Influence of extraction solvents on the chemical constituents and biological activities of Astragalus aduncus from Turkey flora: In vitro and in silico insights.

The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, ethanol/water (70% ethanol), and water extracts of Astragalus aduncus aerial parts were investigated for their antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition activity (anti-acetylcholinesterase [AChE], anti-butyrylcholinesterase [BChE], antityrosinase, antiamylase, and antiglucosidase) and antiproliferative effect (against colon adenocarcinoma cell line [HT-29], gastric cancer cell line [HGC-27], prostate carcinoma cell line [DU-145], breast adenocarcinoma cell line [MDA-MB-231], and cervix adenocarcinoma cell line [HeLa]). In addition, the phytochemical profile of the extracts was evaluated using validated spectrophotometric and high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectroscopy methods. Generally, the 70% ethanol extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant properties, and it was the richest source of total phenolic constituents. Our findings indicated that the ethyl acetate extract was the most potent BChE inhibitor (11.44 mg galantamine equivalents [GALAE]/g) followed by the ethanol extract (8.51 mg GALAE/g), while the ethanol extract was the most promising AChE inhibitor (3.42 mg GALAE/g) followed by the ethanol/water extract (3.17 mg GALAE/g). Excellent tyrosinase inhibitory activity (66.25 mg kojic acid equivalent/g) was observed in ethanol/water extracts of the aerial part of A. aduncus. Тhese results showed that the most cytotoxic effects were exhibited by the ethyl acetate extract against HGC-27 cells (IC50: 36.76 µg/mL), the ethanol extract against HT-29 cells (IC50: 30.79 µg/mL), and the water extract against DU-145 cells (IC50: 37.01 µg/mL). A strong correlation was observed between the highest total flavonoid content and the highest content of individual compounds in the ethanol extract, including rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside (delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside), and kaempferol-3-glucoside (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside). In the present study, the A. aduncus plant was considered a new source of antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, and anticancer agents and could be used as a future health-benefit natural product.

Plants-occurring Anthraquinones as Photosensitive Compounds for Photodynamic Method: A Critical Overview.

The review focuses on the recent knowledge on natural anthraquinones (AQs) of plant origin and their potential for application in an exclusive medicinal curative and palliative method named photodynamic therapy (PDT). Green approach to PDT is associated with photosensitizers (PS) from plants or other natural sources and excitation light in visible spectrum. The investigations of plants are of high research interests due to their unique health supportive properties as herbs and the high percentage availability to obtain compounds with medical value. Up-to-date many naturally occurring compounds with therapeutic properties are known and are still under investigations. Some natural quinones have already been evaluated and clinically approved as anti-tumor agents. Recent scientific interests are beyond their common medical applications but also in directions to their photo-properties as natural PSs. The study presents a systematic searches on the latest knowledge on AQ derivatives that are isolated from the higher plants as photosensitizers for PDT applications. The natural quinones have been recognized with functions of natural dyes since the ancient times. Lately, AQs have been explored due to their biological activity including the photosensitive properties useful for PDT especially towards medical problems with no other alternatives. The existing literature' overview suggests that natural AQs possess characteristics of valuable PSs for PDT. This method is based on an application of a photoactive compound and light arrangement in oxygen media, such that the harmful general cytotoxicity could be avoided. Moreover, the common anticancer and antimicrobial drug resistance has been evaluated with very low occurrence after PDT. Natural AQs have been focused the scientific efforts to further developments because of the high range of natural sources, desirable biocompatibility, low toxicity, minimal side effects and low accident of drug resistance, together with their good photosensitivity and therapeutic capacity. Among the known AQs, only hypericin has been studied in anticancer clinical PDT. Currently, the natural PSs are under intensive research for the future PDT applications for diseases without alternative effective treatments.

Metabolomics-based pharmaceutical evaluation of different parts of Swertia chirayita (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham. ex C.B. Clarke from the western Himalayas.

