Antioxidant isolation and characterization from the plant Tradescantia spathacea Sw. of the Commelinaceae family.

A novel bioactive flavan glycoside was isolated by solvent extraction method with the help of Soxhlet apparatus from the methanolic extract of Tradescantia spathacea Sw. Flavan glycoside having molecular formula C20H22O10, melting point 175-1780C, molecular weight by ESI-MS m/z (M + H]+ 423, optical rotation was[α]21D-45.1(c 0.20 methanol). Its structure was determined (-)-epicatechin 7-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside. Various color reactions, chemical degradation (like acid hydrolysis, permethylation, and enzymatic hydrolysis), UV-Visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to establish the structure of compound (-)-(-)-epicatechin 7-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside.. A flavan glycoside was also tested with a DPPH assay method for antioxidant activity by using Ascorbic acid as standard. DPPH radical scavenging test data demonstrate that a flavan glycoside possesses potent antioxidant activity so this flavan glycoside can be utilized as a potent antioxidant agent.

Characterisation of acylated anthocyanins from red cabbage, purple sweet potato, and Tradescantia pallida leaves as natural food colourants by HPLC-DAD-ESI(+)-QTOF-MS/MS and ESI(+)-MSn analysis.

Anthocyanins in red cabbage, sweet potato, and Tradescantia pallida leaves were characterised. A total of 18 non-, mono-, and diacylated cyanidins was identified in red cabbage by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection coupled to high-resolution and multi-stage mass spectrometry. Sweet potato leaves contained 16 different cyanidin- and peonidin glycosides being predominantly mono- and diacylated. In T. pallida leaves, the tetra-acylated anthocyanin tradescantin prevailed. The large proportion of acylated anthocyanins resulted in a superior thermal stability during heating of aqueous model solutions (pH 3.0) coloured with red cabbage and purple sweet potato extracts as compared to that of a commercial Hibiscus-based food dye. However, their stability was still outperformed by that of the most stable Tradescantia extract. Comparing vis spectra from pH 1-10, the latter had an additional, uncommon absorption maximum at approx. 585 nm at slightly acidic to neutral pH values, yielding intensely red to purple colours.

Phenolic compounds from Tradescantia pallida ameliorate diabetes by inhibiting enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by postprandial hyperglycemia due to several etiologies including abnormal carbohydrate digestion and glycation of hemoglobin. The prolong use of synthetic drugs results in characteristic side effects which necessitates the discovery of safe and cost-effective substitutes. The aim of the current study is to isolate and evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the phenolic compounds from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida. Syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, morin and catechin (compounds 1-4) were isolated and characterized from Tradescantia pallida leaves using column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques. The in vitro antidiabetic potential of the phenolic compounds were assessed using α-amylase and non-enzymatic glycosylation of hemoglobin protein assays. A mechanistic insight of interactions between phenolic compounds and human α-amylase and hemoglobin protein were scrutinized by employing molecular docking method. Prime Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) calculations were carried out to find the binding energies of the ligand-protein complexes. Morin and catechin were further analyzed to find the dynamic and thermodynamic constraints of the complexes under specific biological conditions using molecular dynamic simulation trajectories. The stability and flexibility of the complexes were justified by fluctuation of α-carbon chain, Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF) and type of interactions involved which authenticated the in vitro inhibitory potential of morin and catechin against enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. The current study could be fruitful in rational designing of safe antidiabetic drugs of natural origin.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A Review on Tradescantia: Phytochemical Constituents, Biological Activities and Health-Promoting Effects.

Tradescantia is a genus of herbaceous and perennial plants belonging to the Commelinaceae family and organized into three infrageneric classifications and 12 sections. More than 80 species within the genus have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Phytochemical compounds (from various species of the genus) such as coumarins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and terpenoids have recently been characterized and described with antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer or antimicrobial properties. The objective of this review is to describe the different aspects of the genus Tradescantia, including its botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemical composition, biological activities, and safety aspects.

Bioactivity of medicinal plant extracts against human fungal pathogens and evaluation of toxicity using Vero cells.

