An Overview on Flavor Extraction, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Significance, and Production of Herbal Wines.

Wine has been utilized as a source for medicinal preparations, combined with various herbs, to treat particular ailments and disorders. By utilizing herb extracts, regular but limited consumption of these herbal wines helps to decrease the need for prescription medications to treat a variety of ailments. The diversity and the composition of the yeast micropopulation significantly contribute to the sensory characteristics of wine. A particular metabolic activity characterizes the growth of each wine yeast species, which determines the concentrations of flavor compounds in the final wine. Numerous herbs, such as tulsi, ginger, aloe vera, tea, amla, lemongrass, and peppermint, are used in the preparation of herbal wines, where either the herb or herbal blends are primarily used as the substrate. The variants provided improved accuracy, increased acceptability, and broader uses for the novel product. Herbal wines pave the way to provide nutraceuticals to consumers and protection against pathogenic microorganisms and inflammation through their richness in antioxidants. The existing herbal wines and their health advantages are discussed in this Review, along with some new directions for the herbal wine business.

Efficient treatment of oily wastewater, antibacterial activity, and photodegradation of organic dyes using biosynthesized Ag@Fe3O4 nanocomposite.

A significant waste (e.g., high oil content and pollutants such as heavy metals, dyes, and microbial contaminants) in water is generated during crude oil extraction and industrial processes, which poses environmental challenges. This study explores the potential of Ag@Fe3O4 nanocomposite (NC) biosynthesized using the aqueous leaf extract of Laurus nobilis for the treatment of oily wastewater. The NC was characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectroscopies. The crystalline structure of the NC was determined to be face-centered cubic with an average size of 42 nm. Ag@Fe3O4 NC exhibited significant degradation (96.8%, 90.1%, and 93.8%) of Rose Bengal (RB), Methylene Blue (MB), and Toluidine Blue (TB), respectively, through a reduction reaction lasting 120 min at a dye concentration of 10 mg/L. The observed reaction kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order model, with rate constants (k-values) of 0.0284 min-1, 0.0189 min-1, and 0.0212 min-1 for RB, MB, and TB, respectively. The fast degradation rate can be attributed to the low band gap (1.9 eV) of Ag@Fe3O4 NC. The NC elicited an impressive effectiveness (99-100%, 98.0%, and 91.8% within 30 min) in removing, under sunlight irradiation, several heavy metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and total suspended solids (TSS) from the oily water samples. Furthermore, Ag@Fe3O4 NC displayed potent antibacterial properties and a good biocompatibility. These findings contribute to the development of efficient and cost-effective methods for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Silymarin Encapsulated Liposomal Formulation: An Effective Treatment Modality against Copper Toxicity Associated Liver Dysfunction and Neurobehavioral Abnormalities in Wistar Rats.

Wilson's disease causes copper accumulation in the liver and extrahepatic organs. The available therapies aim to lower copper levels by various means. However, a potent drug that can repair the damaged liver and brain tissue is needed. Silymarin has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and cytoprotective properties. However, poor oral bioavailability reduces its efficacy. In this study, a "thin film hydration method" was used for synthesizing silymarin-encapsulated liposome nanoparticles (SLNPs) and evaluated them against copper toxicity, associated liver dysfunction and neurobehavioral abnormalities in Wistar rats. After copper toxicity induction, serological and behavioral assays were conducted to evaluate treatment approaches. Histological examination of the diseased rats revealed severe hepatocyte necrosis and neuronal vacuolation. These cellular degenerations were mild in rats treated with SLNPs and a combination of zinc and SLNPs (ZSLNPs). SLNPs also decreased liver enzymes and enhanced rats' spatial memory significantly (p = 0.006) in the diseased rats. During forced swim tests, SLNPs treated rats exhibited a 60-s reduction in the immobility period, indicating reduced depression. ZSLNPs were significantly more effective than traditional zinc therapy in decreasing the immobility period (p = 0.0008) and reducing liver enzymes, but not in improving spatial memory. Overall, SLNPs enhanced oral silymarin administration and managed copper toxicity symptoms.

LC-MS/MS-Based Metabolomic Profiling of Constituents from Glochidion velutinum and Its Activity against Cancer Cell Lines.

