Chemical composition, antiproliferative and antioxidant attributes of ethanolic extract of resinous sediment from Etlingera elatior (Jack. ) inflorescence

The ethanolic extract of resinous sediment (EERS) of Etlingera elatior young inflorescence was examined for its anticancer effect and potential antioxidant activity. The anticancer effect of the EERS was evaluated on four human cancer cell lines, HCT 116, HT-29, Hela, and MCF-7, using the MTT assay. GC-MS analysis showed that the main components found in the EERS were nonyl cyclopropane (4.44%), 1-tetradecane (3.66%), cyclotetradecane (2.41%), cyclododecane (1.92%), and 1-decene (1.72%). The antioxidant activity was determined through different methods. High amounts of TPC and TFC in the EERS were found. Moderate antioxidant capacity of the EERS was detected by DPPH and ABTS assays, with EC50 values of 44.19 and 56.61 µg/mL and a high FRAP value of 281.79 nmol Fe+2 equivalent/mg extract. In the MTT assay, the EERS showed potent anticancer activity, with IC50 values of 19.82, 37.001, 50.49, and 53.29 µg/mL against HT-29, HCT 116, Hela, and MCF-7 tumour cell lines, respectively. Moreover, the results were comparable to or less potent than the standard reference drug, 5-fluorouracil. The results showed that the EERS of Etlingera elatior inflorescence contained a high amount of polyphenols and flavonoids, which may to the selective antiproliferative effects towards colon cancer in vitro

Biological activities of four Parmotrema species of Malaysian origin and their chemical constituents.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant potential of acetone and methanol extracts of lichen (Parmotrema praesorediosum, P. rampoddense, P. tinctorum and P. reticulatum) and isolated chemical constituents which are praesorediosic acid, protocetraric acid, usnic acid, α–collatolic acid, β-alectoronic acid, atranorin and chloroatranorin. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using broth dilution method. Acetone extracts (except for P. reticulatum) showed good inhibitory activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC values ranging from 500–125 µg/mL, whereas, no activity was observed for the methanol extracts. Extracts exhibited zero inhibitory activity against E. coli. The antioxidant ability was measured using a DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay. Only methanol extract of P. praesorediosum exhibited more than 50% scavenging activity. Among the isolates, usnic acid exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC value 7.81 µg/mL. Praesorediosic acid and protocetraric acid isolates exclusively inhibited E. coli at concentration 125 µg/mL and displayed results exceeding 50% scavenging activity (57.57% and 63.97%, respectively). Hitherto, it is the first evaluation of antibacterial activity on lichens of Malaysian origin and to our knowledge; the first reported study on the biological activity of praesorediosic acid and Parmotrema rampoddense.

Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L): from traditional uses to pharmacological activities / Fruta de la estrella (Averrhoa carambola L): desde los usos tradicionales a las actividades farmacológicas

Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), commonly known as star fruit bears a great significance in traditional medicine. Traditionally, A. carambola was used in ailments such as arthralgia, chronic headache, boils and pyodermas, colds, cough, epistaxis, spermatorrhea, fever, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, malaria, malarial splenomegaly, oliguria, postpartum edema, sore throat, subcalorism and traumatic injury. Pharmacological investigations on A. carambola have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor and anti-ulcer activities. In addition, the plant possesses hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, negative inotropic and chronotropic effects. Phytochemical investigations have shown the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids. This review is an effort to update the pharmacological activities and clinical studies on A. carambola.

Averrhoa carambola L. (Familia: Oxalidaceae), comúnmente conocida como fruta de la estrella tiene una gran importancia en la medicina tradicional. La Medicina Tradicional reporta el uso de A. carambola en dolencias tales como: artralgia, dolor de cabeza crónico, forúnculos y piodermas, resfriados, tos, epistaxis, espermatorrea, fiebre, intoxicación alimentaria, gastroenteritis, malaria, paludismo, esplenomegalia malárica, oliguria, edema post-parto, dolor de garganta , subcalorismo y lesiones traumáticas. Investigaciones farmacológicas en A. carambola han demostrado efectos anti-inflamatorios, antimicrobianos, antitumorales, antifúngicas, y actividades anti-úlcera, hipocolesterolémico, hipoglucemiante, hipotensor, nefrotóxicos, y efectos neurotóxicos y cronotrópicos negativos. Proyecciones preliminares fitoquímicas han demostrado la presencia de saponinas, taninos, alcaloides y flavonoides. Esta revisión constituye un esfuerzo para actualizar las actividades farmacológicas y estudios clínicos sobre A. carambola.