Medicinal plants are a potential source of new antifungal agents to combat the development of drug-resistant fungi. This study aims to investigate the aerial parts of Alternanthera sessilis (Amaranthaceae) and Ipomoea aquatica (Convolvulaceae), and the leaves of Catunaregam spinosa (Rubiaceae) and Tradescantia spathacea (Commelinaceae) for antifungal activity and cytotoxicity. The plant materials were extracted sequentially using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and distilled water. The antifungal activity was evaluated against four species of yeasts and two species of filamentous fungi using a colorimetric broth microdilution method. The toxicity of the extracts was assessed using African monkey kidney epithelial (Vero) cells. All 24 extracts from the four medicinal plants showed inhibitory activity against all fungal species, except Aspergillus fumigatus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 0.04-2.50 mg/mL. The antifungal activity of these plants was more prominent on the yeasts than the filamentous fungi. Generally, the less polar extracts (hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate) of the plants had stronger antifungal activity than the more polar extracts (ethanol, methanol, and water). In contrast, toxicity assessment revealed that the less polar extracts showed relatively higher toxicity towards the Vero cells than the more polar extracts. The lowest median cytotoxic concentration was shown by the chloroform extract of A. sessilis (17.4 ± 0.4 µg/mL). All water extracts, the methanol extract of I. aquatica, and the ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol extracts of T. spathacea did not show significant toxicity (P>0.05) towards the Vero cells. The results suggested that Tradescantia spathacea has the most promising potential for pharmaceutical developments due to its broad spectrum and selective activity against human fungal pathogens.

Assessment of allelopathic activity of Tradescantia spathacea Sw. for weed control.

Tradescantia spathacea Sw. (Commelinaceae) is widely cultivated as an ornamental and medicinal plant in Southeast Asia, and its pharmacological properties are well known. On the other hand, this plant species is classified as an invasive weed in some countries. As a noxious weed, T. spathacea has been reported to disrupt the growth of native plants. However, no study has reported on its allelopathic activity. Thus, we investigated the allelopathic property and inhibitory substance of T. spathacea. The extracts of T. spathacea significantly inhibited the shoots and roots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cress (Lepidium sativum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) at concentrations ≥ 3 mg dry weight (D.W.) equivalent extract/mL. As the extract concentration increased, the growth of the shoots and roots decreased. The I50 values of the test plant shoots and roots were 11.6-72.4 and 5.4-19.5 mg D.W. equivalent extract/mL, respectively. The extracts were purified by column chromatography, and an inhibitory substance was separated, which inhibited the shoots and roots of cress to 18.8 and 11.6% of control growth, respectively. The results of present findings indicate that T. spathacea extracts possess an allelopathic property, and its inhibitory substance may contribute this activity.

Analysis of genotoxic effects on plants exposed to high traffic volume in urban crossing intersections.

A biological assessment of environmental quality was performed using the tropical plant species Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt. var. purpurea exposed to different levels of air contamination in urban intersections with high volume of vehicle traffic. Air quality (average daily levels of particulate material in the PM1, 2.5, 10 fractions) and traffic volume in crossing intersections were monitored for 30 days before the collection of plants. Frequency of micronuclei and pollen abortivity in inflorescences collected at different intersections with gradual levels of traffic volume were evaluated as biomarkers of genotoxicity. In addition, the concentrations of bioaccumulated heavy metals in the leaves of the collected plants were also investigated. The proposed biological assessment model found a positive association between the environmental variables (traffic volume; concentration of particulate material) and biological effects (leaf concentration of Cr and Cd; micronucleus frequencies and pollen abortivity).

The biological activities of the spiderworts (Tradescantia).

Widely used throughout the world as traditional medicine for treating a variety of diseases ranging from cancer to microbial infections, members of the Tradescantia genus show promise as sources of desirable bioactive compounds. The bioactivity of several noteworthy species has been well-documented in scientific literature, but with nearly seventy-five species, there remains much to explore in this genus. This review aims to discuss all the bioactivity-related studies of Tradescantia plants and the compounds discovered, including their anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. Gaps in knowledge will also be identified for future research opportunities.

Fluorescence quantum yield of natural dye extracted from Tradescantia pallida purpurea as a function of the seasons: Preliminary bioapplication as a fungicide probe for necrotrophic fungi.

