Nutritional Content of Vietnamese Edible Bird’s Nest from Selected Regions

Aims: Edible bird’s nest is well known as health food and Chinese’s traditional medicine. Edible bird’s nest is made from saliva secretions of the swiftlets, genus Aerodramus, whose habitats are Southeast Asian countries. This study reports on the nutritional content of edible bird’s nest of two different sources - house-farmed bird’s nest (Long An and Kien Giang Province) and cave bird’s nest (Khanh Hoa Province) in Vietnam. Methodology: Samples were collected from three different selected regions of Vietnam. Determination of protein, lipid and carbohydrate content was performed by AOAC Official Method 2001.12 (2005), AOAC Official Method 986.25 (2012) and FAO (1986), respectively. Meanwhile, Analysis of amino acid was conducted using Shimadzu gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID 2010) (EZ: faastTM USER’S MANUAL). Results: Analytical results showed that the most abundant component found in these edible bird’s nests was protein (49.43 - 51.17%), followed by carbohydrate (36.93 - 38.53%), and lipid (0.01 - 0.04%). Fifteen amino acids including seven essential amino acids were found in the house-farmed bird’s nest while seventeen amino acids including eight essential were identified in cave bird’s nest. Proline (3.68 - 4.69%), aspartic acid (3.58 - 4.52%), and serine (3.74 - 4.09%) were the major amino acids found in both house-farmed and cave bird’s nests while lysine was found to be the lowest concentration (0.74 - 0.87%). Methionine and 4-hydroxyproline were presented only in the cave bird’s nest. Conclusion: These findings indicate that there has been no significant difference in the content of protein, carbohydrate, and lipid (p > .05); however, the quality and quantity of some amino acids could be considered to be one of the key factors making the difference (p < .05) between house-farmed and cave edible bird’s nest.

Investigation on the in vitro antioxidant capacity of methanol extract, fractions and flavones from Oroxylum indicum Linn bark

ABSTRACT Antioxidants from natural sources hold high values regarding their indispensible roles in the development of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products. Oroxylum indicum L. is a common medicinal plant with a wide range of therapeutic properties, including a notable antioxidant potency that was reported, yet has not been subjected to more detailed studies. The present study evaluated the potency of Oroxylum indicum methanol stem bark extract, along with its hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol fractions, three flavones including baicalein, oroxylin A and chrysin using DPPH assay. In terms of IC50 values, the crude extract (65,48 µg/mL) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity which was as half potent as that of its ethyl acetate fraction (32,94 µg/mL). This fraction was also superior to the methanol and hexane fractions, as their IC50 were 57,19 and 137,95 µg/mL respectively. Remarkably, a yellow powdery sub-fraction consisted of isolated compounds showed powerful activity (32,89 µg/mL) compared to those of its components, revealing the intriguing effect of synergism while giving evidence for the theory of structure-activity relationship between some flavones and their antioxidant capability. Perpetual search for new radical scavenging agents in Oroxylum indicum is emboldened considering its partially exploited potential in this study

In vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Active Compounds from Methanolic Extract of Pteris multifida Poir. Leaves.

Aims: To isolate pure compounds from the methanolic fraction obtained from successive fractionation of defatted ethanolic extract and evaluate in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of the crude ethanolic extract, methanolic fraction and pure compounds isolated from methanolic fraction from leaves of Pteris multifida Poir. Study Design: Isolation and identification of the compounds, evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activity on cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), lung carcinoma cell line (NCIH460) and breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7). Place and Duration of Study: Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City and School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, between December 2012 and September 2013. Methodology: The crude ethanolic leaf extract and methanolic fraction obtained from successive fractionation of defatted ethanolic extract from Pteris multifida leaves were prepared. The isolated compounds from methanolic fraction were identified using different spectroscopic techniques. Antioxidant activity of the samples was evaluated by using the stable free radical 2, 2- diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay was exploited for determination of anticancer activity against three selected human cancer cell lines: HeLa, NCI-H460 and MCF-7. Results: Two main compounds were isolated from methanolic fraction obtained from successive fractionation of defatted ethanolic extract: rutin (1) and apigenin-7-O-β-Dglucopyranoside (2). The crude ethanolic leaf extract showed weak antioxidant activity (IC50 = 89.84 μg/mL) whereas the methanolic fraction expressed quite strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 21.9 μg/mL). Rutin (1) showed a good ingredient of antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 37.70 ± 0.03 μg/mL. Crude ethanolic leaf extract had cytotoxic activity against HeLa and NCI-H460 cell lines while the methanolic fraction had cytotoxic activity against HeLa, NCI-H460 and MCF-7 cell lines. Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2) had strong anticancer activity against MCF-7 cell line with IC50 = 22.62 ± 0.59 μg/mL. Conclusion: The crude ethanolic leaf extract and its methanolic fraction of P. multifida showed the potential activity in antioxidant and anticancer activity. Rutin had a potent antioxidant activity while apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside had a strong anticancer activity against the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7.

Preparation and Evaluation of Annona glabra L. Leaf Extract Contained Alginate Film for Burn Healing.

Aims: To prepare and evaluate herbal wound dressing comprising of Annona glabra L. leaf extract and calcium alginate on experimental animal models. Study design: Qualitative analysis for phytochemicals was carried out. Wound dressing material was formulated and characterized before the efficacy of formula was evaluated. Place and Duration of Study: School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, between August, 2012 and May, 2013. Methodology: Phytochemicals from ethanol leaf extract were screened by standard methods. Extract-loaded calcium alginate films were first dried cast from the gel formulations of 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, 4.0%, and 0% (w/v) extract. The dried film morphologies and in vivo wound healing profiles were then investigated. Third-degree burn wounds were induced in Swiss albino mice divided into seven groups of 5 mice each. Groups I-V were given formula containing 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0%, 4.0%, and 0% (w/v) extract, respectively. Group VI (negative control) received no treatment at all while group VII (positive control) was applied the standard dressing, Urgo Algoplaque (Laboratories Urgo). Results: Phytoconstituents that were detected including flavonoids, glycosides, saponins tannins, steroids, acidic compounds, and anthraquinones. There was a negligible difference in the physicochemical appearance of the prepared dressings. The topical application of these extract-loaded films with a dose of up to 4% extract accelerated significantly (P<0.001) wound healing process compared to the standard dressing Urgo Algoplaque. Groups I-IV were healed in a mean time of 16.8, 14.6, 11.6, and 11 days respectively, which were even faster than that of the standard dressing (18.4 days). The most prominent formula facilitated wound contraction without dermal irritation was the film impregnated 3.0% extract. Conclusion: Administration of the A. glara contained dressing promotes burn healing as evidenced by decreased healing time and faster wound contraction. It could be stated that A. glabra leaves possess wound healing property.