Antibacterial activities of medicinal plants used in Mexican traditional medicine.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Simarouba glauca leaf extract and their biological activity of micro-organism

It is a well explored facts that need of biosynthesized nanomaterials has emerged for its several advantages in biomedical applications and the search for potential biosynthesized-nanomaterials is still ongoing. In this study an attempt was made to meet the requirement of potential biosynthesized-silver nanoparticles using the aqueous seed extract of N. sativa (Bc-AgNPs). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) confirms the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle (supports the observation of UV–Vis spectroscopy) with face centred cubic structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the capping of the active ingredients of seed extract and further the average size of 34 nm was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirms the purity of Bc-AgNPs. Due to the capping of the active ingredients of seed extract, the Bc-AgNPs have shown significant antibacterial activity against Gram negative bacteria and at the lower concentration of 100 µg*ml−1 it has 89% scavenging activity against free radicals. A strong anti-inflammatory (membrane stabilization) activity towards RBCs (98% at 100 µg*ml−1) was recorded when compared to the positive control (aceclofenac). In addition to the previous activities, a greater inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase and DPP-IV highlighted the antidiabetic potential of these green synthesized AgNPs. Overall, the efficient bioactivities of Bc-AgNPs advocates its future potential in biomedical products.

Biological Compound Capping of Silver Nanoparticle with the Seed Extracts of Blackcumin (Nigella sativa): A Potential Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Anti-inflammatory, and Antioxidant

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Picrasma quassioides led to the isolation of a novel compound, picraquassin A (1), with an unprecedented 21,24-cycloapotirucallane skeleton, and four new apotirucallane-type triterpenoids (2–5), together with 15 new tirucallane-type triterpenoids (6–20) and 10 known tirucallane-type triterpenoids (21–30). To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence of apotirucallane-type triterpenoids in the genus Picrasma. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on spectroscopic data interpretation. Cytotoxicities of the isolated compounds were evaluated using three human cancer cell lines, MKN-28, A-549, and MCF-7. Compound 2 exhibited the most potent activity against MKN-28 cells with an IC50 value of 2.5 μM. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis revealed that 2 induces the apoptosis of MKN-28 cells via activating caspase-3/-9, while increasing Bax and Bad and decreasing Bcl-2 expression levels.

Cytotoxic Tirucallane and Apotirucallane Triterpenoids from the Stems of Picrasma quassioides.

Background Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. is a plant from the genus Brucea, which is used in local traditional medicine to treat various diseases. Recent studies revealed an impressive anticancer efficiency of B. javanica extract in different types of cancer cells. Purpose In this study, we have investigated the cytotoxic effects of the B. javanica hexane, ethanolic extracts against colon cancer cells. HT29 colon cells were selected as an in vitro cancer model to evaluate the anticancer activity of B. javanica ethanolic extract (BJEE) and the possible mechanisms of action that induced apoptosis. Methods 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5,-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase, acridine orange/propidium iodide, and annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate assays were performed to determine the antiproliferative and apoptosis validation of BJEE on cancer cells. Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, caspase activities, nucleus factor-κB activity, and gene expression experiments was done to investigate the potential mechanisms of action in the apoptotic process. Results The results obtained from this study illustrated the significant antiproliferative effect of BJEE on colorectal cancer cells, with a concentration value that inhibits 50% of the cell growth of 25±3.1 µg/mL after 72 h of treatment. MTT assay demonstrated that the BJEE is selectively toxic to cancer cells, and BJEE induced cell apoptosis via activation of caspase-8 along with modulation of apoptosis-related proteins such as Fas, CD40, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligands, and tumor necrosis factor receptors, which confirmed the contribution of extrinsic pathway. Meanwhile, increased ROS production in treated cells subsequently activated caspase-9 production, which triggered the intrinsic pathways. In addition, overexpression of cytochrome-c, Bax, and Bad proteins along with suppression of Bcl-2 illustrated that mitochondrial-dependent pathway also contributed to BJEE-induced cell death. Consistent with the findings from this study, BJEE-induced cancer cell death proceeds via extrinsic and intrinsic mitochondrial-dependent and -independent events. Conclusion From the evidence obtained from this study, it is concluded that the BJEE is a promising natural extract to combat colorectal cancer cells (HT29 cells) via induction of apoptosis through activation of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

https://www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=41248

The apoptotic effects of Brucea javanica fruit extract against HT29 cells associated with p53 upregulation and inhibition of NF-κB translocation.

The Simaroubaceae family includes 32 genera and more than 170 species of trees and brushes of pantropical distribution. The main distribution hot spots are located at tropical areas of America, extending to Africa, Madagascar and regions of Australia bathed by the Pacific. This family is characterized by the presence of quassinoids, secondary metabolites responsible of a wide spectrum of biological activities such as antitumor, antimalarial, antiviral, insecticide, feeding deterrent, amebicide, antiparasitic and herbicidal. Although the chemical and pharmacological potential of Simaroubaceae family as well as its participation in official compendia; such as British, German, French and Brazilian pharmacopoeias, and patent registration, many of its species have not been studied yet. In order to direct further investigation to approach detailed botanical, chemical and pharmacological aspects of the Simaroubaceae, the present work reviews the information regarding the main genera of the family up to 2013.

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Simaroubaceae family: botany, chemical composition and biological activities

The stem bark of Simarouba amara Aubl., Simaroubaceae, is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine and in many countries of Central and South America for the treatment of malaria, intestinal parasites, diarrhea, anemia and fever. Although quassinoids are considered chemotaxonomic markers of the species, the unavailability of commercialization standards stay as a challenge for its quality control. Therefore, the purpose of this study was the development and validation of an analytical methodology by spectrophotometry to quantify the total tannin content from stem bark of S. amara, since this class of metabolites is one of the most abundant and representative in the species. The proposed method was based on quantification at 760 nm after addition of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and its validation included all parameters recommended by the RE 899. The results showed that the proposed method was adequately developed and validated, and it is an useful analytical tool for the quality control of S. amara.

https://www.scielo.br/pdf/rarv/v39n1/0100-6762-rarv-39-01-0037.pdf

DESENVOLVIMENTO E VALIDAÇÃO DE METODOLOGIA ANALÍTICA POR ESPECTROFOTOMETRIA NO VISÍVEL PARA QUANTIFICAÇÃO DE TANINOS TOTAIS NA CASCA DO CAULE DE Simarouba amara Aubl.

Henrique Marcelino Miranda

Papers

Simaroubaceae family: botany, chemical composition and biological activities

DESENVOLVIMENTO E VALIDAÇÃO DE METODOLOGIA ANALÍTICA POR ESPECTROFOTOMETRIA NO VISÍVEL PARA QUANTIFICAÇÃO DE TANINOS TOTAIS NA CASCA DO CAULE DE Simarouba amara Aubl.