Swertia species are common ingredients in numerous herbal remedies. It is also used to treat a wide range of illnesses and possess diverse therapeutic activities. The aim of the study is to elucidate the comprehensive metabolomics profile of Swertia chirayita and the role of various extraction methods in the phytochemical compositions of the extracts of S. chirayita, and their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. Extraction of the stems, leaves, and flowering tops of S. chirayita was performed by maceration, infusion, and soxhlation using methanol and water as solvent. Extracts were subjected to phytochemical profiling by a liquid-chromatographic system. Antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity was carried out. The metabolomics profiling showed that a diverse range of specialized metabolites were present in the stems and leaves & flowering tops of the plant. All the extracts showed substantial antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities further confirmed by molecular docking studies. This study appraised the use of S. chirayita aerial parts as a potential antioxidant and its therapeutic application in various chronic illnesses including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and other skin-related disorders.

Comparative Study on the Chemical Profile, Antioxidant Activity, and Enzyme Inhibition Capacity of Red and White Hibiscus sabdariffa Variety Calyces.

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Family: Malvaceae) is believed to be domesticated by the people of western Sudan sometime before 4000 BC for their nutritional and medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the chemical profile, antioxidant activity, and enzyme inhibition property of extracts from red roselle (RR) and white roselle (WR) varieties grown in Sudan. Three aqueous extracts obtained by maceration, infusion, and decoction, in addition to the methanolic one, were prepared from the two roselle varieties. Results showed that the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents of RR were obtained from the extracts prepared by infusion (28.40 mg GAE/g) and decoction (7.94 mg RE/g) respectively, while those from the WR were recorded from the methanolic extract (49.59 mg GAE/g and 5.81 mg RE/g respectively). Extracts of RR were mainly characterized by high accumulation of chlorogenic acid (6502.34-9634.96 mg kg-1), neochlorogenic acid (937.57-8949.61 mg kg-1), and gallic acid (190-4573.55 mg kg-1). On the other hand, neochlorogenic acid (1777.05-6946.39 mg kg-1) and rutin (439.29-2806.01 mg kg-1) were the dominant compounds in WR. All extracts from RR had significant (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity than their respective WR except in their metal chelating power, where the methanolic extract of the latter showed the highest activity (3.87 mg EDTAE/g). RR extracts prepared by infusion recorded the highest antioxidant values (35.09, 52.17, 65.62, and 44.92 mg TE/g) in the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), CUPRAC (cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays, respectively. All aqueous extracts from the WR exerted significant (p < 0.05) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (3.42-4.77 mg GALAE/g; GALAE = galantamine equivalents), while only one extract, obtained by maceration, from RR exerted AChE inhibitory activity (4.79 mg GALAE/g). All extracts of the RR showed relatively higher BChE (butyrylcholinesterase) inhibitory activity (3.71-4.23 mg GALAE/g) than the WR ones. Methanolic extracts of the two roselle varieties displayed the highest Tyr (tyrosinase) inhibitory activity (RR = 48.25 mg KAE/g; WR = 42.71 mg KAE/g). The methanolic extract of RR exhibited the highest amylase (0.59 mmol ACAE/g) and glucosidase (1.46 mmol ACAE/g) inhibitory activity. Molecular docking analysis showed that delphinidin 3,5-diglucoside, rutin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, and chlorogenic acid exerted the most promising enzyme inhibitory effect. In conclusion, these findings indicated that the chemical profiles and biological activity of roselle varied according to the variety, extraction solvent, and technique used. These two roselle varieties can serve as a valuable source for the development of multiple formulations in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Appraisals on the chemical characterization and biological potentials of Ranunculus constantinopolitanus extracts using chromatographic, computational, and molecular network approaches.