In this work, over the course of four seasons (12 months), we have monitored the fluorescence quantum efficiency (η) from two sets (S1 and S2) of fresh natural dye extracts from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida purpurea. The natural dye was extracted in aqueous solutions from leaves collected from regions with a predominance of shade (S1) and sun (S2) during the day. The thermo-optical parameter fractional thermal load (φ) was measured using conical diffraction (CD) patterns caused by thermally driven self-phase modulation, for η determination in both sets of solutions. Fluorescence measurements corroborate the CD results, and the η values are, on average, slightly higher (~ 11%) in the summer than in the other seasons for both sets of samples (S1 and S2). In addition, the experimental results are presented using natural dye extracted from Tradescantia pallida purpurea as a fungicide probe in Fusarium solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungi. The promising fungicide results obtained for the aqueous natural dye extract were compared with those obtained for other natural dyes and fungi. The fungi tested are of the necrotrophic group and constitute important pathosystems in Brazil, causing diseases in several crops that synthetic fungicides often cannot control or do so with low efficiency.

Tradescantia pallida extract inhibits biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable of biofilm formation. In this study, we investigated the effects of aqueous Tradescantia pallida extract on Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation. Aqueous Tradescantia pallida extracts significantly inhibited both bacterial growth and biofilm formation. However, methanolic Tradescantia pallida extracts inhibited neither. Aqueous Tradescantia pallida extracts were deactivated by heating but were not deactivated by light exposure. The ingredients retained the inhibitory effect on the bacterial growth and biofilm formation after ultrafiltration of aqueous Tradescantia pallida extract. Furthermore, polyphenol-rich Tradescantia pallida extracts inhibited bacterial growth, thus, polyphenols are possible to be an active ingredient. We observed the biofilm by scanning electron microscopy, and quantitative and qualitative differences in the biofilm and cells morphology. Interestingly, the biofilm treated aqueous Tradescantia pallida extracts remained premature. We postulated that premature biofilm formation was due to the inhibition of swarming motility. Indeed, aqueous Tradescantia pallida extracts inhibited swarming motility. These results demonstrate that Peudomonas aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation are inhibited by aqueous Tradescantia pallida extracts.

Purple heart plant leaves extract-mediated silver nanoparticle synthesis: Optimization by Box-Behnken design.

The present research work describes a novel method for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using purple heart plant leaves extract, which is recognized as frequently found in households as an ornamental plant. The aqueous methanolic extract of purple heart plant leaves was prepared and employed in the synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles via biological reduction method. The purple heart plant leaves extract-mediated synthesized silver nanoparticles were systematically optimized using Box-Behnken design considering the effect of various independent variables (factors) like concentration of AgNO3, temperature and volume of purple heart plant leaves extract solution on the responses like particle size and polydispersity index of synthesized silver nanoparticles were optimized. Mathematical modelling was performed using quadratic polynomial model and response surface analysis was done to understand the factor-response relationship. The synthesized silver nanoparticles at optimum condition were found to be of spherical in shape under TEM with particle size of 98 nm and polydispersity index of 0.15. Optimized silver nanoparticles were further characterized through UV-VIS spectrophotometry, FTIR spectroscopy and TEM imaging studies. Also, the silver nanoparticles were evaluated for antibacterial activity on E. coli and S. aureus. In a nutshell, the studies construed successful synthesis of silver nanoparticles along with thorough understanding of the associated factors influencing their quality characteristics and significantly improved antibacterial activity as beneficial effect.

The ecogenotoxic plant biomonitoring of a long-term polluted area in central Slovakia.

The aim of the study was to analyze, update, and complete the results of research in the field of in situ phytoindication of environmental genotoxicity near the aluminum plant in Ziar nad Hronom in central Slovakia. The authors focused on two methodologies: pollen abortivity assay of native flora and Trad-MCN assay. Comparison of changes in responses of living systems to changes in precipitation was conducted, and it suggests that there is an existence of an impact from a dilution effect to the plants. Also, the gradual increase of pollen abortivity in the 1990s and its decrease from 2009 were observed in a majority of species of wild flora. On an annual basis, abortivity has declined, although it has risen up slightly within each season. Despite a gradual decrease in the micronucleus frequency, the study area is still influenced by the ecogenotoxic factors. Pollen analysis of native flora and introduced Tradescantia plants indicates the long-time presence of ecogenotoxicity in this region due to the presence of aluminum plant.

