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Antioxidant and anti-quorum sensing activities of green pod of Acacia nilotica L

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Abstract

The antioxidant and anti-quorum sensing activities of eight extracts were studied in green pods of Acacia nilotica. The specific phenolic compositions and their quantifications were performed by HPLC and MS/MS, which showed that the HEF (pH 4) was higher in gallic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, rutin, and GTs. In order to find antioxidant potential of various extracts, their activities were studied for TPC, AOA, FRSA, RP, inhibition of LPO, FIC activity, HO* and O(2)(-) scavenging activities. Among them HEF (pH 4) has shown potent antioxidant activity. HEF (pH 4) was also found effective in protecting plasmid DNA and HAS protein oxidation induced by HO*. Pre-treatment of HEF (pH 4) at 75 and 150 mg/kg body weight for 6 days caused a significant increase in the levels of CAT and SOD and decrease in the level of MDA content in liver, lungs, kidneys and blood when compared to CCl(4)-intoxicated rats. Eventually, the extracts were also screened for anti-QS activity. Of these extracts two showed QS inhibition: HEF (pH 4) and HCE. The results obtained strongly indicate that green pod of A. nilotica are important source of natural antioxidants.

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... The phytochemical evaluation of A. nilotica depicts the occurrence of polyphenols, terpenes, pyrogallol, epicatechin, rutin, ferulic acid, pyrocatechol, phlobatannin, ellagic acid, etc. (Ali et al. 2012;Singh et al. 2009). The bioactive compounds, like rutin and epigallocatechin-7-gallate, have important roles as antioxidants and immunomodulatory agents, in addition to providing varying degree of antimicrobial and antiviral defense (Rehman et al. 2011). ...
... The A. nilotica flowers demonstrated the occurrence of phytocompounds, for instance, n-hexadecanoic acid, suberic acid monomethyl ester, 9-octadecenoic acid besides catechin, caffeic acid, methyl gallate, pyrocatechol, vanillin, gallic acid, and naringenin (Al-Rajhi et al. 2023;Zou et al. 2023). Research indicates that various extracts from the fruit or pod of A. nilotica contain significant concentrations of compounds such as pyrogallol, methylmannose, ferulic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, gallotannins, pyrogallol, N, N-dimethylglycine, and methyl oleate (Rehman et al. 2022;Singh et al. 2009). Similarly, the leaves of A. nilotica also exhibited a strong phytochemical profile as the presence of epicatechin, epicatechin-5 gallate, ethyl gallate, rutin, quercetin, isoquercetin, terpenes, cis-geraniol, decanoic acid, linalool, ethyl gallate, caffeic acid, gallic acid, vitexin, and methyl ester were reported by Leela and Ilavarasan (2015) and Sadiq et al. (2015). ...
... and 78.27, respectively) of A. nilotica. Singh et al. (2009) determined antioxidant activity of different fractions of the green pods at pH 4 and 8. The hydrolysed ethyl acetate fraction seemed to exhibit the most potent antioxidant activity owing to its high total phenolic content. ...
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The rapid growth of the global population necessitates the exploration of alternative, plant-based protein sources. Acacia nilotica, a lesser-known legume, boasts a protein content ranging from 23.37 to 30.95%, positioning it as a valuable yet underutilized resource. However, despite its nutritional advantages, there has been a paucity of research dedicated to its potential applications in food. The overarching goal of this review is to embark on its utilization as a novel food ingredient. The analysis revealed that the A. nilotica plant is a reservoir of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, terpenes, pyrogallol, epicatechin, rutin, ferulic acid, pyrocatechol, phlobatannin, ellagic acid, which gives the plant its antioxidant power. A. nilotica is a notable medicinal plant with a comprehensive spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-arsenicsis, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, antihyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, anti-malaria, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antiulcer, lactogenic, wound healing, enzyme inhibitory, anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory owing to its wide variety of bioactive compounds. The raw pods have been traditionally used as vegetable and seed flour in panjiri and laddu. It is imperative to conduct further research on toxicity studies to broaden the potential applications of functional foods and to ensure their safety.
... 10 Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, phenolics and tannins have been reported from the leaves and bark of Acacia genus which include S. nigrescens. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] These phytochemicals are responsible for various pharmacological and biological properties of S. nigrescens including antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-quorum sensing cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities. 10 However, our literature search showed that the potential of S. nigrescens as a source of antioxidant has not previously been explored, especially the species collected in the Kingdom of Eswatini. ...
... Previous studies have shown the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolics and tannins in S. nigrescens. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Therefore, the result from this study was in good agreement with previous studies. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Additionally, the existence of other phytoconstituents was also reported in this study. ...
... [11][12][13][14][15][16] Therefore, the result from this study was in good agreement with previous studies. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Additionally, the existence of other phytoconstituents was also reported in this study. The presence of these phytoconstituents in S. nigrescens is responsible for its radical ...
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Senegalia nigrescens has been used in traditional Swazi medicine. S. nigrescens is used in the treatment of wounds, toothache, diabetes, dysentery, snake bites, convulsions and skin diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential, determine the half-minimal inhibition concentration (IC50) values and analyze phytochemical constituents of various solvent extracts obtained from the leaves and stem-bark of S. nigrescens. The maceration technique together with the hot solvent extraction approach was used for the obtainment of various solvent extracts. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential, IC50 values and phytochemical analysis were performed as per established procedures. The radical scavenging potential of extracts from leaves and stem-bark of S. nigrescens and positive control (ascorbic acid) were found to be in the ranges of 7.55 ± 0.004 ~ 62.19 ± 0.004%, 9.04 ± 0.003 ~ 63.24 ± 0.006% and 50.98 ± 0.002 ~ 71.0 ± 0.007%, respectively at a concentration range of 200 ~ 3,000 μg/mL. The methanol extracts from the leaves, stem-bark and positive control exhibited IC50 values of 921.69, 735.74 and < 200 μg/mL, respectively. Several classes of phytochemicals were identified in these extracts which include alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics and tannins. We concluded that S. nigrescens showed a weak to moderate DPPH radical scavenging potential and possessed various classes of phytochemicals.
... alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, hydrolyzable tannins, amines, cyclitols, fatty acids and seed oils, gums, nonprotein amino acids, terpenes (including essential oils, diterpenes, phytosterol and triterpene genins and saponins), fluoroacetate, flavonoids and condensed tannins (Seigler, 2003). The bark, leaves, pods and flowers of A nilotica are used against cold, cough, congestion, cancer, diarrhea, fever, dysentery, gall bladder and hemorrhoids, and they have vasoconstrictor, spasmogenic, anti-hypertensive, mutagenic, carcinogenic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-platelet aggregatory properties (Singh et al., 2009). ...
... This study mainly focused on the evaluation of the histological effects of Acacia nilotica extract on wound healing using Wister rats. Previous researches show that A. nilotica has multiple medicinal effects such as being anti-hypertensive, carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, wound ulcers, skin diseases and many more (Sultana et al., 2007, Singh et al., 2009. ...
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Background and aim: Wound is a physical trauma that forms as a result of compromise in the integrity of tissue. Wound healing is a physiological mechanism that comprises series of processes, and involves complex biochemical and cellular interactions which result in restoration of functional integrity and structural regain of injured tissues. Acacia nilotica pod, bark, and stem extracts have been reported to have enhanced healing of wound by increasing epithelialization, collagen fibers formation, angiogenesis as well as wound contraction. This research aimed to investigate histological wound healing effects of Acacia nilotica pod aqueous and methanol extracts in rat model. Methods: Acacia nilotica pod aqueous and methanol extracts were made at different concentrations, wounds were created by skin excision in three groups of rats, wound healing surface areas were assessed, the animals were sacrificed and analyzed histologically. Results: The results showed that both the aqueous and methanol extracts of Acacia pods has significant effect on wound healing surface area with re-epithelialization, wound contraction, fibroblast and collagen formation. Conclusion: Acacia nilotica pod aqueous and methanol extracts speed up wound contraction and wound healing and both extracts at the concentration of 1% and 2% can be used for the treatment of wound.
... V. nilotica is an invaluable tree species that play important role in the life of local community people as it provides food, fibre, fodder, timber, gum or resin, medicine, apiculture, fuel, tannins and also gives contribution in soil erosion control, nitrogen fixation, soil improvement, intercropping, boundary demarcation and support (Meena, 2015) [10] . It is a multipurpose plant that has been used broadly for the treatment of various diseases, in traditional practice; the plant is used for the treatment of tuberculosis, pneumonia, gonorrhea and small pox (Singh et al., 2009) [15] . It is an elite species in the Great Green Wall project, a project of plantation initiated by sahelian countries to fight desertification (Hannani and Chehma, 2012) [6] . ...
... Attempts by foresters to propagate or regenerate the plant on a large scale has not yielded desired result due to dormancy. Some farmers complained of poor germination rates after direct seeding of V. nilotica (Siri Holmberg, 2013) [16] . In the present study, treatments with varying concentration of tetra-oxo-sulphate (vi) acid (H2SO4) for varying time periods is considered for breaking the seed dormancy of this multipurpose species and subsequent germination of the seed and growth of the seedlings for plantation establishment. ...
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This study assessed the effect of acid scarification and organic manure on seed germination and early seedling growth of Vachellia nilotica. Seeds of V. nilotica were soaked in tetra-oxo-sulphate (vi) acid at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 98% concentration for 5, 10 and 15 minutes for each concentration respectively. After soaking, the seeds were removed, washed and rinsed in running tap water to remove the acid. Sixty seeds for each treatment and untreated seeds (control) were sown in a bowl previously filled with topsoil and watered for germination. Number of seeds germinated per day was monitored and recorded for each treatment. For early growth experiment, seedlings with relatively uniform height were selected from all the treatments and transplanted into polythene pots filled with topsoil amended with different organic manure viz: poultry dropping, cow dung, poultry dropping +cow dung and control. Watering was done once a day throughout the duration of the experiment. Growth parameters (i.e heights, stem diameter, number of leaves, and leave area) were measured over a period of 8 weeks. Results on germination showed that seeds treated with 98% acid concentration for 15 minutes had the lowest mean germination time (MGT) of 5.96 days and highest germination percentage (GP) of 51.7%, while results on seedling growth showed that soil amended with cow dung had the highest mean value of growth performance for all the parameters examined. It was recommended that soaking for 15minutes in 98% acid concentration should be adopted for optimum seed germination while cow dung should be used as organic manure.
... During the last few years, it has been found that plant extracts can act as inhibitors of QS pathways. Such active metabolites can be extracted from different parts of plant tissues such as roots, stems, leaves, bark, fruits, flowers, seeds, and green pod (70)(71)(72)(73). Major groups of these compounds can be identified as QSIs including cyclic compounds, phenolic derivatives, nitrogen cyclics, furanones, lactones, cinnamaldehydes, alkaloids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids (74,75). ...