In this context, phytochemicals were extracted from Ranunculus constantinopolitanus using ethyl acetate (EA), ethanol, ethanol/water (70%), and water solvent. The analysis encompassed quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid content using spectrophotometric assays, chemical profiling via high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for the extracts, and assessment of antioxidant activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), metal chelating (MCA), and phosphomolybdenum (PBD) assays. Moreover, antimicrobial activity was assessed against four different bacterial strains, as well as various yeasts. Enzyme inhibitory activities were evaluated against five types of enzymes. Additionally, the extracts were examined for their anticancer and protective effects on several cancer cell lines and the human normal cell line. All of the extracts exhibited significant levels of ferulic acid, kaempferol, and caffeic acid. All tested extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity, with Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being most sensitive to EA and ethanol extracts. Molecular docking studies revealed that kaempferol-3-O-glucoside strong interactions with AChE, BChE and tyrosinase. In addition, network pharmacology showed an association between gastric cancer and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside. Based on the results, R. constantinopolitanus can be a potential reservoir of bioactive compounds for future bioproduct innovation and pharmaceutical industries.

Metabolomics profiling and biological properties of root extracts from two Asphodelus species: A. albus and A. aestivus.

The pharmacological properties of Asphodelus species have been advocated previously. In this respect, the present study attempts to unravel the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity of root extracts of two Asphodelus species, namely, A. albus and A. aestivus. Data gathered demonstrated that the dichloromethane (25.49, 51.30, 104.31, and 81.58 mg Trolox equivalents [TEs]/g, for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH], 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS], cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity [CUPRAC], and ferric reducing antioxidant power[FRAP] assays respectively) and ethyl acetate (20.60, 41.86, 89.07, and 57.85 mg TEs/g, for DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays respectively) extracts of A. albus roots showed highest radical scavenging and reducing potential. These findings were in accordance with total phenolic content observed which showed the highest phenolic content of A. albus dichloromethane (30.74 mg gallic acid equivalents [GAEs]/g) and ethyl acetate (23.41 mg GAEs/g) extracts. Interestingly, A. albus and A. aestivus root extracts were active inhibitors of tyrosinase and lipase, with values varying from 56.52 to 71.49 mg kojic acid equivalent/g and 34.88 to 86.32 mg orlistat equivalent/g, respectively. Flavonoids, anthraquinones, and phenolic acids were identified as main individual compounds in chemical profile analysis. This is the first report of the presence of aloin A, aloin B, and aloesin in species other than in Aloe. Scientific evidences gathered from this study claimed the biological activity of the studied Asphodelus species and provided rationale for further investigations which might lead to the development of novel pharmacophores to alleviate oxidative stress related complications, obesity, as well as, skin hyperpigmentation complications.

A comparative study of UHPLC/Orbitrap MS metabolomics profiles and biological properties of Asphodeline taurica from Bulgaria and Turkey.

The present investigation attempts to compare the pharmacological properties and phytochemical profile of four extracts (ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol, and water) of Asphodeline taurica (Pall.) Endl. roots from Bulgaria and Turkey. The Bulgarian ethyl acetate extract displayed the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH, CUPRAC, and phosphomolybdenum assay, and strongest inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The Turkish aqueous extract exhibited the strongest ABTS scavenging and ferric reducing power while its methanol extract was the most effective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitor. On the other hand, the Turkish dichloromethane extract showed the highest lipase inhibition. UHPLC/Orbitrap MS analysis showed a wide array of individual phenolics; six free anthraquinones, two bianthraquinones, three bianthracenes, three anthraquinone glycosides and one bianthracen glycoside were identified. The present data suggest that A. taurica roots can be considered as a valuable source of biologically active phytocompounds with functional properties for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Chemical characterization with in vitro biological activities of Gypsophila species.

