Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry
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Peptide Fractions from Pepsin-digested Moringa oleifera Seed Proteins Inhibit Hemoglobin Glycation and Carbohydrate-hydrolyzing Enzymes
Get PDFThe multidirectional abilities of peptide digests and fractions obtained from the hydrolysis of food-based proteins have been investigated in recent times. This study aims to evaluate the effects of pepsin-derived Moringa oleifera seed protein hydrolysates and fractions on hemoglobin glycation and the carbohydrases - ?-amylase and ?-glucosidase. Proteins were extracted from M. oleifera seeds and consequently digested using pepsin. The hydrolysates obtained were separated into fractions of <1 kD, 1-3 kD, and 3-5 kD ranges using size-exclusion chromatography and comparison with elution volumes of known standards. The activities of the hydrolysates and peptide fractions against both the non-enzymatic glycation of hemoglobin and the carbohydrases were determined in vitro. Results revealed that the hydrolysate and its peptide fractions demonstrated varying abilities against the glycation of hemoglobin, with the unfractionated hydrolysate showing better activities (78.230 ± 0.774 % at a maximum concentration of 1.0 mg/ml) than its peptide fractions. Also, the hydrolysates and fractions demonstrated higher inhibitory effects on a-amylase (with all fractions displaying above 50% inhibition at a final concentration of 1.0 mg/mL) than against a-glucosidase. Kinetic analysis of a selected fraction showed that it inhibited ?-amylase via a mixed mechanism (Ki = 0.029 mg/mL) but displayed an uncompetitive mode for ?-glucosidase inhibition (Ki = 0.333 mg/mL). Therefore, it is inferred that M. oleifera seed proteins encode potentially therapeutic peptide sequences that could be further processed to formulate potential antidiabetic agents
Identification of Medicinal Plants and Their Utilization by Community in Kendal Village, Kendal Sub-district
Get PDFTraditional medicine is a cultural heritage from ancestors deeply rooted in the nation's heritage; therefore, its use is still based on spoken and written experience from generation to generation. Even though most people have turned to modern medicine, some still use these medicinal plants as ingredients for medicine, food, and other processed consumption. This study aims to identify the types of medicinal plants found in Kendal village and how to use them, obtain them, and then transform them into effective medications. This study employs qualitative descriptive methodologies. Observation and interviews are employed to collect data. Based on the results of community interviews, it was determined that many Kendal village residents continue to use plants to treat various diseases. The plant parts utilized are rhizomes, leaves, and stems. This medicinal plant has various uses, ranging from direct consumption to boiling
Analysis of Biological Activities of Two Novel Metal (II) Complexes of Andrographis Paniculata Crude Extract
Get PDFMany diseases in nature have led to the death of many young and old. Many bacteria have developed resistance to the available antibiotics on the market. And many drugs employed in treating many diseases such as diabetes mellitus are expensive and are not locally available. Therefore, in order to search for more effective, inexpensive, and locally available drugs, this study synthesized and investigated the biological activities of Andrographis paniculata crude extract and its Co (II) and Ni (II) complexes. The crude extract and synthesized complexes were characterized using a solubility test, Infrared, and Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopic analysis. Their antibacterial potentials were investigated against two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus) and three gram-negative bacteria (Proteus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas) while their antidiabetic activities were examined against ?-amylase and ?-glucosidase enzymes. Acarbose was employed as a standard drug. The crude extract and its metal complexes showed different degrees of solubility in the employed solvents. Infrared analysis suggested coordination of the crude extract to the metal ions through the oxygen donor atom while the formation of the complexes was affirmed through the occurrence of d-d transitions in the visible region of the metal complexes. The metal complexes were found to display more antibacterial activity than the crude extract. Co (II) and Ni (II) complexes of the crude extract were found to exhibit better activities against ?-amylase and ?-glucosidase enzymes, respectively than the crude extract and acarbose. It is concluded that the metal complexes could be considered potential antibacterial and antidiabetic agents
Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Pteridium acquilinium and Newbouldia laevis Leaves Exhibited Antioxidant Activities and Inhibitory Potential Against Selected Clinical Bacteria Isolates
Get PDFEndophytic fungi are important components of plant micro-ecosystems and they exist usually inside the healthy tissues of living plants. Endophytes possess encouraging source of biologically active metabolites for pharmaceutical applications. This study isolated endophytic fungi from Pteridium acquilinium and Newbouldia laevis leaves and evaluated their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. A total of ten endophytic fungal species were isolated from the leaves of the plants, from which six were selected and identified, including; Epicoccum thailandicum; Trichoderma atroviride; Lasiodiplodia parva; Trichoderma yunnanense; Colletotrichum cobbittiense; and, Trichoderma crissum. Among the isolated fungi, Trichoderma crissum (266.2956 ± 84.84 µg/ml) and Lasiodiplodia parva (293.0755 ± 64.95 µg/ml) showed significant scavenging activity on comparison with ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the isolated endophytes showed potential antibacterial activity against the tested clinical pathogens. This study validates that endophytic fungi dwelling in the inner tissue of medicinal plants studied could be a potential source of biologically active metabolites with free radical scavenging activities and also for treatment of infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Escherichia coli
Ethnobotanical Survey of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Medicine and Agri-Food in The Fez-Meknes Region
Get PDFIn order to identify the medicinal plants used in agri-food and traditional medicine by the population of Fez-Meknes region (Morocco), a floristic and ethnobotanical study was carried out in 4 provinces of this region (Fez, Meknes, Azrou, Taza). Questionnaire forms were used to survey the usual users of the plants and herbalists and to collect as much information as possible on the therapeutic and dietary use of aromatic and medicinal plants in the region. For plants used for food, our survey identified 29 species divided into 26 genera and 16 families, including herbaceous plants (70%), trees (16.60%), shrubs (10%) and bushes (3.30%). The study of the medicinal flora used in traditional medicine also allowed the inventory 81 species belonging to 47 families. Leaves are the most commonly used part and the majority of remedies were prepared in the form of infusion (47%) and decoction (26%). Among all the diseases treated, digestive diseases are the most cited (25%), followed by dermatological diseases (21%). The present study allowed us to evaluate some traditional practices used by the Fez-Meknes region population. In this context, it is essential to carry out similar investigations in other regions of the kingdom, in order to safeguard this precious natural heritage by means of a monograph that is as complete as possible and to validate the remedies and preparations identified using rigorous scientific protocols
Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Strophanthus sarmentosus DC
Get PDFStrophanthus sarmentosus DC is used traditionally in the management of snake-bite, arthritis, eye infection, rheumatism, emetic and venereal diseases. Freshly collected mature Strophanthus sarmentosus plant parts were air-dried at room temperature. Each of the plant parts (leaf, stem and roots) was successively extracted by cold extraction method using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol respectively. The crude extracts were subjected to phytochemical, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity analysis by employing chemical tests, agar diffusion and brine shrimps methods.The phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, terpenoids and carbohydrates in all the extracts. The extracts demonstrated broad spectrum activities against both gram- positive and gram-negative bacteria and the fungi tested. The MIC and MMC of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the S. sarmentosus (stem) is between 0.3 and 5.0 mg/mL. The cytotoxic activity (LC50) of the S. sarmentosus extracts (leaf, stem and root) ranged between 117 µg/mL and 270 µg/mL, showing that the extracts are within the medium toxic level according to Clarkson’s toxicity index.
