Simarouba Glauca Bark Extract Mediated Synthesis And Characterisation Of Iron Oxide And Silver Nanoparticles And Their Antibacterial, Cytotoxic And Photocatalytic Activity

Objective: The objective of the present study is the synthesis of iron oxide and silver nanoparticles using Simarouba glauca aqueous bark extract, characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles and evaluation of their antimicrobial, photocatalytic activity and cytotoxicity. Methods: The iron oxide and silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Simarouba glauca aqueous bark extract and crystal structures of the nanoparticles were determined by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the silver nanoparticles was evaluated using Dalton’s lymphoma ascites cells. The antibacterial assay of the silver nanoparticles was conducted using agar well diffusion method. Results: The UV-Visible spectrum of iron oxide nanoparticle showed an absorption maximum at 280 nm and silver nanoparticles showed an absorption maximum at 436 nm. This is XRD pattern of iron oxide nanoparticles exhibited a characteristic peak at 26.85 is of maghemite the corresponding miller indices is (211) and the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles are amorphous in nature. TEM image reveals the size of the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles in the range of 26-30 nm and the size of silver nanoparticles is in the range of 120-140 nm. Green synthesized iron nanoparticles using Simarouba glauca bark extract effectively degraded methylene blue dye. Conclusion: This study showed that the synthesized iron oxide and silver nanoparticles using Simarouba glauca aqueous bark extract exhibited pronounced antibacterial, anticancer and photocatalytic activity and can be used in the textile industry and also as an external antiseptic in prevention and treatment of bacterial infections.

Phytochemical Identification and Comparative In-vitro Anti-Oxidant Studies of Aqueous, Ethanol and Methanol Rootbark Extracts of Simarouba glauca DC (Paradise Tree)

Aims: The study was conducted to determine the presence of selected phytochemicals and in-vitro antioxidant potency of aqueous, ethanol and methanol rootbark extracts of Simarouba glauca. Study Design: True experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria, between July and August 2017. Methodology: Rootbark of the plant was harvested from a private farm at Ubiaja, Esan south-east part of Edo State, air dried, pulverized and extracted with water, ethanol or methanol solvents and freeze-dried to obtain respective fractions of extracts. An alkaloid, total phenol, tannins and Flavonoid content of rootbark extracts were evaluated by established standard experimental methods and principles. DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power activity, total antioxidant activity, hydroxyl free radical scavenging activity, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity were also evaluated based on established standard methods and principles. Results: Alkaloids and flavonoids were observed in aqueous, ethanol and methanol rootbark extracts; flavonoid was, however, absent in the aqueous fraction. Total phenols and tannin were absent in all fraction. DPPH radical scavenging activity of aqueous, ethanol or methanol fraction extracts recorded no values at 50% inhibition concentration (IC50); although the extracts demonstrated the anti-DPPH radical effect at lower inhibitory concentrations, while BHT recorded an IC50 of 18 µg. Reducing power activity of aqueous, ethanol or methanol fraction at IC50 was 11 µg, 10 µg and 11 µg respectively while BHT was 11 µg. The total antioxidant activity of aqueous, ethanol or methanol rootbark extracts at IC50 are 23, 21 and 58 µM FeSO4 equivalent/µg of Fe2+ liberated respectively relative to 388 µM FeSO4 equivalent/µg of Fe2+ liberated by BHT. Hydroxyl free radical activity of aqueous, ethanol and methanol fraction at IC50 was 11 µg, 100 µg and 11 µg respectively while BHT was 11 µg. ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of aqueous, ethanol or methanol fraction extracts at IC50 was 29 µg, 25 µg and 34 µg respectively whereas BHT was 21 µg. Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity of aqueous, ethanol or methanol fraction extracts at IC50 was 14 µg, 14 µg and 14 µg respectively whereas Quercetin was 16 µg. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Quercetin was utilized as standard antioxidant. Conclusion: The outcome of the research study revealed that the aqueous, methanol and ethanol rootbark extracts of Simarouba glauca possess significant phytochemicals and antioxidant potency, although, the methanol fraction appears to be more effective against investigated radicals.

