RESUMEN
The current study was assigned to evaluate the total phenol, total flavonoid content [TPC, TFC] and antioxidant properties of extracts from the aerial parts of Scrophularia frigida [S. frigida]. Extracts were also tested by preliminary phytochemical screening as well as cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina, MCF-7 [human breast carcinoma] and SW-480 [colon carcinoma] and L-929 [normal] cell lines along with antimicrobial characteristic. DPPH, MTT and Brine shrimp lethality tests and disc diffusion method were carried out to determine the biological activities of the different extracts of S. frigida. In addition, the extracts which had more potent antioxidant and antiproliferative activity were further analyzed by NMR and GC-MS. 40% methanol-water [from MeOH extract] fraction showed higher amounts of TPC, TFC and antioxidant property. Findings of the study for general toxicity effect showed that dichloromethane [DCM] and MeOH extracts had weak to moderate effects. Furthermore, DCM extract indicated the most potent anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines. No evidence of antibacterial activity was determined. On the other hand, analysis of the potent extract DCM in cytotoxic assay showed the presence of trans-phytol and cis-oleic acid in GC-MS. Furthermore, NMR analysis of potent methanolic fractions in antioxidant tests revealed the presence of iridoids and phenolics. Generally, the results of TPC, TFC and antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions were in agreement with each other
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The current study evaluated the general toxicity, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity of extracts obtained from the rhizomes of Eremostachys azerbaijanica [Labiatae] as well as analyzed the potent extracts using GC-MS. Extracts of E. azerbaijanica in n-hexane, dichloromethane [DCM] and methanol [MeOH] were prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated for free radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay. The antimicrobial activity of samples was determined by disc diffusion and brine shrimp lethality assay [BSLA] was used to assess general toxicity. The cytotoxicity of each extract was determined by MTT assay against human colorectal adenocarcinoma [HT29], human lung carcinoma [A549] and a normal cell line [human umbilical vein endothelial cells, HUVEC]. The MeOH extract showed significant antioxidant activity and the n-hexane and DCM extracts showed promising activity against gram-positive species when compared with amikacin as a standard. Moreover, the n-hexane extract displayed the most potent activity in general toxicity assay. The results showed that all three extracts have cytotoxic effects against the A549 cell line. In the case of HT29 cell lines, only the DCM extract exhibited cytotoxicity. Interestingly, none of the extracts showed significant cytotoxic activity against the HUVEC cell line. The bioassay-guided identification of constituents showed the presence of fatty acids and steroids as the compounds responsible for bioactivity in the non-polar extracts
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The formation of hemozoin [malaria pigment] has been proposed as an ideal drug target for antimalarial screening programs. In this study, we used an improved, cost-effective and highthroughput spectrophotometric assay to screen plant extracts for finding novel antimalarial plant sources. Fifteen extracts with different polarity from three Iranian Artemisia species, A. ciniformis, A. biennis and A. turanica, were assessed for their antimalarial activity by invitro beta-hematin formation assay. The most potent effect was observed in dichloromethane [DCM] extract of A. ciniformis with IC[50] and IC[90] values of 0.92 +/- 0.01 and 1.29 +/- 0.02 mg/ mL, respectively. Ethyl acetate [EtOAC] extracts of A. biennis and A. turanica also showed significant antimalarial activities with IC[50] values of 1.11 +/- 0.02 and 1.35 +/- 0.08 mg/mL and IC[90] values of 1.22 +/- 0.04 and 2.81 +/- 0.21 mg/mL, respectively. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the components with strong antimalarial activity have been concentrated in the medium-polar extracts
Asunto(s)
Extractos Vegetales , AntimaláricosRESUMEN
Candida species are among the most common causes of opportunistic fungal diseases. Among Candida species, Candida albicans is responsible for most infections. Having many strains, C. albicans is very polymorph. C. dubliniensis is very similar to albicans species both morphologically and physiologically. For an infection to occur, cell wall proteins play an important role as they enable yeast to adhere to host cells and begin pathogenesis. Therefore, we decided to extract these proteins and examine them through common molecular methods of protein analysis including SDS-PAGE. Initially cell wall proteins of two C. albicans strains [CBS 562 and PTCC6027] and one C. dubliniensis strain [CBS7987] were extracted by using a solution of beta-mercaptoethanol and ammonium carbonate. After dialysis against Tris-HCL buffer, SDS gel electrophoresis was performed on the proteins extract. Bands were then visualized by using three different staining methods among which one method provided improved detection. By using Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining method, proteins with molecular weight of 42, 66.2 and 200 kDa were detected. By using Silver staining method, proteins with molecular weight of 21.5, 28.5 and 37 kDa were detected. However, using combined Coomassie Brilliant Blue and Sliver staining method visualized more bands resulting in improved detection. To answer many existing questions about fungal diseases, fungi cell wall proteins are necessary to be examined. To commence such examinations, a simple step may be an SDS-PAGE performance on as many strains as possible. A combined staining method can enhance bands detection