16 mm, 14.5 mm, 10.6 mm, and 6.5 mm, respectively. Furthermore, A.S-NiO NPs demonstrated potential dose-dependent anticancer efficacy against HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bark residues from Douglas fir are an abundant resource that is currently used primarily in low-value energy recovery or is landfilled. Bark extractives are rich in diverse compounds like terpenes, fatty acids, phenols, and sugars with potential uses in a variety of high value applications. The study explores the potential of enzymatic hydrolysis to improve phenolic compounds from Douglas fir bark. It also assesses differences in chemical composition among rhytidome, phloem, and comingled bark fractions from an industrial waste pile. Phloem fractions exhibit higher yields of extractives, rhytidome fractions have elevated lignin levels, while the comingled fraction lies between the two except in ash content which was higher than in the separated fractions. Fungal decay tests with Gloeophyllum trabeum and Coniophora puteana on extract treated wood suggest potential for growth inhibition in extracts, about 58–31 % and 30–7% mass loss (in average) respectively, but due to high mass loss at low concentrations an enzymatic modification approach seems crucial for enhanced inhibition. Growth responses in whole-cell fermentation approach display variability depending on the participating microorganisms. Enzymatic hydrolysis with beta-glucosidase improved the antioxidant properties of bark extracts and holds promise for altering the chemical composition and enhancing bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, natural resources were used as best therapeutic sources for different diseases. Among several herbal resources, certain plant families are known for their analgesic activities, such as Dianthus crinitus , which showed a good curative potential. The mentioned plant has been used traditionally for the healing of several illnesses such as pain, inflammation, injuries, etc. The current study, therefore, evaluated the analgesic and anti-antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts of leaves, flowers, and seeds of Dianthus crinitus in mice. For analgesic activity, acetic acid and a hot plate thermal stimulation method were used to induce writhes in mice, followed by a tail emersion process. Results showed that the extract demonstrated analgesic potential in mice, signifying both peripheral and central modes of action. Furthermore, extract also significantly inhibited the rat paw edema triggered by carrageenan seaweed and dextran as revealed by neutrophil migration toward the peritoneal cavities of animals and enhanced vascular permeability. The data suggested that the extract exhibited a dose-dependent antioxidant action. These preliminary observations provided support for further exploration and justification for the potential development of a new class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicines from the constituents of Dianthus crinitus extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored the In-vitro evaluation of the anti-urolithiasis activity of Acalypha rhomboidea leaf extract. The powdered plant material was extracted using the maceration technique with water as solvent. After the extraction, the extract was subjected to preliminary qualitative analysis to identify the presence of phytochemicals. The phytoconstituents present in the extract are reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, etc. Later aqueous extract was evaluated for anti-urolithiasis activity using the titrimetry method and percentage dissolution was calculated. In this method, neeri was used as a standard drug. The plant extract showed 82% percentage dissolution of calcium oxalate crystals indicating that the plant was more efficient in dissolving calcium oxalate when compared to standard drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of Tetrahymena pyriformis cultures to cobalt-60 for 72 h significantly impacted the cells' growth, appearance, and physiology. This study aims to investigate the protective effects of Arbutus unedo L flowers and fruit extracts on T. pyriformis against gamma radiation. Initially, aqueous and 50% ethanolic extracts of the fruits and flowers were prepared, and their cytotoxicity on the ciliate was evaluated. The irradiated ciliate's cellular viability and morphological aspect improved when a non-toxic concentration of 25 µg/mL was added to the growth medium. The addition of extracts restored glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase activities to their initial levels, similar to non-irradiated cells. In addition, the extracts reduced oxidative stress markers, such as lipid peroxidation, and decreased the activities of antioxidant defence enzymes, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. This may be attributed to the antioxidant properties of the extracts. Results of this study revealed that the flower extracts exhibited better protective effects than the fruit extracts, with superior antioxidant activity in the in-vitro DPPH scavenging assay. These results suggest that A. unedo flower extracts may have potential as exogenous radioprotective agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica coated superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONPS) have plenty of applications in biomedical engineering particularly drug delivery systems due to their unique efficiency and very negligible side effects. SPIONPS was synthesized rapidly using an aqueous fruit extract of Ficus carica. Single step green biosynthetic method was adapted to prepare SPIONPS in an environmentally friendly approach. The synthesized SPIONPS was subjected to different analytical studies. Results observed from UV-Visible spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the formation of iron oxide nanoparticle. Further, the vibrating sample magnetometer confirms the paramagnetic character of the prepared sample. Particle size and scanning electron microscope analysis validate the formation of the nanoparticle. The antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis of fruit extract and SPIONPS were analyzed to explore the presence of biomolecules, which are responsible for the reduction and stabilization of SPIONPS. In addition to the excellent superparamagnetic properties of SPIONPS are antibacterial activity against E.coli and B.stearothermophilus species. The biocompatibility of SPIONPS with the HepG-2 cell line shows its potential usefulness in drug delivery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Henan Agricultural Sciences is the property of Editorial Board of Journal of Henan Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Prymnesium parvum is a harmful alga found in brackish waters worldwide whose toxins can be lethal to aquatic organisms. Established field methods to control blooms of this species, however, are unavailable. Earlier studies showed that various extracts of giant reed (Arundo donax) can suppress P. parvum growth and that ellipticine, an allelochemical present in giant reed, is a potent algicide against this species. The unintended effects of giant reed products on nontarget organisms, however, are not fully understood. This study determined the effects of giant reed leachate (aqueous extract of dried chips) and ellipticine