Simaroubaceae family: botany, chemical composition and biological activities

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.

In Vitro Regeneration from Shoot Tip and Nodal Explants of Simarouba Glauca DC, a Promising Biodiesel Tree.

An efficient regeneration protocol was developed from shoot tip and nodal explants of Simarouba glauca DC, a promising biodiesel plant. Nodal explants appeared to have better regeneration capacity than shoot tip explants (40%) in the tested media. The highest regeneration frequency (90%) and shoot number (7.00 ± 1.00 shoots per explants) were obtained in nodal explants in Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) 4.43 μM and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) 5.36 μM.Induced shoot buds were multiplied and elongated on the MS medium supplemented with BAP (4.44 μM), NAA (5.36 μM) and TDZ (Thidiazuron) 2.27 μM with 9.66±0.33 (mean length 5.35±0.32 cm) and 9.00±0.57 (mean length 4.51±0.15cm) shoots using nodal segments and shoot tip explants, respectively. Halfstrength woody plant medium (WPM) containing 2.46μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced the maximum number of roots (6.00±1.15). The rooted plantlets were hardened on MS basal liquid medium and subsequently in polycups containing sterile soil and vermiculite (1:1) and successfully established in pots.

Intoxicação experimental por Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) em ovinos e indução de resistência ao consumo da planta / Experimental poisoning by Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) in sheep and induced resistance to consumption of the plant

Simarouba versicolor é uma árvore semidecídua pertencente à família Simaroubaceae. Um surto de intoxicação por S. versicolor em bovinos por brotos da planta presente no pasto em Mato Grosso do Sul e sua reprodução experimental foram descritos. Esse estudo teve por objetivos verificar experimentalmente se os ovinos podem ser utilizados como modelo clínico-patológico no estudo da intoxicação por Simarouba versicolor St. Hil. (fam. Simaroubaceae), determinar se há indução de resistência pela ingestão de pequenas e repetidas doses e, se a planta mantém sua toxicidade quando dessecada. Foram realizados dois experimentos, sendo o primeiro com folhas verdes ou folhas dessecadas e trituradas de S. versicolor em doses únicas de 5g/kg, 5g/kg e 3g/kg a três ovinos (Ovino 1, 2 e 3 respectivamente). O experimento 2, foi realizado com diferentes doses diárias de folhas dessecadas e trituradas de S. versicolor em quatro ovinos que receberam 1,5g/kg, 0,75g/kg, 0,6g/kg e 0,3g/kg e, com um ovino que recebeu 3g/kg como controle positivo (Ovino 4). A administração foi suspensa quando os ovinos apresentaram sinais clínicos da intoxicação. Após doze dias de recuperação, os animais sobreviventes foram desafiados com a mesma dose diária da planta ingerida anteriormente para avaliar o desenvolvimento de resistência. Os sinais clínicos observados nos dois experimentos caracterizaram-se por anorexia, mucosas oculares congestas, polidipsia, sialorreia, fezes pastosas que evoluíram para diarreia líquida fétida esverdeada, decúbito lateral e morte para os Ovinos 1 a 7. As principais lesões histológicas observadas foram necrose do tecido linfoide (linfonodos, baço, placas de Peyer) e enterite necrosante. Com os resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que os ovinos podem ser utilizados como modelo experimental clínico-patológico na intoxicação por S. versicolor. Com o método utilizado, não houve resistência ao consumo diário de folhas da planta pelos ovinos e, as folhas mantiveram sua toxicidade quando dessecadas.(AU)

