Chemical Characterization and Multidirectional Biological Effects of Different Solvent Extracts of Arum elongatum: in Vitro and in Silico Approaches.

Arum elongatum (Araceae) is widely used traditionally for the treatment of abdominal pain, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, rheumatism and hemorrhoids. This study investigated the antioxidant properties, individual phenolic compounds, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents (HPLC/MS analysis), reducing power and metal chelating effects of four extracts obtained from A. elongatum (ethyl acetate (EA), methanol (MeOH), methanol/water (MeOH/water) and infusion). The inhibitory activity of the extracts were also determined against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase and glucosidase enzymes. The MeOH/water extracts contained the highest amount of phenolic contents (28.85 mg GAE/g) while the highest total flavonoid content was obtained with MeOH extract (36.77 mg RE/g). MeOH/water demonstrated highest antioxidant activity against DPPH⋅ radical at 38.90 mg Trolox equivalent per gram. The infusion extract was the most active against ABTS+ ⋅ (133.08 mg TE/g). MeOH/water extract showed the highest reducing abilities with the CUPRAC value of 102.22 mg TE/g and the FRAP value of 68.50 mg TE/g. A strong metal chelating effect was observed with MeOH/water extract (35.72 mg EDTAE/g). The PBD values of the extracts ranged from 1.01 to 2.17 mmol TE/g. EA extract displayed the highest inhibitory activity against AChE (2.32 mg GALAE/g), BChE (3.80 mg GALAE/g), α-amylase (0.56 mmol ACAE/g) and α-glucosidase (9.16 mmol ACAE/g) enzymes. Infusion extract was the most active against tyrosinase enzyme with a value of 83.33 mg KAE/g. A total of 28 compounds were identified from the different extracts. The compounds present in the highest concentration were chlorogenic acids, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, isoquercitrin, delphindin 3,5-diglucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside and hyperoside. The biological activities of A. elongatum extracts could be due to the presence of compounds such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acids, ellagic acid, epicatechin, catechin, kaempferol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, isoquercitrin, and hyperoside. Extracts of A. elongatum showed promising biological activities which warrants further investigations in an endeavor to develop biopharmaceuticals.

Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activities of Different Extracts of Three Parts of Paliurus spina-christi: A Linkage between Structure and Ability.

Paliurus spina-christi Mill., a member of the Rhamnaceae family, is a traditionally used medicinal plant in the management of a panoply of human ailments. The current research focused on its phytochemical profile and biological properties evaluated by its antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties. The methanol extract was found to be the most effective antioxidant as evidenced by its DPPH and ABTS scavenging activities, cupric and ferric reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), and high activity in phosphomolybdenum (PBD) assay, and also displayed the highest anti-tyrosinase activity. The n-hexane extract was the most effective AChE inhibitor (8.89 ± 0.08 mg GALAE/g) followed by the methanol (8.64 ± 0.01 mg GALAE/g) while the latter showed the highest BChE inhibition (2.50 ± 0.05 mg GALAE/g). Among the different solvent extracts of the stem, the methanolic extract showed highest antioxidant activity in the following assays: DPPH (909.88 ± 4.25 mg TE/g), ABTS (3358.33 ± 51.14 mg TE/g), CUPRAC (781.88 ± 16.37 mg TE/g), FRAP (996.70 ± 47.28 mg TE/g), and PBD (4.96 ± 0.26 mmol TE/g), while the dichloromethane extract showed the highest MCA (28.80 ± 0.32 mg EDTAE/g). The methanol extracts revealed the highest TPC and TFC among the different solvents used, and as for plant part, the stem extracts had the highest TPC ranging from 22.36 ± 0.26 to 121.78 ± 1.41 (mg GAE/g), while the leaf extracts showed the highest TFC ranging from 8.43 ± 0.03 to 75.36 ± 0.92 (mg RE/g). Our findings tend to provide additional scientific evidence on the biological and chemical activities of P. spina-christi, which may serve as a source of naturally occurring bioactive chemicals with potential biomedical applications.

Total Bioactive Contents, Metabolic Profiling, Docking Studies, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Convolvulus Arvensis L. and Multivariate Analysis to Unravel a Potential Herb as Natural Resource for Pharmaceutical Industry.