This study aimed to establish the phytochemical profile of Glochidion velutinum and its cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer (PC-3) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. The phytochemical composition of G. velutinum leaf extract and its fractions was established with the help of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics analysis. The crude methanolic extract and its fractions were studied for pharmacological activity against PC-3 and MCF-7 cell lines using the MTT assay. The total phenolic content of the crude extract and its fractions ranged from 44 to 859 µg GAE/mg of sample whereas total flavonoid contents ranged from 20 to 315 µg QE/mg of sample. A total of forty-eight compounds were tentatively dereplicated in the extract and its fractions. These phytochemicals included benzoic acid derivatives, flavans, flavones, O-methylated flavonoids, flavonoid O- and C-glycosides, pyranocoumarins, hydrolysable tannins, carbohydrate conjugates, fatty acids, coumarin glycosides, monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, and terpene glycosides. The crude extract (IC50 = 89 µg/mL), the chloroform fraction (IC50 = 27 µg/mL), and the water fraction (IC50 = 36 µg/mL) were found to be active against the PC-3 cell line. However, the crude extract (IC50 = 431 µg/mL), the chloroform fraction (IC50 = 222 µg/mL), and the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 = 226 µg/mL) have shown prominent activity against breast cancer cells. Moreover, G. velutinum extract and its fractions presented negligible toxicity to normal macrophages at the maximum tested dose (600 µg/mL). Among the compounds identified through LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics analysis, epigallocatechin gallate, ellagic acid, isovitexin, and rutin were reported to have anticancer activity against both prostate and breast cancer cell lines and might be responsible for the cytotoxic activities of G. velutinum extract and its bioactive fractions.

Green Synthesis of NiO-SnO2 Nanocomposite and Effect of Calcination Temperature on Its Physicochemical Properties: Impact on the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange.

Background: Nickel stannate nanocomposites could be useful for removing organic and toxic water pollutants, such as methyl orange (MO). Aim: The synthesis of a nickel oxide-tin oxide nanocomposite (NiO-SnO2 NC) via a facile and economically viable approach using a leaf extract from Ficus elastica for the photocatalytic degradation of MO. Methods: The phase composition, crystallinity, and purity were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The particles' morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental analysis and colored mapping were carried out via energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The functional groups were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) was used to study the optical properties such as the absorption edges and energy band gap, an important feature of semiconductors to determine photocatalytic applications. The photocatalytic activity of the NiO-SnO2 NC was evaluated by monitoring the degradation of MO in aqueous solution under irradiation with full light spectrum. The effects of calcination temperature, pH, initial MO concentration, and catalyst dose were all assessed to understand and optimize the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of NiO-SnO2 NC. Results: NiO-SnO2 NC was successfully synthesized via a biological route using F. elastica leaf extract. XRD showed rhombohedral NiO and tetragonal SnO2 nanostructures and the amorphous nature of NiO-SnO2 NC. Its degree of crystallinity, crystallite size, and stability increased with increased calcination temperature. SEM depicted significant morphological changes with elevating calcination temperatures, which are attributed to the phase conversion from amorphous to crystalline. The elemental analysis and colored mapping show the formation of highly pure NiO-SnO2 NC. FTIR revealed a decrease in OH, and the ratio of oxygen vacancies at the surface of the NC can be explained by a loss of its hydrophilicity at increased temperatures. All the NC samples displayed significant absorption in the visible region, and a blue shift is seen and the energy band gap decreases when increasing the calcination temperatures due to the dehydration and formation of compacted large particles. NiO-SnO2 NC degrades MO, and the photocatalytic performance decreased with increasing calcination temperature due to an increase in the crystallite size of the NC. The optimal conditions for the efficient NC-mediated photocatalysis of MO are 100 °C, 20 mg catalyst, 50 ppm MO, and pH 6. Conclusions: The auspicious performance of the NiO-SnO2 NCs may open a new avenue for the development of semiconducting p-n heterojunction catalysts as promising structures for removing undesirable organic pollutants from the environment.

