Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR) [Formerly Natural Product Radiance (NPR)]

Isolation and characterization of two prenylated flavonoids from the stem bark of Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.

Dr. Shubashini K. Sripathi — 2025-09-10

The genus Artocarpus (Moraceae) is a rich source of prenylated flavonoids with diverse pharmacological properties. Among its members, Artocarpus hirsutus—endemic to the Western Ghats of India—is traditionally used in folk medicine but remains underexplored phytochemically. This study reports the isolation and structural elucidation of two prenylated flavonoids from the acetone extract of the stem bark of A. hirsutus. The compounds, designated AHSB (1) and AHSB (2), were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and characterized using UV, IR, mass spectrometry, and advanced NMR techniques, including 1D and 2D experiments. Compound AHSB (1) was identified as Artonin J, and compound AHSB (2) was characterized as Artonin E. Both compounds possess flavonoid skeletons substituted with prenyl groups, and their structural features were confirmed through HMBC correlations. These findings expand the phytochemical profile of A. hirsutus and highlight its potential as a source of bioactive flavonoids for pharmacological applications.

Exploring the potential of Himalayan medicinal plants in breast cancer treatment: Traditional knowledge, current limitations, and future directions

Priya — 2025-09-10

Globally, breast cancer poses a persistent and serious health issue, with its incidence steadily increasing. Traditional medicinal plants from the Indian Himalayas offer promising potential for treatment. Our review evaluates traditional knowledge and practices in the Himalayan region concerning the use of medicinal plants for breast cancer treatment. It identified 31 plants with potential for managing breast cancer, belonging to 30 genera and 24 families. The Asteraceae and Fabaceae families were the most represented, each contributing three species, followed by Amaryllidaceae and Zingiberaceae. Regarding plant habits, herbs were the most frequently utilized, followed by trees, climbers, and shrubs. Various plant parts, were used in treating breast cancer with fresh or dried leaves being most common, followed by roots and bark. Numerous bioactive substances with anticancer qualities, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and glycosides, are found in these anticancer plants. They have a range of inhibitory actions against cancer cells through apoptosis, microtubule and cytokine inhibition, inhibition of transcription factor NF-κB, and Histone Acetyltransferases (HATs). Himalayan medicinal plants hold potential as anticancer agents against breast cancer; However, most studies lack scientific validation and rely on anecdotal evidence. Further research is required to establish their mechanisms and therapeutic relevance.

Trispectroscopy UV-VIS, FT-IR, and GC-MS profiling and anticancer potentials of Senna italica (Mill.) targeted caspase-3: Molecular docking and in vitro insights

Fouzi Aboud — 2025-09-10

Distant metastases account for the majority of breast cancer–related deaths. The median survival time for women with breast cancer (BC) metastasized to the liver is less than three years. In this study, leaves of Senna italica (Mill.) were macerated in 80% ethanol and concentrated using a precision economy incubator. Tri-spectroscopic analytical techniques (UV-VIS, FT-IR, and GC-MS) were employed to characterize the chemical structures of the extracted compounds. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and pharmacokinetic analyses were performed to evaluate the binding affinity, stability, and solubility of selected compounds targeting caspase-3. Normal human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and BC cell lines (MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231), along with the liver cancer (LC) cell line (HePG2), were cultured for 24 and 48 hours to assess acute toxicity, antiproliferative effects, and caspase-3 activation by the extracts. Pharmacokinetic profiling of compound CID-624232 (Benzo-furor-pyrimidinylfluoro-phenyl-amine) indicated favourable solubility, stable binding, and strong interactions with the target protein. Antiproliferative assays demonstrated that the extracts exhibited no cytotoxicity toward normal HSF cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 869.6±5.04 µg/mL. In contrast, a significant inhibition of cell proliferation was observed in LC HePG2 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 145.89±2.76 µg/mL and 98.04±2.23 µg/mL after 24 and 48 hours of treatment, respectively, accompanied by increased caspase-3 levels. These findings suggest that benzo-phenyl-amine compounds isolated from S. italica may inhibit the proliferation of breast and liver cancer cells through activation of the pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3.

Antifungal activity of Solanum elaeagnifolium extracts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici

Aicha Bouras — 2025-09-10

This study explored in vitro the inhibitory effect of Solanum elaeagnifolium leaves, stems, and fruits extracts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL). Aqueous and organic extracts (used at 1, 2, 3, and 4%) were added to molten Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. After pathogen inoculation, cultures were incubated at 28°C/7 days. All extracts tested showed a strong antifungal activity against FORL using poisoned food technique. The variation depends on the concentrations tested and the organic solvent used for extraction. For aqueous extracts, the leaves extract used at 4% exhibited the highest antifungal potential, where FORL growth was decreased by 87.50%, relative to the untreated control, compared to 75 and 50% achieved using fruits and stems extracts at 4%, respectively. The highest antifungal activity of organic extracts was registered at the highest concentration used (4%). FORL was found to be more sensitive to leaf extracts than to those from fruits and stems. Among the four organic extracts tested, ethanolic, methanolic, and chloroform fractions were the most active against FORL growth than ether, with an inhibitory effect of about 87.50%. These results indicate that native Solanum elaeagnifolium plants may be exploited as a potential source of biologically active allelochemicals against FORL.