on growth of P. parvum and the green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana; survival and reproduction of the planktonic crustacean Daphnia pulex; and hatching success, larval survival, and larval swimming behavior of the teleost fish Danio rerio. Leachate made with 3 g chips L−1 was lethally toxic to P. parvum and D. pulex, stimulated C. sorokiniana growth, and impaired D. rerio behavior. Leachate at 1 g L−1 fully suppressed P. parvum growth, had moderate effects on D. pulex reproductive output, and had no effects on D. rerio. Ellipticine at 0.01 mg L−1 irreversibly inhibited P. parvum growth, acutely but reversibly inhibited C. sorokiniana growth, slightly delayed D. pulex reproduction, and had no effects on D. rerio. These observations suggest that when applied at appropriate concentrations, natural products derived from giant reed can be used as tools to specifically control P. parvum growth with minimal effects on nontarget species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine, and its abnormal production is associated with several immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID). Biological anti-TNF-α therapy includes treatment with monoclonal antibodies such as infliximab which have proven successful and are well-tolerated in most patients. Unfortunately, some patients may not respond to therapy (primary non-responders) or may lose sensitivity to the biological agent over time (early and late secondary non-responders). Natural products can reduce inflammation and act synergistically with small molecules or biologics, although evidence remains limited. This study aimed to investigate whether complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could play a role in infliximab non-responders. Reportedly, cinnamon can help manage chronic inflammatory conditions owing to its anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: We studied the synergistic effects of cinnamon and infliximab in vitro using a two-step approach. First, we investigated whether cinnamon and infliximab act synergistically. Second, we selected conditions that supported statistically significant synergy with infliximab and studied the mRNA expression of several genes involved in non-response to infliximab. We used aqueous cinnamon extract (aCE) from Cinnamomum cassia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cinnamomum loureiroi and bioactive trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), cinnamic acid (CA), and eugenol to study the synergy between infliximab and aCE/bioactive compounds using bioassays in fibroblast (L929) and monocytic (U937) cell lines, followed by qPCR for molecular-level insights. TCA, C. cassia aCE, and C. zeylanicum aCE demonstrated a dose-dependent synergistic effect with infliximab. Moreover, we saw differential gene expression for adhesion molecules, apoptotic factors, signaling molecules, and matrix remodelers in presence and absence of aCE/bioactives. Results: CAM supplementation was most effective with C. cassia aCE, where a synergistic effect was observed for all the tested genes specifically for MMP-1, BcL-xL, Bax and JAK2, followed by TCA, which affected most of the tested genes except TLR-2, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and BAX, and C. zeylanicum aCE, which did not affect ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, MMP1, MMP3, TIMP-1, and STAT3. Conclusion: In conclusion, cinnamon acted synergistically with infliximab to mitigate inflammation when used as an extract. Purified bioactive TCA also showed synergistic activity. Thus, aCE, or cinnamon bioactive may be used as a CAM to improve patients' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aqueous and organic solvent extracts of stem bark, leaves and pods of Cassia fistula L. and their residues were tested for their phytotoxic effects on seed germination and seedling growth of Raphanus sativus L. Bioassay with different solvents extracts revealed that inhibition by ethyl acetate extract of stem bark, leaves and pods was more than other extracts. Epiafzelechin and epicatechin (tannins or the building blocks of the proanthocyanidins) were present in the ethyl acetate extract of pods, kaempferol was obtained from the stem bark, while 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl anthraquinone (chrysophenol) and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-6-methoxy acetophenone (physcion) were found in the leaves of Cassia fistula L. The chemical studies revealed that epiafzelechin and epicatechin (tannins) most inhibited the plumule and radicle growth of Raphanus sativus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: During cystic echinococcosis surgery, the use of scolicidal agents such as hypertonic saline (20%) aims to reduce the risk of infection recurrence, but most of the used agents are associated with undesirable side effects. Therefore, the use of natural scolicidal agents such as medicinal plant extracts could reduce these medical issues. The present study aimed to compare in vitro the scolicidal activity between two extracts of the medicinal plant Myrtus communis from Algeria against Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato protoscoleces. Methods: The ethanolic and aqueous extraction of plant leaves was performed. Phytochemical analysis by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS), determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and in vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH were evaluated for both extracts. Finally, the in vitro scolicidal activity was tested by different concentrations. The viability was evaluated by the eosin exclusion test. Results: The phytochemical analysis revealed 28 components for the ethanolic extract and 44 components for the aqueous extract. The major components were 2′-hydroxy-5′-methoxyacetophenone and 4-amino-2-methylphenol, respectively. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 45.9 ± 0.085 mg of gallic acid equivalent per g of extract (GAE/g E) and 16.5 ± 0.004 mg of quercetin equivalent per g (QE/g E) for the ethanolic extract, and 36.5 ± 0.016 mg GAE/g E and 18.2 ± 0.023 mg QE/g E for the aqueous extract, respectively. Furthermore, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of M. communis gave a value of IC50 = 0.009 ± 0.0004 mg/ml and IC50 = 0.012 ± 0.0003 mg/ml for the antioxidant activity, respectively. The in vitro scolicidal activity with concentrations of 50, 75, 100, and 150 mg/ml was tested for 5, 10, 15, and 30 min, and 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min for ethanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. The mortality rate of protoscoleces at concentrations of 100 and 150 mg/ml was 98.8 and 100%, respectively, after 5 min of exposure to the ethanolic extract, while this rate was 100% at the same concentrations only after 60 min of exposure to the aqueous extract. Conclusions: The ethanolic extract showed a stronger scolicidal activity against E. granulosus s.l protoscoleces than the aqueous extract. In the future, other investigations are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of action and the possible toxicity on human cells. Moreover, experimental animal studies are required to investigate the efficacy of different extracts of this plant and its components as natural