Convolvulus arvensis L. is an evergreen herb growing in various regions of Pakistan. Despite of several medicinal properties associated to this herb, it was not investigated scientifically for its bioactive compounds and detailed pharmaceutical properties. Therefore, its methanolic extract was divided into hexane (CA-H), chloroform (CA-C), ethyl acetate (CA-E) and butanol (CA-B) soluble fractions. CA-H and CA-C were found rich in phenolics (30.73±0.63 and 20.15±0.59 mg GAE/g of the extract, respectively), and the same fractions exhibited significant antioxidant activities (DPPH: 5.23±0.11 & 12.34±0.17 mg TE/g extract, respectively; ABTS: 36.82±0.04 & 56.74±0.61 mg TE/g extract, respectively). Also in CUPRAC activity assay, CA-H and CA-C exhibited highest activities as 87.30±0.46 and 56.74±0.61 mg TE/g extract, respectively, while CA-C was most active in FRAP activity assay with value of 40.21±2.19 mg TE/g extract. Total antioxidant capacity (1.23±0.033 mmol TE/g extract) was also found higher for CA-C, while CA-H activity was also comparable, however, CA-H showed higher metal chelating activity (22.74±0.001 mg EDTAE/g extract) than that of CA-C (17.55±0.22 mg EDTAE/g extract). These activities clearly revealed a direct relation between antioxidant potential and phenolic contents of CA-H and CA-C. In AChE and BChE inhibitory assay, CA-H and CA-E showed better inhibition (AChE: 8.24±0.77 & 4.46±0.007 mg GALAE/g extract; BChE: 5.40±0.02 & 1.92±0.24 mg GALAE/g extract) as compared to other fractions, whereas, against tyrosinase, CA-B was most active (37.35±0.53 mg KAE/g extract). CA-H and CA-C also showed higher inhibitory potential (0.98±0.08 & 0.58±0.01 mmol ACAE/g extract) against α-Amylase; while against α-Glucosidase, CA-E was the most active fraction. UHPLC/MS analysis of the methanolic extract of C. arvensis disclosed the presence of 62 compounds as sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, alkaloids and coumarins. In Multivariate Analysis, the total phenolic contents were correlated strongly with all antioxidant assays except FRAP and DPPH. Regarding enzyme inhibitory properties, only AChE, BChE and α-amylase were correlated with the total phenolic contents in the extracts. Docking analyses confirmed these findings, as identified compounds had high binding free energy and inhibition constants with the enzymes studied. It was finally concluded that C. arvensis is a potential industrial crop, which can be a component of nutraceuticals and functional foods, if evaluated for its toxicity.

Endemic and Indigenous Plants from Mascarene Islands with Antiviral Propensities.

BACKGROUND: Antiviral resistance and inefficiency of available antiviral drugs to effectively treat viral infections have prompted many researchers worldwide to explore medicinal plants and their isolated compounds as alternative antivirals. The rich flora from the Mascarene Islands has also been thoroughly studied for their wide therapeutic activities, including their antiviral properties. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to highlight the antiviral propensities of Mascarene endemic and indigenous medicinal plants. METHODOLOGY: A review of the literature was conducted via major databases and other primary sources of information. The inhibitory concentration/effective dose causing 50% viral inhibition (IC50/ED50), cytotoxic concentration causing 50% reduction in cell viability (CC50), and selectivity index (SI) were reported, and mechanisms of antiviral action were also discussed. RESULTS: Stillingia lineata was the most effective against chikungunya virus (SI: 10.9), and among its isolated compounds, 12-O-acetylphorbol-13(2″-methyl)- butyrate and 12-deoxyphorbol- 13(2″-methyl)butyrate were the most potent and selective inhibitors of chikungunya virus replication (SI: 41 and >240, respectively). 12-O-acetylphorbol-13(2″-methyl)- butyrate, 12ß-O-[nona- 2Z,4E,6E-trienoyl]-4α-deoxyphorbol-13-butyrate, 12-deoxyphorbol-13(2″-methyl)butyrate, and 12-deoxyphorbol-13-[8'-oxohexadeca-2E,4E,6E-trienoate showed strong selective antiviral effect on human immunodeficiency virus-I (SI: 36-899) and II (SI: 33-2056). Obetia ficifolia and Erythroxylon laurifolium were most active against the herpes virus (SI: 18.5 and 16, respectively). Labourdonnaisia glauca showed potent anti-poliovirus activity (SI: 40), while Badula insularis, Labourdonnaisia glauca and Myonima violacea were active against rhinovirus (SI: 1.3-2.5). Both anti-zika and anti-dengue virus activities were reported for Aphloia theiformis, Doratoxylon apetalum, Phyllanthus phillyreifolius and Psiloxylon mauritianum. CONCLUSION: Promising spectrum of antiviral properties notably against zika, dengue, chikungunya, polio-, rhino-, herpes, and human immunodeficiency viruses were presented by the Mascarene plants suggesting them as viable candidates for the potential development of effective natural antiviral drugs.