Green Synthesis, Characterizations of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Aqueous Leaf Extract of Tridax procumbens Linn. and Assessment of their Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity in Streptozoticin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Herein, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were greenly synthesized from Tridax procumbens aqueous leaf extract (TPE) and characterized physically (e.g., Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) and biologically (test of their anti-diabetic activity). Anti-diabetic activities of TPE and TPE-derived ZnO NPs have been carried out in a streptozotocin (STZ)­induced diabetic rat model. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced with a single intraperitoneal dosage of the glucose analogue STZ (55 mg/Kg) known to be particularly toxic to pancreatic insulin-producing beta-cells. TPE and TPE-derived ZnO NPs were administered orally, once every day for 21 days in diabetic rats, at 100 and 200 mg/Kg, respectively. The standard antidiabetic medication, glibenclamide, was used as a control at a dose of 10 mg/Kg. Various parameters were investigated, including bodyweight (bw) variations, glycemia, lipidaemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and histopathological alterations in the rat's liver and pancreas. The TPE-mediated NPs were small, spherical, stable, and uniform. Compared to TPE and, to a lesser extent, glibenclamide, TPE-derived ZnO NPs lowered blood glucose levels considerably (p < 0.05) and in a dose-dependent manner while preventing body weight loss. Further, positive benefits for both the lipid profile and glycated hemoglobin were also noticed with TPE-derived ZnO NPs. The histopathological assessment revealed that synthesized TPE-derived ZnO NPs are safe, non-toxic, and biocompatible. At 200 mg/Kg/day, TPE-derived ZnO NPs had a more substantial hypoglycemic response than at 100 mg/Kg/day. Thus, in this first reported experimental setting, ZnO NPs biosynthesized from the leaf extract of Tridax procumbens exert more potent anti-diabetic activity than TPE and glibenclamide. We conclude that such a greenly prepared nanomaterial may be a promising alternative or complementary (adjuvant) therapy, at least to the current Indian's traditional medicine system. Translational findings are prompted in human populations to determine the efficacy of these NPs.

Ethnomedicinal Plants with Protective Effects against Beta-Amyloid Peptide (Aß)1-42 Indicate Therapeutic Potential in a New In Vivo Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with unmet medical need. This investigation consisted of testing a range of ethanolic ethnomedicinal plant extracts (n = 18) traditionally used in the treatment of disorders such as anxiety, delirium, and memory loss. They were then screened for in vitro inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butylcholinesterase (BuChE), beta-secretase 1/beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and antioxidant activities. Plants with potent activities were further characterised using a recently developed in vivo model of AD, Globodera pallida. The ability of phytoextracts to protect this organism against amyloid-beta Aß (1-42) exposure was assessed by measuring chemosensing, survival rate, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and antioxidant responses. Extracts (n = 5) from Juglans regia (leaves), Ellettaria cardamomum (seeds), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (bark), Salvia officinalis (leaves/flowers), and Hypericum perforatum (flowers) exerted concentration-dependent inhibitory activities against AChE and BuChE. Three of these plant extracts (i.e., J. regia, E. cardamomum, and S. officinalis) possessed strong concentration-dependent inhibitory activity against BACE1. Furthermore, the five selected medicinal plant extracts not only enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) the nematode's chemosensing, survival rate, and antioxidant responses (i.e., anti-ROS production, mitochondrial reductase activity, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH) ratio), but also greatly restored (p < 0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner the Aß (1-42)-induced deleterious changes in these same parameters. In brief, this investigation highlights plant extracts with strong anti-AD activities which could be trialled as novel therapeutic supplements or undergo further biodiscovery research.

Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Behavior of Bioactive Compounds of Miracle Oilseeds: An Overview.

India plays an important role in the production of oilseeds, which are mainly cultivated for future extraction of their oil. In addition to the energic and nutritional contribution of these seeds, oilseeds are rich sources of bioactive compounds (e.g., phenolic compounds, proteins, minerals). A regular and moderate dietary supplementation of oilseeds promotes health, prevents the appearance of certain diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers) and delays the aging process. Due to their relevant content in nutraceutical molecules, oilseeds and some of their associated processing wastes have raised interest in food and pharmaceutical industries searching for innovative products whose application provides health benefits to consumers. Furthermore, a circular economy approach could be considered regarding the re-use of oilseeds' processing waste. The present article highlights the different oilseed types, the oilseeds-derived bioactive compounds as well as the health benefits associated with their consumption. In addition, the different types of extractive techniques that can be used to obtain vegetable oils rich from oilseeds, such as microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), are reported. We conclude that the development and improvement of oilseed markets and their byproducts could offer even more health benefits in the future, when added to other foods.

Medicinal Plants with Potential Inhibitory Bioactive Compounds against Coronaviruses.

