Bioactive Azadirachta indica and Melia azedarach leaves extracts with anti-SARS-CoV-2 and antibacterial activities.

The leaves of Azadirachta indica L. and Melia azedarach L., belonging to Meliaceae family, have been shown to have medicinal benefits and are extensively employed in traditional folk medicine. Herein, HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of the total methanolic extract emphasized the enrichment of both A. indica L., and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts with phenolic and flavonoids composites, respectively. Besides, 4 limonoids and 2 flavonoids were isolated using column chromatography. By assessing the in vitro antiviral activities of both total leaves extracts against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it was found that A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. have robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities at low half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 8.451 and 6.922 µg/mL, respectively. Due to the high safety of A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. extracts with half-maximal cytotoxic concentrations (CC50) of 446.2 and 351.4 µg/ml, respectively, both displayed extraordinary selectivity indices (SI>50). A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts could induce antibacterial activities against both Gram-negative and positive bacterial strains. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts varied from 25 to 100 mg/mL within 30 min contact time towards the tested bacteria. Our findings confirm the broad-spectrum medicinal value of A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts. Finally, additional in vivo investigations are highly recommended to confirm the anti-COVID-19 and antimicrobial activities of both plant extracts.

Salvia hispanica L. seeds extract alleviate encephalopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: role of oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, DNA and histological indices.

CONTEXT: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder and may lead to cognitive dysfunctions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to evaluate the potency of Salvia hispanica L. seeds (S. hispanica L.) (chia seeds) petroleum ether extract in attenuating brain complications associated with streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical composition of the seeds extract, macro and micro elements, vitamins, protein, carbohydrate and caloric values were estimated. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight (b.wt)). Glibenclamide as a reference drug was also evaluated. The biochemical evaluation was done by measuring levels of glucose, insulin, α- amylase, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HD), noradrenaline (NE), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), DNA fragmentation pattern and the histopathological profile of the brain hippocampus region. RESULTS: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed the presence of twenty-five fatty acid esters and twenty-two compounds. Column chromatography led to the isolation of nine compounds. Treatment with the seeds extract revealed improvement of the measured parameters with variable degrees. CONCLUSION: Chia seeds extract succeeded to attenuate the neurodegeneration in diabetic rats. Thereafter, it had a therapeutic effect and could be potentially used as a new dietary supplement against diabetic encephalopathy.

Prophylactic Effect of Opuntia ficus indica Fruit Peel Extract against Irradiation-Induced Colon Injury in Rats.

Opuntia ficus-indica extract has been used in traditional folk medicine for several purposes and exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. This study was directed to explore the prophylactic effect of O. ficus-indica fruit peel extract against irradiation-induced colitis in rats. GC/MS analysis of the petroleum ether extract led to recognition of 33 compounds in the unsaponifiable fraction and 15 fatty acid methyl esters in the saponifiable part. Thirteen terpenes and sterols were isolated and identified from which ten compounds were not isolated from any part of this species before. Data showed that irradiation induced colon injury as manifested by elevated contents of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and nuclear factor kappa B, while it reduced superoxide dismutase activity and interleukin 10 content in colonic tissues, which was confirmed by histopathological examination. Pretreatment with O. ficus-indica extract attenuated the alteration in the measured parameters. It could be concluded that O. ficus-indica fruit peel extract can be regarded as a potential agent in limiting colonic complications due to irradiation, possibly by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Efficacy of Ficus spp. on renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia.

The ethanol and hexane extracts of Ficus microcarpa, Ficus religiosa and Ficus mysorensis leaves were evaluated against renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia. Phytochemical screening of the investigated plants was undertaken. For the in vivo study, all rats were orally given cholesterol (30 mg kg⁻¹ body weight, BW) and leaves extract (500 mg kg⁻¹ BW) five times per week for 9 weeks. Hypercholesterolaemic rats showed significant increases in urea nitrogen and creatinine while serum protein and albumin levels, nitric oxide (NO), Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and phospholipids in kidney tissue were all decreased. Treatment with leaves extract improved kidney function indices (urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum protein and albumin), kidney disorder biochemical parameters (NO, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and phospholipids), haematological profile (haemoglobin, RBCs and WBCs) and kidney histopathology. In conclusion, Ficus spp. succeeded in improving renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia, with the most potent effects seen while using Ficus microcarpa hexane extract.

Phytochemical and in vitro screening of some Ficus and Morus spp. for hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities and in vivo assessment of Ficus mysorensis (Roth).

Phytochemical screening of air-dried leaves and fruit juice of certain Ficus and Morus spp. have been studied. In an in vitro study, the ethanol and hexane extracts of the investigated plants were evaluated against hyperlipidaemia by estimating the rate limiting enzyme of cholesterol biothenysis; ß-hydroxy-ß-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by reduction of DPPH(-) free radical. Extra phytochemical screening of Ficus extracts was undertaken, which recorded potent hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities. The more pronounced extract, Ficus mysorensis (hexane extract), was evaluated in vivo by estimation of the lipid profile and certain antioxidant parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats. The hexane fraction was chromatographed and six isolated compounds were identified. Furthermore, its saponifiable fraction was identified by a MS/MS technique. In conclusion, F. mysorensis recorded hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects. Detailed studies of the isolated compounds must be undertaken for an evaluation against hypercholesterolemia and free radical elevation.

Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities of Ficus microcarpa (L.) in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Saponifiable and unsaponifiable fractions of Ficus microcarpa leaves hexane extract have been phytochemically studied and evaluated for its hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects in hypercholesterolemic rats. The effect of the extract on the lipid profile was assessed by measuring the levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, phospho and total lipids. Lipid peroxides, glutathione and superoxide dismutase were measured as antioxidants. The work was extended to evaluate liver function indices as well as the histopathological picture of the liver after treatment. Treatment with leaves extract (500 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) 5 times/week for 9 weeks at the same time of cholesterol administration (30 mg/0.3 mL 0.7% tween/animal) recorded an improvement of lipid profile, antioxidants, liver function enzymes and the liver histopathological picture. The lipoidal matters of the unsaponifiable fraction of the hexane extract by GC/MS led to the identification of 22 compounds, while saponifiable fraction by (MS/MS) technique led to identification of 13 unsaturated and saturated fatty acid methyl ester derivatives. It can be concluded that the hexane extract of F. microcarpa L has been proved to have hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects in hypercholesterolemic rats through its role in counteracting LDL oxidation, enhancement of HDL synthesis and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.