In vivo hepatoprotective and in vitro antimicrobial potential of Ceasalpinia bonduc (Linn): Pharmacological correlation with identified phytochemicals.

The in vivo hepatoprotective potential of methanolic extract of Ceasalpinia bonduc (CBLM) has been explored against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury in rats. Treatment of plant extract on CCl4 intoxicated liver significantly reduced the hepatoxicity, along with serum enzymes GPT and GOT. To explore the chemical constituents from CBLM extract, it was fractionated into non-polar to moderately polar fractions (CBLM-H, CBLM-HEt, CBLM-Et, CBLM-EtM, CBLM-M) and subjected to GC/GC-MS analysis. Altogether twenty seven (~71%) phytochemicals were identified from different fractions by using Electronic Mass Spectral Library GC-MS (NIST 20). Out of which twenty one are first time reported from Ceasalpinia bonduc, fourteen from genus Caesalpinia and ten from family Fabaceae. The identified phytochemicals 2-ethyl-2-hydroxy-1,3-dimethylcyclopentanecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (21) and 1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine,6-hydroxy-N,N-dicyclohexyl (23) are first time identified as plant metabolites. To explore the antimicrobial potential four strains of Gram-positive and eight strains of Gram-negative bacteria were used along with pure cultures of five saprophytic fungus (molds) and two strains of yeast were utilized. CBLM-H and CBLM-HEt were exhibited praiseworthy antimicrobial potential. CBLM-H showed complete growth inhibition of P. mirabilis and V. cholerae at the concentration of 0.1g/mL while CBLM-HEt at 0.05g/mL halted the growth of S. aureus.

Antimicrobial and biofilm inhibiting potential of an amide derivative [N-(2', 4'-dinitrophenyl)-3ß-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-carbonamide] of ursolic acid by modulating membrane potential and quorum sensing against colistin resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is Gram-negative, an opportunistic pathogen responsible for life-threatening ventilator-associated pneumonia. World Health Organization (WHO) enlisted it as a priority pathogen for which therapeutic options need speculations. Biofilm further benefits this pathogen and aids 100-1000 folds more resistant against antimicrobials and the host immune system. In this study, ursolic acid (1) and its amide derivatives (2-4) explored for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential against colistin-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) reference and clinical strains. Viability, crystal violet, microscopic, and gene expression assays further detailed the active compounds' antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition potential. Compound 4 [N-(2',4'-dinitrophenyl)-3ß-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-carbonamide)], a synthetic amide derivate of ursolic acid significantly inhibits bacterial growth with MIC in the range of 78-156 µg/mL against CRAB isolates. This compound failed to completely kill the CRAB isolates even at 500 µg/mL concentration, suggesting the compound's anti-virulence and bacteriostatic nature. Short and prolonged exposure of 4 inhibited or delayed the bacterial growth at sub MIC, MIC, and 2× MIC, as evident in time-kill and post-antibacterial assay. It significantly inhibited and eradicated >70% of biofilm formation at MIC and sub MIC levels compared to colistin required in high concentrations. Microscopic analysis showed disintegrated biofilm after treatment with the 4 further strengthened its antibiofilm potential. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) hinted the membrane disrupting effect of 4 at MIC's. Further it was confirmed by DiBAC4 using fluorescence-activating cells sorting (FACS), suggesting a depolarized membrane at MIC. Gene expression analysis also supported our data as it showed reduced expression of biofilm-forming (bap) and quorum sensing (abaR) genes after treatment with sub MIC of 4. The results suggest that 4 significantly inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm mode of colistin-resistant A. baumannii. Thus, further studies are required to decipher the complete mechanism of action to develop 4 as a new pharmacophore against A. baumannii.

Puerarin-coated gold nanoparticles (PUE-AuNPs) synthesized via green synthetic route: a new colorimetric probe for the detection of ciprofloxacin.

Puerarin-coated gold nanoparticles (PUE-AuNPs) synthesized via green synthetic route, a new colorimetric sensor, efficiently detected the ciprofloxacin (CP) in tap water and cow milk samples. The PUE-AuNPs were characterized by UV-visible, FTIR, AFM, and DLS techniques and were found to be spherical with an average size of approximately 19-20 nm. FTIR spectrum confirms that functional groups such as -OH, -C=O, -CO and -C=C were responsible for the reduction of gold (III) chloride trihydrate. These functional groups acted as capping agents to form AuNPs. The PUE-AuNPs sensor was proved to be selective and sensitive for the detection of CP through colorimetric method within the concentration of 1 to 1000 µM and the limit of detection was 51 µM. This colorimetric sensor is simple, cost-effective, and selective towards CP detection in environmental (tap water and milk) samples.

Atenolol thiourea hybrid as potent urease inhibitors: Design, biology-oriented drug synthesis, inhibitory activity screening, and molecular docking studies.