Medicinal plant is a major source of drug discovery for disease management. Over 85% of the population in Asia and in the Middle East use herbal medicine for disease management such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by coronavirus. Infection from coronavirus is initiated by entry of the virus into a susceptible host cell. The two human coronaviruses of public health importance two decades ago were SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and now SARS-CoV-2. These three viruses belong to the same class of beta coronavirus and are somewhat similar in genome sequencing, life cycle, mode of entry into a host, mode of transmission and clinical manifestations. This review identified twenty medicinal plants with potential inhibitory bioactive compounds from natural sources that are active against coronaviruses that could be developed into various drug delivery systems. It also highlighted several evidences to show that medicinal plant used in the treatment of SARSCoV may offer some sort of relief from the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Since there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 yet, the search for medicinal plants with inhibitory bioactive compounds against coronavirus could be the long awaited breakthrough scientists have been searching to change the narratives of COVID-19 pandemic.

Fabrication and Evaluation of W/O Emulsion Loaded with Linum usitatissimum Seeds Extract for Anti-Leishmaniasis Efficacy.

Leishmaniasis, remains a serious health problem in many developing countries with thousands of new cases recorded annually. Novel therapies are required as existing treatment regimens are limited by their high cost, high toxicity, increased parasite resistance, patient's intolerance, and invasive means of long-duration administration. With several studies reporting the anti-leishmaniasis promise of medicinal plants, interest in plants and herbal drugs is attracting much attention worldwide. In this pilot study, we analysed extracts of Linum usitatissimum seeds (LU) to identify essential phytochemicals and test their activity against cutaneous leishmaniasis both in-vitro and in-vivo. We performed phytochemical screening of LU seeds extract as well as its in-vitro leishmanicidal and anti-amastigote assays. Water-in-oil cream containing 10% LU crude extract (10 mg/mL) was then prepared. The stability of the cream was evaluated for 28 days at 8 °C, 25 °C and 40 °C. In-vivo efficacy and safety of the cream was performed in 26 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis who agreed to participate voluntarily in the study. The active treatment period lasted for 3 weeks, while the follow-up period was extended to 4 months. During the active study period, images of skin lesions were taken before and after treatment. Analyses of LU seeds extract confirmed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and polyphenols. In-vitro studies showed significant activity against promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmaniamajor. The cream was pharmaceutically stable, although some minor changes were noticed in relation to its physical characteristics. In-vivo assessment of the cream showed a 69.23% cure rate with no side effects, allergy, or irritation. We conclude that our newly developed water in oil cream containing 10% LU seeds extract could be an effective and safe topical anti-leishmanial medication for patients with CL.

Marine Algae-Derived Bioactive Compounds: A New Wave of Nanodrugs?

Marine algae are rich in bioactive nutraceuticals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, fatty acids, antioxidants, and pigments). Biotic (e.g., plants, microorganisms) and abiotic factors (e.g., temperature, pH, salinity, light intensity) contribute to the production of primary and secondary metabolites by algae. Easy, profitable, and sustainable recovery methods include novel solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extraction techniques (e.g., supercritical, high pressure, microwave, ultrasound, enzymatic). The spectacular findings of algal-mediated synthesis of nanotheranostics has attracted further interest because of the availability of microalgae-based natural bioactive therapeutic compounds and the cost-effective commercialization of stable microalgal drugs. Algal extracts can serve as stabilizing/capping and reducing agents for the synthesis of thermodynamically stable nanoparticles (NPs). Different types of nanotherapeutics have been synthesized using physical, chemical, and biological methods. Marine algae are a fascinating source of lead theranostics compounds, and the development of nanotheranostics has been linked to enhanced drug efficacy and safety. Indeed, algae are remarkable nanobiofactories, and their pragmatic properties reside in their (i) ease of handling; (ii) capacity to absorb/accumulate inorganic metallic ions; (iii) cost-effectiveness; and (iv) capacity of eco-friendly, rapid, and healthier synthesis of NPs. Preclinical and clinical trials shall enable to really define effective algal-based nanotherapies. This review aims to provide an overview of the main algal compounds that are nutraceuticals and that can be extracted and purified for nanotheranostic purposes.

