Nuciferine from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. attenuates isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in Wistar rats.

The study explored the cardioprotective role of the methanolic leaf extract of Nelumbo nucifera and nuciferine against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in Wistar rats. Pretreatment with leaf extract and nuciferine (200 and 20 mg/kg body weight, respectively) against MI induced by isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight) significantly decreased heart weight; levels of cardiac markers such as lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase-MB were similar to those in controls. The treatment significantly increased the content of endogenous antioxidants and decreased lipid peroxidation in all treated groups. Treated groups showed a significant reduction in heartbeats per minute as compared with the MI-induced positive control. The MI-induced group showed pathological implications such as tachycardia, left atrial enlargement, and anterolateral ST-elevated MI, which were absent in treated groups. Histology confirmed that the leaf extract and nuciferine prevented structural abnormality and inflammation in heart and liver tissues of treated groups. On in silico analysis, nuciferine showed stronger binding interaction with both ß1 and ß2 adrenergic receptors than isoproterenol. Hence, the leaf extract of N. nucifera and nuciferine could be used as plant-based cardioprotective agents.

Screening bioactivities of Caesalpinia pulcherrima L. swartz and cytotoxicity of extract synthesized silver nanoparticles on HCT116 cell line.

The extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (C. pulcherrima) is one of the common herbal drugs which have a key role in treating pyretic, microbial infections, cancer and for several other traditional systems of treatment. In our present work, we demonstrate the bioactivities of extracts and cytotoxicity of synthesized silver nanoparticles on HCT116 cell line. The qualitative phytochemical tests indicated the presence of some adequately required metabolites as follows; the total phenolic content in the aqueous extract contains a higher amount of phenolic compounds (815 ±â€¯0.013 µgmg-1). The DPPH quenching activity of the aqueous extract showed an IC50 value of 18.7 µg which was equivalent to the IC50 value of ascorbic acid (15 µg) and methanolic extract (51 µg). The test extracts showed 4.6% haemolytic activity that attributes to its protective and non-toxic nature. The zone of inhibition of aqueous extract shown against the growth of E.coli was 25 mm. Further, silver nanoparticles synthesis was carried out with the extract and was characterized by X-ray diffraction, particle size analyzer, zeta potential, TEM- EDAX and UV spectroscopy. XRD analysis indicated the crystalline nature of silver nanoparticles with a face-centered cubic structure. The data obtained from the particle size analyzer demonstrated as 155.4 nm of the size of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The values of zeta potential (-23.4 mV) revealed that the nanoparticles were extremely stable in colloidal form. SEM indicated the spherical shape of silver nanoparticles with the size range between 177.9 nm to 251.1 nm. Beside the efficient bioactivities, the synthesized C. pulcherrima silver nanoparticles showed significant cytotoxicity effect of 77.5% on a human colon cancer cell line. Therefore, along with antioxidant, antibacterial, haemolytic activity; C. pulcherrima also accomplished satisfactory cytotoxic property in anticancer mechanism as proven by this study.

Protective effect of Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) against H2O2-induced oxidative stress on H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD), a severe condition of myocardium facing impediment in the supply of basic needs for cellular metabolism is caused by atherosclerosis. Though statin drugs could control the use of surgery on IHD patients, the complete rehabilitation or prophylaxis can be achieved through herbal-based medicines viz. either in the form of crude extract or pure phytocompounds. In the present study, pretreatment with leaf extract of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. was investigated for cardioprotective activity-in vitro by mitigating H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Analysis such as estimation of antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation assay revealed significant protective effect of plant extract on cardiomyocytes. Reactive oxygen species detection was done by using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, apoptosis detection with Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide and nuclear damage detection by diamidino-2-phenylindole which confirmed the protective effect of N. nucifera extract. In addition, gene expression studies of apoptotic regulatory genes (Bcl2 and Cas-9) resulted in significant protection of nucifera extract pretreated and maintained cells. To conclude, in vitro cardioprotective activity of N. nucifera against H2O2 induced oxidative stress was achieved at the concentration of 50 µg/ml. Therefore, major phytocompounds present in extract could be beneficial in managing cardiac complications in the future.

Evaluation of Antidiabetic Potential of Sarcostemma brevistigma Wight & Arn. Using Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Murine Model.

A multimillion-dollar boom is achieved every year by the ethnopharmaceutical companies, creating awareness around the globe to use herbal medicines to stay and live a healthy life. Nearly, two-thirds of the plants were discovered for herbal remedies, and some plants are even endangered to get extinct from the globe for their repeated utility. Sarcostemma brevistigma is one among the undiscovered medicinal plants which belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae found distributed in Indian states of Bihar, Bengal, Konkan, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. This study was intended to determine the antidiabetic property of plant extract of Sarcostemma brevistigma evidenced by biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity, with the histopathological analysis in diabetic induced mice. Animals that were orally treated with the S. brevistigma extract showed blood glucose lowering effect when compared to the alloxan-induced mice, i.e., from 391.5 ± 6.3 to 193.6 ± 4.3 mg/dL. There is the significant increase in insulin level (P < 0.05) (27.97 ± 1.6 mIU/L) which is comparable to the metformin administered test group (30.35 ± 0.6 mIU/L). A significant difference (P < 0.05) of both ALT and AST levels were observed when compared to the other groups. A significant increase in antioxidant activity (reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase) in plant extract administered group was observed when compared to the other treatment groups. Histopathological studies showed abnormalities in the liver, pancreas, kidney, lungs, heart, and spleen of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The abnormalities were found to be normalized to a considerable extent after treatment with S. brevistigma extract. The results stood as evidence for S. brevistigma as an active antidiabetic herbal plant.

