Current Bioactive Compounds - Volume 21, Issue 5, 2025

Non-optimized extraction conditions can lead to loss, degradation, and modification of biomolecules. In this study, we investigated the influence of various factors on the extraction yield and antioxidant activity of total carotenoids from orange coral Astroides calycularis.

Total carotenoid yields were compared using eleven different solvent systems, with acetone demonstrating the highest extraction efficiency. Subsequently, we explored the impact of extraction time, temperature, acetone concentration, liquid-matter ratio, the addition of a synthetic antioxidant (butylated hydroxytoluene), and ultrasonic power on total carotenoids' yield and antioxidant capacities, employing experimental designs based on Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken methodologies.

Under the different extraction conditions, total carotenoid yields exhibited a remarkable range from 2.43 mg/g to 28.12 mg/g. Additionally, the antioxidant activity saw significant enhancements from 30.68% to 57.76% for the ABTS assay and from 14.34% to 44.34% for the DPPH assay, respectively. Ultrasound extraction yielded higher carotenoid levels (25.90 mg/g vs. 10.65 mg/g in microwaves) and better antioxidant activity (IC50 values: 0.19 ± 0.002 mg/mL for ABTS, 0.35 ± 0.009 mg/mL for DPPH) compared to microwave extraction. The interplay between extraction time and temperature emerged as pivotal, with increased time initially boosting yields and optimal temperatures expediting extractions within shorter durations. Higher solvent concentrations and appropriate solvent-to-sample ratios also played a significant role in enhancing carotenoid migration.

By optimizing extraction conditions, researchers can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of natural product isolation processes, thus facilitating further exploration and utilization of these valuable bioactive compounds.

The present study aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of an ethanolic extract of Malvaviscus arboreus Dil.Ex.cav against HFD-induced hyperlipidemia in experimental rats.

Dietary alterations influence normal metabolic function and provide significant risks for cardiovascular disease and oxidative stress. The likelihood of dyslipidemia is related to the intake of HFD and is associated with increased LDL and VLDL cholesterol in humans. This condition also increases the risk of atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hepatosteatosis.

The objective of the present study is to determine whether the EEMA can help in reducing elevated levels of lipids (such as cholesterol and triglycerides) in HFD-induced hyperlipidemia in Wistar rats.

Normal control (Group I) receives a normal standard pellet. HFD was given to all the experimental groups for 15 days without any treatment to achieve hyperlipidemia. Except for the negative control group, the positive control, the low dose (300 mg/kg), and the high dose (600 mg/kg), EEMA groups were treated for the next 16^th to 28^th days along with the HFD. The lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, and VLDL) and liver markers (AST, ALT, and ALP) were estimated at the end of the study on the 29^th day.

The oral administration of EEMA offered significant dose-dependent protection against HFD-induced hyperlipidemia. It significantly improved the lipid profile and liver function biomarkers as compared to a negative control group, with the maximum effects recorded by the EEMA at 600 mg/kg b.w.

The present study revealed that the EEMA protects against HFD-induced hyperlipidemia.

Although several specialized methods for treating various cancers have been developed, clinical outcomes for patients with colon cancer have shown unfavorable effects in addition to chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Therefore, finding medicinal substances with minimal to no side effects is crucial in the fight against cancer. Further, this study underscores the significance of 2-phenylindolizine acetamide due to the diverse biological features and the extensive application of this moiety as an effective anticancer and antibacterial drug.

The goal of the study was to investigate novel, prospective 2-phenylindolizines as anticancer and antibacterial drugs.

The synthesized compounds were characterized by different spectral analyses like ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetics in-silico studies were performed to predict the drug performance in the body using the SwissADME kit. The molecular docking was performed to check the catalytic binding site between the Topoisomerase-IV from S. pneumoniae and synthesized compounds. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, and the compounds were screened for in vitro anticancer activity using an MTT assay with doxorubicin as a reference.

Interestingly, 2-phenylindolizine scaffolds 7c, 7f, and 7g revealed a remarkable antibacterial activity against relevant organisms S. aureus, E. coli, S. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa. The target compounds 7e and 7h showed excellent anticancer activity against Colo-205 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC50 values of 68.62, 62.91, 54.23, and 46.34 µM, respectively. Compounds 7a, 7f, and 7c exhibited the highest hydrogen bonding amino acid interactions Asp83 (2.23 Å), Asp83 (2.08 Å), His74 (2.05 Å), His76 (1.71 Å), and Ser80 (1.05 Å) with active site of Topoisomerase-IV from S. pneumoniae (4KPE).

This research focused on recent advances in drug design and development, as well as Phenylindolizine derivatives and how they work on anticancer and antibacterial sites of action.

Nature is full of surprises; it gives us problems along with solutions, but the only condition is that it needs to be explored. The ability of endophytes to tackle pathogens is one such example that falls within the context of the current work. In the current study, we have assessed the antifungal potential of endophytic bacterial metabolites of medicinal importance through in-vitro and in-silico studies.

Bioactive metabolites from Staphylococcus species, an endophytic bacterium, were extracted to assess their antifungal potential through disc diffusion assays and minimum inhibitory concentration determination. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy characterized the diverse composition of the endophytic extracts. The interactions between these metabolites and target proteins, such as CYP51B in Aspergillus fumigatus, were revealed by in-silico studies, which included molecular docking and dynamics simulations. This provided a thorough understanding of the antifungal qualities inherent in endophytic bacterial metabolites.

