Context:Various studies have shown that the leaf extracts of Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) possess pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and antiviral effects. However, no biological activity from its essential oil has been reported in literature. Objective: To analyse the chemical constituents, cytotoxic activity and antioxidant capability of the essential oils from fresh and dried leaves of S. mombin. Materials and methods: Hydrodistillation using Clevenger-type apparatus was employed to obtain the essential oil. Oil analysis was performed using an HP 6890 Gas Chromatograph coupled with an HP 5973 Mass Selective Detector. The cytotoxicity bioassay was carried out using the brine shrimp lethality test (10,000-0.01 lg/mL). Additionally, the reactive oxygen species scavenging potential of the two S. mombin oils (1000-200 lg/mL) were investigated using a hydroxyl radical scavenging and ferric iron reducing system. Results: Chemical analysis of essential oils from S. mombin revealed the presence of 41 compounds, with predominance of monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids and non-terpenoids derivatives. In both fractions, the principal component was b-caryophellene (27.9-30.9%), followed by c-cadinene (9.7-12.3%). There was an increase in the oxygenated monoterpenoid contents and a concomitant decrease in the amounts of sesquiterpenoids hydrocarbons observed on drying the leaves. The oil obtained from the fresh leaves was more active than that obtained from dried leaves, with LC 50 values (from the brine shrimp lethality assay) of 0.01 and 4.78 lg/mL, respectively. The two oils (from fresh and dried leaves) at 1.0 mg/mL scavenged hydroxyl radical by 83% and 99.8%, respectively. Moreover, they reduced ferric ion significantly and compared favourably with vitamin C. Conclusions: Essential oil derived from the leaves of S. mombin could hold promise for future application in the treatment of cancer-related diseases.
ARTICLE HISTORY
Background:
Oncoba spinosa, an endangered medicinal plant whose secondary metabolites have not been extensively profiled, and which is hitherto yet to be examined for cytotoxicity, is being investigated in this study. Methods: Leaves of Oncoba spinosa (800 g) were extracted with 95% aqueous methanol. The crude extract was partitioned with n-hexane and the resultant defatted extract was extensively chromatographed on silica gel to yield compound 1 which was subjected to spectroscopic analysis. A brine shrimps lethality test was used to establish the cytotoxicity potentials of the isolated compound and the plant extracts. Results: Compound 1 was elucidated as flacourtin, 3-hydroxy-4-hydroxymethylphenyl-6-O-benzoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside. The LD50 values obtained were less than 1000 µg/mL for flacourtin and the plant extracts. Conclusion: Flacourtin is being reported for the first time in the O. spinosa. The preliminary toxicity assay indicated that flacourtin and the plant extracts were not cytotoxic; thus, the tradomedicinal uses of the plant may portend no danger.
Stem bark of Calophyllum inophyllum was extracted with aqueous methanol and screened for secondary metabolites. The crude extract was partitioned with n-hexane to remove fat-soluble constituents, thereafter a portion of the defatted extract was purified using silica gel column chromatography. Both the crude and defatted extracts were investigated for cyctotoxic activity using Brine shrimp lethality assay. A number of bioactive secondary metabolites were confirmed present in the crude while the chromatographic purification afforded three compounds that were characterized as stigmasta-5, 22-dien-3-O-β-D-glucoside (C-1), macluraxanthone (C-2A) and 1, 5-dihydroxyxanthone (C-2B). LC for both crude and defatted extract were 56.22 and 183.55 50 µg/mL, respectively, indicating a good cytotoxic potential.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to characterize and investigate the mechanism of action anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic constitutents of Allophylus africanus
Background:
Allophylus africanus P. Beauv is a medicinal plant commonly used in sub-Sahara Africa for treatment metabolic disorders and infectious diseases.
Objectives:
The objectives of the study were to isolate and characterize anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic chemical constituents from Allophylus africanus, and to investigate the mechanism of their enzymatic inhibitions.
Methods:
The chemical constituents were isolated using various column chromatographic techniques. The anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic properties of the chemical constituents were investigated by measuring their inhibitory effects on porcine pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Fluorescence quenching constants obtained from Stern−Volmer plots were used to determine the mechanisms of inhibitory action.
Results:
Twelve compounds of which three were new peptide alkaliods, ethylamino asperphenamate (10), allophylane (11) and allophyline (12) were isolated. The new peptide alkaloids and asperphenamate (9) inhibited porcine pancreatic lipase in a dose dependent manner with IC50 < 90 µM. Also, 9, 12, stigmasta-5, 22-dien-3-O-β-D-glucoside (3) and eudesmenol (5) inhibited α-glucosidase enzymes with IC50 < 165 µM which was lower than that of standard drug, acarbose (432.16 ± 6.52 µM). From the Stern-Volmer plots, 9 and 10 indicated a static quenching while 11 and 12 suggested occurrence of both static and dynamic quenching mechanisms on porcine pancreatic lipase. On α-glucosidase, only 12 exhibited a concurrent static and dynamic quenching mechanism.
Conclusion:
The anti-diabesity compounds obtained from A. africanus established its potential for treatment of metabolic disorder. Amongst the isolated compounds, three were reported for the first time in nature while others were reported for the first time in the plant
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