Salacca zalacca: A short review of the palm botany, pharmacological uses and phytochemistry

Salacca zalacca (Gaertn.) Voss (family Arecaceae) is the snake fruit commonly known in Malay language as salak in Malaysia. This exotic fruit has diverse and potential pharmacological properties due to its high antioxidant content. It is often consumed due to its sweet taste. The abundant natural sugar and fibre along with minerals and vitamin makes it a nutritious fruit. Phytochemical investigation on this fruit has revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides as well as some volatile and aromatic compounds, including gallic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, proanthocyanidins, lycopene and β-carotene. Pharmacological studies on the fruit flesh and peel have shown some tremendous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antidiabetic potential. This review provides the botanical information of Salacca zalacca as well as its scientific investigations involving the distinct pharmacological and phytochemical benefits. This could help in highlighting the lacking data and research gaps on this plant.

Evaluation of in vitro antidiabetic and antioxidant characterizations of Elettaria cardamomum [L.] Maton [Zingiberaceae], Piper cubeba L. f. [Piperaceae], and Plumeria rubra L. [Apocynaceae]

Inhibition of intestinal alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase is an important strategy to regulate diabetes mellitus [DM]. Antioxidants from plants are widely regarded in the prevention of diabetes. Fruits of Elettaria cardamomum [L.] Maton [Zingiberaceae] and Piper cubeba L. f. [Piperaceae] and flowers of Plumeria rubra L. [Apocynaceae] are traditionally used to cure DM in different countries. However, the role of these plants has been grossly under reported and is yet to receive proper scientific evaluation with respect to understand their traditional role in the management of diabetes especially as digestive enzymes inhibitors. Hence, methanol and aqueous extracts of the aforementioned plants were evaluated for their in vitro alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition at 1 mg/mL and quantification of their antioxidant properties [DPPH, FRAP tests, total phenolic and total flavonoids contents]. In vitro optimization studies for the extracts were also performed to enhance in vitro biological activities. The % inhibition of alpha-glucosidase by the aqueous extracts of the fruits of E. cardamomum, P. cubeba and flowers of P. rubra were 10.41 [0.03], 95.19 [0.01], and -2.92 [0.03], while the methanol extracts exhibited % inhibition 13.73 [0.02], 92.77 [0.01], and -0.98 [0.01], respectively. The % inhibition of alpha-amylase by the aqueous extracts were 82.99 [0.01], 64.35 [0.01], and 20.28 [0.02], while the methanol extracts displayed % inhibition 39.93 [0.01], 31.06 [0.02], and 39.40 [0.01], respectively. Aqueous extracts displayed good in vitro antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. Moreover, in vitro optimization experiments helped to increase the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of E. cardamomum. Our findings further justify the traditional claims of these plants as folk medicines to manage diabetes, however, through digestive enzymes inhibition effect

A lignan with glucose uptake activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes from the stem bark of Knema patentinervia

A new naturally occurring dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan named isocubebinic ether has been isolated from Knema patentinervia. The structure was established by spectroscopic methods, which include Ultraviolet, Infrared, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Mass Spectrometry. The compound showed activity in the stimulation of glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Antibacterial efficacy of the seed extracts of Melia azedarach against some hospital isolated human pathogenic bacterial strains

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antibacterial potential of the polar and non-polar extracts of the seeds of Melia azedarach (M. azedarach) L. (Meliaceae) against eighteen hospital isolated human pathogenic bacterial strains.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Petrol, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts at five different concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 and 15 mg/mL) were evaluated. Disk diffusion method was followed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All extracts of the seeds demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against tested pathogens. Among all extracts, ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest inhibition comparatively. The present study also favored the traditional uses reported earlier.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Results of this study strongly confirm that the seed extracts of M. azedarach could be effective antibiotics, both in controlling gram-positive and gram-negative human pathogenic infections.</p>