Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 6, Issue 3, 2016

Saffron is an integral part of various traditional medicines containing several phytochemicals having disease preventing and health promoting properties. The antidepressant, cardio protective and chemopreventive properties of saffron can be attributed to its constinuent active phytochemicals and bioactive compounds like crocin, crocetin and safranal. Publicly available databases like NCBI-PubChem and ChEMBL have millions of bioactive compounds.This offers opportunity to mine the compound(s) of interest based on desired attributes in the therapeutic area of interest. The current review, attempts to identify potential of molecular basis of bioactive compounds of saffron.

Edible plants are vital in our diet and have ethno medicinal values as well. They are an essential source of food and highly beneficial for the maintenance of health and prevention of diseases. The genus Typhonium (Family: Araceae) is a leafy vegetable and comprises of about 69 species of tuberous perennial herbs. It is widely distributed in tropical region of India, China, Bangladesh, Burma, Siam, Ceylon, Malaysia and North Australia. In India, Typhonium trilobatum is well grown in north-eastern zone on rainy season and local name is “Kharkan” and its english name is “Bengal Arum”. It contains several phytochemical and nutraceutical constituents. Literature reveals that it has multiple pharmacological activities, which include anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic activity, wound healing activity, anti-bacterial activity, anti-fungal activity, anti-diarrheal activity, larvicidal activity, anti-oxidant activity, anti-diabetic activity, and anti-depressant activity. A species of genus Typhonium; Typhonium flagelliforme was found to possess significant anticancer activity. In this review, taxonomical, micro-morphological and karyotypic description of Typhonium trilobatum along with the pharmacological activities reported in last few decades is summarized. This review would assist researchers to get pertinent information for further research about this plant.

Objective: The objective of the work was to synthesize polyacrylamide (PAAm) grafted locust bean gum (LBG) via conventional method using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as free radical initiator to improve flocculation efficiency. Method: The effects of concentration of CAN, acrylamide (AAm), LBG, reaction time, and temperature on grafting were studied to determine the grafting percentage and grafting efficiency. The synthesized graft copolymers have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling of graft copolymer was measured in different solutions with pH values ranging from 1 to 12. Viscosity of the polymer solutions were carried out with an Oswald viscometer. Flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied in kaolin suspension. The acute oral toxicity study of graft polymer was evaluated as per OECD guide line. Results: The graft copolymer shows swelling-deswelling behavior in buffer solutions with pH 2.0 and 9.0. The intrinsic viscosity of LBG improved significantly on grafting of polyacrylamide chains. Grafted copolymer gives better performance by showing lower turbidity than LBG. No mortality of the animal was observed during 14 days after treatment with graft copolymer. Conclusion: Among the grafted LBG, the graft copolymers showing higher intrinsic viscosity were the most efficient flocculent.

Background: Endophtes live symbiotically in the tissues of host plants without causing visible harm. These endophytes produce not only the plant bioactive metabolites but also a host of unexplored structurally diverse natural products having biological activity. New niches may be explored for bioprospecting endophytes for the development of novel candidate molecules having industrial applications. Methods: The bioactive compound is isolated from the endophyte Emericella sp. associated with Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem), that potentially inhibits or prevents the human pathogenic disease caused by Candida albicans. The molecule was characterized by employing TLC, IR and GCMS. The isolated compound was identified as N-[(2S, 3aR, 6S, 7aS)-6-acetamido-octahydro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl]2- (adamantan-1-yl) acetamide having sulfur. Results: In the present study, a new molecule containing sulphur inhibits the growth of Candida specifically. The molecule can serve as a lead molecule for designing new drugs having anticandidal activity. The compound having anticandidal activity belongs to the class of antifungal agent – allylamine, azole and polyene. Conclusion: A new molecule containing sulphur and inhibiting specifically C. albicans is reported in the present study. They are known to promote plant growth and yield, act as biocontrol agents and are known to produce secondary metabolites, such as enzymes, growth hormones, antimicrobial, antifungal, or anticancerous substances.

