Natural Products Journal, The - Volume 8, Issue 2, 2018

A growing body of evidence has indicated that endophytic microorganism is one of the important prolific producers of natural products with potential application in new drug discovery. On the basis of the extensive literature search, new endophyte-related findings in secondary metabolites uncovered during the past 11 years (2006-2016) were summarized in this review according to their bioactive properties.

Natural products are a rich source of chemical constituents with wide structural diversity, along with tremendous therapeutic potential. So that the medicine derived from natural sources such as plants, microorganisms, marine, etc. are the endowments of nature for the endurance of life. Barleria prionitis (BP) is one of the medicinal plants, used by people for curing various ailments from the ancient time. According to literature, almost 300 species of Barleria are known; among them Barleria prionitis is one of the important species distributed worldwide. Barleria prionitis is an ayurvedic medicinal plant, eminently known as “Vajradanti” and “Procupine flower” member of the Acanthaceae family. Barleria is a prickly shrub, found to be enriched with a diverse class of secondary metabolites such as anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavonoids and iridoid glycosides. Almost every part of this plant has been screened for various pharmacological activities viz. antiseptic, antifertility, antihypertensive, diuretic, hepatoprotective and so on. Barleria prionitis is one of the vital ingredients of many herbal teeth formulations. This review gives insight into the botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, clinical study, quality control, and formulations of Barleria prionitis. A compilation of these data might be helpful to the scientists working on this plant. There are few untapped parameters of Barleria, like pharmacokinetics and molecular level mechanism studies that can be an important area of research.

Helicobacter pylori are a widespread chronic infection that accompanied man from long ago. The infection is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcer, stomach cancer and dyspeptic symptoms. Large-scale eradication therapy regimens are linked with a rapid increase in antibiotic resistance. Moreover, different regimens used for therapy require multiple-day complex drug administration and are associated with side effects which can lead to treatment discontinuation. Our diet contains many substances with proven bacteriostatic or bactericidal properties against H. pylori. Although these food products are not proven to allow permanent H. pylori eradication, they can reduce bacterial colonization, the degree of stomach inflammation, thus potentially lowering the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma development.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Anabasis aretioides (A. aretioides) on blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin- induced diabetic rat. Methods: The effect of A. aretioides aerial part aqueous extract (A.P.A.E) (5 mg/kg) on blood glucose levels was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats (n=6). A preliminary screening for various bioactive constituents was realized and the antioxidant potential of the aqueous extract was also demonstrated. The histopathological changes in liver and pancreas have been evaluated both in normal and STZ diabetic rats. Key Findings: Both single and oral administration of the A.P.A.E (5 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction on blood glucose levels in STZ rats (p<0.0001). Moreover, the preliminary phytochemical screening of A. aretioides A.P.A.E has demonstrated the presence of polyphenols, tannins, saponins, mucilage, sterol, sesquiterpenes, terpenoids, carbohydrates and glycosides. Conclusion: We conclude that A. aretioides aqueous extract exhibits antihyperglycemic activity.

Background: New antibacterial agents are urgently needed due to the increasing number of resistance of microorganisms to available antibiotics. Seaweeds are known as a source of bioactive compounds including antibacterial agents. Our research focuses on one of abundance Indonesian's red seaweed Gracilaria arcuata. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to screen the bioactivity of G. arcuata against fish pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio sp.) and to identify antibacterial compounds. Biological activity evaluation showed inhibition against the fish pathogenic bacteria under bioautography, MIC, and MBC assay.In addition, we examined the potential of G. arcuata as an agarophyte. Methods: G. arcuata was extracted with ethyl acetate. Bioassay guided fractionation was applied to find active fraction. Fractionation was done on silica gel on column chromatography with eluents 100% chloroform to 100% methanol. Active compounds were identified using GC-MS and dereplication using MarinLit. Result: The bioautography assay showed that 3 fractions were identified with antibacterial activity and one fraction is only active against A. hydrophila. The value of MIC for extract was 2.5 μg/μl and 1.25 μg/μl for active fraction. The compounds were identified as Hexadecanoic acid and sterol compounds such as Cholest-5-en-3-ol, Stigmast-5-en-3-B-ol (24S), Ergost-5,7-dien-3-ol (3β), Ergost- 5-en-3-ol. FT-IR analysis of water fraction showed that G. arcuata is not agarophyte type. The signals of sulfated β-D-galactose and sulfated vibration (S=O and SO2) that concluded that G. arcuata to be predicted as sulfated polysaccharide. Conclusion: This research indicates a great potential of G. arcuata as an antibacterial agent and produce sulfated polysaccaride.

Background: Leukoencephalopathy (LEP) is a type of disease producing a variety of neurologic disturbances, the most prominent of which is dementia. The aim of the present study is to test the modulatory effect of sinapic acid against toluene induced dementia of LEP type in rats. Materials and Methods: The study was designed to induce dementia by inhalation of toluene vapours (0.7% in air for 15 min.) for a period of 14 days in rats and then divided among different groups, i.e. Treatment group, negative control and two groups of sinapic acid, (at a dose of 20 and 40mg/kg, p.o.). These groups were treated and observed until the 28^th day of experimental trial. The avoidance/escape behaviour was measured via Pole Climbing Apparatus; spatial memory was measured via Morris Water Maze, and locomotion was measured via photoactometer (beam breaks). The behavioral, Neuronal and biochemical parameters were determined. The estimation of Monoamine Oxidase (MAO-A, MAO-B), TNF-α, Acetylcholine esterase Enzyme and various antioxidant enzymes (GSH, TBARS, Nitrite, Catalase) was done by methods available in literature. Histological changes in the brain were also observed. Result: Rats receiving 40 mg/kg of sinapic acid showed a significant therapeutic activity against toluene induced dementia of LEP type in rats. Conclusion: From the present experimental findings, it has been concluded that a dose of 40 mg/kg, (p.o.) of sinapic acid provides better neuromodulation in neurons against toluene induced dementia of LEP type in rats with a better choice of drug.