Antioxidant, cytotoxic and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activities from the Mexican berry "Anacahuita" (Cordia boissieri)

This study describes the total phenolic and flavonoid content as well as cytotoxic, alpha-glucosidase inhibition and antiradical/antioxidant potential of extracts obtained from the edible fruits of Cordia boissieri, which is widely distributed throughout northeastern Mexico. Phenolic and flavonoid content were evaluated by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay respectively. The antiradical/antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) assays. Cytotoxic activity was assessed by means of human cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and HeLa), alpha-glucosidase inhibition was determined by colorimetric assay using p-Nitrophenyl α-D-glucopyranoside (PNPG) as a substrate. Results indicate that extract of C. boissieri fruit has a good antioxidant potential to show a EC50: 137.76 ± 35 μg/mL and 65 ± 2 μM/g in the DPPH and TEAC assays respectively, inhibitor of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase involved in sugar uptake (IC50: 215.20 ± 35 μg/mL), cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 (IC50: 310 ± 42 μg/mL) and HeLa (IC50: 450.4 ± 21 μg/mL) cancer cell lines as well as an important phenolic content with 230 ± 23 mg/100g and 54± 11 mg/100g of phenols and flavonoids totals respectively. These results point towards an interesting potential for the fruits of C. boissieri as chemopreventive properties and expand the possibilities for agro-industrial uses(AU)

Este estudio describe el contenido de fenoles y flavonoides totales, el efecto citotóxico, la inhibición de la enzima alfaglucosidasa y el potencial antirradical/ antioxidante del extracto obtenidos a partir de los frutos de Cordia boissieri, especie distribuida por todo el noreste de México. El contenido de fenoles y flavonoides totales se determinó por medio de los métodos de Folin-Ciocalteu y cloruro férrico respectivamente. La actividad antirradical / antioxidante se determinó mediante el secuestro del radical libre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) y el ensayo de Capacidad Antioxidante Equivalente al Trolox (CAET). La actividad citotóxica se evaluó sobre las líneas celulares de cáncer humano (MCF-7 y HeLa), para determinar la inhibición de la enzima alfa-glucosidasa se utilizó el ensayo colorimétrico utilizando como sustrato p-Nitrofenil-α-D-Glucopiranósido (PNPG). Los resultados indican que el extracto del fruto de C. boissieri tiene un buen contenido de antioxidantes al mostrar una CE50 de 137.76 ± 35 μg/mL y de 65 ± 2 μM/g en los ensayos de DPPH y CAET respectivamente, un efecto inhibitorio interesante sobre la enzima alfa-glucosidasa, implicadas en la absorción de azúcar (CI50: 215.20 ± 35 μg/mL), efecto citotóxico contra las células cancerosas MCF-7 (CI50: 310 ± 42 μg/mL) y HeLa (450.4 ± 21 μg/mL), así como un importante contenido compuestos fenólicos con 230 ± 23 mg / 100g y 54 ± 11 mg / 100 g de fenoles y flavonoides totales, respectivamente. Estos resultados sugieren el potencial del fruto de C. boissieri como una fuente importante de compuestos quimiopreventivos y amplían las posibilidades para su aprovechamiento agroindustrial(AU)

Antioxidant comparative effects of two grape pomace Mexican extracts from vineyards on erythrocytes.

Maceration and Soxhlet methods were used to obtain methanol extracts from a Mexican grape (Ruby Cabernet) pomace and the biological activity and phenolic profiles were compared. The antioxidant capacity was used to evaluate the mechanism of action, using a physiological model (erythrocytes) of damage induced by AAPH-generated free radicals. The extract obtained by maceration presented a total phenolic content twice the one obtained using the Soxhlet method. It also contained the most potent antioxidants, reducing anisotropy in the presence of AAPH to the levels of untreated cells, restoring membrane fluidity, preventing the morphological changes, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and providing protection against protein oxidation at the higher concentration. Our work showed that both extracts presented significant antioxidant activity through positive interactions with the lipid bilayer.

Antioxidant, cytotoxic and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activities from the Mexican berry "Anacahuita" (Cordia boissieri).