Genotoxicity evaluation of two metallic-insecticides using Allium cepa and Tradescantia pallida: A new alternative against leaf-cutting ants.

In order to combat leaf-cutting ants, the pesticide sulfluramid used to be the most widely utilized active ingredient. However, its use was banned in 2009 by the Stockholm Convention, although some countries were allowed to continue using it. As an effective alternative to its replacement, researchers developed a metallic-insecticide system, which is a natural product linked to metal complexes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of these new metallic-insecticides in change the genetic material of non-target organisms. The tests were performed utilizing chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus tests in the Allium cepa test system and the Trad-MCN test in Tradescantia pallida. To better understand the results, one of the components of the formula, 5-methyl-phenanthroline, was also analyzed according to the same parameters. To A. cepa, the results showed that one of the metallic insecticides induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity at different concentrations, while the other metallic-insecticide showed chromosomal instability only at the highest concentration. The analysis of 5-methyl-phenanthroline revealed that it can be related with the positive results, since genotoxic effects were induced. In the Trad-MCN test, none of the metallic-insecticides showed genotoxic activity, although one of them induced more micronucleus formation.

Chemical and toxicological characterisation of anticancer drugs in hospital and municipal wastewaters from Slovenia and Spain.

Anticancer drugs are continuously released into hospital and urban wastewaters, where they, most commonly, undergo conventional treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Wastewaters contain complex mixtures of substances including parent compounds, their metabolites and transformation products (TPs). In this study, samples of hospital effluents and WWTP influents and effluents from Slovenia and Spain were analyzed for twenty-two selected anticancer drugs, their metabolites and transformation products. Acute and chronic toxicity tests were performed on the crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia, genotoxicity was determined with Tradescantia and Allium cepa micronucleus (MN) assays and in vitro comet assay in zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver cell line (ZFL cells). Sixty of the two hundred-twenty determinations revealed detectable levels of anticancer drug residues. Among the targeted compounds, platinum based were most frequently detected (90%). Furthermore, erlotinib was detected in 80%, cyclophosphamide and tamoxifen in 70% and methotrexate in 60% of the samples. Seven of ten samples were toxic to C. dubia after acute exposure, whereas after chronic exposure all samples reduced reproduction of C. dubia at high sample dilutions. Allium cepa proved insensitive to the potential genotoxicity of the tested samples, while in Tradescantia increased MN frequencies were induced by a hospital effluent and WWTP influents. In ZFL comet assay all but one sample induced a significant increase of DNA strand breaks. Correlations of chemotherapeutics or their TPs were detected for all bioassays except for Allium cepa genotoxicity test, however for each test the highest correlations were found for different substances indicating differential sensitivities of the test organisms.

Cancer cell specific cytotoxic effect of Rhoeo discolor extracts and solvent fractions.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional or folk medicine has led to the discovery of important bioactive substances used in several health-related areas. Phytochemicals in Rhoeo discolor (R. discolor) extracts have proven to have important cancer cell specific cytotoxic activity. In the present research, we determined the cytotoxic effect of extracts of R. discolor, a plant commonly used in Mexico for both medicinal and ornamental purposes. AIM OF THE STUDY: We evaluated the cytotoxic effects against three representative human cancer cell lines: HT-29 colon cancer, Hep-G2 liver cancer and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines, as well as a control fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten different crude extracts were tested along with fractions derived from the five most bioactive crude extracts. Analytical data, HPLC-MS-TOF, revealed a high content of phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins, ferulic, vanillic, chlorogenic and p-coumaric acid in the extracts. Phenolic compounds have previously been reported as health beneficial with antioxidant and potential cancer specific cytotoxic effects. RESULTS: Studies revealed that low concentrations of these crude bioactive extracts (10µg/ml) and their fractions (50µg/ml) were effective as cancer specific cytotoxic agents, since they caused a significant proliferation inhibition on cancer cell lines (up to 94.2% in HT-29, 92.9% in Hep-G2 and 61.8% in PC-3 of apoptosis induction) with little harm to the control cell line (no higher than 28.3% apoptosis induction), and, importantly, the most effective extracts were mainly water, methanol and ethanol based. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a diet containing these compounds may function as a medical aid or chemoprotective.