Background: Desmodium adscendens is a potential source of different phytochemicals that may be responsible for its numerous pharmacological properties. The aim of this study is to analyse the constituents of leaf extracts of Desmodium adscendens using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, and evaluate the antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities of the plant extracts. Methods: The dried and grind leaves of Desmodium adscendens were successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were concentrated using rotary evaporator, and screened for the presence of phytochemicals. The hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the plant were evaluated for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities using agar diffusion and DPPH assays respectively, while the GC-MS analysis of the plant extracts were done. Results: Preliminary phytochemical investigation of crude n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from the leaves of Desmodium adscendens revealed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones and glycosides. All the crude extracts gave a clear zone of inhibition against the growth of the test bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomona aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiellae pneumonae) at moderate to high concentrations, as well as test fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer) at high concentrations. N-hexane and methanol extracts of the plant leaves possessed significant antioxidant activity by exhibiting DPPH free radical scavenging property with IC50 50.66 μg/mL and 5.44 μg/mL respectively, using DPPH antioxidant assay. The compounds present in the extracts were characterized using Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). GC-MS of Nhexane extract showed a total number of five chemical constituents while Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts revealed six and eight compounds respectively. Conclusion: The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Desmodium adscendens may be attributed to the presence of the most abundant bioactive compounds present in synergy with all other compounds present in relatively small amounts. This accounted for the use of the plant in ethnomedicine for the treatment of toothache, stomach disorder and other pathogenic infections. This plant may be a potential source of novel antimicrobial drugs.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammation process that can affect the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, mainly in obese individuals. The passion fruit peel flour (PFPF) is rich in fibers that help to reduce cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Methods: In this study, AP was induced by 5% sodium taurocholate inoculation (biliopancreatic duct). The prognosis was evaluated after treatment with PFPF in obese rats overfed during lactation. PFPF (40 mg/kg b.w.) was administered by oral gavage five h after AP induction or sham surgery. Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: control; sham (CSP), AP (CP) and AP treated with PFPF (40mg) (CP40); obese, sham (OSP), AP (OP), and AP treated with PFPF (40mg) (OP40). Results: The results demonstrated a significant reduction of blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations after PFPF treatment, compared to AP groups. PFPF treated groups also had lower concentrations of IL-6, and an increased concentration of IL-10 in the OP40 group. Conclusion: In conclusion, PFPF delays the absorption of simple carbohydrates, due to being rich in pectin (in gel form). This improved glycemic control after AP induction. This may be useful in improving the inflammatory response during acute pancreatitis.

Background: Jussara (Euterpe edulis Martius) is a palm tree in the Arecaceae family that is native to the Atlantic forest in Brazil. The fruits are round and dark purple due to their anthocyanin content. They have similar sensorial and nutritional properties as açaí berries. However, they have been reported to have a higher concentration of anthocyanins than açaí. Traditionally, the fruits have been preserved by freezing them. However, to the best of our knowledge, nobody has ever tried to compare the nutritional value and biochemical composition of these fruits when they were frozen slowly or fast. So, the goals of this investigations were to quantify the moisture and organic compounds in fresh jussara fruit, as well as fruit that had been frozen fast vs slow. Methods: The fruit pulp was submitted to slow vs. rapid freezing. Both samples were analyzed for water, total solids, ash, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, soluble fiber and insoluble fiber in jussara fruit pulp were determined. Results: The moisture content was a little higher when the fruit pulp was frozen slowly. There was a decrease in total solids, ash, insoluble solids, total acidity, anthocyanin content and pH when frozen slowly. Also, jussara was low in carbohydrates and a good source of dietary fiber. Conclusion: The moisture content was a little higher when the fruit pulp was frozen slowly. There was a decrease in total solids, ash, insoluble solids, total acidity, anthocyanin content and pH when frozen slowly. Also, jussara fruit was low in carbohydrates and a good source of dietary fiber.

