Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum Structure Profile Characterisation, and in vitro Biological Effect of Salvia officinalis L. Phytocompounds.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research is to investigate the potential activity of Salvia officinalis and various hair samples responsible for secretion of essential oil. In Tunisia, biological activity of Salvia officinalis is poorly recorded. Salvia leaves contain various types of hairs (glandular and nonglandular). METHODS: The investigation of different trichomes was carried out by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) apparatus. Antiradical potential was assessed using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. Antimicrobial activity was analysed using disc diffusion assay. The extracts of Salvia officinalis (SvOf), showed the following order of richness in phenolic contents: methanolic (70.76 mg GAE/g DW), aqueous (43.76 mg GAE/g DW) and infusion (9.42 mg GAE/g DW). The methanolic fraction records the highest levels of flavonoids (77 mg QE/g DW) compared with the aqueous extracts (33.19 mg EQ/g DW) and infusion (26.25 mg EQ/g DW). MESvOf showed higher value of free radical scavenging activity towards DPPH free radical and ferric reducing power. RESULTS: The results revealed that the main bioactive constituents in the methanolic fractions of sage leaves generally exhibited higher antibacterial effects. Overall, sage phytocompounds constitute a promising approach for the treatment of infectious diseases. DISCUSSION: Functional groups detected in S. officinalis by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FT-IR) were mainly phenols, saccharides, amine and Aromatic (Ar-H). CONCLUSION: Antiradical and antibacterial activities of Salvia officinalis are mainly due to phenolic content and other bioactive compounds. Non-glandular hairs are the most important trichomes in the Salvia leaves.

Brachychiton populneus as a novel source of bioactive ingredients with therapeutic effects: antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, anti-inflammatory properties and LC-ESI-MS profile.

Brachychiton populneus is one of the unexploited Tunisian plants, traditionally eaten as food and used for medicinal purposes. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical components of the seeds, leaves and flowers from B. populneus using three different solvents and to explore their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Further, this study was focused on the identification of phenolic compounds from the most active extract. In vitro, all extracts showed strong antioxidant property by DPPH, ferrous ion chelating and lipid peroxidation-inhibiting assays, noticeable anti-inflammatory activity by protein denaturation and membrane stabilization methods and important neuroprotective effects by acetylcholinesterase inhibitory test. In vivo, B. populneus (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) showed significant dose-response anti-inflammatory effects against carrageenan-induced paw edema. With respect to the phenolic profile, the leaf methanol extract presented eight phenolic acids, one flavone and four flavonoids, with salvianolic acid B (820.3 mg/kg), caffeic acid (224.03 mg/kg), syringic acid (100.2 mg/kg) and trans-ferulic acid (60.02 mg/kg) as the major compounds. The results of the current study suggested that B. populneus could be a precious source of health-benefitting biomolecules and may be developed as new antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and AChE inhibitors.

Nephroprotective and antioxidant effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) against nicotine-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and characterization of its bioactive compounds by HPLC-DAD.

Nicotine is a potential inducer of oxidative stress, through which it can damage numerous biological molecules. Natural antioxidants that prevent or slow the progression and severity of nicotine toxicity may have a significant health impact. The purpose of this study, conducted on Wistar rats, was to evaluate the beneficial effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract on nicotine treatment-induced damage on kidney. Our results showed that nicotine significantly (p < 0.01) increased serum and kidney malondialdehyde, the serum contents of urea, creatinine, and uric acid. In addition, nicotine intoxication significantly (p < 0.01) decreased the levels of vitamins E and C in serum and kidney tissue as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Interestingly, animals that were pretreated with green tea, prior to nicotine administration, showed a significant nephroprotection, revealed by a significant reduction-induced oxidative damage for all tested markers. The nephroprotective activity of green tea is mediated, at least in part, by the antioxidant effect of its constituents.

HPLC-DAD identification of polyphenols from ethyl acetate extract of Amaranthus spinosus leaves and determination of their antioxidant and antinociceptive effects.

