Antibacterial, Trichomonacidal, and Cytotoxic Activities of Pleopeltis crassinervata Extracts.

Pleopeltis crassinervata is a fern documented in ethnobotanical records for its use in Mexican traditional medicine to treat gastric disorders and mouth ulcers. Consequently, conducting biological and pharmacological assays is crucial to validate the therapeutic efficacy of this plant within the context of traditional medicine. In the present study, we investigated the biological activity of extracts and fractions obtained from P. crassinervata organs against bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli) and Trichomonas vaginalis using in vitro models. The precipitate fraction obtained from the frond methanolic extract showed significant antibacterial activity (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] 120 µg/mL) against the Staphylococcus aureus strain and was effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The hexane fraction also obtained from frond methanolic extract, showed a trichomonacidal effect with an IC50 of 82.8 µg/mL and a low cytotoxic effect. Hsf6 exhibited the highest activity against T. vaginalis, and the GC-MS analysis revealed that the predominant compound was 16-pregnenolone. The remaining identified compounds were primarily terpene-type compounds.

Evaluation of the Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Efficacy, Cytotoxicity, and GC/MS Profile of Pleopeltis crassinervata Active Subfractions.

Pleopeltis crassinervata (Pc) is a fern that, according to ethnobotanical records, is used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal ailments. Recent reports indicate that the hexane fraction (Hf) obtained from Pc methanolic frond extract affects Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite viability in vitro; therefore, in the present study, the activity of different Pc hexane subfractions (Hsf) obtained by chromatographic methods was evaluated in the same biological model. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was carried out for hexane subfraction number one (Hsf1), as it showed the highest anti-Toxoplasma activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 23.6 µg/mL, a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of 398.7 µg/mL in Vero cells, and a selective index (SI) of 16.89. Eighteen compounds were identified by Hsf1 GC/MS analysis, with the majority being fatty acids and terpenes. Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester was the most commonly found compound (18.05%) followed by olean-13(18)-ene, 2,2,4a,8a,9,12b,14a-octamethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,12,12a,12b,13,14,14a,14b-eicosahydropicene, and 8-octadecenoid acid, methyl ester, which were detected at 16.19%, 12.53%, and 12.99%, respectively. Based on the mechanisms of action reported for these molecules, Hsf1 could exert its anti-Toxoplasma activity mainly on T. gondii lipidomes and membranes.

Influence of Eu(3+) doping content on antioxidant properties of Lu2O3 sol-gel derived nanoparticles.

This paper presents the synthesis of pure and europium-doped lutetium oxide (Lu2O3) powders prepared by sol-gel method. The influence of europium ion concentration into Lu2O3 nanocrystallites was investigated for first time in an in vitro system using a modified ABTS radical cation decolorization assay to determine the antioxidant activity. The crystalline structure of Lu2O3 and Eu:Lu2O3 powders was elucidated by XRD obtaining cubic phase in all system without secondary products in accordance with FT-IR results. By TEM and Scherrer equation, it was determined that Lu2O3 and Eu:Lu2O3 powders presented nearly spherical particle morphology with crystallites sizes in the range of 8 to 13nm. The antioxidant assays results revealed that europium ion enhance Lu2O3 powders antioxidant properties, showing that 12.5mol% of europium is sufficient to reach its maximum capacity.

Sol-Gel Synthesis and Antioxidant Properties of Yttrium Oxide Nanocrystallites Incorporating P-123.

Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanocrystallites were synthesized by mean of a sol-gel method using two different precursors. Raw materials used were yttrium nitrate and yttrium chloride, in methanol. In order to promote oxygen vacancies, P-123 poloxamer was incorporated. Synthesized systems were heat-treated at temperatures from 700 °C to 900 °C. Systems at 900 °C were prepared in the presence and absence of P-123 using different molar ratios (P-123:Y = 1:1 and 2:1). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed a characteristic absorption band of Y-O vibrations typical of Y2O3 matrix. The structural phase was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), showing the characteristic cubic phase in all systems. The diffraction peak that presented the major intensity corresponded to the sample prepared from yttrium chloride incorporating P-123 in a molar ratio of P-123:Y = 2:1 at 900 °C. Crystallites sizes were determined by Scherrer equation as between 21 nm and 32 nm. Antioxidant properties were estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) assays; the results are discussed.