Current research deals with the biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS) of twenty-three new thiourea analogs of pharmacologically important drug atenolol which is a well-known medicine to treat hypertension as well as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Structural characterization of all compounds was done by various spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1-23 were subjected for urease inhibitory activity in vitro. Screening results revealed that whole library was found to be active having IC50 ranges from 11.73 ±â€¯0.28 to 212.24 ±â€¯0.42 µM. It is noteworthy that several derivatives including 3 (IC50 = 21.65 ±â€¯0.31 µM), 8 (IC50 = 19.26 ±â€¯0.42 µM), 9 (IC50 = 21.27 ±â€¯0.25 µM), 12 (IC50 = 21.52 ±â€¯0.42 µM), 17 (IC50 = 19.26 ±â€¯0.42 µM), 20 (IC50 = 16.78 ±â€¯0.34 µM), and 22 (IC50 = 11.73 ±â€¯0.28 µM) showed excellent inhibitory potential than parent atenolol (IC50 = 64.36 ±â€¯0.19 µM) and standard thiourea (IC50 = 21.74 ±â€¯1.76 µM). A most probable structure-activity relationship (SAR) was anticipated by observing varying degree of inhibitory potential given by compounds. However, molecular insights regarding the binding mode of atenolol thiourea analogs within the active pocket of urease enzyme was rationalized by molecular docking studies.

Phytochemical and Biological Activities of Pseudocalymma elegans: A False Garlic.

Evaluation of phytochemical constituents and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of hexane (PELH), dichloromethane (PELDCM), ethyl acetate (PELEA), and MeOH (PELM) extracts of young leaves of Pseudocalymma elegans have been carried out. Moreover, extracts have also been explored for the presence of sulphur containing compounds, 1,2-dithiolane (33), diallyl disulfide (35), 3-vinyl-1,2-dithiacyclohex-5-ene (37), and diallyl trisulfide (38) responsible for the garlic like smell of P. elegans. All the extracts were found to be antioxidant and showed potent inhibition with IC50 values of 0.168 ± 0.001, 0.128 ± 0.002, 0.221 ± 0.011, and 0.054 ± 0.001, respectively, as compared to standard drugs ascorbic acid (AA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The ethyl acetate extract (PELE) showed excellent activities against few Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and some fungi as compared with standard drug ceftriaxone (3rd generation cephalosporin) and nystatin, respectively. Chemical constituents of hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and mass spectral library search. Over all 55 chemical constituents were first time identified from the leaves which included branched and n-hydrocarbons, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty alcohols, terpenes, alkaloid, vitamins, glycosides, aromatic compounds, and sulfur containing compounds. Two known chemical constituents, ursolic acid (1) and ß-amyrin (2), were also purified for the first time from the MeOH extract. To elucidate the structures of these compounds, UV, IR, EI-MS, 1 H- and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy were used.

Cytotoxicity and chromosomal aberrations induced by methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa and its pure compounds on meristematic cells of Allium species.

Cuscuta reflexa (Convolvulaceae), is commonly known as amarbel or akashbel. In Bangladesh and Nepal some of the tribes use C. reflexa against edema, body ache, cancer, skin infections and liver disorders. Despite its traditional uses there is no information regarding genotoxic effects of either the plant extract or its pure compounds. Methanolic extract of C. reflexa (MECR) and pure compounds derived from it namely, odoroside H, neritaloside, and strospeside, were evaluated in Allium cepa L. and A. sativum L. for their effects on root growth, root apical meristem mitotic index (MI) , and chromosomal aberrations (CAs). In this study, we adopted a new method of calculating percent change in root length. MECR caused a concentration- and time- dependent inhibition in root length at 100 - 10000µg/ml in A. cepa root. It was accompanied by a subsequent decline in MI which is an indicative of its cytotoxic effect. On the contrary, at low concentrations a significant rise in root length was noticeable. In A. sativum, MECR also reduced the root length having IC50 values ~8 x and 4.3 x lower than A. cepa. A variety of CAs were evident in both Allium systems after treatment with MECR, odoroside H and neritaloside. Thus in MECR, cardenolides glycosides, i.e. odoroside H and neritaloside could be accountable for its genotoxicity.

Cytotoxic cardiac glycosides from the fruit (pods) of Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult.

Phytochemical investigation of methanolic extract of Adenium obesum led to the isolation of 42 (1-42) compounds belongs to cardiac glycosides, triterpenoids and steroids. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by spectral techniques UV, IR, NMR and FAB MS. The cardiac glycosides were tested against three human cell lines, 3T3 (normal cells), HeLa (Human cervical cancer cell lines) and PC-3 (Human prostate cancer cell lines). The cardiac glycoside, honghelin (4), obeside B (5) and obeside C (6) showed significant effects against cell lines Hela, 3T3 and PC-3 compared to standard drug doxorubicin. Compounds 4, 5 and 6 exhibited very low IC50 (µM) against the PC3 human cell line. 4 and 6 also showed least IC50 against the HeLa human cell lines as compared to the standard drug doxorubicin whereas these three compounds showed effect on 3T3 cell line with high IC50 values compared to drug cycloheximide.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and antimicrobial activities of benzoxazolone derivatives.