Methanol-aqueous extracts from the aerial parts of Gypsophila glomerata (GGE), G. trichotoma (GTE) and G. perfoliata (GPE) were investigated for antioxidant potential using different in vitro models, as well as for phenolic and flavonoid contents. The possible anti-cholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase, anti-amylase and anti-glucosidase activities were also tested. The flavonoid variability was analyzed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Eleven C-glycosyl flavones and 4 O-glycosyl flavonoids, including 2"-O-pentosyl-6-C-hexosyl-apigenin/methylluteolin, as well as their mono(di)-acetyl derivatives were found in GGE. Both GGE and GTE shared 2"-pentosyl-6-C-hexosyl-luteolin together with the common saponarin, homoorientin, orientin, isovitexin and vitexin, while di C-glycosyl flavones were evidenced only in GPE. The highest radical scavenging in both ABTS and DPPH assays was noted in GPE, as well as ferric and cupric reducing abilities. However, GTE had the strongest metal chelating activity (17.44 ±â€¯0.51 mg EDTAE/g extract). GPE and GGE were more potent as acetylcholinesterases inhibitors witnessed by 2.09 ±â€¯0.02 mg GALAE/g extract and 1.59 ±â€¯0.09 mgGALAE/g extract, respectively. All flavonoids were found in G. glomerata for the first time. Therefore, further isolation and structural elucidation of newly described acetylated flavonoids are needed in order to determine their relevance in the beneficial properties of the plant.

Multicomponent pattern and biological activities of seven Asphodeline taxa: potential sources of natural-functional ingredients for bioactive formulations.

The current study was carried out to evaluate multicomponent pattern, biological and enzymatic activities of seven Asphodeline taxa root extracts as useful ingredients, due to the fact that these plants are commonly used as traditional food supplements in Turkish regions. The extracts were characterized for free anthraquinones and phenolics to obtain a specific chemical fingerprint useful for quality control. These analyzes were coupled to biological and enzymatic activities in order to obtain comprehensive information of the natural product. Free anthraquinones and phenolics were determined using validated HPLC-PDA methods. Antioxidant properties were determined by different procedures including free radical scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating assays. Ames assay was performed to evaluate mutagenic/antimutagenic properties. Enzyme inhibitory activities were tested against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. From the herein reported results, Asphodeline could be valuable for the production of bioactive products or food supplements for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of Asphodeline lutea (L.) Rchb. roots extract in experimental models in vitro/in vivo.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Asphodeline lutea (L.) Rchb. dry root extract (ALE) administered alone and against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury in vitro/in vivo. The dried roots of A. lutea were extracted with 70% ethanol and was characterized with HPLC-UV. Hepatoprotective potential was investigated by in vivo/in vitro assays in Wistar rats as well as antioxidant properties. At concentrations ranging from 10 to 200µg/mL of ALE significant cytotoxic effects on isolated hepatocytes were found. ALE showed some toxicity in Wistar rats discerned by increased ALT (Alanine transaminase), ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) activities and MDA (malondialdehyde) quantity, decreased GSH (reduced glutathione) levels without affecting the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (GPx (Gluthatione peroxidase), GR (Glutathione reductase) and GST (Glutathione-S-transferase activity)). The antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of ALE was also observed in vitro/in vivo against CCl4-induced liver injury, where ALE normalizes all the examined parameters perturbated by CCl4 administration. In addition, ALE preserved the decreased cytochrome P450 level and EMND (Ethylmorphine-N-Demethylase) activity without affecting AH (Aniline 4-Hydroxylase) activity. ALE is rich in anthraquinones, naphthalenes and caffeic acid. The pro-oxidant effects of ALE could be due to naphthalene and anthraquinone bioactivation pathways involving toxic metabolites.

Bulgaria mental health country profile.

The mental health profile of Bulgaria has been compiled and following analysis of both the factual findings and the process of data collection a report has been prepared. The subject of discussion in the paper concerns several major findings: the discrepancy between what the policy documents state and the actual situation in mental health; the organizational culture, which alienates; and the peculiarities of the process of change and how it is driven under political pressure from outside the country. Analysis extends to encompass the influence of the general health reform on the mental health sector, the deficits of the leadership and how they impact on the effectiveness of the system, and the interdependence between the country's economy and the health sector. A conclusion is made about the need to consolidate the public health approach using the lever of international collaboration in the field of mental health.