... Eight fractions, including phenolic (gallic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, rutin) from green pods of Acacia nilotica have been studied for their capacity to inhibit pigment production in C. violaceum 12472, as two of them can be classified as QSIs with the potential to regulate violacein production, without influencing bacterial growth. Other phenolic plant extracts of Rubus rosaefolius also have shown a similar effect on pigmentation and biofilm formation (72,97). Polyphenolic extracts from Rosa rugosa have been the focus of Zhang et. ...
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In the new antibiotic era, the exponential increase of multiresistant bacterial strains become the main global health problem. Many researchers focused their efforts to explore novel or combined strategies for combating bacterial resistance. The good knowledge of molecular mechanisms of resistance and bacterial virulence factors as key targets gives us a good scenario to resolve the problem. One particularly attractive and promising way is to attack the main regulatory “network” of bacterial virulence determinants known as Quorum sensing (QS). The inhibition of QS signals will be a novel way for screening more effective Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) and will put a key role in next-generation antimicrobials in the resistance battle. This determined the aim of the present review: comprehensive clarification of the regulatory mechanisms of quorum-sensing signaling pathways in Chromobacterium violaceum and discovery of potential plant quorum sensing inhibitors.
... Over the last few years, it has been found that plant extracts can act as inhibitors of QS pathways. These active metabolites can be extracted from different parts of plant tissues such as the roots, stems, leaves, bark, fruits, flowers, seeds, and green pods [78][79][80][81]. The major groups of these compounds can be identified as QSIs, including cyclic compounds, phenolic derivatives, nitrogen cyclics, furanones, lactones, cinnamaldehydes, alkaloids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids [46,82]. ...
... Eight fractions, including phenolic (gallic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, and rutin), from the green pods of Acacia nilotica have been studied for their capacity to inhibit pigment production in C. violaceum 12472 as two of them can be classified as QSIs with the potential to regulate violacein production without influencing bacterial growth. Other phenolic plant extracts from Rubus rosaefolius also have shown similar effects on pigmentation and biofilm formation [80,106]. Polyphenolic extracts from Rosa rugosa have been the focus of Zhang et al.'s research [110] due totheir anti-biofilm and QS inhibitory potentials as inhibitors of violacein synthesis and swarming motility, as well as biofilm formation in E. coli K-12 and P. aeruginosa PA01. The authors proved high reductions in pigment without changes in microbial growth. ...
Article
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In the new antibiotic era, the exponential increase in multiresistant bacterial strains has become the main global health problem. Many researchers have focused their efforts on exploring novel or combined strategies for combating bacterial resistance. Good knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of resistance and bacterial virulence factors as key targets provides us with a good basis for resolving the problem. One particularly attractive and promising strategy is to attack the main regulatory “network” of bacterial virulence determinants known as quorum sensing (QS). The inhibition of QS signals will be a novel means of screening more effective quorum-sensing inhibitors (QSIs) and will play a key role in the use of next-generation antimicrobials in the battle against resistance. This motivated the present review to provide a comprehensive clarification of the regulatory mechanisms of quorum-sensing signaling pathways in Chromobacterium violaceum and the discovery of potential plant quorum-sensing inhibitors.
... An important investigation was conducted to assess the in vitro antioxidant activity of eight distinct crude extracts from A. nilotica pods. The outcomes clearly showed that A. nilotica green pods are a significant natural antioxidant source [57]. Other results indicate that umbelliferone a coumarin derivative studied in vitro and exhibited a higher antioxidant activity [17]. ...
Article
Acacia nilotica is a popular medicinal plant that grows throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. This is because the plant, from its roots to its leaves, comprises a wide variety of compounds that have been used for ages in traditional medicine. Timber had a religious importance in the civilizations of the ancient Near East and was a major source of materials that had been utilized in buildings in addition to its uses in traditional medicine. In ancient Egypt, the timbers and trees were presented on paintings of the tombs and the archaeological remnants. The current review mainly focuses on the significance of the Acacia nilotica tree in the religious and funerary context as well as its distribution, history, uses and benefits in the ancient Egyptian diet, industry, and medical treatments from ancient Egyptian ages up to date. This will be achieved through the available archaeobotanical, textual and iconographical evidence.
... These potential activities are ascribed to its phytochemical constituents that actively interact with essential targets, exerting biological effects. The reported chemical constituents of V. nilotica are shown in Table 1 and Figure 4. [20] Amino acids Lysine, cysteine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan, leucine, histidine, valine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, tyrosine, glycine, alanine, phenylalanine and arginine [8,19] Fatty acids Palmitic, oleic, linoleic, stearic, arachidonic and coronaric acids [20] Pods Tannins Gallic, digallic and ellagic acids [21,22] The target of the phytochemical constituents can be predicted by using computational techniques, such as virtual screening and molecular docking, frequently used in the discovery and development of new drugs. These approaches provide valuable insight into how bioactive compounds interact with potential protein targets, predicting the strength, stability and suitability of these interactions for drug development. ...