: Background: Pathogenic microbial diseases are now the key virulence in our daily life. Significant research has been carried out in order to trigger the bacterial infections. Amongst the organic molecules, oxazolone and derivatives were found to have excellent bioactivities including antimicrobial activities. METHODS: By keeping in mind the considerable antimicrobial activities of class benzoxazolones, a series of benzoxazolone derivatives 3-16 have been synthesized. Out of which five compounds 10, 11, 14, 15, and 16 were new synthetic derivatives whereas compounds 9, 12, and 13 were already known compounds. These compounds have been synthesized by refluxing of amino phenol and 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole1 (C3H3N2)2CO) (CDI) in a dry THF and then treated with commercially available acid chloride. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1H-NMR, EIMS and elemental analysis. All the compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities and tested by agar well diffusion method. RESULTS: Compounds 14 and 16 showed good activity against S. aureus. Compound 5 showed good while 14 and 16 were found to be most active against E. coli using cefuroxime as a standard. Antifungal activities were carried out by using standard drug nystatin and compounds 4, 5, 9, 11 and compound 12 were found to be active against C. albicans. Compounds 4, 5, 9 and compound 10 showed good while 7, 11, and compound 13 showed excellent activities against Chrysosporium sp. Compounds 6, 7 and compound 12 were found to be most active against A niger and A. flavus, respectively. CONCLUSION: A number of derivatives were identified to have potent antimicrobial activities and may serve as lead compounds for future research.

New dammarane and ursane-type triterpenoids from the flower of Ixora coccinea Linn.

Two new esters of dammarane triterpenoids ixorene isovalerate (1), ixorene 3',8'-dimethyloctanoate (2) and a new ursane-type triterpenoids Ixoroid acid (3) were isolated from the methanolic extract of flowers of Ixora coccinea Linn., along with the three known constituents. The structures of compounds 1 and 3 were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D,2D NMR studies and mass spectrometry as 17ß-dammara-12,20-diene-3ß-isovelarate and 3ß-hydroxy-18ß-urs-12ene-29ß-oic acid, respectively, whereas 2 was identified as 17ß-dammara-12,20-diene-3ß-3',8'-dimethyloctanoate through (1)H NMR and mass spectral data. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity, which exhibited weak activity against the 3T3, PC3 and HeLa cell lines with the IC50 value >30 µM. Antioxidant results of 1 - 5 revealed that only compound 5 showed antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging inhibition with the IC50 1.31 × 10(- 6) ± 0.005 µm mL(- 1). Both activities are the first records of these isolated compounds from the flowers of Ixora coccinea Linn.

Loasins A and B, new flavonoids from Eremostachys loasifolia.

Loasins A (1) and B (2), new flavonoids, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble sub-fraction of the ethanolic extract of Eremostachys loasifolia along with apuleisin (3) and apuleidin (4), isolated for the first time from this species. Their structures were assigned on the basis of their spectral data including 1D and 2D NMR.

Ixoroid: a new triterpenoid from the flowers of Ixora coccinea.

A new natural terpenoid, ixoroid (1), was isolated from the flower of Ixora coccinea, along with the known constituents stigmast-5-en-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (2), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3) and D-mannitol (4). The structure of ixoroid was elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR studies and mass spectrometry as 21,23-epoxy-tirucall-7-en-3beta-ol (1).

Flavonoids from eight tropical plant species that inhibit the multidrug resistance transporter ABCG2.

Overexpression of ABCG2, a membrane-bound multi-drug transporter, can make tumor cells resistant to treatment with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. A high-throughput screening effort with the NCI repository of natural product extracts revealed that eight tropical plant extracts significantly inhibited the function of ABCG2. This activity was tracked throughout the extract fractionation process to a series of ABCG2 inhibitory flavonoids (1-13). Their structures were identified by a combination of NMR, mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism studies, and this resulted in the elucidation of (2S)-5,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-(3''-methylbut-2''-enyl)-flavonone (1), (2S)-5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxy-8-[3'',8''-dimethylocta-2''(E),7''-dienyl]flavonone (3), and 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,5'-dimethoxy-2'-(3'-methylbut-2-enyl)flavone (12) as new compounds.

Shamiminol: a new aromatic glycoside from the stem bark of Bombax ceiba.

A new aromatic glycoside, shamiminol was isolated from the stem bark of Bombax ceiba along with the known constituents stigmasta-3,5-diene, lupenone, (+/-)-lyoniresinol 2a-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and opuntiol, obtained for the first time from this plant. The structure of shamiminol was elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric studies as 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol 1-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1).