The research findings highlighted that the zone of inhibition (ZOI) exhibited by the crude extract from Staphylococcus endophytes (23.6 ± 1.24 mm) is comparable to that of the control, Voriconazole (23 ± 0.82 mm). Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentration of the crude extract (0.21 ± 0.06 mg/ml) is lower than the control (0.33 ± 0.11 mg/ml). Notably, among the 45 identified endophytic metabolites, Pyrrolo [1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(phenylmethyl), demonstrated superior inhibition efficacy against CYP51B (PDB Id: 4UYM) of Aspergillus fumigatus as compared to Voriconazole. These findings emphasized the potential of the identified metabolite as a promising antifungal agent.

The endophytic metabolite, Pyrrolo [1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(phenylmethyl), showcased significant antifungal potential as a therapeutic agent against fungal infections.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a plant with therapeutic properties, has been extensively utilized in China for centuries. The extract derived from its roots is commonly referred to as Huang-Qin.

The informative data were gathered from many electronic databases, including Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Web of Science. The study criteria for selection included analyzing scientific manuscripts that specifically investigated phytoconstituents and their pharmacological effects. The keywords used were Scutellaria baicalensis, bioactive components, and pharmacological profile.

S. baicalensis root has been utilized to manage dysentery, diarrhea, hypertension, insomnia, inflammation, respiratory infections, and hemorrhaging. Wogonoside and baicalin are the primary bioactive constituents obtained from S. baicalensis root. The flavones have been documented to possess many pharmacological properties, such as hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant activities.

The main concern of this study is to enhance the accessibility of extensive research discoveries about the pharmacological potential of S. baicalensis.

This manuscript's main concern is to enhance the accessibility of extensive research discoveries about the pharmacological potential of S. baicalensis.

This work aims to evaluate the combined anti-diabetic effects of metformin and catechin in vitro and in silico.

In vitro, anti-diabetic potentials of (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) catechin, metformin, and a combination of catechin and metformin were studied at different concentrations using acarbose as standard. An in silico study determined their binding interactions with α-amylase (PDB ID: 1hvx) and α-glucosidase (PDB ID: 5zcb). The molecular docking study further revealed the binding energy and interacting residues of the docked 3D structure of the catechin, metformin, and acarbose as a standard with the α-amylase and α-glucosidase receptors.

The result showed that a 100 μg/ml dosage of metformin and catechin demonstrated higher enzyme inhibition compared to the separate treatments. Compared to metformin and acarbose, the results of this study showed that catechin with 1hvx and 5zcb exhibited the highest binding affinity interaction via hydrogen bonding and pi-interaction.

The study's findings showed that when compared to metformin and acarbose, catechin with 1hvx and 5zcb showed the highest binding affinity relationship via hydrogen bonding and pi-interaction. Higher levels of enzyme inhibition were seen when metformin and catechin were administered together than when either medication was taken alone. Based on the aforementioned report, we deduced that metformin and catechin together had more potent anti-diabetic actions in vitro. We can conclude that catechin, in combination with metformin, may be developed into a possible oral hypoglycemic drug. High-affinity capacity catechin was found to have a strong inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The possible interaction pathways between these main inhibitors and two digestive enzymes were identified by docking studies. This study demonstrates the efficaciousness of catechin in preventing and treating post-hyperglycemia. This work suggests interesting directions for future research and clinical applications by endorsing the use of these phytocompounds as powerful anti-diabetic pharmaceuticals, either as single compounds or in combination with synthetic drugs.

This review study examines Jatropha species' phytochemical and biological features, focusing on their secondary metabolites and biological activities. By integrating current information, the paper aims to support future research.

An extensive PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science search was conducted using “Jatropha,” “phytochemicals,” and “biological activity” phrases. Peer-reviewed and relevant papers were selected. Jatropha biological activity and phytochemical profiles were included, but irrelevant, non-English, and unaccessible full-text research was excluded.

This review paper shows that a wide variety of secondary metabolites, including terpenes, lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, and alkaloids, have been identified in the Jatropha species. These metabolites have many biological properties, including cytotoxicity, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancerogenic, antiviral, and insecticidal effects.

This study covers Jatropha species' phytochemical and pharmacological properties,emphasizing their use as sources of secondary metabolites with high bioactivity. The summarized data effectively guides future investigations of medical applications of compounds obtained from Jatropha species.

Inflammation, a crucial defense mechanism of the immune system, seeks to safeguard and restore tissue equilibrium in response to tissue damage or infection by pathogens. Key indicators of inflammation include redness, discomfort, swelling, warmth, and impaired function. However, unmanaged inflammation can lead to serious health issues.

The aim of this research work is to perform docking studies to find out the potent anti-inflammatory activity of various moieties (Schiff bases, hydrazones, and amino acid) derivatives, which are attached to C-8 of 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarins. Also, the synthesized compounds were characterized and their pharmacological evaluation (in-vitro and in-vivo study) was conducted.

Lipinski's Rule of Five assessed drug-likeness for each designed molecule. Molecular docking with COX-2 protein was conducted using AutoDock vina to identify the highest-scoring molecule. Various novel coumarin derivatives, which include Schiff bases, hydrazone, and amino acid derivatives (F, G, and H, respectively) were prepared by inserting the formyl group at the C-8 position of 7- hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin. At first, the docking studies were performed against 2AZ5 and 5KIR receptors to find the activity against inflammation. Also, the compounds with the best dock scores were synthesized and elucidated by FT-IR, ¹H- NMR, and Mass spectroscopy. Moreover, a series of novel derivatives were screened in in-vitro and in-vivo to evaluate the potent anti-inflammatory activity.

All the novel derivatives, which were synthesized have been found to show potent anti-inflammatory activity by in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation. Among all the derivatives, compound F1 showed the highest inhibitory effect against TNF-α and COX-2 enzymes.

Our result exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activity of the novel coumarin compounds, especially the substituted anilines and amino acids at C8 of the coumarin moiety, which works against TNF- α and COX-2 enzyme.