A comprehensive evaluation of the chemical profiles and biological properties of six geophytes from Turkey: Sources of bioactive compounds for novel nutraceuticals.

Geophytes are gaining interest as sources of natural ingredients in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical area. In this sense, six bulbous plant species from Turkey are investigated, namely Hyacinthella campanulata K.Perss. & Wendelbo, Muscari neglectum Guss. ex Ten., Tulipa humilis herb., Iris stenophylla Hausskn. ex Baker, Galanthus elwesii Hook. f. and Crocus danfordiae Maw. with the aim to highlight their chemical compositions and biological properties. Polyphenolic profiles of the different plant parts (flower, bulb and leaf) of the six genotypes were evaluated using colorimetric methods as well LC-MS/MS. The antioxidant properties and enzymes inhibitory potential (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase and cholinesterases) of the extracts were determined. Overall, highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were observed in the leaf extracts of the studied species, except for M. neglectum (flower extract) and T. humilis (flower extract). LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the abundance of some phenolic compounds including quinic acid, hesperidin and chlorogenic acid in selective extracts. The extracts showed significant antioxidant potentials, with leaf extract of the I. stenophylla being more potent, which is linked to its high phenolic contents. All the extracts displayed notable anti-acetylcholinesterase (1.77 - 2.53 mg GALAE/g) and tyrosinase (54.9-67.20 mg KAE/g). Selective extracts have showed activity against butyrylcholinesterase, with bulb extract of M. neglectum (2.99 mg GALAE/g), I. stenophylla (2.53 mg GALAE/g) and G. elwesii (2.52 mg GALAE/g) showing highest activity. Modest activity was observed against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The experimental data gathered herein is the first report on the phytochemical and biological attributes of these bulbous plant species which project them as potential sources of biologically active compounds for phytomedicines and nutraceuticals development.

GC/MS Profiling, In Vitro and In Silico Pharmacological Screening and Principal Component Analysis of Essential Oils from Three Exotic and Two Endemic Plants from Mauritius.

The chemical and pharmacological profiles of essential oils (EOs) hydrodistilled in yields of 0.03-0.77 % (w/w) from three exotic (Cinnamomum camphora, Petroselinum crispum, and Syzygium samarangense) and two endemic (Pittosporum senacia subsp. senacia and Syzygium coriaceum) medicinal plants were studied. GC-MS/GC-FID analysis of the EOs identified the most dominant components to be myristicin (40.3 %), myrcene (62.2 %), 1,8-cineole (54.0 %), ß-pinene (21.3 %) and (E)-ß-ocimene (24.4 %) in P. crispum, P. senacia and C. camphora, S. samarangense and S. coriaceum EOs, respectively. All EOs were found to possess anti-amylase (0.70-1.50 mM ACAE/g EO) and anti-tyrosinase (109.35-158.23 mg KAE/g) properties, whereas no glucosidase inhibition was displayed. Only Syzygium EOs acted as dual inhibitors of both acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterases, while P. senacia and C. camphora EOs inhibited acetylcholinesterase selectively and P. crispum EO was inactive (AChE: 4.64-4.96 mg GALAE/g; BChE: 5.96 and 7.10 mg GALAE/g). Molecular docking revealed 1,8-cineole to present the best binding affinities with butyrylcholinesterase, amylase and tyrosinase, while both myristicin and ß-pinene with acetylcholinesterase and finally ß-pinene with glucosidase. In vitro antioxidant potency was also demonstrated in different assays (DPPH: 13.52-53.91 mg TE/g, ABTS: 5.49-75.62 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 45.38-243.21 mg TE/g, FRAP: 42.49-110.64 mg TE/g; and phosphomolybdenum assay: 82.61-160.93 mM TE/g). Principal component analysis revealed the EOs to differ greatly in their bioactivities due to their chemodiversity. This study has unveiled some interesting preliminary pharmacological profiles of the EOs that could be explored for their potential applications as phytotherapeutics.

RP-UHPLC-MS Chemical Profiling, Biological and In Silico Docking Studies to Unravel the Therapeutic Potential of Heliotropium crispum Desf. as a Novel Source of Neuroprotective Bioactive Compounds.