Phytochemical, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Schefflera elliptica Leaves
Get PDFSchefflera elliptica or locally called kayu tulak, is one of the Balinese herbal plants that have traditionally be used to reject (tulak) negative influences that exist in the human body. Althoug, S. elliptica has been routinely used as a part of a ritual in Bali, only a limited study has been reported on its bioactivity. This study was designed to analyze the phytochemical content, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant activity of S. elliptica. In this study, simplisia of S. elliptica was extracted using n-hexane and ethyl acetate solvents, then the viscous extracts of the two solvents were carried out for phytochemical tests, antibacterial activity tests with the Kirby-Bauer method and antioxidant activity tests with based on DPPH method. Phytochemical screening showed that the n-hexane extract contains active compounds in the form of phenols and steroids while ethyl acetate contains active compounds in the form of phenols, tannins, and steroids. Antibacterial screening showed ethyl acetate extract of S. elliptica displayed a diameter zone of inhibition of 10.72±0.71 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, 12.17±2.80 mm against Streptococcus mutans, 12.40±1.65 mm against Escherichia coli and 15.20±2.44 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae. The DPPH analysis showed percentages of 61.17% and 67.42% from n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts respectively, which indicated the antioxidant properties of S. elliptica. Overall, this research provides a preliminary report on the bioactivity potential of S. elliptica mainly in term of antibacterial and antioxidant properties which open up possibilities for future drug development
Study of Physical, Chemical, and Organoleptic Properties of Functional Drink Turkey Berry (Solanum torvum swartz) with the Addition of Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea linn) and Emprit Ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Amarum)
Get PDFTurkey berry (Solanum torvum Swartz) is a wild plant often found in Indonesia and its usage is still limited. Turkey berry has a high potential as a source of antioxidants, which can be consumed as a functional drink. Ginger and butterfly pea flowers were selected as additional ingredients in composite drinks to enhance the quality of the functional drink in terms of function and sensory characteristics. This study aimed to determine the effects of variations in the concentration of turkey berry, butterfly pea flower, and ginger on the physical, chemical, and organoleptic characteristics. The design method used a Simple Randomized Block Design with four treatment combinations to be analyzed in three repetitions. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine the effects of the treatment. The results showed that turkey berry, in combination with ginger and butterfly pea flower, had a significant effect on the physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics, including pH, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidants, color, aroma, taste, and preference
In silico Study on Structural Inhibition of Bacterial DNA Gyrase by Major Secondary Metabolites Found in Grape Seed Extract
Get PDFIn the early 20th century, during the era of investigating and identifying essential “vitaminsâ€, scientific research focused on grape seed extracts and their bioactive components, particularly polyphenols. Extensive studies have demonstrated that grape seed extract, rich in proanthocyanidins, offers protection against a wide spectrum of diseases, encompassing inflammation, cardiac ailments, peptic ulcers, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and microbial infections. To explore potential secondary metabolites within grape seed extract that could serve as structural inhibitors of bacterial DNA Gyrase, molecular docking studies were performed. The docking results revealed that two phytochemicals, namely (-)-catechin and Procyanidin-B2, exhibited the highest potency in inhibiting DNA gyrase subunit B. Subsequent in silico physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameter predictions were conducted using specialized web servers for the examined phytochemicals. Notably, (-)-catechin displayed superior inhibitory and ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) characteristics, suggesting its potential for utilization in synthesizing novel antibacterial compounds
Comparative Assessment of the Proximate Composition, Functional Properties and Amino Acid Profile of Dioscorea bulbifera, Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea rotundata Found in Minna, Niger State
Get PDFThe proximate composition, functional properties and amino acid profile of samples of Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea bulbifera were investigated using standard analytical methods. The results showed that Dioscorea alata had the highest ash (5.59±0.06 %) and crude fiber content (12.12±0.20 %), indicating that it has more mineral stuffing and is best to reduce the risk of obesity. Dioscorea rotundata had the highest fat content (11.63±0.04 %) as well as the lowest moisture content (7.04±0.06 %), indicating that it is a better source of calories and has a longer shelf-life than other yam species analysed. Dioscorea bulbifera also had the highest crude protein (8.64±0.03 %) and carbohydrates (77.51±0.08 %) than other yam species analysed, indicating high bodybuilding capacity and a better source of energy than other yam samples analysed. Dioscorea alata showed the highest bulk density (0.87±0.02 g/cm3) and swelling capacity (15.25±0.03 g/g). It is indicating its usefulness in the reduction of paste thickness and water-holding capacity of starch granules respectively while Dioscorea rotundata, showed the highest water absorption capacity (164.02±0.02 %), oil absorption capacity (149.76±0.02 %) and dispersibility (72.17±0.01 %). This indicates its importance in the consistency and bulking of products, flavour retaining in food and reconstitution of flour samples in water to give a fine consistent paste during mixing. The yam species were also rich in amino acids which are building blocks of protein. However, Dioscorea rotundata was the richest in amino acid content, as it had 36.32±0.16 g/100g and 36.49±0.16 g/100g, for essential and non-essential amino acids respectively