Cell line cytotoxicity, antiadipogenic and glucose uptake activity of Sarcostemma brevistigma Wight. & Arn.

Nature has gifted us with abundant plants possessing medicinal virtues which can cure several illnesses. Currently, diabetes mellitus is a severe threat to human well-being across the world due to the rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes. New effective bioactive drugs are in need, as plants do harbour and are proven to have potential antidiabetic activity than the present hypoglycemic medicines used in clinical therapy. In this study, in vitro cytotoxicity, glucose uptake, and anti-adipogenic activities of the plant extract (methanolic extract) of S. brevistigma were examined using 3T3L1 cell lines. The studies interpreted by MTT cytotoxicity assay and glucose uptake assay by using 3T3-L1 cell lines, it was found that a very low dosage (1 ng/mL) of plant extract showed lesser cytotoxicity effect (1.42%) and considerably higher glucose uptake activity of 38.04% which is equivalent to the glucose uptake shown by 100 nm insulin (40.10%). Though plant extract has antidiabetic activity, it is important to study whether it has any other related side effects when used at higher concentrations. Therefore, in this study, the appropriate non-toxic concentration was optimized.

Photocatalytic degradation of synthetic food dye, sunset yellow FCF (FD&C yellow no. 6) by Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. possessing antioxidant and cytotoxic activity.

The purpose of our work is to identify the bioactive compounds of bark and leaves extract from Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. and to explore its effectiveness against synthetic food dye. The presence of primary and secondary metabolites was confirmed by carrying out phytochemicals analysis. With the prior knowledge accessible on the indispensable secondary metabolites holding antioxidant and cytotoxicity activity, the quantitative screening of total phenolic and flavonoid content in methanolic and aqueous extract of bark and leaves from Ailanthus excelsa were done. Comparatively, a higher value of flavonoid (161±0.3µg/mg) and phenolic acid content (152.4±0.14µg/mg) was found in bark extract. By FTIR analysis, the characteristic peak was obtained at 1581.63 and 1598.99cm-1 confirmed the presence of functional groups associated to flavonoids and other phenolic groups respectively. In bark extract, 81% of DPPH inhibition was observed when compared to ascorbic acid (standard) 92% of free radical scavenging activity. Bark extract from Ailanthus excelsa exhibited 71% cytotoxicity against HeLa cell line (cervical cancer). In examining the toxicity level of crude extracts with red blood cells (RBC), the bark extract was showed a very less (2.8%) haemolytic activity. They also showed maximum zone of inhibition in antibacterial activity i.e. 13±0.5mm against Escherichia coli culture. At a concentration of 10mg/mL of crude extract from A. excelsa, 55% degradation of sunset yellow dye was observed. It concludes that, the compounds present in the A. excelsa, especially the bark extract showed better photocatalytic, haemolytic, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity when compared to leaves extract.

Phyllanthus emblica seed extract mediated synthesis of PdNPs against antibacterial, heamolytic and cytotoxic studies.

Ecofriendly synthesis of Palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were achieved using Phyllanthus emblica (P. emblica) seeds as reducing agent. Further the ecofriendly synthesized PdNPs were subjected for various analytical techniques like UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRD, Zeta potential, SEM and TEM. The results indicated that green synthesized PdNPs were spherical in shape with average particle size of 28±2nm with moderate stability. Further the synthesized PdNPs and extract were subjected for its antibacterial studies against various disease causing pathogens by agar well diffusion method. Seed extract resulted in 8.9±1.46mm against B. subtilis and PdNPs showed 9.6±1.10mm against S. aureus and synthesized PdNPs and extract were tested for hemolytic which resulted in 20% and 10% respectively. Toxicity studies were done against Artemia salina (A. salina). The LC50 value of green synthesized P. emblica capped PdNPs and the P. emblica seed extract were found to be less toxic for A. salina with a value of 1.00µg/mL and 1.25µg/mL. In addition samples were checked for in vitro cytotoxicity assays on HeLa cell lines.

Photocatalytic degradation of nitrophenol using biologically active Phyllanthus emblica seed extract.

The present study deals about the vicinity of phytochemicals present in the Phyllanthus emblica (P. emblica) seed extract. The bio-active compounds present in the methanolic seed extract have been identified using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS)·The antioxidant activity of P. emblica seed extract was evaluated using assistance of DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. The determination of total phenol and flavonoid substance were contemplated. Further blood clot lysis activity was also done to check the percentage of clot lysis in methanolic seed extract. The result proved that seed extract has potential application. The GCMS results of P. emblica suggest that Octyl-ß-d-Glucopyranoside is present in major quantity. The work has been designed towards the degradation of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol using P. emblica methanolic seed extract. The progress of nitrophenol degradation has been observed in UV-visible spectroscopy. At 5min duration, the 4-nitrophenol has been degraded up to 82.42%. This may be due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, carbohydrate and phenols in the P. emblica seed extract. The seed extract showed good scavenging activity which resulted in IC50 value of 85.92µg/mL. The total phenol and flavonoid content present in the extract were 48.242 and 12.72mg/mL. Also the seed extract showed good lysis when compared to the standard streptokinase.