Background: In current era, plants are used worldwide to cure various ailments. There is an urgent need to search new plant derived bioactive agents that can be beneficial to cure helminthiasis. Therefore, we performed phytochemical screening, anthelmintic activity and anticonvulsant activity of Cleome viscosa Linn seeds. Methods: Paralysis time (PT) and death time (DT) evaluation method was used to evaluate anthelmintic activity. For anticonvulsant activity, maximal electroshock induced seizures (MES) and pentylenetetrazol -induced (PTZ) models were used. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds in petroleum ether extract (PEE) and ethyl acetate extract (EAE). Cardiac glycosides, anthraquinone were present in PEE and terpenoids, steroids were present in EAE. At doses of 10 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml, the extracts were evaluated against Pheretima posthuma (earthworm). The extracts showed dose-dependent anthelmintic effects on the earthworms. The findings suggested that no significant difference was observed between EAE (50mg/ml) and albendazole (reference drug, 10 mg/ml) against the earthworms. In view of anticonvulsant potential using PTZ model, PEE (400 mg/kg b.w.) and EAE (400 mg/kg b.w.) showed insignificant difference with hind limb tonic extension time as exhibited by standard treated animal (Phenytoin sodium 40mg/kg b.w.). The findings of PTZ model suggested that latency to myclonic spasm and latency to clonic seizure as shown by EAE (400mg/kg b.w.) was having no significant difference when comparision was made with Diazepam. Conclusion: The outcome revealed that the EAE (400mg/kg b.w.) is potent antihelminth and anticonvulsant.

Background: Aloe vera has been used as a medicinal plant for several hundred years. Aloe vera gel is a rich source of certain bioactive polysaccharides which are essential for immune-therapic activities. Aloe vera gel is prone to bacterial activities which could reduce its storage life due to high water content (97-99%). Drying is the main operation for the dehydration of aloe vera gel but it could significantly affect the physicochemical and structural properties of dried aloe vera gel which in turn may alter its functionality. Individual drying processes like hot air and microwave drying, often fails to retain the quality of dried gel. Methods: Dehydration of aloe vera gel was performed using hot air, microwave-assisted, and hybriddrying processes towards the retention of its physicochemical and functional properties and, the statistical data analysis was performed by ANOVA to understand the effect of drying conditions on its quality. Results: Among all drying techniques, ‘centrifugation followed by freeze-drying’, and ‘centrifugation followed by hot air drying’ showed the highest carbohydrate and protein retention in dried aloe vera gel of 91.8, 82.3% and 90.9, 85.6%, respectively. Microwave input power did not alter the water retention capacity, but its higher value reduced both swelling property and fat adsorption capacity. However, all these functional properties gradually fell down with the increase in temperature of hot air drying. Conclusion: Carbohydrate, protein contents, and functional properties were sensitive to hot air drying temperature (>70 °C) and microwave power input in microwave-assisted drying (>160W). Retention of higher swelling and water retention capacity in hybrid techniques implied that the structural modification of the dried matrix was less affected.

Background: Vast quantity of leaves as biomass waste is generated from Dendrocalamus strictus (DS) plantations and may have serious environmental impact from their disposal. One approach for management of this waste is the recovery of valuable compounds for industrial applications. Objective: Antioxidant capacity (AOXC) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (GIA) guided chemical examination of the leaves and identification of their phenolic compounds. Methods: Eight extracts were prepared by extracting the fresh and shade dried leaves at room temperature for 72 hrs or Soxhlet extracted for 6 hrs with methanol and methanol: water (4:1. v/v) separately. Total Phenolic Contents (TPCs) and Total Flavonoid Contents (TFCs) were determined using Folin- Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride method, respectively. Antioxidant capacity was ascertained by DPPH• scavenging, reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging and metal chelating assays. Phenolic compounds were characterized using HPLC-ESI-QTOF- MS. Results: Hot methanol: water extract of the fresh leaves, being the most active, based on highest yield, TPCs, TFCs and total AOXC was fractionated with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. Ethyl acetate and butanol fractions were the most potent due to their highest TPCs, TFCs and total AOXC, however, showed weak GIA. 6 phenolic acids, 5 flavones and 1 flavonol with varied distribution in these fractions were characterized. A significant correlation was found between polyphenols and AOXC as well as within the various antioxidant assays. Conclusion: DS leaves could be utilized as a potential natural source of antioxidants for socioeconomic and environmental benefits.