anti-parasitic alternatives for the treatment of human cystic echinococcosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present investigation was to obtain 12 aqueous extracts and 1 oil from Pistacia atlantica Desf. subsp. atlantica specimens. The samples differed for processed plant organs (i.e., roots, buds, and fruits), gender and geographical station of the collected trees. Total phenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins were determined, revealing that bud extracts exhibited the highest phenolic content (386.785 ± 16.227 mg GAE/g DM), followed by fruit and root preparations. Similar results were detected for flavonoids and tannins, whose quantitation ranged from 0.014 ± 0.005 to 74.780 ± 9.724 mg CE/g DM and from 0.037 ± 0.003 to 14.793 ± 0.821 mg CE/g DM, respectively. The biochemical profile of the extracts was further characterized by HPLC-DAD, in terms of specific phenolics. This analysis identified gallic acid as a typical metabolite for ripe fruit, while hydroxytyrosol for female roots and male buds. In parallel, P. atlantica fruit oil was profiled by GC-MS analysis, which detected 37 lipophilic components, including palmitic acid (the major component, ~55%), anacardol, tetradecanol, arachidic acid, squalene, and some terpenes. The samples revealed interesting antioxidant activity, with EC50 values ranging from 0.073 ± 0.001 to 193.594 ± 28.942 mg/mL and from 0.029 ± 0.001 to 103.086 ± 20.540 mg/mL, in that order, for DPPH and reducing power assays. Concerning the total antioxidant capacity, the results ranged from 0.053 ± 0.008 to 51.648 ± 1.659 mg AAE/g DM. Finally, the antimicrobial potential of the plant extracts was estimated against 7 bacterial species and 2 fungal strains, known to be human pathogens, demonstrating a good antibiotic effect for the bud extracts. All these findings strongly suggest that P. atlantica would represent a natural reservoir for novel additives to be used in therapeutic, food, and cosmetic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Experiments were conducted to study the response of cress (Lepidium sativum) which is a sensitive plant to allelochemical compounds sensitive to aqueous extract obtained from the different organs of important weeds such as Silybum marianum and Malva sylvestris. Methods: The experiment for each plant was performed as a factorial based on the completely randomized design with three replications in 2023. The first factor was the different organs in three levels: root, stem, and leaf of weeds. The second factor was the various concentrations of the extracts obtained from each organ at 5 levels (0 (control), 25, 50, 75, and 100%). To extract samples, after collecting and drying them, the first 5 gr of the plant powder of each organ (weight) was extracted separately with 100 ml of distilled water as solvent (volume). Then different concentrations were prepared from the extract obtained from the stock (base solution). Results: The results showed that the percentage and rate of germination, length of radicle and, plumule, length of seedling, the ratio of radicle to plumule, seed length vigor index, dry weight of radicle and, plumule, seedling dry weight and seed weight vigor index of cress were influenced by aqueous extract of the Silybum marianum organs, different concentrations and the interaction effect of them. Among the different organs, the aqueous extract of the leaf had the highest inhibitory effect on the germination characteristics of the cress in such a way that the difference in the effect of different concentrations of organs was dependent on their concentration threshold. The findings showed that the effect of the aqueous extract of the different organs of Malva sylvestris weed on the germination characteristics of cress was similar to that of Silybum marianum, except that the aqueous extract of Malva sylvestris leaf in different concentrations had a higher inhibitory potential on the germination characteristics and seedling growth of cress compared to other organs and even Silybum marianum weed. Conclusions: Therefore, the use of the huge biomass of both studied weeds, especially the leaves of Malva sylvestris, can be a considerable option in producing biological herbicides to reduce the spread of weeds and water and soil pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Medicinal plants are a major source of numerous therapeutic agents, and the emergence of pathogenic bacteria has rekindled interest in traditional medicine systems as an alternative approach to overcoming resistance. The dried plant material of four medicinal plants, namely Terminalia arjuna (bark), Terminalia bellirica (fruit), Aegle marmelos (leaves), and Bacopa monnieri (leaves), was powdered, and aqueous extracts were prepared. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated against three clinically important strains: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli 385. As E. coli 385 was resistant to the broadest spectrum of antibiotics tested, it was classified as (MDR multi-drug resistant). E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium smegmatis (MTTC), and Vibrio alginolyticus (ATCC) were also assessed using the agar well diffusion method for zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC). Clinically important strains were found to be sensitive to the aqueous extract of T. bellerica (19.51 ± 0.61 mm) with MICs ranging from 0.31 to 0.62 mg/ml. The MDR strain was also sensitive to Bellirica monnieri (16.10 ± 0.31 mm) aqueous extract. To determine the potential for a wide range of applications, the antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The T. arjuna plant extract exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity with the lowest EC50 values for DPPH (1.15 ± 0.061 mg/ml) and ABTS (1.02 ± 0.07 mg/ml). The plant extracts were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and LC-MS/MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Basil has aroused biological, pharmacological, agronomic and industrial interests, and stand out in the essential oil production. This study aimed to conduct cytogenetoxicity analysis through the Allium cepa L. test, of aqueous extracts and essential oil of basil (Ocimum basilicum L. “Basilicão”) grown under the conditions of presence or absence of induction to saline stress. The basil was grown in a greenhouse in two seasons, summer and winter, in which some of the plants received induction to saline stress (solution of electrical conductivity of 5 dSm-1) and the other part did not receive induction to saline stress (electric conductivity 1 dSm-1). With the collected plants, was prepare the aqueous extracts of the leaves (5 e 10 gL-1) and the extraction of essential oil of the leaves and inflorescences (0.10%) of basil, which were used for the cytogenetoxicity analysis by A. cepa test. Only the treatment with aqueous extract (5 gL-1) of basil grown under induction to saline stress and the treatment with aqueous extract (10 gL-1) of basil grown without induction to saline stress (both during the winter) are shown to have antiproliferative potential. As for the genotoxic potential, only the treatment with essential oil (0.10%) of plants which received induction to saline stress during the summer has that effect. The other treatments have not cytogenotoxic potential.