Combined genetic and bioactivity-based prioritization leads to the isolation of an endophyte-derived antimycobacterial compound.

AIM: To initiate a genetic and bioactivity-based screening programme of culturable endophytes to identify micro-organisms capable of producing bioactive polyketides and peptides. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fungal endophytes were isolated from flowers, leaves and roots of Rhoeo spathacea, revealing a community consisting of Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Guignardia sp., Phomopsis sp., Phoma sp. and Microdochium sp. Genetic screening showed that all isolates had polyketide synthase (PKS) genes and most had nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) genes. Ethyl acetate extracts of the fungal isolates exhibited antiproliferative activity against at least one of the seven bacterial and mycobacterial test strains. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance -guided fractionation of the crude extract from a Fusarium sp. strain which exhibited strong antiproliferative activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis resulted in the isolation of the polyketide javanicin. This compound was active against Myco. tuberculosis (MIC = 25 µg ml(-1)) and Mycobacterium phlei (MIC = 50 µg ml(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: The medicinal plant R. spathacea hosts a variety of fungal endophytes capable of producing antibacterial and antimycobacterial compounds. There is a positive correlation between the presence of PKS and/or NRPS encoding genes in endophytes and the bioactivity of their respective organic extracts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report on the fungal endophytic diversity of R. spathacea, and the isolation of an antimycobacterial compound from the plant which has been traditionally used for the treatment of tuberculosis symptoms.

Monitoring an outdoor smoking area by means of PM2.5 measurement and vegetal biomonitoring.

The extension of pollutant accumulation in plant leaves associated with its genotoxicity is a common approach to predict the quality of outdoor environments. However, this approach has not been used to evaluate the environmental quality of outdoor smoking areas. This study aims to evaluate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) by assessing particulate matter 2.5 µm (PM2.5) levels, the pollen abortion assay, and trace elements accumulated in plant leaves in an outdoor smoking area of a hospital. For this, PM2.5 was measured by active monitoring with a real time aerosol monitor for 10 days. Eugenia uniflora trees were used for pollen abortion and accumulated element assays. Accumulated elements were also assessed in Tradescantia pallida leaves. The median concentration of PM2.5 in the smoking area in all days of monitoring was 66 versus 34 µg/m3 in the control area (P < 0.001). In addition, the elements Al, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, and V in Tradescantia pallida and Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, and Zn in Eugenia uniflora were in higher concentration in the smoking area when compared to control area. Smoking area also showed higher rate of aborted grains (26.1 ± 10.7 %) compared with control (17.6 ± 4.5 %) (P = 0.003). Under the study conditions, vegetal biomonitoring proved to be an effective tool for assessing ETS exposure in outdoor areas. Therefore, vegetal biomonitoring of ETS could be a complement to conventional analyses and also proved to be a cheap and easy-handling tool to assess the risk of ETS exposure in outdoor areas.

Avaliação das atividades antibacteriana, tripanocida e citotóxica do extrato hidroalcóolico das raízes de Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda (Veludo Branco) (Commelinaceae) / Evaluation of antibacterial, trypanocidal and cytotoxical activities of the hydroalcoholic extract from the roots of Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda (Veludo Branco) (Commelinaceae)

