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

Anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activity of endophytic fungal isolates of Nardostachys jatamansi

Neha Kapoor, Madeha Farooq, Lokesh Gambhir — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

The present study underpins the anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory activity of fungal endophytes inhabiting Nardostachys jatamansi of the high-altitude region of Uttarakhand. The study entails the recovery of 15 endophytic fungi from the leaves, inflorescence, and stem of N. Jatamansi, showing maximum colonisation in plant leaves. The anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory potential of the isolates was investigated via phenol red plate assay, L-asparaginase production, and albumin denaturation assay. The maximum albumin denaturation inhibitory activity of 74.8% was observed in -22JTM(I), followed by 70.3 and 67.6% in -6(b)JTM(L) and-7JTM(S), respectively. Three isolates were found to demonstrate potent L-asparaginase production, viz. -22JTM(I),-7JTM(S) and -25JTM(I). Interestingly, partial purification of the L-asparaginase demonstrated maximum enzyme production in -22JTM(I). In the phenol red plate assay, six isolates demonstrated anti-obesity activity, of which four isolates viz, -6(b)JTM (L), -7JTM (S), -23JTM (I) and -25JTM (I) exhibited 100% lipase inhibitory action. The free radical scavenging potential of the isolates as a contributor to the observed bioactivities was investigated. The isolates exhibited potent antioxidant activity with 70.9% by -23JTM (I) followed by -14JTM (L) and -22JTM (I) with 67.4 and 60.1%, respectively. The most potent isolate, -22JTM (I), was identified as Fusarium sp. by morpho-taxonomic tools. The present study showcases the promising therapeutic potential of fungal endophytes from N. jatamansi, demonstrating the repository of potent anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory chemistries.

Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Marchantia polymorpha and Dicranum scoparium using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental approaches

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

A comparative study was conducted to assess the antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and molecular docking of methanolic extracts from Marchantia polymorpha (Marchantiaceae) and Dicranum scoparium (Dicranaceae). The species M. polymorpha and D. scoparium remain largely unexplored in terms of their biochemical characterization and potential pharmacological activities. Phytoconstituents in the methanolic extracts were identified using spectral analysis. The cytotoxicity study utilized the MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay with U-87 human glial cell lines, while antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Additionally, a network pharmacology approach was employed to identify molecular targets in relation to cytotoxicity using the isolated compounds. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interactions between the isolated phytoconstituents of M. polymorpha and D. scoparium with the estrogen receptor ESR1 (Estrogen Receptor 1) (PDB ID: 1GWQ). The DPPH assay results demonstrated that antioxidant activity increased with higher extract concentrations. The percentage scavenging activity ranged from 4.41 to 88.05% for M. polymorpha and from 3.69 to 88.46% for D. scoparium, with minimum activity observed at 15.62 µg/mL and maximum activity at 1000 µg/mL. The superoxide radical scavenging activity ranged from 0.00 to 48.09% for M. polymorpha and from 0.00 to 45.39% for D. scoparium. Network pharmacology analysis identified the estrogen receptor (ESR1) as a common target involved in cancer. Molecular docking studies revealed that quercetin exhibited the strongest interactions with ESR1 among all the selected phytoconstituents from M. polymorpha and D. scoparium.

In silico analysis of 2A protease as a prophylactic and therapeutic target against Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease

Sia Bhatia, Kavleen Kaur — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Enteroviruses, particularly EV-71, are responsible for the major periodic outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease in children. To mitigate the severity of disease in pediatric populations, developing prophylactic and therapeutic agents is critically important. The present in silico study focuses on EV-71 2A protease as the putative target for predicting novel drugs and epitope-based vaccines against HFMD. Various natural compounds, viz. flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics, were screened using the H-Dock molecular docking server to analyse their binding affinities with 2A protease. Flavonoids such as protopanaxatriol (-148), Luteolin (-141), and Resibufogenin (-140) were identified as the potent inhibitors of 2A protease, based on their docking scores being comparable to that of known inhibitor CW-33 (-155). Further, the bioinformatics approach was also used to construct a multi-epitope polypeptide that contains T-cell and B-cell epitopes of 2A protease alongside adjuvants and linkers to improve immunogenicity. The designed vaccine construct was further validated based on scores of immunological parameters, viz. allergenicity, antigenicity, solubility and physicochemical properties. Molecular docking studies with immune receptors reveal binding scores of -213 for TLR3, -217 for TLR5, and -233 for TLR8, indicating a promising immune stimulatory response. However, future in vitro and animal studies will be essential to establish this research as a benchmark in terms of drug design and vaccine development.