Red dragon fruit extract as a natural disclosing agent with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm properties against Streptococcus mutans

Vinna Kurniawati Sugiaman — 2025-09-10

Dental caries is a widespread health concern driven by poor oral hygiene and biofilm-forming bacteria Streptococcus mutans. While chemical disclosing agents effectively visualize dental plaque, their potential risks, such as mucosal irritation, highlight the need for safer, natural alternatives. Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) contains bioactive compounds (betacyanin and phyllocactin) with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm properties, making it a promising candidate. This study employed molecular docking, in vitro assays, and formulation development to evaluate its potential as a natural disclosing agent. Docking simulations assessed the binding of betanin and phyllocactin to S. mutans biofilm-associated proteins (SrtA and GbpC). The extract was prepared using 70% ethanol through maceration. Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH assay; antibacterial and antibiofilm effects were evaluated through disc diffusion, MIC, MBC, and biofilm inhibition tests. Molecular docking showed strong binding affinities (–8.8 to –12.2 kcal/mol). The extract demonstrated antioxidant activity (IC₅₀: 158.43 µg/mL), antibacterial activity at 1000 µg/mL with a 5.43 mm inhibition zone, and antibiofilm activity up to 91.57%. The chewable jelly formulation exhibited suitable physical characteristics, though limited colour intensity remains a key challenge. Red dragon fruit extract showed potential as a natural disclosing agent for caries prevention in children, supported by its bioactive properties and docking results. Further studies are recommended to enhance colour intensity and validate its efficacy through in vivo applications.

Efficacy of Laurus nobilis leaves essential oil for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

Asmae Benabbou — 2025-09-10

This study aims to characterize essential oils extracted (EOEs) from Laurus nobilis L. leaves via hydrodistillation (HD) using the Clevenger apparatus, microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MWAHD), and water steam entrainment (WSE), and analyze their antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The EOE yield obtained by MWAHD was 0.74% for a contact time of 40 min, whereas it reached 0.52 and 0.42% by HD and WSE for 200 min. Antioxidant activity results revealed that the extracted essential oils are excellent natural antioxidants and very effective oxidation inhibitors with a minimum concentration IC₅₀ of 0.254 (HD), 0.318 (MWAHD), and 0.025 mg/g (WSE). GC-MS analysis of the volatile compounds revealed the presence of 15 compounds in the Clevenger and MWAHD extracts, with 85.83 and 72.41% respectively, relative amounts, whereas 16 compounds were found in the WSE extract, representing 87.23% of the total compounds. All EOEs contained almost the same dominant components: 1,8 cineole (24.06% for HD; 12.04% for MWAHD and 29.94% for WSE), linalool acetate (10.86%, 11.74%, 12.72%), alpha-terpineol acetate (20.02%; 18.28%, 15.07 %), methyl isoeugenol (7.99%; 11.05% and 8.50%), iso eugenol (2.56%, 3.96% and 2.93%), limonene compounds (1.31%, 3.158% and 1.24%), espatulenol (1.25%, 1.94%, 1.25%). and cadinol (1.01%, 1.59%, 0.11%), respectively. EOE's microbiological study was carried out using the disk method for bacterial sensitivity strain determination. EOEs were found to be effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in this study, but the WSE approach was more effective, with a minimum inhibition and inhibition zone values of 1.56 mg/mL and 23.5 mm respectively. Further studies on the effect of dominant compounds in these EOEs could help to highlight their antibacterial and therapeutic importance, and hence their use in medical formulations.

Optimization of extraction conditions for Cupressus torulosa essential oil using response surface methodology and chemical characterization by GC-MS

Rupal Mamgain — 2025-09-10

This study aims to optimize Cupressus torulosa essential oil (CTEO) extraction conditions using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and analyze its chemical composition. A three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to evaluate the effects of extraction time, material-to-liquid ratio (MLR), and drying period on essential oil yield. The optimized conditions—5.355 hours of extraction, a 16:1 MLR, and a 5.285-day drying period—resulted in a predicted yield of 1.121%. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 31 compounds, comprising 91% of the total oil, with β-Caryophyllene (10.91%), Δ-3-carene (10.21%), Terpinen-4-ol (9.81%), and Caryophyllene oxide (9.15%) as major constituents. Statistical validation using ANOVA confirmed the significance of the model, with extraction time having the most notable effect on yield. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing extraction parameters to maximize yield and maintain essential oil quality.