Heliotropium is one of the most important plant genera to have conventional folklore importance, and hence is a potential source of bioactive compounds. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the therapeutic potential of Heliotropium crispum Desf., a relatively under-explored medicinal plant species. Methanolic extracts prepared from a whole plant of H. crispum were studied for phytochemical composition and possible in vitro and in silico biological properties. Antioxidant potential was assessed via six different assays, and enzyme inhibition potential against key clinical enzymes involved in neurodegenerative diseases (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)), diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and skin problems (tyrosinase) was assayed. Phytochemical composition was established via determination of the total bioactive contents and reverse phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RP-UHPLC-MS) analysis. Chemical profiling revealed the tentative presence of 50 secondary metabolites. The plant extract exhibited significant inhibition against AChE and BChE enzymes, with values of 3.80 and 3.44 mg GALAE/g extract, respectively. Further, the extract displayed considerable free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals, with potential values of 43.19 and 41.80 mg TE/g extract, respectively. In addition, the selected compounds were then docked against the tested enzymes, which have shown high inhibition affinity. To conclude, H. crispum was found to harbor bioactive compounds and showed potent biological activities which could be further explored for potential uses in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, particularly as a neuroprotective agent.

Comprehensive bioactivity and chemical characterization of the endemic plant Scorzonera hieraciifolia Hayek extracts: A promising source of bioactive compounds.

Members of Scorzonera genus are known for their potential application in both food and pharmaceutical industries. The present study reports the chemical component and bioactivity of the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, hexane, methanol and infused extracts of Scorzonera hieraciifolia Hayek aerial parts and roots. The methanolic extracts of both aerial parts and roots were good sources of total phenolic and flavonoid content. For the aerial parts, the infused and methanolic extracts showed highest (p < 0.05) free radical scavenging (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS)), reducing (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC))and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) and metal chelating capacities. Whilst, for the root extracts, overall most remarkable free scavenging and reducing activity was observed for the methanolic extracts (p < 0.05) while the hexane extracts showed highest metal chelating activity. The inhibitory activity of the extracts was evaluated against key enzymes. Overall, the hexane extracts of both aerial parts (acetylcholinesterase (AChE): 2.27 ± 0.04 and butyrlcholinesterase (BChE): 5.75 ± 0.48 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g) and roots (AChE: 2.44 ± 0.35 and BChE: 53.17 ± 0.22 mg GALAE/g) were most potent against AChE and BChE, suggesting a role for the more lipophilic compounds in this regard. The highest inhibitory activity against tyrosinase was displayed by methanolic extracts of aerial parts (64.70 ± 0.26 mg kojic acid equivalent (KAE)/g) and roots (63.63 ± 0.20 mg KAE/g). Modest activity was observed against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, two major enzymes implicated in the pathology of diabetes. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis showed the presence of 40 compounds such as caffeic, ursolic, betulinic and oleanolic acid and their derivatives in the studied extracts. Multivariate analysis showed that the biological activities were dependent on the plant parts used as well as on the type of solvent used. Overall, the results showed that S. hieraciifolia is a valuable source of phytochemicals for both the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Qualitative Phytochemical Fingerprint and Network Pharmacology Investigation of Achyranthes aspera Linn. Extracts.

Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae), commonly known as the Prickly Chaff flower, is used as herbal medicine in the Ivorian's culture, Africa. Nonetheless, there is currently a paucity of scientific information on A. aspera from the Ivory Coast. Herein, the antioxidant activity of A. aspera extracts (methanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and infusion) as well as the enzymatic inhibitory potentials towards key enzymes in human diseases, namely Alzheimer's disease, (cholinesterases: AchE and BChE), type 2 diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase) were assessed. The total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content was determined using colorimetric methods and the individual compounds were characterized using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Furthermore, a network pharmacology analysis was conducted to predict putative targets of identified phenolic compounds. The highest TPC was observed in the infused extract (28.86 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g), while the dichloromethane extract (38.48 ± 1.48 mg RE/g) showed the highest level of TFC. UHPLC-HRMS analysis has revealed an abundance of fatty acids, flavonoids, phenols and acylquinic acids. Among tested extracts, the infused extract displayed the highest free radical quenching, reducing and metal-chelating ability. The extracts (except infusion) were effective as enzyme inhibitors against AChE, while only methanolic and infused extracts showed noteworthy anti-BChE effects. The methanolic extract showed a remarkable antityrosinase effect (56.24 ± 5.05 mg KAE/g), as well. Modest to moderate inhibitory activity was observed against α-amylase (all extracts) and α-glucosidase (only dichloromethane extract). Finally, the network pharmacology analysis suggested the carbonic anhydrase II enzyme as a putative target for explaining, at least in part, the traditional use of A. aspera preparations as diuretic and blood clotting agent. Data amassed herein tend to validate the use of A. aspera in traditional medicine, as well as act as a stepping stone for further studies in the quest for novel phytopharmaceuticals. In this context, it is desirable that this study will contribute to the validation of the traditional uses of this plant in the African herbal medicine, and to the valorization of the whole chain production of A. aspera, as a local and sustainable botanical resource.

