Extracts of Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) flowers are used in Thailand as a component of cosmetics and the chemical composition of the flowers suggest that they may have antioxidant activity. In this study the potential antioxidant activity of C. ternatea extracts and an extract containing eye gel formulation was investigated. Aqueous extracts were shown to have stronger antioxidant activity (as measured by DPPH scavenging activity) than ethanol extracts (IC(50) values were 1 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL, respectively). Aqueous extracts incorporated in to an eye gel formulation were also shown to retain this activity, however, it was significantly less than a commercial antiwrinkle cream included for comparison. The total phenolic content was 1.9 mg/g extract as gallic acid equivalents. The data from this study support the use of C. ternatea extracts as antioxidant inclusions in cosmetic products.
From the fresh leaf sheathes of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and rhizomes of galanga (Alpinia galanga) light yellow and colorless oils, respectively, were obtained by hydrodistillation and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) in yields of 0.24% and 0.03%, and 0.11% and trace (w/w), respectively. By GC/MS analysis, five major constituents were identified in lemongrass oil, E-citral, Z-citral, β-myrcene, selina-6-en-4-ol, and cis-ocimene, and five in galanga oil, 1,8-cineole, phenol 4-(2-propenyl)-acetate, dl-limonene, α-pinene, and α-terpineol. Three major components of the combined lemongrass and galanga oils (
Four medicinal plants (Quercus infectoria, Kaempferia galanga, Coptis chinensis and Glycyrrhiza uralensis) as well as one traditional Thai treatment for aphthous ulcers based on these four plants were tested for antimicrobial activity. MIC values for a range of bacteria and Candida albicans were determined, with both type strains and clinical isolates being used. Antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS radical scavenging assay. Among the four plants, Q. infectoria showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC of 0.41 mg/mL, while C. chinensis showed antifungal activity against C. albicans with an MIC of 6.25 mg/mL. Activity was also shown against a range of other organisms including Salmonella typhi, Serratia marcescens, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. The antimicrobial activity of the traditional aphthous ulcer preparation (a powder) was comparable to that for the individual plant extracts, however, incorporation of the powder into a gel formulation resulted in the loss of almost all activity. All extracts, with the exception of K. galanga, also showed good antioxidant activity. This study supports the traditional use of these plants and suggests that they may also be useful in the treatment of other infections.
L-dopa, a dopaminergic agonist, is the gold standard for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, due to the long-term toxicity and adverse effects of using L-dopa as the first-line therapy for Parkinson’s disease, a search for alternative medications is an important current challenge. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine has suggested the use of Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Fabaceae) as an anti-Parkinson’s agent. The present study aimed to quantify the amount of L-dopa in M. pruriens seed extract by HPLC analysis. The cytotoxicity and neuroprotective properties of M. pruriens aqueous extract were investigated by two in vitro models including the serum deprivation method and co-administration of hydrogen peroxide assay. The results showed the significant neuroprotective activities of M. pruriens seed extracts at a concentration of 10 ng/mL. In addition, the effects of L-dopa and M. pruriens seed extract on in vitro acetylcholinesterase activities were studied. M. pruriens seed extract demonstrated acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while synthetic L-dopa enhanced the activity of the enzyme. It can be concluded that the administration of M. pruriens seed might be effective in protecting the brain against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. M. prurience seed extract containing L-dopa has shown less acetylcholinesterase activity stimulation compared with L-dopa, suggesting that the extract might have a superior benefit for use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
This study focused on characterization of the chemical components of an aromatherapy recipe. The formulation consisted of four blended essential oils; rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, pine oil and lime oil (volume ratio 6 : 2 : 1 : 1). The single and combination essential oils were identified by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis of GC-MS data revealed that several components exist in the mixture. The five most important components of the blended essential oils were 1,8-cineole (35.6 %), α-pinene (11.1 %), limonene (9.6 %), camphor (8.4 %), and camphene (6.6 %). The main components of rosemary oil were 1,8-cineole (37.3 %), α-pinene (19.3 %), camphor (14.7 %), camphene (8.8 %), and β-pinene (5.5 %); of eucalyptus oil 1,8-cineole (82.6 %) followed by limonene (7.4 %), o-cymene (4.3 %), -terpinene (2.7 %), and α-pinene (1.5 %); of pine oil terpinolene (26.7 %), α-terpineol (20.50 %), 1terpineol (10.8 %), α-pinene (6.0 %), and -terpineol (5.3 %); and of lime oil limonene (62.9 %), -terpinene (11.5 %), α-terpineol (7.6 %), terpinolene (6.0 %), and α-terpinene (2.8 %). The present study provided a theoretical basis for the potential application of blended essential oils to be used as an aromatherapy essential oil recipe. GC-MS serves as a suitable and reliable method for the quality control of the chemical markers.
The objective of this research was to develop Mucuna pruriens jelly formula to be suitable and easily edible for Parkinson’s patients. The recipe of jelly consisted of M. pruriens seed dry extract as an active ingredient, gelatin, glycerin, citric acid, sodium benzoate, steviol, coffee flavor, and purified water. The jelly was analyzed for physical and chemical characteristics by microscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. It was found that pH of the M. pruriens jelly was 4.77. The microscopic characteristics showed that the jelly texture had a consistent distribution of various components (2.53 particles/cm2), with different particles sizes. The observation of the physical macroscopic characteristics found that M. pruriens jelly had dark brown color, smooth surface, and elastic texture, hence suitable for consumption. The analysis of physical stability by observing the changes of appearance with naked eyes for 4 weeks at 30 °C and 4 °C showed that M. pruriens jelly had physical stability at 4 °C better than at 30 °C. The chemical analysis of L-dopa by UV-Vis spectrophotometry revealed that M. pruriens jelly contained a sufficient amount of L-dopa i.e. 542 mg/piece. This research could be developed to be a health product for Parkinson’s patients by taking 2 pieces per day in the morning since the therapeutic dose for Parkinson’s disease is 1000 mg of L-dopa total/day (single dose in the morning).
Mucuna pruriens is a tropical leguminous plant containing L-dopa which is the main active ingredient for Parkinson’s disease therapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the physical, chemical, and microbiological stability of M. pruriens seed extract effervescent powders and suspension. The effervescent powders and suspension were prepared using freeze dried M. pruriens seed extract and were stored at 4 °C, 30 °C, and 45 °C. Physical stability was evaluated by observing appearance and determining rheological behavior. Chemical stability was evaluated by HPLC assay of L-dopa content in the formulation. Bacterial, fungal and mold contaminations were assessed by 3MTM PetrifilmTM count plates. Both formulations showed good physical stability. The degradations of L-dopa in effervescent powders and suspension were fitted to pseudo-zero order and second order kinetic models, respectively. M. pruriens seed extract effervescent powders was found to have the longest half-life, about 112 days, when it was stored at 4 °C. The results suggested that M. pruriens seed extract should be formulated in effervescent powders and stored at 4°C to prevent physical and chemical degradation.
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