Bixa orellana L. carotenoids: antiproliferative activity on human lung cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer cells in vitro.

Emerging evidence on the potential pro-oxidant effect of carotenoids provokes apoptosis of cancer cells. Bixa orellana L. is native to Central and South America, interestingly, is also cultivated worldwide. Apo-carotenoids present in B. orellana L. are mainly dominated by bixin and norbixin and demonstrate fundamental antioxidant activity. Anti-proliferative activity on human cancer cells is rarely investigated. We isolated bixin from B. orellana L. found in the island of Java using Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography and confirmed the isolated compound using Liquid Chromatography-MS/MS. Bixin and crude extract were examined on human lung cancer (A549), cervical cancer (HeLa), and breast cancer (MCF-7). Anti-proliferative activity revealed to be promising on both, the isolated pigment and crude extract. Further investigation on the mechanism of action and effect on other cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo, are required before clinical translation.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Three Monosaccharide Monomyristate Derivatives.

Microbial infections remains a serious challenge in food industries due to their resistance to some of the well-known antibacterial and antifungal agents. In this work, a novel monomyristoyl ester (fructosyl monomyristate) and two other derivatives (i.e., glucosyl and galactosyl monomyristates) were successfully synthesized from myristic acid and monosaccharides in two-step reactions. First, the myristic acid was converted to myristoyl chloride, and then the myristoyl chloride was reacted with fructose, glucose and galactose separately to produce the corresponding monosaccharide monomyristate derivatives. The structures of the synthesized products were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (1H- and 13C-NMR), and mass spectral (MS) data. The monomyristates esters were obtained in reaction yields of 45.80%-79.49%. The esters were then evaluated for their antimicrobial activity using the disc diffusion test. It was found that the esters exhibited a medium antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria; however, they showed a weak antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria. Amongst the esters, galactosyl myristate yielded the highest antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, while glucosyl monomyristate exhibited the highest antibacterial activity only against Escherichia coli. Additionally, all products showed remarkable antifungal activity against Candida albicans. These findings demonstrate that monosaccharide monomyristate derivatives are promising for use as biocompatible antimicrobial agents in the future.

Gastroprotective Effect of Combination of Hot Water Extracts of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari Stem Bark (Alyxia reinwardtii), and Sembung Leaf (Blumea balsamifera) Against Aspirin-Induced Gastric Ulcer Model Rats.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari stem bark (Alyxia reinwardtii) and Sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) are traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate gastroprotective effect of hot water extracts combination of those herbal against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. The combination consisted of fixed doses of Licorice 273 mg/kg BW and Sembung leaf 457.5 mg/kg BW, and also consisted of Pulasari stem in various doses i.e. 100 mg/kg BW (first group), 200 mg/kg BW (second and sixth group) and 300 mg/kg BW (third group). The fourth grup rats received sucralfate 360 mg/kg BW. Ten minute after seven consecutive days of drug administration, the rats were induced with aspirin 450 mg/kg BW except sixth group rats. The fifth group rats only received aspirin without any protective agents. The number and area of gastric ulcers were evaluated macroscopically. Whereas, histopatological observation was used for evaluation of mucosal damage score, and the number of eosinophils and mast cells. In the study, herbal extracts combination markedly exhibited protective effects indicated by less number and smaller area of gastric ulcers in comparison to those of aspirin group (P < 0.05). The score of mucosal damages were also decreased in herbal extracts combination groups. The number of eosinophils and mast cells of herbal combination groups were observed to be smaller than those of aspirin group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, herbal combination of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari stem bark (Alyxia reinwardtii) and Sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) is potential to develop as a gastroprotective agent.