Background: This study dealt with an assessment of the effect of the nanoparticles of the fenugreek plant and the metformin of 50 mg/kg on female laboratory rats infected with the updated ovarian cyst syndrome using the letrazole with a concentration of 1 mg/kg of body weight (except for the healthy group), as ovarian affiliation is a common endocrine disorder that affects 3-13% of women at the age of pregnancy and childbearing. Objective: to assess the effectiveness of medicinal plants represented by the Fenugreek extract with nanoparticles and its ability to treat female rats infected with ovarian cyst syndrome. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four animals of white laboratory rats were tested, and the groups were randomly divided into the following ways: 1- The control group. 2- A group of animals infected with ovaries. 3- A group of animals with cysts, was given orally the nano-fenugreek extract 2 mg/ kg. 4- A group of animals infected with cysts and treated by adding metformin 50 mg/ kg of body weight. After the end of the experiment period (30 days), the blood was withdrawn using a dispensed infection with cardiovis to conduct laboratory tests for hormones that are affected by the new disease, such as Lutein hormone, Follicle-stimulating hormone, Prolactin, Progesterone, and Estrogen. Results showed the following: 1- The injection of litrazole 1 mg/ kg led to an ovarian cyst and negative effects on the animal represented in a moral increase in levels, of lutein hormone and prolactin, while the injury led to a moral decrease in the hormone concentration that stimulates follicles, progesterone, and estrogen. 2- The treatment of an oral dosage of 2 mg/ kg of body weight with the nanoparticle fenugreek extract led to positive effects in the body's hormones represented in a moral increase in FSH, progesterone, estrogen while the same treatment led to a moral decrease in the lutein hormone and prolactin in the body at a level (P> 0.05). For follicles and decrease in prolactin and lutein hormone in the body at the probability level (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The current study has found that the Nano - extract fenugreek can be prepared with the Green synthesis by the use of Nanoscopic silver particles, which is an effective treatment to reduce the strikes in the hormones of the body with ovarian stinging syndrome, as a result of the small surface area to the size of the nanoparticles, so the absorption of cells has more efficient and faster than The normal size of the plant.

The synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) has been the center of researchers’ attention due to their potential in various fields, particularly in medicine and pharmacy. The objective of this research was to synthesize CuNPs by using the extract from Polyalthia longifolia roots via an organic solvent-free approach. The roots of P. longifolia were extracted using boiling water and subsequently used to synthesize CuNPs from CuSO4 solution. The resultant nanoparticles were then characterized using UV–Vis spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Kirby–Bauer sensitivity test was performed against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. In the results, we found that the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the extract were 85.43 GAE/g dry extract and 0.78 QE/g dry extract, respectively. The characterizations revealed that the obtained nanoparticles possess a spherical shape and diameters of around 2 to 10 nm. The XRD suggests that the nanoparticles were occupied by copper (0) and copper oxides (CuO, CuO2, and Cu2O). The synthesized CuNPs yielded inhibition zones of 17.2 ± 0.2, 15.6 ± 0.2, and 13.7 ± 0.1 mm against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans, respectively. In conclusion, aqueous extract from the roots of P. longifolia can be used to synthesize CuNPs that could be used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

In recent years, the use of propolis in food products has received attention owing to its functional role. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of propolis extract on the total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of raw milk. For this purpose, an aqueous extract of dry propolis was prepared and stored in dark-colored bottles at 4 °C until the day of experiments. The propolis extract was added to raw milk in concentrations of 0, 4.7, 9.1, 16.6, and 28.5%. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were measured using the colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteu method and DPPH assay, respectively. Measurements were performed on the first day at zero hour and after 6 and 24 h of treatment, and the storage temperature was maintained at 5°C until analyzed. The amount of total polyphenol increased with the increase in the concentration of propolis extract in the treated milk in 0 hour; accordingly, the lowest and the highest amounts of total polyphenol were related to control milk and milk containing 28.5% propolis extract, respectively. A decreasing trend was observed in total polyphenol in the control sample and raw milk containing 4.7% propolis extract during 24 hours. There was an increase in total polyphenol content in raw milk containing 9.1% and 16.6% propolis extracts, the trend of changes in raw milk containing 28.5% extract was insignificant. The addition of propolis extract caused an increase in the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content in raw milk. According to the results, it is recommended to carry out more studies to clarify the functions of propolis's total polyphenol content and its interaction with milk proteins.

An experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the allelopathic effect of water extract from different parts of Eucalyptus on the germination characteristics and seedling growth of the benchmark plant and sensitive to allelochemicals of chickpea in both laboratory and greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design with three replications, separately. At first, the dried samples were powdered by a mill. For bioassay experiment, a 2% suspension of Eucalyptus leaves and bark along mixture of them was prepared, and then different dilutions of the suspension such as 0 (control), 5, 15 and 20% of the resulting suspension were applied. In greenhouse condition, different amounts of plant residues including 0.5, 1, 2, and 5% by weight of each leaf organ, bark, and their mixture were prepared separately in three kg of loam soil in pots. The pots were kept for 60 days in order to rot and the activity of microorganisms in these conditions. Finally, for bioassay experiment, some characteristics of germination percentage, radicle and shoot length, allometric coefficient, seed vigor index, and in the case of greenhouse experiment, germination percentage, plant length, seedling fresh and dry weight were measured. According to the results, the effect of Eucalyptus organs, different concentrations or amounts of plant residues, and their interaction effect on the characteristics of germination and seedling growth of chickpeas were significant (p

White mustard seeds (Sinapis alba) have been extracted by hydroextraction since 2004 and stored in the refrigerator for 14 years until 2018. The antibacterial effect of the aqueous extract was tested by the well diffusion test against Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus spp. The inhibition zones against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were 23, 25 and 21 mm and 16, 20 and 15 mm, respectively. Ground beef was treated with 0, 5, 10 and 15 ml/100 g mustard extracts (ME0, ME5, ME10 and ME15) and refrigerated for two weeks. Bacteriological and sensory analyses were performed on frozen meat slices. The ME15 study showed the best reductions in total viable bacteria (TVC), coliforms, S. aureus, and psychrophiles. Compared to other treatment studies, the ME10 study was a super treatment that improved sensory attributes such as color, smell, and appearance within 14 days of refrigeration. The control experiment (ME0) was removed from the refrigerator after the seventh day of the experiment due to a high microbial load and poor color and odor.

This experiment was conducted in the animal field of the Department of General Sciences in the College of Basic Education/ Haditha for the period 3/13/2022 to 04/28/2022 and this experiment continued (45 days), the aim of studying the effect of aqueous extract of wheatgrass and aloe vera on some blood traits in local female rabbits. 12 local female rabbits were used in this experiment, with an average weight of (750 g), and it was divided into three groups (in each group 4 rabbits), the control group, the wheatgrass group, 0.2 ml/ Oral dosing, and the olivera group 0.2 ml/ Oral dosing. The results showed that the second and third groups were superior in the number of neutrophilic white blood cells compared to the control group and the superiority of the Olivera group in the number of lymphoid white blood cells compared to the control group, there was an effect of adding aloe vera extract and wheatgrass when compared with the control group in the average red blood cell volume with a significant percentage of (P

Introduction. Fatty hepatosis is a widespread metabolic disease. There is an annual increase in cases of detection of fatty hepatosis both in Russia and around the world. An urgent task is to search for new medicines for the treatment and prevention of the development of fatty hepatosis.Aim. Investigation of the composition of procyanidins and the biological activity of pine cones extract on a model of fatty hepatosis in vivo.Materials and methods. To obtain the extract, cones of pine harvested on the territory of the Perm Region in December were used. The extract was obtained by processing raw materials with hot water. The component composition of procyanidins in the extract was determined using ultra-efficient liquid chromatography with a mass selective detector. Hepatoprotective activity was studied on a model of fatty hepatosis induced by the introduction of carbon tetrachloride in vivo on white mongrel rats. Silymarin was used as a reference for comparison.Results and discussion. As a result of chromatographic examination, the following procyanidins were identified in a dry aqueous extract of pine cones – B2, B3, C1, C2, D1. As a result of hepatoprotective activity, it was found that no changes were detected in the control (intact) group during the pathohistological examination of the liver. Index (degree) of steatosis: 0. In the experimental group, whose animals were injected with carbon tetrachloride without subsequent treatment, it was found that about 50 % of hepatocytes of the histological section were in a state of macro- and microvesicular fatty dystrophy. The steatosis index is 2. In the group of animals injected with carbon tetrachloride and treated with Karsil®, normalsized hepatocytes with single fatty microvesicles in the cytoplasm. The steatosis index is 0. In the group of animals injected with carbon tetrachloride and treated with pine cones extract, hepatocytes of normal size with an euchromic nucleus, in the central parts in a state of macro- and microvesicular fatty dystrophy (about 20-25 % of all hepatocytes of the histological section). The steatosis index is 1.Conclusion. The extract of pine cones contributes to a moderate decrease in the prevalence of protein, small-focal small-droplet fatty dystrophy of hepatocytes. To increase hepatoprotective activity, it is necessary to investigate the effect of the extract at a dose of 30 mg/kg and above.

The aim of this study was to investigate the preservative properties of alga Gelidium sp. flour when included in the glazing medium employed for the frozen storage (−18 °C) of horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus). Different concentrations (low, medium, and high) of an aqueous extract were tested and compared to a control water-glazing condition. Quality changes (lipid oxidation and hydrolysis, fatty acid (FA) profile, and trimethylamine (TMA) formation) were determined after 3- and 6-month storage periods. A general quality loss (lipid oxidation with hydrolysis development and TMA formation) with the frozen storage period was detected in all samples. The presence of an alga flour (AF) extract in the glazing medium led to a lower (p < 0.05) TBARS and fluorescent compound formation and to higher (p < 0.05) polyene values in frozen fish. Furthermore, a preserving effect on free fatty acids was detected in AF-treated fish. On the contrary, the AF-glazing treatment did not affect (p > 0.05) the TMA formation and the total n3/total n6 FA ratio. In general, preservative effects were found to be higher in frozen fish corresponding to the medium concentration tested. Current results show the potential of Gelidium sp. flour as a natural source of preservative hydrophilic compounds for the quality enhancement of frozen horse mackerel.

