Polyphenol Characterization of the Aqueous Extract from Hubertia ambavilla L. (Asteraceae) by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn and Assessment of Its Antioxidant Activity.

In this work, phytochemical components, and the antioxidant properties of an aqueous extract obtained from a medicinal plant Hubertia ambavilla, endemic to Reunion Island, were investigated. A total of 37 compounds were detected and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) using a photodiode-array detector (DAD) coupled with electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI/MSn ). From calibration curves, the quantity of secondary metabolites in the aqueous extract was calculated. The mean amounts of phenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins found were 158.38±1.20 mg GAE/g DE, 60.41±1.65 mg AE/g DE and 23.77±1.36 mg CE/g DE, respectively. The in vitro antioxidant properties of the Hubertia ambavilla plant were measured using three methods: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power. The results showed that crude aqueous extract of H. ambavilla had effective radical scavenging and reducing power in comparison with standard antioxidant compounds. In conclusion, the crude extract herein presented offers a natural alternative biosource of antioxidants with potential applications in food and health industries.

New Isoflavones with Antioxidant Activity Isolated from Cornulaca monacantha.

In the course of phytochemical and chemotaxonomical investigations of Cornulaca monacantha (Amaranthaceae), two new isoflavones, 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (1) and 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-methoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (2) were isolated from the fresh aerial parts of C. monacantha among with three known compounds named vanillic acid (3), N-cis-feruloyltyramine (4) and N-trans-feruloyltyramine (5). Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods including one- and two-dimensional NMR and HR-ESI-MS techniques. The isolated compounds exhibited interesting antioxidant activity determined by DPPH, ABTS and TAC tests.

Assessment of antioxidant and dermoprotective activities of gold nanoparticles as safe cosmetic ingredient.

Hubertia ambavilla, an endemic plant originating from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory and in healing, both for internal and external use. Polyphenolic compounds from aqueous phase extractions can reduce metal salts into nanoparticles and stabilize them in one step. Although gold nanoparticles are well described in the literature as anti-ageing ingredients, the nanoparticles presented herein are novel and are synthesized using a green process. We demonstrate their efficiency as dermoprotective, free radical scavenger and antioxidant cosmetic ingredients. Comparison with common nanoparticles obtained by the Turkevich method clearly emphasizes the necessity to carefully screen the products used for nanoparticle coatings, as they play a major role in the biological properties of the product. Hubertia ambavilla mediated gold nanoparticles are non-toxic to human dermal fibroblasts, possess free radical scavenging potential, and protect against damage to fibroblast and dermal cells caused by ultraviolet A radiation.

Characterization of polysaccharides isolated from Periploca angustifolia and its antioxidant activity and renoprotective potential against cadmium induced toxicity in HEK293 cells and rat kidney.

Periploca angustifolia has numerous biological properties and also used against various diseases. In our study, this plant has been used for biotechnological production of polysaccharides. The prevention action of polysaccharides isolated from P. angustifolia (PAPS) against Cd-caused oxidative stress in HEK293 cells and kidneys of rats was tested. PAPS were characterized by HPLC, FT-IT, DRX, 1D-and 2D-MNR. PAPS present strong capacity to slow the rate of lipid peroxidation and protein glycation in vitro. In addition, the results indicated that the Cd treatment caused a significant decrease in HEK293 cells viability which wasattenuated by PAPS pre-treatment. Furthermore, our findings revealed that Cd injection increased the levels of urea and creatinine in the serum. The increased levels of protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation along with decreased activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were significantly (p < 0.01) ameliorated by PAPS pre-treatment. Finally, histopathological studies also supported the prevention action of PAPS.

Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, and Antidepression Effects of Rumex tingitanus Extracts and Identification of a Novel Bioactive Compound.

Over the last few decades, Rumex species have been recognized as a promising source of new compounds with numerous pharmacological activities. Therefore, the antioxidant activity of Rumex tingitanus (R. tingitanus) leaves extracts was evaluated in vitro and then confirmed in vivo as well as the antidepressant-like and toxicological effects of the extracts. The ethyl acetate fraction (Rt EtOAcF) followed by hydroalcoholic extract (Rt EtOH-H2O) showed a remarkable in vitro antioxidant activity. The hydroalcoholic extract (Rt EtOH-H2O) showed significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced liver toxicity which is seen from inhibition of the malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and enhancement of the liver antioxidant enzymes activities. The Rt EtOH-H2O and Rt EtOAcF extracts were able to reduce the immobility time in mice and then elicited a significant antidepressant-like effect. The ethyl acetate fraction (Rt EtOAcF) was purified and resulted in the identification of a new antioxidant component called 4'-p-acetylcoumaroyl luteolin. The Rt EtOAcF and the 4'-p-acetylcoumaroyl luteolin revealed a strong antioxidant activity using DPPH test with IC50 of 11.7 ± 0.2 and 20.74 ± 0.6 µg/ml, respectively, and AAI of 3.39 and 1.92 better than that of BHT, used as control.