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For thousands of years, Vachellia nilotica has been widely used as an herbal medicine to treat some diseases and symptoms, including respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital ailments. The present study was adapted to document and assemble existing information about V. nilotica and its evidence-based ethnopharmacological activities, with brief reviews on the description, geographical distribution, ecology, medical uses and phytochemistry. A literature review and information up to 2024 was performed in various scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The keywords were “Acacia nilotica”, “Botany”, “ecology”, “Traditional uses”, “Phytochemistry”, “Polyphenols”, “Molecular docking”, “Ethnopharmacological activities” and “toxicity”, among others. V. nilotica has a wide range of uses, with low toxicity, reported in different countries. It can be infused into oils or tea or incorporated into paste, poultice and biscuits, used as an emollient, antidiarrheal, astringent and as an antidote for bite poisons. Glucose and lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anthelmintic activities are the most prominent. Over 150 chemical components have been identified from V. nilotica that could be associated with its potential actions. Quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, naringenin, catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, lupeol and niloticane are its main active constituents. From the research data, and despite the fact that human clinical trials and detailed methodological studies are scarce, V. nilotica has shown wide-ranging activities, though the most robust evidence is related to the treatment of microbial infections, diarrhea, wound and ulcer healing and for topical application. More pharmacological and toxicological studies are required to further elucidate the mechanisms of action, potential side effects, and optimal dosages for these treatments. Additionally, more clinical trials are needed to validate these traditional uses in human populations and to ensure the safety and efficacy of V. nilotica for these applications. This article offers an overview of therapeutic applications by utilizing traditional uses and recent findings on phytochemical studies, and clinical and pharmacological research.
... Several studies have been conducted in different countries to prove such efficiency in the past few years [9]. Acacia nilotica is a multipurpose plant used to treat various diseases; the plant contains a profile of multiple bioactive components [10]. Acacia nilotica is also known as gum Arabic tree, Babul, and Egyptian thorn, a multipurpose nitrogen-fixing tree legume. ...
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Background: In the underdeveloped world, microbial infections constitute a serious public health concern. About half of all deaths in tropical nations are thought to be caused by infectious diseases. In addition, some well-known pathogens have assumed new epidemiologic importance by acquiring antimicrobial resistance. Some plants are known as medicinal because they contain active substances that cause specific reactions relating to the cure of human disease. Acacia nilotica, commonly known in Sudan as Garad or Sunt, has many medicinal uses. Objectives: This study used the agar diffusion method to study the antibacterial activity of the different concentrations of ethanolic extract of the medicinal plant Acacia nilotica pods against selected gram-negative bacteria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done in Shendi Town, River Nile State, at the microbiology laboratory at Shendi University. Eighty-five wound swabs and urine specimens were collected from patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection and wound infection who attended Shendi Teaching Hospital and Almek Nimir University Hospital from February to March 2023; bacteria were isolated and identified using colonial morphology, Gram stain, and biochemical tests. Using the agar well diffusion method, we tested the Acacia nilotica extract at 100%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5% w/v concentrations. Results: This study found infection was persistent in patients aged 26-34. Escherichia coli was a primary isolate. According to gender, out of 85 specimens, 26 (30.6%) were males, whereas 59 (69.4%) were females. The ethanolic extract of Acacia nilotica pods was screened for their antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, K. pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Serratia, Providencia, and Proteus vulgaris. The antimicrobial effect of the extract was compared with the standard drugs. Crude extracts of Acacia nilotica inhibited the growth of various bacteria and showed its broad spectrum antimicrobial potential, which may be employed in managing microbial infections. Conclusion: The fruits of Acacia nilotica were the subject of these investigations, demonstrating its potent in vitro activity against clinically isolated bacteria and its potential as a treatment for various bacterial and viral infections.
... Acacia nilotica is a multipurpose plant that is used for the treatment of various diseases. The plant contains a profile of a variety of bioactive components [9]. The rural population has effectively used Acacia nilotica as an astringent, antispasmodic, and aphrodisiac in folk medicine to treat ailments such as tuberculosis, leprosy, smallpox, dysentery, cough, ophthalmia, toothache, and skin cancer [10]. ...
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Background: Acacia nilotica is one of the products used as an antimicrobial agent since ancient times. With the alarming increase of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, Acacia nilotica can be an alternative and safe agent that helps in the treatment of these strains. Objectives: The aim is to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of Acacia nilotica on gram-positive bacteria isolated from clinical specimens using the agar well diffusion method. Methodology: This is a prospective cross-sectional study in Shendi City, Sudan, during the period from March 2023 to February 2024. A total of 50 samples were collected from urine and wounds, from which four strains of pathogenic gram-positive bacteria were isolated and identified. Results: Out of a total of 50 clinical specimens, Staphylococcus aureus 30 (60%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 13 (26%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus 4 (8%), and Enterococcus fecalis 3 (6%). Acacia nilotica showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against all gram-positive cocci bacteria. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that Acacia nilotica can be used as an antibacterial agent against gram-positive bacterial strains. The greatest value of the antibacterial effect can be obtained when Acacia nilotica is at a concentration of 100%. As a result, this study established the usefulness of the Acacia nilotica plant as a substitute therapy for bacterial illnesses, one that may be utilized to either totally eradicate or significantly reduce the bacteria's resistance to synthetic antimicrobial drugs.
... The quantities were ranging from 1.3 � 0.1 to 5.1 � 0.92 mg/g extract. [32] Furthermore, the profile of flavonoids characterized by the following of 9 compounds divided into six classes containing flavanols ((À )-epicatechin (5)), flavonols (quercetin (14)), flavanonols (dihydrokaempferol (12) and trans-taxifolin (9)), flavanones (naringenin (15)), flavones (luteolin (16), nepetin (17), and chrysin (19)) and isoflavones (genistein (18)). As per our knowledge, all these compounds reported in the trunk bark of A. cyanophylla, they had never been found in this species before. ...