Examination of the lipid profile, antioxidant capacity, and impact of Sida linifolia L. extract on the liver and kidney functions of mice infected with malaria

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

The study aimed to investigate the impact of treatment with the ethanolic leaf extract of Sida linifolia (ELES) in malaria-infected mice and the effect of the extract on tissues and organs. Phytochemical screening was conducted, and the liver and kidney function parameters, lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, and electrolyte status were determined. From the findings of the study, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, and other phytochemicals were detected. The activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, and total protein, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoproteins, and electrolytes concentrations of the infected animals treated with different doses of the extract were significantly (p <0.05) higher compared to the untreated group (positive control). Conversely, the levels of creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, and catalase activity of the treated groups were significantly (p <0.05) lower than those of the positive control. The malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione concentrations of the treated group showed a non-significant (p >0.05) difference compared to the positive control. Overall, these findings suggest that the ethanolic leaf extract of S. linifolia exerted an antioxidant effect, but some perturbations in the electrolyte concentrations and the elevated levels of the liver enzymes could mean some potential stress to some tissues and the liver, so care should be taken in the administration of the agent.

Microencapsulation of Citrus sinensis peel extract using synthesised guar gum grafted acrylic acid superabsorbent polymer: Studies on sustainable release kinetics and antimicrobial activity

S B Shruthi, G N Rameshaiah — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Citrus sinensis peel, a major waste fraction of C. sinensis fruit, contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, etc., which find application in the wide horizon. In order to protect an active component from physical and chemical reactions and retain its functional properties, microencapsulation is a technique that creates a functional barrier between core and shell material. This study tailored shell material to obtain guar gum grafted acrylic acid superabsorbent polymer (GG-g-AASAP) via microwave irradiated graft polymerisation. The effect of monomer (acrylic acid), initiator (Ammonium persulfate), crosslinker (methylene bis acrylamide), and reaction time on grafting percentage was evaluated and optimised. The GG-g-AA SAP was characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to confirm the grafting of acrylic acid onto guar gum. The peel of C. sinensis was extracted using an aqueous extraction method with a yield percentage of 10.8%. Phytochemical qualitative analysis illustrates the presence of various phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, etc.; C. sinensis was encapsulated by coacervation phase separation method using synthesised GG-g-AA SAP, which resulted in the encapsulation efficiency of 76.8%. Release kinetics followed zero-order kinetics and the Korseymeyermodel, which approves super case II transport with sustainable release. Encapsulated C. sinensisis tested against a gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, and a gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, which exhibited antibacterial properties. The results depict a higher zone of inhibition for encapsulated C. sinensis than that without encapsulation. The study suggests that encapsulation has increased the antibacterial property of C. sinensis due to barrier protection from GG-g-AA SAP.

Effect of season on essential oil content and composition of Palmarosa [Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Will. Watson] cultivated in the mid-hill conditions of the Western Himalayas

Saizal Jamwal, Meghna Thakur, Swati Walia, Rakesh Kumar — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Palmarosa [Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Will. Watson] is an aromatic grass that is grown for the extraction of its valuable essential oil because it has extensive applications in various industries. A study was conducted in the Western Himalayan region from 2022 to 2023 to investigate the effects of different harvest seasons and dates on the quantity and quality of essential oil. The research spanned three phenological seasons: Summer, Autumn, and Winter. This study aims to address the existing gap in the literature regarding essential oil profiles under these environmental conditions. The highest essential oil yield was observed during summer (June 4). GC/GC-MS analysis identified seven compounds in the essential oil during chemical profiling. Amongst them, the major chemical compound was geraniol, which attained the highest percentage (93.48%) on January 21 during the winter season; this can be attributed to the maturity, quality stages of the plant, and polar nature of oxygenated compounds, which resulted in higher solubility in condensate water. In contrast, the rainy season led to a dilution of essential oil concentrations, adversely affecting key compounds like geraniol while also increasing the risk of fungal diseases. This study revealed that palmarosa can be harvested in the mature stage to increase the quality and quantity of essential oil in the Western Himalayas.

Phytochemical profiling of little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth.)