(1) Background: Lippia sidoides Cham is a Brazilian aromatic plant rich in phenolic compounds. In traditional medicine, its leaves are used to treat diseases of the Central Nervous System such as stress and anxiety. This study evaluates the capacity of the aqueous extract of L. sidoides as an anticonvulsant, anticholinesterase and antihemolytic agent. (2) Methods: The extract was obtained from the leaves using water as a solvent, then dried in a spray dryer. The anticonvulsant effect was evaluated in zebrafish models using the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) method. The anticholinesterase effect was determined using the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and physostigmine as a positive control. The antihemolytic action was evaluated by exposing erythrocytes to different concentrations of NaCl in the presence and absence of the extract. (3) Results: The anticonvulsant effect was observed at a concentration of 400 mg/kg, delaying convulsive crises. In the anticholinesterase assay, a dose-dependent action and variation in the effect over time were observed, demonstrating a reversible effect of the extract. For the osmotic fragility test, the extract showed satisfactory results, providing cellular protection across all variations of NaCl concentration. (4) Conclusions: These results demonstrate the promising potential of L. sidoides extract for the development of drugs that act in the treatment of diseases that affect the Central Nervous System.

This research evaluated the preservative properties of flour from the alga Gelidium sp., which is a waste substrate resulting from commercial phycocolloid extraction. Gelatin-based biofilms, which included two different concentrations of red alga flour, were developed and used as packaging systems during refrigerated storage (up to 9 days at 4 °C) of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) muscle. In all batches tested, a progressive decrease in quality could be observed in the muscle of the fish as the storage time increased. Compared with the control fish, the Gelidium alga flour extract had an inhibitory effect (p < 0.05) on microbial activity (total aerobes, psychrotrophs, and proteolytic bacteria), lipid oxidation (peroxide, thiobarbituric acid, fluorescence and polyene indices), lipid hydrolysis (formation of free fatty acids) and pH increase in refrigerated mackerel muscle. In contrast, no significant effect (p > 0.05) was observed on trimethylamine formation, Enterobacteriaceae, or lipolytic bacteria counts. A preservative effect resulting from the incorporation of Gelidium alga flour into the gelatin-based biofilm was observed, indicating both quality and safety enhancement. In accordance with current global interest in the search for natural and waste sources, a novel and beneficial use of Gelidium flour for enhancing the quality of refrigerated fish has been proposed.

In this study, we evaluated the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus blakelyi and Eucalyptus cladocalyx leaves collected from Bainem (Algeria). The phytochemical screening results showed that both extracts of these species contained tannins, flavonoids, quinones, coumarines, glycosides, and anthraquinones, in addition to these, methanolic extract was found to contain saponins and alkaloids. Antibacterial activity of the leaf extracts was evaluated against seven bacterial strains. E. blakelyi methanolic and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of the majority of bacterial strains with significant inhibition against Bacillus subtilis (19.56 mm and 15.13 mm respectively). E. cladocalyx methanolic extract had good inhibitory activity against Micrococcus luteus (14.33 mm). Based on these results, E. blakelyi could be used as a significant source for the secondary metabolites with interesting medicinal properties

Background: Pain and pyrexia are the warning signals, primarily protective in nature, that cause discomfort and suffering and may even be unbearable and incapacitating. The modern drugs (such as opioids, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids) currently used for the management of pain, fever, and inflammatory conditions, present with many known adverse effects. Tinospora cordifolia known as Giloe or guduchi, widely used in folk medicine due to its property to cure several diseases. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to explore the analgesic activity of water-soluble extract of T. cordifolia in albino rats in experimentally induced pain. Materials and Methods: The present study was done in the Department of Pharmacology, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad. Albino rats were used to study the analgesic activity of T. cordifolia aqueous extract at the dose of 300 mg/kg and 1 g/kg and tramadol 50 mg/kg per orally. Eddy’s hot plate was used for the antinociceptive study. Results: In Eddy’s hot plate, an increase in reaction time was observed with peak effect at 90 min. Results were close to the standard drug tramadol. Conclusion: Aqueous extract of T. cordifolia was effective in model of pain suggesting its possible action by central and peripheral mechanisms, and in higher doses, it was found to be effective like that of tramadol.

Background: The potential impact of aqueous extracts from Psidium guajava leaves on the reproductive system of female rabbits was evaluated. Methods: Twenty-eight rabbits, aged five to six months were utilized. Rabbits were divided into four groups and were randomly assigned to receive one of the following oral doses of the guava leaf extracts: 0 (control group), 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg of body weight. After a treatment period of 30 days, blood was collected via jugular venipunture and the serum was extracted for the assessment of serum biochemical traits levels. The females were bred and monitored throughout their pregnancy to ascertain reproductive outcomes. Results: The results indicated that the guava leaf extract significantly increased the body weight of the rabbits during both pre- and post-pregnancy compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The litter size at three weeks post-birth, prolificity rate, FSH, LH, and protein levels were notably higher (p < 0.05) at a dose of 20 mg/kg of body weight. The viability rate three weeks post-birth increased with escalating extract doses, and the highest values were observed at doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg of body weight (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that, the aqueous extract of guava leaves appears to stimulate the production of FSH, LH and enhance body weight, prolificity, and pregnancy outcomes in mammals. As such, it is suggested that a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight could be beneficial in improving the reproductive performance of female.