Amaranthus spinosus has been consumed traditionally to prevent various diseases including abdominal pain. In this study, the phytochemical composition, antioxidant and analgesic activities of an ethyl acetate extract of A. spinosus leaves (ASEA) were evaluated. The ASEA had the highest concentrations of total phenols (462.2 mg GAE/g DW), condensed tannin (5.01 mg CE/g DW) and total flavonoid contents (30.07 mg CE/g DW) compared to the chloroform, n-hexane, n-butanol and water extracts. Similarly, ASEA showed the most effective total antioxidant activity (45.45 µg/mL), DPPH scavenging activity (27.32 µg/mL) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (30.60 µg/mL). ASEA with the doses of 200-600 mg/kg (p.o.) clearly demonstrated antinociceptive effects by reducing acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions with a maximal inhibition of 79.57% at 600 mg/kg and increasing latencies of the hot-plate paw-licking response. The tested doses also significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the reaction time in the formalin test at the neurogenic and inflammatory phases. ASEA contained ten polyphenols with caffeic acid being the predominant polyphenol. Overall, this study gave evidence that A. spinosus is a new antioxidant and analgesic agent, and justified its traditional use for the treatment of pain.

Lycium europaeum Extract: A New Potential Antioxidant Source against Cisplatin-Induced Liver and Kidney Injuries in Mice.

This study was designed to assess the protective effects of Lycium europaeum methanol extract (LEM) on liver and kidney injuries induced by cisplatin. The phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, and hepatorenal injury biomarkers were investigated. Results revealed that LEM exhibited a significant antioxidant activity in vitro on DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging assays. In the animal studies, treatment with LEM significantly reduced the effects of cisplatin intoxication on serum liver biomarkers and serum renal biomarkers. Meanwhile, LEM diminishes significantly the effect of cisplatin on the level of lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney tissues. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) were increased in groups pretreated with LEM and quercetin. Additionally, the normal histological structures of the liver and kidney were restored after treatment with LEM. This work clearly demonstrated that L. europaeum may be useful as a drug with hepato-nephroprotective potentials.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant, Analgesic, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Methanolic Extract of Euphorbia retusa in Mice.

Plants provide an alternative source to manage different human disorders due to various metabolites. The aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical constituents of the methanolic extracts of Euphorbia retusa and to evaluate their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities. The phytochemical results obtained by HPLC and by chemical assay reactions have revealed the richness of the methanolic extract of E. retusa in active compounds, in particular polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins. The methanolic extract shows significant antioxidant activities in vitro, in the DPPH and the FRAP assays. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated using acetic acid and hot-plate models of pain in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema. Oral pretreatment with the methanolic extract of E. retusa (200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant inhibition of pain induced either by acetic acid or by the heating plate and in a manner comparable to the standard drug paracetamol. E. retusa significantly reduced paw edema starting from the 3rd hour after carrageenan administration by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) in liver and paw tissues and decreasing the levels of MDA. These results may confirm the interesting potential of this plant as a treatment of various inflammatory and pain diseases.

Lycium europaeum Linn as a source of polysaccharide with in vitro antioxidant activities and in vivo anti-inflammatory and hepato-nephroprotective potentials.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lycium europaeum Linn. is widely used to treat the burning of the skin and well-known as a medicinal plant having various biological activities. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the present study is to characterize the polysaccharide from L. europaeum L. leaves (LEP) and to explore its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepato-nephroprotective properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The structural and functional characteristics of LEP were investigated using X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and FT-IR Spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. Hepato-renal effects were studied using CCl4 and cisplatin-induced liver and kidney injuries in mice, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed on carrageenan-induced paw edema. RESULTS: The LEP showed an interesting water-holding capacity and effective foaming and emulsifying properties. XRD analysis suggested that LEP form a semi-crystalline polymer with an amorphous structure. FT-IR profile showed the presence of pyranose ring in LEP. SEM and helix-coil transition analyses indicated that LEP had a lamellar structure with angular edges and didn't present a triple helical conformation in solution. In vitro, LEP indicated significant concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. In vivo, LEP treatment significantly reduced the effects of CCl4 intoxication on serum liver biomarkers (AST, ALT, LDH, and GGT) and the effect of cisplatin on serum renal biomarkers (urea, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid). Meanwhile, LEP diminishes significantly the effect of CCl4 and cisplatin on the level of lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney tissues, respectively. Additionally, the normal histological structure of liver and kidney was restored after treatment with the polysaccharide. LEP possessed a significant anti-inflammatory activity on acute inflammation induced by carrageenan in mice. CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings of this study support the traditional use of L. europaeum L. This plant may also be used as a good agent for protection against inflammatory diseases and hepato-renal injuries in patients with cancer.