This study describes the total phenolic and flavonoid content as well as cytotoxic, alpha-glucosidase inhibition and antiradical/antioxidant potential of extracts obtained from the edible fruits of Cordia boissieri, which is widely distributed throughout northeastern Mexico. Phenolic and flavonoid content were evaluated by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay respectively. The antiradical/antioxidant activity was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) assays. Cytotoxic activity was assessed by means of human cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and HeLa), alpha-glucosidase inhibition was determined by colorimetric assay using p-Nitrophenyl a-D-glucopyranoside (PNPG) as a substrate. Results indicate that extract of C. boissieri fruit has a good antioxidant potential to show a EC50: 137.76 ± 35 ptg/mL and 65 ±2 ltM/g in the DPPH and TEAC assays respectively, inhibitor of the enzyme alpha-glu- cosidase involved in sugar uptake (ICSO: 215.20 ± 35 µg/ mL), cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 (IC50: 310 ± 42 µg/mL) and HeLa (IC500: 450.4 ±21µgg/mL) cancer cell lines as well as an important phenolic content with 230 t 23 mg/1OOg and 54±11 mg100g g of phenols and flavonoids totals respectively. These results point towards an interesting potential for the fruits of C. boissieri as chemopreventive properties and expand the possibilities.

Biological activities of Morus celtidifolia leaf extracts.

The aims of this research were to examine the antibacterial, cytotoxic and antiradical/antioxidant activities of the organic extracts obtained from the leaves of the medicinal plant Morus celtidifolia (Family: Moraceae). To evaluate its antimicrobial properties, M. celtidifolia was tested against the bacteria of medical importance: Bacillus subtilis, Staphyloccocus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter aerogenes. Cytotoxic activity was assessed by using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality assay and also by toxicity screening against human cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) and HeLa (cervix adenocarcinoma). The free radical-scavenging activity was determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay. Results revealed that the hexanic extract has antibacterial activity only against Gram positive strains, while the methanolic extract showed better cytotoxic and antioxidant activities than the non- polar extract with a median lethal dose (LD50) of 125µg/ml, 90µg/ml and 75µg/ml against A. salina, MCF-7 and HeLa cells respectively, and median effective concentration (EC50) of 152µg/ml on radical scavenging assay. This is the first study reporting the biological activities of leaves of Morus celtidifolia.

In vitro amoebicidal activity of borage (Borago officinalis) extract on Entamoeba histolytica.

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a plant with nutritional value that is also used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disease. This study investigated the amoebicidal activity of a methanol extract of borage. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the extract for Entamoeba histolytica was 33 µg/mL. The 50% lethal dose of the extract for brine shrimp was greater than 1,000 µg/mL. The IC50 of the extract for Vero cells was 203.9 µg/mL. These results support the use of borage to prevent diseases associated with E. histolytica infection.

Hypocholesterolemic activity from the leaf extracts of Cnidoscolus chayamansa.

The aim of this study was to determine the hypocholesterolemic activity of Cnidoscolus chayamansa. In an in vivo model, high-cholesterol diet administered to mice Balb/c induced hypercholesterolemia. Three extracts from Cnidoscolus chayamansa (ethanol, methanol and an aqueous extract) were tested on hypercholesterolemic mice. Active extracts were assessed against the in vitro inhibitory activity of the same three extracts on the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme by using Vero cells. The specific chemical groups present in the phytochemical extracts were also determined. Only the aqueous extract (at either doses employed) showed a significant cholesterol reduction (27.9 and 31.1%, for 50 and 100 mg kg(-1), respectively P<0.01). The extract did not inhibit the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, suggesting that its compounds act at another level in cholesterol metabolism. Reactions to secondary metabolites indicate the presence of alkaloids in the aqueous and ethanol extracts and phenol hydroxyls in the ethanol and methanol extracts.

Antiproliferative effect from the Mexican poleo (Hedeoma drummondii).

Hedeoma drummondii (poleo) has been used by Mexicans to prepare a tea for its pleasant taste. The methanolic extract, polar fractions, and major antioxidant compounds of the Mexican herbal tea obtained from aerial parts of H. drummondii ("poleo") showed antiproliferative effects against the cancer cell lines MCF-7 (human breast) and HeLa (human cervix). Phenolic acids isolated from poleo have significant antiproliferative effects with caffeic acid the most potent. This evidence suggests that herbal poleo tea may have chemopreventive properties.