Background: Erythromycin, a commonly used antibiotic for various respiratory tract infections, is well documented for its hepatotoxic effect, which is probably due to the oxidative stress produced by this drug. Azadirachtica Indica, commonly known as Neem is a rich source of various bioactive compounds and has shown strong antioxidant effect in various researches. This study was designed to find out the effect of aqueous extract of Neem leaves on liver enzymes; Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) against liver damage caused by erythromycin. Methods: This study was conducted in Baqai Medical University, Karachi in 2017 spanning a period of 6 months. Eighty male albino wistar rats were taken randomly and were divided into 4 groups of 20 animals each; A(control), B (received erythromycin 100mg/kg body weight), C (received erythromycin 100mg/kg body weight plus aqueous Neem Extract at the dose of 500mg/kg body weight) and “D” (received only aqueous Neem Extract at 500mg/kg body weight). After 14 days of continuous treatment, rats were sacrificed and the blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and then sent to the laboratory for the investigation of liver enzymes ALT and AST using standard reagent kits. Results: Serum ALT and AST enzymes were found to be decreased in group B and C. The results were Statistically significant. Conclusion: Azadirachtica Indica aqueous extract showed protective effect on erythromycin induced hepatic damage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial properties of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) petals against some of the most important food-borne bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli in vitro. According to the results, all three aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of saffron petals (at concentration of 350 mg/ ml) showed significant inhibitory effect on the studied food-borne bacteria. However, the aqueous extract of saffron petal showed higher antibacterial activity against the studied bacteria compared to other two extracts and its inhibitory effect on the studied gram-positive bacteria, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, B. cereus was significantly higher than gram-negative bacterium E. coli. The results of the MIC determinations of aqueous extract of saffron petals showed that concentrations lower than 43.75 mg/ml did not inhibit the growth of B. cereus and S. aureus bacteria, while MIC values were lower for E. coli and L. monocytogenes bacteria. According to the results, saffron petal, especially its aqueous extract, has the potential to be used as a natural preservative in the food industry.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of aqueous extract of different parts of Eucalyptus on the germination characteristics and seedling growth of the benchmark plant and sensitive to allelochemicals of chickpea in both laboratory and greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design with three replications, separately. At first, the dried samples were powdered by a mill. To extract the samples in the laboratory condition, first 2 g of the powdered plant organs of leaf and bark along mixture of them (weight) was extracted separately with 100 ml of distilled water as solvent (volume), separately. Then different concentrations (0 (control), 5, 15, and 20%) were prepared from the extract obtained from the stock (base solution). In greenhouse condition, different amounts of plant residues (i.e. .5, 1, 2, and 5 g of dry material in 3 kg of loam soil) of each organ, and their mixture were prepared in pots, separately. The pots were kept for 60 days in order to rot and the activity of microorganisms in these conditions. Finally, for bioassay experiment, some characteristics of germination percentage, radicle and shoot length, allometric coefficient, seed vigor index, and in the case of greenhouse experiment, germination percentage, plant length, seedling fresh and dry weight were measured. According to the results, the effect of Eucalyptus organs, different concentrations or amounts of plant residues, and their interaction effect on the characteristics of germination and seedling growth of chickpeas were significant (p<0.05). The intensity of the inhibitory or stimulating effect of the aqueous extract of organs and their mixture on chickpea seeds was dependent on the type of organ and the concentration of the aqueous extract or the amount of decayed Eucalyptus residues. In most cases, the leaf organ had the greatest inhibitory effect on the characteristics of chickpea germination and seedling growth. Therefore, due to the high biomass of the Eucalyptus plant and its high ability of hetrotoxicity, it can be considered as a candidate for the production of herbicides to reduce the spread of weeds in organic farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research focused on assessing essential oils (MSEO) and aqueous extracts (MSAE) derived from M. subtomentella leaves, with a primary focus on evaluating their properties. From 1 kg of leaves, we successfully obtained 18 mL of essential oil. Upon conducting GC/MS analysis, we identified eleven compounds within the oil, collectively accounting for 100% of the constituents identified. Notably, the predominant compounds in the leaf oil were p-Menth-48) -en-3-one (50.48%), 9-Ethylbicyclo (3.3.1) nonan-9-ol (10.04%) (E)-3,3-Dimethyl-delta-1, alpha-cyclohexaneacetaldehyde (8.53%), and D-Limonene (7.22%). Furthermore, utilizing HPLC/DAD, we explored the phenolic profile of MSAE, extracted through decoction. This analysis revealed the presence of fifty-eight compounds, with five major components collectively constituting 61% of the total compounds identified, rosmarinic acid as the major one. We evaluated the antimicrobial effectiveness of the MSEO against ten different strains, observing its notable efficacy against A. Niger (MIC = 0.09%), P. digitatum (MIC = 0.5%), and G. candidum (MIC = 1%). However, the essential oil demonstrated comparatively lower efficacy against bacteria than fungi. In contrast, the MSAE did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. Regarding antioxidant activity, the aqueous extract displayed a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than the essential oil, which exhibited relatively lower antioxidant activity. The IC50 values were determined to be 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/mL, 0.17 ± 0.01 mg/mL, and 13% ± 0.01% (V/V), for ascorbic acid MSAE and MSEO, respectively. We used a computational method called molecular docking to investigate how certain plant compounds affect antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. This involved analyzing the interactions between these compounds and specific protein targets known for their roles in these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant Russian knapweed is known as a blood sugar lowering drug, and the antimicrobial