Article
In the current investigation, total phenolics and flavonoids of the methanolic extract obtained from the trunk bark of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. were quantified by LC–HRMS technique. DPPH and ABTS reagents were employed to assay the antioxidant potential. The anti‐tyrosinase and anti‐α‐amylase potentials were also assayed. The findings revealed that thirteen polyphenolic compounds were detected in the methanolic extract with trans ‐taxifolin (23.2 g/kg), as the major constituent. A. cyanophylla extract displayed a higher activity with DPPH test (IC 50 =10.14±1.00 μg/mL) than with ABTS (IC 50 =15.27±2.09 μg/mL). The same extract also exhibited interesting α‐amylase inhibitory action (IC 50 value of 4.00±0.17 μg/mL). Moreover, methanolic trunk bark extract exerted strong anti‐tyrosinase capacity with an IC 50 of 5.12±0.41 μg/mL in comparison to kojic acid (IC50=10.22±0.85 μg/mL) used as positive control. The antioxidant, anti‐tyrosinase and anti‐α‐amylase potentials of the methanolic extract of A. cyanophylla trunk bark were reinforced by in silico molecular docking analyses, which confirmed the results of the in vitro tests.
... Acacia, also known as Racosperma, belongs to the subfamily Mimosoideae and stands as the second most extensive genus within the Fabaceae family, with over 1200 species (Rice, 1985;Brummitt, 2004). It is a diverse genus known for harboring various bioactive substances, including a wide array of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids (Clement et al., 1997), terpenoids (Haridas et al., 2001), flavonoids (Seigler, 2003), phenolic compounds, and tannins (Readel et al., 2001;Singh et al., 2009). These chemical compounds showcase potent biological activities, rendering Acacia a promising resource for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. ...
Article
The aim of this study was to analyze the phytochemical profile of Acacia cyclops trunk bark ethyl acetate extract using LC–tandem mass spectrometry for the first time, along with evaluating its antioxidant and anti‐tyrosinase properties. Consequently, we determined the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract under investigation and identified and quantified 19 compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. In addition to assessing their antioxidant potential against DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis‐[3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic] acid) assays, in vitro and in silico studies were conducted to evaluate the tyrosinase inhibitory properties of the A. cyclops extract. The ethyl acetate trunk bark extract exhibited a substantial total phenolic content and demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in terms of free radical scavenging, as well as notable tyrosinase inhibitory action (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration [IC 50 ] = 14.08 ± 1.10 μg/mL). The substantial anti‐tyrosinase activity of the examined extract was revealed through molecular docking analysis and druglikeness prediction of the main selected compounds. The findings suggest that A. cyclops extract holds promise as a potential treatment for skin hyperpigmentation disorders.
... For the anti-quorum sensing activity of the selected isolates, the agar well diffusion method [21] was performed using Chromobacterium violaceum MTCC 2656. An overnight culture of C. violaceum was spread over the Luria Bertani (LB) agar (Hi Media, India) with the help of a sterile cotton swab and the wells were punctured. ...
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Fermented foods have been recognized as a source of probiotic bacteria which can have a positive effect when administered to humans and animals. Discovering new probiotics in fermented food products poses a global economic and health importance. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial and probiotic potential of lactobacilli isolated from fermented beverages produced traditionally by ethnic groups in Northeast India. Out of thirty Lactobacilli, fifteen exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter aerogenes with significant anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activity. These isolates also showed characteristics associated with probiotic properties, such as tolerance to low pH and bile salts, survival in the gastric tract, auto-aggregation, and hydrophobicity without exhibiting hemolysis formation or resistance to certain antibiotics. The isolates were identified using gram staining, biochemical tests, and 16S rDNA sequencing. They exhibited probiotic potential, broad-spectrum of antibacterial activity, promising anti-biofilm, anti-quorum sensing activity, non-hemolytic, and tolerance to acidic pH and bile salts. Overall, four specific Lactobacillus isolates, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BRD3A and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei RB10OW from fermented rice-based beverage, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RB30Y and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MP11A from traditional local curd demonstrated potent antimicrobial and probiotic properties. These findings suggest that these lactobacilli isolates from fermented beverages have the potential to be used as probiotics with therapeutic benefits, highlighting the importance of traditional fermented foods for promoting gut health and infectious disease management.
... According to Samreen et al. (2022), the methanolic extract of V. nilotica at sub-inhibitory concentrations (125, 62.5, and 31.25 mg/ml) showed a 14 mm zone inhibition of violaceum production against C. violaceum ATCC 12472. In addition, the green pods of V. nilotica extracts (unhydrolyzed and hydrolysed) and fractions (unhydrolyzed and hydrolysed ethyl acetate) had anti-QS potential using the disk diffusion assay, and also showed a high presence of polar compounds, i.e., gallic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin and rutin (Singh et al., 2009). Likewise, the methanolic pod extract of V. nilotica in the current study showed MQSIC and IC 50 values of 0.31 and 0.18 mg/ml, respectively. ...