Superfast Synthesis of Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Allium sativum (Garlic) Extract and Isoniazid Hydrazide Conjugates: Molecular Docking and In-Vitro Characterizations.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was synthesized from fresh garlic extract coupled with isoniazid hydrazide (INH), a commonly used antibiotic to treat tuberculosis. A molecular docking study conducted with the selected compounds compared with anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferase (trpD) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The aqueous extract of garlic was prepared and mixed with silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution for the superfast synthesis of stable AgNPs. INH was then conjugated with AgNPs at different ratios (v/v) to obtain stable INH-AgNPs conjugates (AgNCs). The resulting AgNCs characterized by FTIR spectra revealed the ultrafast formation of AgNPs (<5 s) and perfectly conjugated with INH. The shifting of λmax to longer wavelength, as found from UV spectral analysis, confirmed the formation of AgNCs, among which ideal formulations (F7, F10, and F13) have been pre-selected. The zeta particle size (PS) and the zeta potential (ZP) of AgNPs were found to be 145.3 ± 2.1 nm and -33.1 mV, respectively. These data were significantly different compared to that of AgNCs (160 ± 2.7 nm and -14.4 mV for F7; 208.9 ± 2.9 nm and -19.8 mV for F10; and 281.3 ± 3.6 nm and -19.5 mV for F13), most probably due to INH conjugation. The results of XRD, SEM and EDX confirmed the formation of AgNCs. From UV spectral analysis, EE of INH as 51.6 ± 5.21, 53.6 ± 6.88, and 70.01 ± 7.11 %, for F7, F10, and F13, respectively. The stability of the three formulations was confirmed in various physiological conditions. Drug was released in a sustainable fashion. Besides, from the preferred 23 compounds, five compounds namely Sativoside R2, Degalactotigonin, Proto-desgalactotigonin, Eruboside B and Sativoside R1 showed a better docking score than trpD, and therefore may help in promoting anti-tubercular activity.

Fabrication, Physical Characterizations, and In Vitro, In Vivo Evaluation of Ginger Extract-Loaded Gelatin/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogel Films Against Burn Wound Healing in Animal Model.

Crude ginger has been used to treat wounds since ancient times till nowadays. The present study aimed at designing and characterizing topical hydrogel films loaded with ginger extract for wound healing in animal model. The hydrogel films were prepared using PVA and gelatin. The prepared films were evaluated for FTIR analysis, surface morphology, pH, swelling behavior, in vitro release, and % drug content. The wound-healing activity of the extract-loaded hydrogel films was compared with commercially available Silver Sulfadiazine® cream. The drug was compatible with the selected polymers and indicated the suitability of the selected polymers for preparation of topical hydrogel films. The SEM images clearly indicated porous structure of the prepared hydrogel films. Slight changes were observed in pH, ranging from 4.98 ± 0.079 in the beginning of the study to 4.9 ± 0.58 in the end. The swelling percentage after 8 h was 257.7%. The films released 78.7 ± 1.7% of the drug in 250 min. The percent drug content was 97.78 ± 5% which did not change significantly during the storage period. The hydrogel films showed similar wound-healing activity as compared to the commercial product (p > 0.05; ANOVA), while greater wound-healing activity as compared to the control group (p < 0.05; ANOVA) evidenced by intensive collagen formation in histopathological analysis.

Short Communication - Urease inhibitory activity of Hippophae rhamnoids and Cassia fistula.

The rational use of plants as medicine is traced back over five epochs to ancient documents of early civilizations and is certainly as old as mankind. These medicines originally developed from crude drugs like tinctures and tinctures. Minimum 119 chemical substances are derived from 90 plant species and used all over the world as medicines, several of them containing compounds derived from or modelled after naturally occurring lead molecules and 74% of these derived from orthodox medicinal plants. 252 drugs (11%) are believed to be basic and essential by the WHO and are exclusively of plant origin. We have examined anti-urease activity of ethyl alcohol (Et-OH) and methyl alcohol (Me-OH) extracts of H. rhamnoides and Cassia fistula. Berthelot assay was used for the determination of anti-urease activity. The enzyme activity and inhibition was measured through catalytic effects of urease on urea by measuring change in absorbance in the absence and in the presence of inhibitor at 625nm using UV spectrophotometer. In the study, both Et-OH and Me-OH extracts of H. rhamnoides (91.69%±1.21) and C. fisstula (79.44%±0.55) showed stronger action against urease activity. An overview on the medicinal uses of H. rhamnoides and C. fisstula showing anti-urease activity may predict their possible alternative use for stomach problems. This study may help to explain the beneficial effects of these plants against stomach infection associated with pathogenic strains of H. pylori as Urease is the most prominent protein component of H. pylori.