Antimicrobial activity and bioguided fractionation of Rumex tingitanus extracts for meat preservation.

This study was undertaken to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of Rumex tingitanus leaves extracts as well as the identification of bioactive components and their performance in meat preservation. Total phenolics and flavonoids showed the highest content of phenolics and flavonoids in the ethyl acetate fraction (Rt EtOAcF). For antimicrobial efficacy, leaves extract and derived fraction were tested for their capacity to inhibit bacterial and fungal proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the most potent antibacterial and antifungal activities compared to the others extracts. Thus, the efficacy of this extract to inhibit the proliferation of Listeria monocytogenes in minced beef meat model was examined. This fraction eradicates the L. monocytogenes population in meat in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. A bio-guided purification of the Rt EtOAc fraction resulted in the isolation of the compound responsible for the observed antimicrobial activity. This compound was identified as luteolin by analysis of spectroscopic data. CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS ISOLATED IN THIS ARTICLE: Luteolin (PubChem CID: 5280445); p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (PubChem CID: 64957); Amphotericin B (PubChem CID: 5280965); Gentamicin and (PubChem CID: 6419933); Hexane (PubChem CID: 8058); Methanol (PubChem CID: 887); Ethanol (PubChem CID: 702); Dimethylsulfoxide (PubChem CID: 679); Quercetin (PubChem CID: 5280343); Gallic acid (PubChem CID: 370).

A study of the molluscicidal and larvicidal activities of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) leaf extract and its main cucurbitacins against the mollusc Galba truncatula, intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica.

BACKGROUND: The molluscicidal and larvicidal activities of the medicinal plant Citrullus colocynthis leaf extracts and its main cucurbitacins were tested against the mollusc gastropod Galba truncatula, the intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica. RESULTS: Our findings proved for the first time that the molluscicidal activity was correlated with the presence of terpenoids. A significant molluscicidal value was found in the ethyl acetate extract (LC50 = 12.6 mg L-1 ). Further fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of two main compounds identified to cucurbitacin E 1 and 2-O-ß-d-glucocucurbitacin E 2. Their molluscicidal activities were also investigated and they possessed close activities with LC50 = 9.55 and 10.61 mg L-1 for compounds 2 and 1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ethyl acetate extract and both pure compounds proved the highest larvicidal activities, with a deterioration rate exceeding 89.2% (89.2-100%) and with no toxic effects against associated fauna. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of flavonol glycosides from Diplotaxis harra through GSK3ß regulation in intestinal cells.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss. (Brassicaceae) is traditionally used as an antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory or anticancer agent. In these pathologies, the glycogen synthase kinase 3 ß (GSK3ß) is overactivated and represents an interesting therapeutic target. Several flavonoids can inhibit GSK3ß and the purpose of this study was to search for the compounds in Diplotaxis harra which are able to modulate GSK3ß. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts from D. harra flowers were prepared and the bio-guided fractionation of their active compounds was performed using inflammatory [protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2)-stimulated IEC6 cells] and cancer (human Caco-2 cell line) intestinal cells. 50-100 µg/mL of fractions or compounds purified by HPLC were incubated with cells whose inhibited form of GSK3ß (Pser9 GSK3ß) and survival were analyzed by Western blot at 1 h and colorimetric assay at 24 h, respectively. LC-UV-MS profiles and MS-MS spectra were used for the characterization of extracts and flavonoids-enriched fractions, and the identification of pure flavonoids was achieved by MS and NMR analysis. RESULTS: The methanol extract from D. harra flowers and its flavonoid-enriched fraction inhibit GSK3ß in PAR2-stimulated IEC6 cells. GSK3ß inhibition by the flavonoid-enriched D. harra fraction was dependent on PKC activation. The flavonoid-enriched D. harra fraction and its purified compound isorhamnetin-3,7-di-O-glucoside induced a 20% decrease of PAR2-stimulated IEC6 and Caco-2 cell survival. Importantly, normal cells (non-stimulated IEC6 cells) were spared by these treatments. CONCLUSION: This work indicates that flavonoids from D. harra display cytotoxic activity against inflammatory and cancer intestinal cells which could depend on GSK3ß inhibition.

Cucurbitacins from the Leaves of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

Two new tetracyclic cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of Citrullus colocynthis leaves together with four known cucurbitacins. Their structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data (mainly NMR and mass spectrometry). Evaluation of the in vitro cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds against two human colon cancer cell lines (HT29 and Caco-2) and one normal rat intestine epithelial cell line (IEC6), revealed that one of the isolated compounds presented interesting specific cytotoxic activity towards colorectal cell lines.