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito antibacteriano e tripanocida in vitro do extrato hidroalcóolico das raízes de Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda (Commelinaceae), conhecida popularmente como veludo branco. Foi avaliada a atividade antibacteriana in vitro frente às bactérias Streptococcus mitis (CIM = 100 µg/mL; CMB = 150 µg/mL), Streptococcus mutans (CIM = 200 µg/mL; CMB = 220 µg/mL), Streptococcus sanguinis (CIM = 400 µg/mL; CMB = 425 µg/mL), Streptococcus sobrinus (CIM = 400 µg/mL; CMB = 420 µg/mL) e Bacteroides fragilis (CIM = 400 µg/mL; CMB = 430 µg/mL) pelo método de diluição em caldo. Os protozoários da família tripanossomatídeo causam doenças tropicais que costumam ser negligenciadas que costumam ser como a tripanossomíase, para a qual estão disponíveis poucos medicamentos. Neste contexto, o extrato hidroalcóolico das raízes de T. sillamontana também foi avaliado frente às formas tripomastigotas da cepa Y de Trypanosoma cruzi, com promissora atividade frente a este protozoário (IC50 = 2,4 µg/mL). Quando avaliada a atividade citotóxica frente a fibroblastos da linhagem LLCMK2, o extrato apresentou moderada citotoxicidade (CC50 = 480,37 µg/mL). Os resultados ora apresentados para o extrato hidroalcóolico das raízes de Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda demonstraram promissoras atividades antibacteriana e tripanocida, sendo uma fonte alternativa de produtos naturais com atividades contra T. cruzi e algumas bactérias do gênero Streptococcus e Bacteroides.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro, antibacterial and trypanocidal effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from the roots of Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda (Commelinaceae), commonly known as Veludo branco. The in vitro antibacterial activity against the standard bacteria Streptococcus mitis (MIC = 100µg/mL; MBC = 150 µg/mL), Streptococcus mutans (MIC = 200µg/mL; MBC = 220 µg/mL), Streptococcus sanguinis (MIC = 400µg/mL; MBC = 425 µg/mL), Streptococcus sobrinus (MIC = 400µg/mL; MBC = 420 µg/mL) andBacteroides fragilis (MIC = 400µg/mL; MBC = 430 µg/mL), using microdilution broth methods. Protozoans from the trypanosomatid family cause neglected tropical diseases such as trypanosomiasis, for which few drugs are available. In this context, the hydroalcoholic extract of the Tradescantia sillamontana roots was also investigated with regards to the in vitro effects against the trypomastigote forms of theY strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, showing strong activity against this parasite (IC50 = 2.4 µg/mL). When performing cytotoxic activity against fibroblasts LLCMK2 line, the extract showed moderate cytotoxicity (CC50 = 480.37 mg/mL). The results presented for the hydroalcoholic extract of the roots of Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda demonstrated effective antibacterial and trypanocidal activities and were shown to be an alternative source of natural products with activity against T. cruzi and some bacteria of the genus Streptococcus and Bacteroides.

Antimicrobial Activity of Rhoeo discolor Phenolic Rich Extracts Determined by Flow Cytometry.

Traditional medicine has led to the discovery of important active substances used in several health-related areas. Phytochemicals in Rhoeo discolor extracts have proven to have important antimicrobial activity. In the present study, our group determined the antimicrobial effects of extracts of Rhoeo discolor, a plant commonly used in Mexico for both medicinal and ornamental purposes. We evaluated the in vitro activity of phenolic rich extracts against specifically chosen microorganisms of human health importance by measuring their susceptibility via agar-disc diffusion assay and flow cytometry: Gram-positive Listeria innocua and Streptococcus mutans, Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and lastly a fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Ten different extracts were tested in eight different doses on all the microorganisms. Analytical data revealed a high content of phenolic compounds. Both agar-disc diffusion assay and flow cytometry results demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the least affected by extract exposure. However, low doses of these extracts (predominantly polar), in a range from 1 to 4 µg/mL, did produce a statistically significant bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect on the rest of the microorganisms. These results suggest the addition of certain natural extracts from Rhoeo discolor could act as antibacterial and antimycotic drugs or additives for foods and cosmetics.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory constituents from the aerial parts of Tradescantia spathacea Sw.

Inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) are promising agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The bioactivity-guided isolation led to the separation of two new compounds, (±)-tradescantin (13) and tradescantoside (16), along with fourteen known compounds (1-12, 14, and 15) from the aerial parts of Tradescantia spathacea Sw. (Commelinaceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods as well as by comparing with those reported in the literature. The isolated compounds (1-16) were then examined for their inhibitory activity toward PTP1B. The results indicated that compounds 2, 6, 8, and 12 possessed potent inhibition with IC50 values of 7.82±0.79, 6.80±0.89, 4.55±0.92, and 6.38±0.14 µM, respectively. Kinetic study of compounds 2, 6, 8, 12, 13, and 16 was conducted and the structure-activity relationships of the isolated compounds (1-16) were also discussed herein. To the best of our knowledge, all the isolates were separated for the first time from this plant.