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Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli is a serious threat to human and animal health, with antimicrobial drug resistance contributing to the problem. Alternative mechanisms of prevention and treatment of E. coli-induced diarrhoea include those targeting biofilm production and quorum sensing, properties that have been associated with some investigated plant extracts. Plants were selected from various genera, including Vachellia, Senegalia, Morus, Leucaena, Salix, Grewia, Ziziphus, Searsia, Dichrostachys and Ceratonia, based on their known antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial effects of leaf extracts against multidrug-resistant E. coli O157:H7 were investigated using a broth microdilution method, and cytotoxicity to normal mammalian cell lines was studied using a tetrazolium colorimetric assay. Subsequently, antibiofilm activity and inhibition of extracellu-lar polymeric substance (EPS) production by plant extracts against E. coli O157:H7 was investigated using crystal violet as a staining dye after 0 and 24 h incubation and carbohydrate estimation 5 % phenol-sulfuric assay. The biosensor strain Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 was used to study the anti-quorum sensing potential of the selected plant extracts. Cell motility, cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), and aggregation were also investigated. All plant extracts had weak antibacterial activity (MIC > 0.62 mg/ml) with relatively low cytotoxicity. The acetone extracts of Salix babylonica and Leucaena leucocephala prevented bacterial cell attachment (0 h) by 81.21 % and 89.36 %, respectively. Approximately 28 % of plant extracts eradicated established biofilms by more than 50 %, however, they were unable to inhibit EPS production above 30 %. The half-maximal concentration of extracts generally inhibited violacein production (ranging from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/ ml), with V. erioloba acetone extract being the most effective at quorum quenching. Some plant extracts exhibited a significant difference (p<0.05) in motility, aggregation and hydrophobicity compared to untreated cells. This study highlights the potential of selected plant extracts to act via different mechanisms of action to decrease virulence of enteric E. coli, motivating further investigation of the bioactive compounds in the leaves.
... Yadav et al. [36] reported TPC and TFC of A. nilotica extract prepared in different solvents between 7.40 and 166.33 mg/g GAE and 10.34 and 75.11 mg/g QE, respectively. Furthermore, FRSA was measured using DPPH which is a stable lipophilic free radical widely used to evaluate antioxidant potential in a short time [37]. We found 76.32% FRSA of aqueous A. nilotica LE, whereas Yadav et al. [36] reported 92.4% FRSA of methanol extract of A. nilotica. ...
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Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are enormously popular semi-conductor metal oxides with diverse applications in every field of science. Many physical and chemical methods applied for the synthesis of ZnONPs are being rejected due to their environmental hazards. Therefore, ZnONPs synthesized from plant extracts are steered as eco-friendly showing more biocompatibility and biodegradability. Additionally, various synthesis conditions such as the type of precursor salt also play a role in influencing the physicochemical and biological properties of ZnONPs. In this study, green synthesis of ZnONPs from Acacia nilotica was carried out using zinc acetate (ZA-AN-ZNPs), zinc nitrate (ZN-AN-ZNPs), and zinc sulfate (ZS-AN-ZNPs) precursor salts. Surprisingly, characterization of ZnONPs using UV–visible spectroscopy, TEM, XRD, and EDX revealed the important role precursor salts played in influencing the size and shape of ZnONPs, i.e., 20–23 nm spherical (ZA-AN-ZNPs), 55–59 nm triangular (ZN-AN-ZNPs), and 94–97 nm nano-flowers (ZS-AN-ZNPs). FTIR analysis showed the involvement of alkaloids, alcohols, carboxylic acid, and phenolic compounds present in Acacia nilotica extract during the synthesis process. Since different precursor salts showed different morphology of ZnONPs, their biological activities were also variable. ZN-AN-ZNPs showed the highest cytotoxicity towards HepG2 cells with the lowest cell viability (28.92 ± 0.99%), highest ROS/RNS production (3425.3 ± 184.58 relative DHR123 fluorescence), and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (1645.2 ± 32.12 relative fluorescence unit) as well as induced significant caspase-3 gene expression. In addition to this, studying the zone of inhibitions and minimum bactericidal and inhibitory concentrations of ZnONPs showed their exceptional potential as antibacterial agents. At MIC as low as 8 µg/mL, ZA-AN-ZNPs and ZN-AN-ZNPs exhibited significant bactericidal activities against human pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase, DNA/RNA leakage, and phosphate ion leakage studies revealed that a damage to the bacterial cell membrane and cell wall is involved in mediating the antibacterial effects of ZnONPs. Graphical Abstract
... For HPLC analysis, 1 gm of fresh tissue (leaves) was harvested at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after pathogen inoculation (hapi) according to the protocol described by Singh et al. [67]. The leaf samples were homogenised in 10 ml of 50 % methanol comprising 5 N HCl. ...
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The present study was carried out in a pot experiment to examine the bioefficacy of three biocontrol agents, viz., Trichoderma viride, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, either alone or in consortium, on plant growth promotion and activation of defense responses in potato against the early blight pathogen Alternaria solani. The results demonstrate significant enhancement in growth parameters in plants bioprimed with the triple-microbe consortium compared to other treatments. In potato, the disease incidence percentage was significantly reduced in plants treated with the triple-microbe consortium compared to untreated control plants challenged with A. solani. Potato tubers treated with the consortium and challenged with pathogen showed significant activation of defense-related enzymes such as peroxidase (PO) at 96 h after pathogen inoculation (hapi) while, both polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) at 72 hapi, compared to the individual and dual microbial consortia-treated plants. The expression of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the accumulation of pathogenesis-related proteins such as chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase were observed to be highest at 72 hapi in the triple microbe consortium as compared to other treatments. HPLC analysis revealed significant induction in polyphenolic compounds in triple-consortium bioprimed plants compared to the control at 72 hapi. Histochemical analysis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) clearly showed maximum accumulation of H2O2 in pathogen-inoculated control plants, while the lowest was observed in triple-microbe consortium at 72 hapi. The findings of this study suggest that biopriming with a microbial consortium improved plant growth and triggered defense responses against A. solani through the induction of systemic resistance via modulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway and antioxidative network.