Protective effects of Mentha spicata against nicotine-induced toxicity in liver and erythrocytes of Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Mentha spicata supplementation against nicotine-induced oxidative damage in the liver and erythrocytes of Wistar rats. Bioactive substances were determined by liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization - tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Animals were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each: a normal control group, a nicotine-treated group (1 mg/kg), a group receiving M. spicata extract (100 mg/kg), and a group receiving both M. spicata extract (100 mg/kg) and nicotine (1 mg/kg). Many phenolic acids were identified in the M. spicata aqueous extract. After 2 months of treatment, nicotine induced an increase in the level of white blood cells and a marked decrease in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and haematocrit. Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also found to be higher in nicotine-treated group than those of the control group. Furthermore, nicotine-treated rats exhibited oxidative stress, as evidenced by a decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities and an increase in lipid peroxidation level in liver and erythrocytes. Interestingly, the oral administration of M. spicata extract by nicotine-treated rats alleviated such disturbances. M. spicata contained bioactive compounds that possess important antioxidant potential and protected liver and erythrocytes against nicotine-induced damage.

Evaluation of nutritional values, phenolic profile, aroma compounds and biological properties of Pittosporum tobira seeds.

BACKGROUND: Plant essential oils and phenolic compounds are widely used for their medicinal properties. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional values, the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and anti-hemolytic effects of Pittosporum tobira seeds. METHODS: The aroma compounds were isolated using two methods (Headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and hydrodistillation (HD)) and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Bioactive phenolic compounds were identified by mean of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD). Reducing power, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays were used to investigate antioxidant activity. Anti-hemolytic activity was evaluated using H2O2-induced hemolysis of red blood cells (RBC). RESULTS: Oxygenated sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes were the most volatile fractions identified by HD and HS-SPME coupled to GC-MS but their quality and amount were quite different according to the extraction methodology. The main phenolic compounds identified by HPLC were caffeic acid, followed by cinnamic acid and gallic acid. P. tobira seeds essential oils showed significant antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50 value = 1.5 mg/mL), H2O2 scavenging assay (IC50 value = 159.43 µg/mL) and reducing power test (IC50 value = 0.982 mg/mL) compared to methanolic extract. Moreover, the results revealed that the essential oil was able to protect RBC from hemolysis induced by H2O2. However, the methanolic extract had no effect on H2O2-induced hemolysis of RBC as compared to the essential oil and the standard vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS: P. tobira may be used as a new natural source of antioxidant with therapeutic application in diseases caused by reactive oxygen species. Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Pittosporum tobira seeds.

Phytochemical characterization and bioactivity of Lycium europaeum: A focus on antioxidant, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects.

In this study, the antioxidant, antinociceptive, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective properties and the bioactive composition of Lycium europaeum were investigated. Polyphenols and total tannin contents were measured by colorimetric methods The antioxidant activity in vitro was evaluated using the reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and phosphomolybdenum assays. The hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity effects were studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver and renal injuries in mice. The analgesic activity was explored using the hot-plate and acetic acid tests in mice. Results showed that the methanol fraction of L. europaeum (LEM) had the highest level of total phenolic, total tannin, and flavonoid. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of twelve compounds among them caffeic acid was the major compound (140.18µg/g of extract). This fraction also showed the best antioxidant activity in vitro in the three used assays. In vivo, in the mice studies, CCl4 administration induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by a significant rise in the levels of serum liver biomarkers (gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aminotransferases) and serum renal biomarkers (urea, creatinine, and uric acid). Similarly, levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in both tissues were found increased by CCl4 intoxication. Pretreatment with LEM and quercetin significantly restored the majority of these biological parameters to normal levels, as well as an improvement of histopathological changes. In addition, LEM showed an interesting analgesic activity. LEM decreased significantly the number of writhing induced by acetic acid and prolonged the reaction time in response to thermal stimulus in mice. Therefore, it was speculated that the obtained results highlighted the potential use of L. europaeum as a source of bioactive compounds with pharmacological advantages.