Simarouba versicolor St. Hil. is a semideciduous tree belonging to the Simaroubaceae family. An outbreak of poisoning in cattle by shoots of S. versicolor present in the pasture in Mato Grosso do Sul and experimental reproduction of the poisoning was described. This study aimed to verify experimentally whether sheep could be used as a clinical-pathological model in the study of the poisoning caused by S. versicolor, to determine if there develops resistance induced by ingestion of small and repeated doses of the leaves, and if the plant keeps its toxicity when dried. Two experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 with green leaves or dried and powdered leave of S. versicolor, given in single doses of 5g/kg, 5g/kg and 3g/kg to three sheep (Sheep 1, 2 and 3 respectively). Experiment 2 was made with different daily doses of dried and powdered leaves of S. versicolor; to four sheep was given 1.5g/kg, 0.75g/kg, 0.6g/kg and 0.3g/kg, and the positive control (Sheep 4) received 3g/kg. The administration was suspended when the animals showed clinical signs of poisoning. After twelve days of recovery, the surviving sheep were challenged with the same daily dose given previously, to assess the development of resistance. Clinical signs observed in both experiments were characterized by anorexia, congested ocular mucosa, polydipsia, drooling, loose stools which evolved into fetid greenish watery diarrhea, lateral decumbency and death of Sheep 1 to 7. The main histological lesions observed were necrosis of lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, spleen, Peyer's patches) and necrotizing enteritis. With the results it can be concluded that sheep can be used as experimental model for the clinic-pathological aspects of poisoning by S. versicolor. The method used has not shown resistance to the daily consumption of the plant by the sheep, and the leaves kept their toxicity when dried.(AU)

Efeito de extratos de plantas do Cerrado em Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) / Effect of Cerrado plant extracts on Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

A transmissão da doença de Chagas ocorre, principalmente, por meio de fezes de hemípteros hematófagos (Triatominae), os quais ingerem o Trypanosoma cruzi ao se alimentarem do sangue de pessoas ou outros mamíferos infectados. Para o controle dos triatomíneos, os piretróides são os principais inseticidas utilizados. Entretanto, algumas populações de insetos demonstraram resistência a determinados piretróides, indicando a necessidade do desenvolvimento de novos inseticidas eficazes no controle desses vetores. Assim, foi avaliada a atividade inseticida de 83 extratos vegetais, pertencentes a 35 espécies diferentes, em ninfas do primeiro estádio de Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler, 1894) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), triatomíneo encontrado no México. Para o teste tópico, foram aplicados 50 ìg de cada extrato nos tergitos abdominais de dez ninfas, em duplicata. Como controles, foram utilizados insetos tratados com etanol, acetona ou sem nenhum tipo de tratamento. Os triatomíneos foram observados durante 28 dias. Nenhum extrato apresentou atividade inseticida significativa, entretanto, o extrato hexânico do fruto e o etanólico da casca do caule de Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) inibiram a taxa de ecdise em D. maxima (40 por cento e 25 por cento, respectivamente). Sugere-se que estes extratos sejam quimicamente investigados e monitorados por ensaios biológicos a fim de determinar os componentes, para que estes possam ser utilizados como modelos moleculares ou como compostos biorracionais nos programas de controle de insetos.

Chagas disease, also known as American Trypanosomiasis, is chiefly transmitted by faeces of haematophagous bugs (Triatominae) that ingested Trypanosoma cruzi from blood of infected people or other mammals. Pyrethroids have been the main insecticides used against these insects. However, some populations of insects have shown significant levels of resistance to several pyrethroids, indicating the need of new insecticides for the control of triatomines. Thus, the insecticidal activity of 83 Cerrado plant extracts belonging to 35 species were assayed on first instar nymphs of Dipetalogaster maxima (Uhler, 1894) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), species found in Mexico. For the extract application on triatomines, 50 μg of the extract were topically applied in duplicate on dorsal tergites of ten insects. Insects topically treated with acetone, ethanol, as well as insects with no treatment were used as controls. Triatomines were observed over a 28-day period. The extracts showed no insect mortality, however, fruit hexane and stem bark ethanolic extracts of Simarouba versicolor (Simaroubaceae) inhibited the rate of ecdysis in D. maxima (40 percent and 25 percent, respectively). These preliminary data suggest that this extracts should be chemically investigated and monitored through biological assays in order to determine the components, so that it may be used as a molecular model or as biorational compounds for use in insect control programmes.