... It was reported that the main phenolic compound in the black locust tree was gallic acid derivatives and the majority of the phenolic acids was detected in the pods of the trees. Singh et al. [20] and Ee et al. [21] reported the gallic acid presence in the pods and seeds only, respectively and the levels of the gallic acids in the pods of the black locust tree were several times higher than that of the seeds of black locust. As is well known, the mistletoe is a hemiparasite on several species of trees, from which it draws water and nutrients. ...
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Mistletoe is a hemi-parasitic shrub and grows on different host trees and used as a remedy for some disease therapies. In this study, mistletoe fruits and leaves growing on different host tree genera were compared in terms bioactivity and antibacterial efficiency. For this purpose, mistletoe samples were collected from seven different tree genera (black locust, wild pear, pine, hawthorn, willow, apricot and almond) and removed their fruits and leaves. At the beginning, the most suitable solvent for the extraction was determined using optimization procedure of simplex lattice mixture design. The most effective solvent showing the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and antiradical activity (ARA) was determined as ethanol:water (92.5:7.5) for the fruit and ethanol:water (30:70) for the leaf extraction. TPC values of the leaf and fruit samples ranged between 7 and 21.2 and 3.2–6.9 mg GAE/g, respectively. The results showed significant differences based on the tree genus and the highest antioxidant and antiradical activities were monitored for the black locust tree while the lowest values were in willow tree. For antibacterial activity, the highest inhibition zone was obtained from wild pear leaf extract for Salmonella Typhimurium. Mistletoe leave extracts showed a remarkable superiority bioactive performance than those of the mistletoe fruits for all tree genus. Graphical Abstract Experimental design showing the workflow for the bioactive performance of mistletoe fruit and leaf collected from different tree genus.
... Measurement of synthesis of VIO by C. violaceum has been considered as a marker for QS activity (Singh et al. 2009). In this study, VIO production by C. violaceum MTCC2656 in the presence and absence of the pigments was assessed according to an earlier described method with suitable modifications (Blosser and Gray 2000). ...
Article
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Bacterial pigments represent a diverse group of secondary metabolites, which confer fitness advantages to the producers while residing in communities. The bioactive potential of such metabolites, including antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulation, are being explored. Reckoning that a majority of such pigments are produced in response to quorum sensing (QS) mediated expression of biosynthetic gene clusters and, in turn, influence cell–cell communication, systemic profiling of the pigments for possible impact on QS appears crucial. A systemic screening of bacterial pigments for QS-inhibition combined with exploration of antibiofilm and antimicrobial action against Acinetobacter baumannii might offer viable alternatives to combat the priority pathogen. Major bacterial pigments are classified (clustered) based on their physicochemical properties, and representatives of the clusters are screened for QS inhibition. The screen highlighted prodigiosin as a potent quorum quencher, although its production from Serratia marcescens appeared to be QS-independent. In silico analysis indicated potential interactions between AbaI and AbaR, two major QS regulators in A. baumannii, and prodigiosin, which impaired biofilm formation, a major QS-dependent process in the bacteria. Prodigiosin augmented antibiotic action of ciprofloxacin against A. baumannii biofilms. Cell viability analysis revealed prodigiosin to be modestly cytotoxic against HEK293, a non-cancer human cell line. While developing dual-species biofilm, prodigiosin producer S. marcescens significantly impaired the fitness of A. baumannii. Enhanced susceptibility of A. baumannii toward colistin was also noted while growing in co-culture with S. marcescens. Antibiotic resistant isolates demonstrated varied responsiveness against prodigiosin, with two resistant strains demonstrating possible collateral sensitivity. Collectively, the results underpin the prospect of a prodigiosin-based therapeutic strategy in combating A. baumannii infection.
... The Acacia pod extracts showed to be poor antioxidants when compared to BHT. Our results contrast with previous studies suggesting that the green pods of A. nilotica are an important source of natural antioxidants [22]. ...
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This study intended to evaluate the potential industrial applications of various Acacia species (Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia longifolia, Acacia cyclops, Acacia retinodes, Acacia pycnantha, Acacia mearnsii, and Acacia dealbata) by examining their chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, a comprehensive analysis successfully identified targeted compounds, including flavonoids (flavonols/flavones) and phenolic acids, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ellagic acid. Additionally, p-coumaric acid was specifically identified and quantified within the hydroxycinnamic aldehydes. This comprehensive characterization provides valuable insights into the chemical profiles of the studied species. Among the studied species, A. pycnantha exhibited a higher concentration of total phenolic compounds, including catechin, myricetin, quercetin, and coniferaldehyde. Furthermore, A. pycnantha displayed notable antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and B. cereus. The identified compounds in Acacia pods and their shown antibacterial activities exhibit promising potential for future applications. Moreover, vibrational spectroscopy was a reliable method for distinguishing between species. These significant findings enhance our understanding of Acacia species and their potential for various industrial applications.
... Various secondary metabolites for e.g., phenol, flavonoids, and amino acids, are the main compounds that act as natural antioxidants [6]. Acacianilotica has been previously reported as a potential source of antioxidant polyphenols like tannin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and catechin [7]. ...
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In the present study fruit of Acacia nilotica was chosen to evaluate its antioxidant, larvicidal and antibacterial properties. Phytochemical screening of aqueous and alcohol extracts of the plant fruits affirmed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugar, phenol, flavonoid, terpenoid, saponin and steroid. The antioxidant properties of the aqueous and alcohol fruit extracts were noted as 10.11±0.035 and 9.75±0.023 mM of FeSO4 for Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay respectively. The potency of antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and alcohol extract of A. nilotica fruit were tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillussubtilis, and Escherichiacoli. The alcohol extract against E. coli, exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity. Aqueous extracts of A. nilotica fruit showed potential toxicity against Aedes albopictus larvae with LC50 value of 142.074 mg L-1. Present findings clearly indicated that A. nilotica fruit extracts could be most effectively used as a natural antioxidant, antibacterial and larvicidal agent.
