Bioactivity of medicinal plant extracts against human fungal pathogens and evaluation of toxicity using Vero cells

@#Medicinal plants are a potential source of new antifungal agents to combat the development of drug-resistant fungi. This study aims to investigate the aerial parts of Alternanthera sessilis (Amaranthaceae) and Ipomoea aquatica (Convolvulaceae), and the leaves of Catunaregam spinosa (Rubiaceae) and Tradescantia spathacea (Commelinaceae) for antifungal activity and cytotoxicity. The plant materials were extracted sequentially using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and distilled water. The antifungal activity was evaluated against four species of yeasts and two species of filamentous fungi using a colorimetric broth microdilution method. The toxicity of the extracts was assessed using African monkey kidney epithelial (Vero) cells. All 24 extracts from the four medicinal plants showed inhibitory activity against all fungal species, except Aspergillus fumigatus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 0.04–2.50 mg/mL. The antifungal activity of these plants was more prominent on the yeasts than the filamentous fungi. Generally, the less polar extracts (hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate) of the plants had stronger antifungal activity than the more polar extracts (ethanol, methanol, and water). In contrast, toxicity assessment revealed that the less polar extracts showed relatively higher toxicity towards the Vero cells than the more polar extracts. The lowest median cytotoxic concentration was shown by the chloroform extract of A. sessilis (17.4 ± 0.4 μg/mL). All water extracts, the methanol extract of I. aquatica, and the ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol extracts of T. spathacea did not show significant toxicity (P>0.05) towards the Vero cells. The results suggested that Tradescantia spathacea has the most promising potential for pharmaceutical developments due to its broad spectrum and selective activity against human fungal pathogens.

In-vitro Screening for acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibition potential and antioxidant activity of extracts of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk: therapeutic lead for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a primary degenerative disease of the central nervous system. The progression of Alzheimer’s disease will ultimately lead to dementia, behavioral and cognitive impairments. Increased level of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase AChE plays a key role in hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine (ACh) which worsens the condition of cognitive dysfunction. Several drug of natural origin are known to possess AChE inhibition and antioxidant activity. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate AChE inhibition and antioxidant activity of the plant Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. Leaves of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk was extracted with Chloroform, n-Hexane, Ethanol and mixture of Ethanol: water (6:4) (hydro-alcoholic extract) using soxhlet extraction. All the four extracts were examined for In-vitro anti-cholinesterase by Ellman’s method and antioxidant activity by DPPH and Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay. Results obtained from the study clearly demonstrates that all four extract has shown promising acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity in hydro alcoholic extract reveals the best inhibition potential with IC50 49.03 μg /ml. Similarly all the extracts projects significant antioxidant activity in DPPH assay with IC50 value ranging from 19.64 to 88.63 μg /ml and in Hydrogen peroxide assay with IC50 value ranging from 56.79 to 137.3 μg /ml.

Retention of Ascorbic Acid and Major Mineral Contents in Water Spinach and Chinese Kale after Three Different Cooking Methods

Introduction: The water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) and Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. alboglabra) are popular in Malaysia, relatively cheap and rich sources of vitamins, dietary fibre and minerals. A study was conducted to determine the retention of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and major minerals (zinc, iron and copper) in water spinach and Chinese kale after boiling, stir-frying and steaming. Methods: Ascorbic acid was determined using potassium iodate titration method. Major mineral contents were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results:The results showed that stir-frying retained the highest ascorbic acid level in both water spinach (64.4%) and Chinese kale (85.9 %). Zinc showed maximum retention in boiled water spinach (103.6%) while stir-fried Chinese kale retained the highest content of zinc (88.8 %). The retention of iron level in water spinach ranged from 49.1 to 101.3% while that in Chinese kale was from 42.5 to 117.5%. The highest retention of copper was obtained in steamed water spinach (93.6%) and boiled Chinese kale (106.3%). Conclusion: Stir-frying is the best cooking method to retain ascorbic acid in water spinach and Chinese kale while zinc, iron, and copper retention in both vegetables varied depending on the type of cooking. These findings could be part of consumer education on methods of food preparation for optimum nutrient retention.

Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Ipomoea aquatica.

Ipomoea aquatica (I. aquatica) (Convolvulaceae) is commonly grown green leafy vegetable found throughout India, Ceylon, Tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. Traditionally, I. aquatica used as carminative agent and lessens inflammation, and is useful in fever, jaundice, biliousness, bronchitis, liver complaints, etc., I. aquatica is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fibers, carotenes, and flavanoids with many health benefits. The objective of this review is to highlight the pharmacognostical, phytochemical, and pharmacological information of this plant.