Phytochemical screening, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of Geranium pusillum leaves.

Traditional medicinal plants play an important role in primary health care worldwide. The phytochemical screening and activities of Geranium pusillum were investigated in this research. The dried plant leaves were extracted with ethanol, n-hexane, chloroform, dichloromethane, methanol, acetone, and aqueous solvents. These extracts were qualitatively analyzed, GC-MS, antimicrobial activities by using the disc diffusion method, antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging, and cytotoxic activity was analyzed by the hemolytic activity of human red blood cells. The results showed phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, phenols, saponins, tannins, and cardiac glycosides were detected in plant leaves. The ethanol extract at a concentration of 10 mg/mL showed a maximum inhibition zone 17.5 ± 0.09, 15.6 ± 0.11, 14.2 ± 0.17, 18.4 ± 0.11, 16.6 ± 0.15, 12.5 ± 0.13, 15.9 ± 0.10, and 13.1 ± 0.11 mm, and at 15 mg/mL showed 24.5 ± 0.09, 27.2 ± 0.12, 26.3 ± 0.17, 28.4 ± 0.10, 27.9 ± 0.16, 22.5 ± 0.13, 27.1 ± 0.10, and 24.1 ± 0.16 mm against Escherichia coli, Pasturella multocida (gram-negative), Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilus (gram-positive), Rhizopus solani, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Alternaria alternate (fungal strain), respectively, and dichloromethane showed a minimum inhibition zone as compared to other extracts against bacterial as well as fungal strains. Chloroform extract had maximum antioxidant activity (45.00 ± 0.08%) and minimum in dichloromethane (12.20 ± 0.04%). Cytotoxic activity was found maximum in acetone extract (19.83 ± 0.07%) and minimum in ethanol extract (4.72 ± 0.04%). It is concluded that phytochemicals like phenols, flavonoids, and others may be responsible for these activities, which is why this plant is used for traditional medicine. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Geranium pusillum has therapeutic properties that exhibit various biological activities beneficial for human health. G. pusillum has significant inhibitory effects against bacterial and fungal strains. Chloroform solvent extract indicates potential free radical scavenging abilities. Acetone extract exhibits notable effects on human red blood cells and demonstrates significant cytotoxic activity.

Appraisal of potentially toxic metals contamination in protein supplements for muscle growth: A chemometric approach and associated human health risks.

BACKGROUND: The use of protein supplements by athletes has risen due to their effectiveness in meeting dietary needs. However, there is a growing concern about the presence of potentially toxic metals (PTMs. Al, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in these supplements. Consequently, it is crucial to evaluate the levels of these PTMs to ensure the safety of the supplements. METHODS: The objective of the current study was to assess the PTMs concentrations in protein supplements and examine any possible health hazards. Twenty-five samples of protein supplements were purchased from different pharmacies to screen them for metals. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was utilized to analyze metal content. Additionally, chemometric methods such as Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC), principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were employed to identify possible sources of PTMs contamination in protein supplements. RESULTS: Concentration ranges for PTMs were found as, Al (0.03-3.05 mg/kg), Cr (0.11-0.89 mg/kg), Mn (1.13-8.40 mg/kg), Ni (0.06-0.71 mg/kg), Cu (1.05-5.51 mg/kg), Zn (2.14-27.10 mg/kg), Cd (0.01-0.78 mg/kg), and Pb (0.06-0.57 mg/kg). The weekly intake of Cd exceeded the level of tolerable weekly intake (TWI) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). CONCLUSION: Athletes, bodybuilders, fitness enthusiasts, dieters, young adults and adolescents, and health-conscious individuals should be conscious of Cd concentration as it does not compliance the TWI set by EFSA. Target hazard quotient (THQ < 1), hazard index (HI < 1), margin of exposure (MOE ≥ 1), percentile permitted daily exposure (% PDE < 100), and cumulative cancer risk (CCR < 1 × 10-3) analyses revealed that there are no appreciable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with the use of these products.