Assessment of antimicrobial potential of polyphenol-rich Ananas comosus peel powder at different drying conditions

Shashi Soni — 2025-09-10

The main objective of present study is to focus on recycling of pineapple waste by estimating its antimicrobial potential against selected pathogenic strains. Four drying techniques, hot air oven (S1), microwave (S2), sun (S3), and freeze (S4), were applied to dry the peels. Methanol, acetone, and water, were used as solvent for extract preparation. Then these extracts were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against 3 fungal, 6 Gram-negative and 2 Gram-positive strains through agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. Further, HPLC and TLC bioautography method was applied to reveal phytochemicals responsible for antimicrobial activity. Methanolic extract of S1 sample has shown the best zone of inhibition (23±0.014 mm) against Pseudomonas fluorescens strain. In gram-positive strains maximum zone (25±0.014 mm) was noted against Staphylococcus aureus and in fungal strains, maximum zone (22 mm) was observed against Fusarium sp. and Tilletia indica with lowest MIC (12.24 mg/mL) and LD₅₀ value were calculated against Bacillus megaterium. Quantitative analysis through HPLC shows highest concentration of Bromelain in pineapple peel, along with the presence of ellagic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and gallic acid. Results of this study show the highest antimicrobial potential of pineapple peel for use in the pharmaceutical or neutraceutical industry.

Evaluation of encapsulant type on product characteristics of encapsulation of bromelain enzyme crude extract from pineapple peel by spray drying

Christian Suherman — 2025-09-10

Pineapple peel is an agricultural waste that could be a source of bromelain enzymes. This study aims to identify and obtain the type of encapsulant material that is efficient for product characteristics in the encapsulation of crude extract of bromelain enzyme from local pineapple peel (Ananas comosus [L.] Merr.) in Kediri Regency, East Java, Indonesia, using the spray dryer method. This study applied three encapsulant treatments, namely T0: 10% maltodextrin, T1: 8% maltodextrin and 2% chitosan, T2: 8% whey and 2% gum arabic. The parameters observed included yield, dry matter content, density, solubility, total protein content, enzyme activity, particle morphology (SEM), and identification of functional groups (FTIR). The results showed that the combination of 8% maltodextrin and 2% chitosan encapsulants (T1) produced the highest yield of 10.07%, with a total protein of 6.65% and enzyme activity of 8.79 IU/mL (p<0.01). T1 also produced smaller and more uniform particles (32.68 µm) and displayed characteristic bromelain functional groups in the FTIR spectrum. These findings suggest the use of maltodextrin-chitosan mixture as an efficient encapsulant material in maintaining the stability and activity of bromelain enzymes and have the potential to be developed as a supplement, feed additive, and functional food ingredient.

Exploring enzyme variation in honey as a marker for quality

Harithasree V S — 2025-09-10

The physicochemical properties of honey, including enzyme activity, moisture content, sugars, and pH, are crucial for understanding its quality, authenticity, and potential uses. This understanding is essential for setting standards to distinguish pure from adulterated honey, fostering consumer trust, and ensuring regulatory compliance. While previous research has often focused on individual factors influencing honey quality, a comprehensive, multifactorial analysis of enzymatic activity across different bee species has been less explored in response to varying heat treatments and adulteration levels. This study specifically investigated the combined impact of bee species, adulteration, and processing on honey's enzymatic activities. It was found that stingless bee honey consistently exhibited the highest enzyme values, with remarkable levels of diastase (58.533 DN), invertase (49.353 IN), glucose oxidase (23.057 U/g), and catalase (21.870 U/g). The findings also clearly show that heat treatment leads to enzyme inactivation, with almost complete loss of activity at 120°C. Furthermore, adulteration with 50% sugar syrup significantly altered honey properties, increasing moisture and pH while dramatically reducing enzyme activity. These results strongly emphasize enzyme activity as a critical and highly indicative measurement of honey's richness and authenticity, influenced by honey type, purity, and quality parameters. This research confirms the reliability of enzyme activity as a key indicator for honey quality and authenticity, which has direct implications for consumer protection and regulatory oversight. To further ensure global honey quality, future investigations should delve into the specific mechanisms of enzyme denaturation under various processing conditions. Developing rapid, on-site detection methods for adulteration based on enzymatic profiles would also be a valuable contribution.

The photostabilizing capacity of collagen peptide and its performance on the properties of white-syntan-vegetable tanned leather

Debora Mahushi — 2025-09-10

White-syntan-vegetable tanned leather is a durable product processed from skin/hides using white-syntan and vegetable tanning agents. Despite the product’s durability, UV light-induced photodegradation is a major challenge, resulting in discolouration and a loss of physical-mechanical properties. As a photostabilizer, collagen peptide has demonstrated a promising impact due to its natural affinity with protein-based materials and antioxidant properties. The current study assesses the effectiveness of a photostabilizer in improving UV resistance and related properties on white-syntan-vegetable tanned leather. After the treatment with collagen peptide, the photostabilizing capacity and properties of the white-syntan-tanned leather were evaluated through Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Xenotest LM, a tensile strength testing machine, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a leather shrinkage temperature tester. In comparison to untreated samples, the collagen peptide-treated leather showed a notable rise in UV resistance and improvement in physical-mechanical properties. SEM images revealed well-loosened, separated, and opened fibre bundles, while FTIR analysis confirmed the interactions between collagen peptide and the white-syntan-vegetable tanned leather. These findings confirmed that collagen peptide improved the lightfastness and other related properties of leather. Generally, this study emphasizes the potential of collagen peptides as an eco-friendly additive for improving leather performance in UV-prone environments.