Chemical profiling, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and molecular modelling studies on the leaves and stem bark extracts of three African medicinal plants.

Africa is famous for its floral biodiversity, exploited by local people for therapeutic purposes. However, such plants need to be scrutinised scientifically for the presence of bioactive compounds and possible biological properties. This study attempts for the first time to highlight the pharmacological and phytochemical profile of extracts prepared from leaves and stem barks of three African plants (Macaranga hurifolia Beille, Sterculia tragacantha Lindl. and Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild.) P. G. Waterman. The extracts were tested for antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effects. Free radical scavenging, metal chelator, reducing power and phosphomolybdenum assays were performed to evaluate antioxidant effects. To identify enzyme inhibitory effects, cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BChE)), tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase were selected as target enzymes. High performance liquid chromatography-Electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) technique was also used for chemical profiling. ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assays showed that the stem barks of all three African plants were better scavenger than leaf extracts. Sterculia tragacantha was found to be a better metal chelator (64.10 ±â€¯4.66 mg EDTAE/g) among the studied plants. All extracts exhibited good clinical enzyme inhibitory activities. The stem bark of S. tragacantha exhibited the best acetylcholinesterase activity compared to the other plants. HPLC-ESI-MS characterization showed that the most abundant compounds in stem bark were flavonoids in M. hurifolia (4.2 ±â€¯0.2 mg/g DE), proanthocyanidins in S. tragacantha (42 ±â€¯1 mg/g DE) and similar concentrations of phenolic acids and flavonoids in Z. gilletii (2.8-3.1 mg/g DE). Based on the biological activity, the most abundant and relevant bioactive compounds in the extracts were studied using molecular modelling approach against tyrosinase. The studied African plants showed good antioxidant and enzymatic propensities and thus can be considered as potential bioresources for future development of nutraceuticals and/or for pharmaceutical applications.

Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Global Distribution of Mangroves-A Comprehensive Review.

Mangroves are ecologically important plants in marine habitats that occupy the coastlines of many countries. In addition to their key ecological importance, various parts of mangroves are widely used in folklore medicine and claimed to effectively manage a panoply of human pathologies. To date, no comprehensive attempt has been made to compile and critically analyze the published literature in light of its ethnopharmacological uses. This review aims to provide a comprehensive account of the morphological characteristics, ethnobotany, global distribution, taxonomy, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical profiles, and pharmacological activities of traditionally used mangroves. Out of 84 mangrove species, only 27 species were found to be traditionally used, however not all of them are pharmacologically validated. The most common pharmacological activities reported were antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. Mangroves traditionally reported against ulcers have not been extensively validated for possible pharmacological properties. Terpenoids, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were the main classes of phytochemicals isolated from mangroves. Given that mangroves have huge potential for a wide array of medicinal products and drug discovery to prevent and treat many diseases, there is a dire need for careful investigations substantiated with accurate scientific and clinical evidence to ensure safety and efficient use of these plants and validate their pharmacological properties and toxicity.

Parentucellia latifolia subsp. latifolia: A potential source for loganin iridoids by HPLC-ESI-MSn technique.

This study attempts to compare the pharmaceutical potential (antioxidant and key enzyme inhibition of clinical relevance) of organic and aqueous extracts of Parentucellia latifolia (L.) Caruel subsp. latifolia (L.) Caruel as well as phytochemical composition. The phytochemical compounds were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods (for total amounts) and HPLC-ESI-DAD-MSn (for individual compounds). The extracts were screened for antioxidant abilities by in vitro assays. Inhibition effects were also investigated against a set of enzymes linked to major health problems. Generally, the methanol (MeOH) and aqueous extracts displayed higher scavenging abilities on radicals and reductive effects when compared with the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract. On the other hand, the EtOAc extract was the most active inhibitor on cholinesterases (1.81-1.88 mg GALAE/g), amylase (0.70 mmol ACAE/g), glucosidase (2.85 mmol ACAE/g) and lipase (33.24 mg OE/g). The highest TPC was observed in the aqueous extract (25.07 mg GAE/g) while MeOH extract possessed the highest level of TFC (44.15 mg RE/g) and TPAC (3.46 mg CE/g). LC-MSn metabolite profiling indicated that loganin and its isomers, rutin, and luteolin-O-hexoside were the most abundant compounds. Our results suggest that P. latifolia may be valuable source of phyto-agents for the management of noncommunicable diseases.