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Introduction: Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd is a rhizomatous, recurrent herb used to treat numerous diseases, including cancer. This study examines the efficiency of the different parts of A. galanga for their phytochemical, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Methods: The powdered leaf, stem, and rhizome of A. galanga were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol; the phytochemical compositions of the extracts were characterized using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Their antioxidant potentials were evaluated using different assays, including 2,2-Diphenyl-1picrylhydrazil (DPPH), 2-Azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), Superoxide anion (O2-), Hydroxyl radical (OH), and Phosphomolybdenum assays. The in vitro anticancer activity was studied using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Comet assay was used to determine the level of DNA damage. Inductions of morphological alterations were studied using the AO/Et-Br dual staining method. The ELISA kits were used to measure caspase activities. Results: The cytotoxicity results showed that the various extracts had inhibitory and cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. The leaf hexane (LH) extract of A. galanga induced DNA damage with prominent increased tail length and tail moment followed by the induction of apoptotic cells and up-regulation of the caspase activities. HPLC and GC-MS analysis allowed the identification of bioactive compounds, recognized as apoptotic inducers in human cancer cells by activating caspase-dependent pathways. Conclusion: This work reports for the first time the effect of LH extract of A. galanga in triggering apoptosis in A-549 and HeLa cells through the upregulation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 activities.

The present study was designed to investigate the free radical defence and antihyperglycemic property of S. mundagam. Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and hot water extracts of bark were determined for the total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid content and antioxidant property using DPPH, ABTS+, phosphomolybdenum, FRAP, superoxide, nitric oxide and metal chelating assays. The antioxidant response was best observed in ABTS+ (109686.87 μM TE/g extract), phosphomolybdenum (268.54 g AAE/100 g extract) and superoxide radical scavenging assays (84.30%). Bark methanol extract was found highly efficient in scavenging the free radicals than other extracts. The higher phenolic content (54.44 g GAE/100 extract) could be attributed to this effect. The glucose homeostasis was observed till 180th min in glucose loaded rats treated with the bark methanol extract. The extract could also induce potent hypoglycaemia in STZ induced diabetic rats. The antioxidant defence system could be one of the prime mechanisms of S. mundagam leaf and bark extracts that needs to be studied further for the exact molecular action leading to antidiabetic effect.

Mallotus roxburghianus (MR) is being employed as a dietary supplement and therapeutic agent to treat inflammation and stomach ulcers in Southeast Asia. Gastroprotective effects of methanol leaf extract of MR (MRME) and its possible mechanisms were elucidated in ethanol induced gastric ulcers in Wistar albino rats. MRME was abundant with polyphenols (bergenin and betulinic acid) as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities as evidenced by low IC50 values. Significant (p

Cancer is one of the greatest life-threatening diseases conventionally treated using chemo- and radio-therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising approach to eradicate different types of cancers. PDT requires the administration of photosensitisers (PSs) and photoactivation using a specific wavelength of light in the presence of molecular oxygen. This photoactivation exerts an anticancer effect via apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy of cancer cells. Recently, various natural compounds that exhibit photosensitising potentials have been identified. Photoactive substances derived from medicinal plants have been found to be safe in comparison with synthetic compounds. Many articles have focused on PDT mechanisms and types of PSs, but limited attention has been paid to the phototoxic activities of phytocompounds. The reduced toxicity and side effects of natural compounds inspire the researchers to identify and use plant extracts or phytocompounds as a potent natural PS candidate for PDT. This review focusses on the importance of common photoactive groups (furanocoumarins, polyacetylenes, thiophenes, curcumins, alkaloids, and anthraquinones), their phototoxic effects, anticancer activity and use as a potent PS for an effective PDT outcome in the treatment of various cancers.

Objective: To explore scientifically, the type–I anti-diabetic potential of Ficus talboti bark (FTB). Methods: The HPLC analysis was carried out to identify the phenolic compounds. Effect of two doses of methanol extract of FTB (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body wt.) was orally administered to STZ (Streptozotocin) induced diabetic rats for 21 days. The various parameters were studied including body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, lipid profile, glycogen content, total protein, serum enzymes levels, and antioxidant activities in normal, treated and diabetic rats. Histochemical analysis of liver and pancreas were also carried out in normal, treated and diabetic rats. Results: The HPLC analysis showed the presence of antidiabetic responsible compounds of Rutin, Quercetin and Kaemfeorl. The treatment group with the extract at two dose levels showed a significant increase in the liver, muscle glycogen and serum insulin level and a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and serum marker enzyme levels. The total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels were also significantly reduced and the high density lipoprotein and plasma enzymes level was significantly increased upon treatment with the FTB methanol extract. Histochemical study of pancreas also confirmed the biochemical findings. Acute toxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of the FTB methanol extract. Conclusion: The results of the experiments presented here suggest that methanol extract of FTB exerts significant antidiabetic and antioxidant effect in STZ induced diabetic rats.

In the present study, the anti-oxidant and cytotoxic effects of the different solvent extracts of Pogostemon mollis were analyzed. The phenolic, tannin and flavonoid contents were highest in the ethyl acetate extract and analogous to the antioxidant activity results. The extracts showed activities similar to the standard anti-oxidants. The extent to which the extracts protect free radical damage on DNA was evaluated and showed good genoprotective effects. Bacterial cells and fungal spores and hyphae showed visible damages due to the treatment of ethyl acetate extract. Finally, in the cytotoxic analysis, IC50 value was calculated based on the absorbance value of different concentrations. It concluded that P. mollis is a prospective candidate for the various therapeutic applications especially its ethyl acetate extract.

Assessing the antidiabetic potential of Acalypha alnifolia is the main objective of the present study. Two doses of leaf extracts were treated with streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 21 days. The glucose level, insulin level, plasma lipids, total protein, electrolytes and plasma enzymes were monitored. The acetone extract of 400 mg/kg had potentiated to diminish the glucose and lipid level as well as other diabetic complications. Internal structures of pancreas were studied by histopathological sections and insulin expression was also observed by immunohistochemical study. Though the extracts having good antioxidant capability it might have to reduce the beta cell destruction or helps to repair it. The result of the toxicity analysis, histopathology and insulin expression supports the acetone extract. The present study attesting the antidiabetic properties of A. alnifolia hence this plant would be focused and taken for cultivation leads to add in human diet for getting therapeutic benefit.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Castanospermum australe and to profile phytochemicals by GC-MS. The ethanolic extracts were prepared by successive solvent extraction using Soxhlet apparatus. The analgesic activity was analyzed by hot plate method and acetic acid-induced writhing test whereas anti-inflammatory study was done by carrageenan induced paw oedema model. The acute toxicity study revealed that ethanol extracts of leaf and bark of C. australe were safe even at a higher dose of 2000 mg/kg whereas ethanol extract of seed was toxic at the same dose. In both hot plate method (5.85 s) and acetic acid-induced writhing test (57%), the leaf ethanol extract exhibited significant analgesic activity (P

The leaf of C. dipsaceus was evaluated for its nutritional and antioxidant properties. From the present investigation, significant amount of almost all essential amino acids and important minerals were quantified. Low levels of trypsin inhibitory units, phenolics, and tannins content were found as antinutritional content. Further, hot water extract of C. dipsaceus showed good activity especially in ABTS+, metal chelating, nitric oxide, and DPPH assays. Hence, the results conclude that C. dipsaceus could be a valuable nutraceutical supplement to the human diet.