properties of its extracts and essential oils have been proven; Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of extracting the aqueous extract of R. knapweed and investigating its antimicrobial activity. The aqueous extract of R. knapweed was extracted by the maceration method. The antibacterial activity of the extract against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus was investigated using disk diffusion agar, well diffusion agar, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericidal concentration methods. The results of this research showed that the antimicrobial activity of the extract was dependent on the concentration and the highest diameter of the inhibition zone was observed at the concentration of 100 mg/ml of the extract. Based on disk diffusion agar and well diffusion agar tests, Listeria monocytogenes bacteria had the highest and Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Bacillus cereus had the lowest inhibition zones, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus bacteria was obtained as 64, 64, 16, and 32 mg/ml, respectively, and the minimum bactericidal concentration values for these bacteria were 512, 512, 256, and 256 mg/ml, respectively. In generally, the Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the extract compared to the Gram-negative types. The growth of pathogenic bacteria and the diseases transmitted by these bacteria can be controlled by using natural antimicrobial compounds such as R. knapweed aqueous extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of light on the stability of anthocyanins and color of aqueous extract of Jamaica flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). Ligth stability studies were carried out with the use of a 300 Lm of luminous flux LED bulb at a distance between 4 cm, 8 cm and 17 cm. The variation of anthocyanins concentration over time was determined. The statistical results showed that photochemical degradation of anthocyanins followed first-order kinetics. The losses of anthocyanins, expressed as a percentage of the initial concentration, after being exposed to light for ten days, they were 56,2 % (889 lx), 97,2 % (1627 lx) and 98,3 % (2142 lx). To evaluate color variation, the CIEL*a*b* system was used. The results showed that exposure to light for ten days produces changes in color total that are more pronounced at higher lighting levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Breast cancer is still the most common cancer among women all over the world. Considering the medicinal and therapeutic properties of F. vulgare, in this research, first, the morphological and structural characteristics of metal nanoparticles biosynthesized from the aqueous extract of F. vulgare and then the antioxidant and anticancer properties of essential oil, aqueous extract and the biosynthesized nanoparticles were investigated. Materials and methods In this research, after the biosynthesis of iron, copper, zinc, and silver nanoparticles from the aqueous extract of fennel plant (F. vulgare) and their properties in terms of size with XRD and confirmation of the structure by FTIR, the amount of secondary metabolites, the amount of antioxidant and anticancer activity of the essential oil And the aqueous extract of fennel plant (F. vulgare) and iron, copper, zinc and silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from it were evaluated on the Sum-159 and the Hs-578T cell lines. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Graphpad and FlowJ software were used to study cell viability and flow cytometry results, respectively. Results According to the results obtained from DLS of biosynthesized metal nanoparticles, the sizes of iron, copper, zinc, and silver nanoparticles were 35, 32, 33, and 34 nm, respectively. The results of FTIR also confirmed the existence of the synthesized metal nanoparticles. Also, according to the results of HPLC and spectrophotometry, the presence of biochemical compounds such as flavonoid and anthocyanin and metabolites such as rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol in the aqueous extract of fennel plant was confirmed. In terms of antioxidant activity, a significant difference was observed between different treatments, it was also observed that with the increase in the concentration of the treatments, the amount of their antioxidant activity also increased, and the highest amount of antioxidant activity of each treatment was related to the highest concentration of each treatment. The highest amount of antioxidant activity (87.41%) was related to copper nanoparticles at a concentration of 500 mg/ml. In terms of the IC50 value of the mentioned treatments, it was also found that the Sum-159 cell line had higher resistance compared to the Hs-578T cell line against equal concentrations of different treatments. The results of anticancer properties demonstrated that in Sum-159 cell line, the highest pre-apoptotic and post)apoptotic rates were 4.31% and 17.56%, respectively, related to silver nanoparticle treatment. While, in the case of Hs-578 cell line, the highest rate of pre-apoptotic and post-apoptotic are respectively 4.5% and 18.7% related to silver treatment. Conclusions According to the obtained results, the amount of anticancer properties of essential oil and water extract of fennel plant and iron, copper, zinc, and silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from it showed that the percentage of necrotic cells, the percentage of cells in the pre-apoptotic and post)apoptotic stages significantly influenced with the type of treatment used, the type of cell line and their interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For years, Moringa oleifera has been known for possessing wound-healing properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of two extracts: aqueous extract (AE) and ethanolic extract (EE) of Moringa oleifera leaves planted at two regions (Mssisi and Lamta) in Morocco for their anti-inflammatory and healing properties, for which mice were used as a biological model. Inflammation was monitored by assessing forepaw volume of mice, measured at 0 min, 1 h, 3 h, and 5 h, after its induction by carrageenan. Hind paw of mice were treated with extracts of M. oleifera, at a dose of 50 mg/kg, obtained from Mssisi region. This resulted in reduction of edema by 99.2% with EE and by 91.8% with AE, compared to controls and the phenolic extract of M. oleifera planted at Lamta region. Regarding healing of burns induced on rat’s dorsal region; results showed that application of Moringa-based ointment for 14 days, at a dose of 50 mg/kg on wounds, resulted in total healing, compared to controls (negative control: more than 22 days, and positive control: 22 days). M. oleifera extracts resulted in nearly complete tissue repair of 98.26% and 95.34% with EE and AE, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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