Ritu Sharma, Devendra Kumar, Rajinder K Gupta — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

The little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth.) has great potential to develop as functional food and source of nutraceuticals to prevent metabolic disorders. The aim of the current study aim is to identify the bioactive compounds present in little millet (Panicum sumatrense). The bioactives were analysed using GC-MS and UHPLC-QTOF-MS. GC-MS analysis majorly showed the presence of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and terpenes, while UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis showed 22 secondary metabolites, including quercetin, palmitic acid, β-stigmasterol, luteolin, and kaempferol. ICP-MS detected 21 macro- and micro-elements, with potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and molybdenum (Mo) as the major elements. FAME analysis revealed the presence of linoleic acid (42%), oleic acid (34.1%), and palmitic acid (15.7%)as the major fatty acids. Amino acid profiling indicated the presence of essential, non-essential, and non-proteinogenic amino acids. These findings suggest that P. Sumatrense could be a valuable natural source of bioactive metabolites and can be utilised to develop value-added functional foods.

Evaluation of extraction techniques and solvents for phytochemical screening, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) seeds

Krishna Desai, Nainesh R. Modi — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

The mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek), belonging to Leguminoseae family, is major short-seasoned legume grown in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly during the Kharif and summer seasons. Present investigation aimed to check the effects of different extraction techniques and solvents on FTIR spectrophotometric analysis and quantitative profiling of phenols and flavonoids, followed by an assessment of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of mung bean seeds. Methanolic extracts of seeds obtained through Soxhlet extraction, maceration and ultrasonication were subjected to solvent-aided fractionation using the separation funnel method. The extractive yield of obtained fractions ranged from 2.86 to 59.85%. The results indicated maximum yield in aqueous fractions, followed by butanol and hexane fractions, while the lowest in ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions. The phenolic content, flavonoid content and FRAP values in the different fractions varied from 16.32±1.67 to 56.82±0.88 mg of GAE/g, 38.21±0.07 to 149.95±0.53 mg QE/g, and 41.54±0.56 to 104.81±0.48 mg Fe (II) E/g, respectively. Phenolics were higher in non-polar fractions, while flavonoids and FRAP values were higher in polar fractions. Pearson correlation displayed a strong correlation between TFC and FRAP assay. The antimicrobial activity revealed Staphylococcus aureus as the most susceptible, followed by Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae; conversely, Pseudomonas sp. was shown to be most resistant with no inhibition activity. Overall, ethyl acetate fractions from all the extraction techniques presented the best results against tested microbial samples. PCA analysis presented significant discrimination among solvents and extraction techniques. Mung beans can be used as nutraceuticals pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

Antioxidant activity of horn-eyed ghost crab (Ocypode brevicornis) from foreshore estate, southeast coast of India

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

In recent decades, the shift from synthetic to natural food antioxidants has fostered interest in finding the sources and the screening of inexpensive raw materials for consumption. Exogenous antioxidants are those which are derived from plants and animal sources through diet. Ghost crab Ocypode brevicornis is a species of ghost crab which has a box-shaped carapace and is called the sand scavenger. They are an important biodiversity species native to the Indian Ocean. They are usually found in the intertidal zones. The crab is loaded with high antioxidant properties, which could necessarily replace the expensive synthetic ones. Hence, the objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant potential in the muscle tissues of ghost crabs. The samples were dissected for performing various non-enzymatic antioxidant assays. The data obtained were represented in graphs and table, which show the higher antioxidant activity of DPPH – Radical Scavenging Assay with IC 50 value of 12.76 µg/mL and in Deoxyribose degradation assay with IC 50 value of 15.93 µg/mL. The findings of the study implicate that ghost crabs can be consumed as habitual seafood and play an important role as a bioindicator for human-induced disturbances.

MONKEY POX (M-Pox/MPXV): Epidemiology, transmission, clinical findings, treatment and herbal treatment

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530

There is a serious increase in the number of viral diseases today. Monkeypox virus (M-Pox/MPXV) is defined as a viral infection caused by a virus called Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family. It is frequently found in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. However, it has spread to other countries over time. In this study, the Monkeypox virus, which has recently caused a significant number of deaths, was examined in detail. Based on the literature data, the health problems, symptoms, and treatment approaches caused by the disease were discussed. In addition, natural products that can be effective using traditional treatment methods were compiled. As a result, this study can be a source of treatment approaches for the Monkeypox virus.