... And due to the presence of various phytochemicals anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential of plant is confirmed (Venkatesh et al. 2003;Ali 1986). Acacia nilotica is found pharmacologically active for different ailments in various studies reported to contain different phytochemicals and antioxidants (Ayoub 1982;El-Tahir et al. 1999;Singh et al. 2009;Omara et al. 2012;Fatima et al. 2005). ...
Article
Background: This comprehensive ethnobotanical study was undertaken for the first time to explore and document the medicinal plants used by the indigenous ethnic communities of Surghar Range, Pakistan. The study area is situated adjacent to Salt Range, which lies on the most southern part of Himalayan Ranges in Pakistan. Despite occurrence of so many medicinal plants, culture history and herbal medicines used among the indigenous communities, no explicit ethnobotanical studies are available from this unique region because the field of ethnobotany is still getting mature day by day in Pakistan. Methods: Semi-structured questionnaires, open interviews and field surveys were used to collect data on medicinal plants and demography from March 2017 to September 2020 from 500 informants by using different quantitative indices viz. relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), informant census factor (ICF), Jaccard Index (JI) and family use value (FUV) to analyze the data. Results: A total of 417 plants belonging to 89 families were documented that are ethnobotanically used by ethnic communities. Most herbal remedies were used in the form of decoction (33%). ICF values indicate that cardio-vascular complaints ranked (0.7) followed by ENT diseases (0.6). Species like Berberis lyceum, Forsskaolea tenacissima, Kickxia ramosissima, Momordica balsamina, Monotheca buxifolia, Pseudogaillonia hymenostephana, Rumex vesicarius, Ocimum americanum, Schweinfurthia papilionacea and Viola cinerea would be interesting targets for drug discovery and are suggested for further investigations. Conclusions: Current study revealed that the study area has sufficient indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used by the aboriginal people. Their traditional knowledge about medicinal plants must be validated with phytochemical and pharmacological screening to determine bioactive compounds and needs to be preserved. Keywords: Medicinal plants; Jaccard Index; Surghar Range; Cardio-vascular; Menyanthaceae
... QS assay with C. violaceum Measurement of synthesis of VIO by Cv has been considered as a marker for QS activity (Singh et al. 2009). In this study, VIO production by Cv MTCC2656 in the presence and absence of the pigments was assessed according an earlier described method with suitable modi cations (Blosser and Gray 2000). ...
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Bacterial pigments represent a diverse group of secondary metabolites offering advantages to the producers in terms of survival and replication in communities. The bioactive potential of such metabolites including antimicrobial, anticancer and immune-suppressive properties are being explored. Reckoning that several of such pigments are produced in response to quorum sensing mediated expression of biosynthetic gene clusters and do influence cell-cell communication while residing in communities, systemic profiling of the pigments for possible impact on quorum sensing appears crucial; particularly in the quest of novel alternatives to confront drug nonresponsive pathogens. In this context, a series of bacterial pigments are clustered based on their physicochemical properties and representatives of the clusters are screened for quorum sensing inhibition. The screen highlighted prodigiosin as a potent quorum quencher although its production from Serratia marcescens apparently is QS-independent. In silico analysis indicated potential interaction with AbaI and AbaR, two major QS regulator in Acinetobacter baumannii . While developing multi-bacterial biofilm, prodigiosin producer S. marcescens significantly impaired fitness of A. baumannii and accentuated responsiveness against colistin under co-culture. Prodigiosin impaired a major QS dependent process, biofilm formation, in A. baumannii and also enhanced antibiotic action against A. baumannii biofilms. Collectively, the results underpin the prospect of prodigiosin-based therapeutic strategy in combating A. baumanii infection.
... Acacia gum has been reported to contain potential amount of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic and antiulcer compounds that possess numerous health benefits (Elmi et al., 2020;Hammiche and Maiza, 2006). The high percentage of polyphenolics (tannins), terpenoids, lignans, alkaloids, quinones, coumarins and flavonoid components raises the biological activity of the gum in human body (Sadiq et al., 2015;Singh et al., 2009;Cowan, 1999;Capitata, 2018). The aqueous extracts of gum acacia were found to prevent the bleeding and stops the blood coagulation. ...
Article
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review phytochemical potential of acacia and its associated health advantages. Acacia a moderate-sized, deciduous tree and recognised as health-promoting species because of availability of essential bioactive components. The bioactive compounds such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids and polysaccharides (gums) present in the plant parts of acacia, namely, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs and seeds, have medicinal value and thus are used to overlay the formulations of plant-based drugs and value-added foods. Design/methodology/approach Major well-known bibliometric information sources such as Web of Science, Scopus, Mendeley and Google Scholar were searched with keywords such as “nutrition value of acacia”, “bioactive compounds”, “health benefits”, “processing and safety” were chosen to obtain a database of 1,428 papers. The search considered papers in the English language from the past 18 years of publication in journals (2004–2022). The article selection process consisted of the screening of titles and abstracts, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles that did not have acacia components as a study objective were taken into consideration for exclusion. A final database of 87 scientific sources was made after sorting and classifying them according to different criteria based on topic relevance, country of origin and year of publication. Articles with other random descriptors were also searched to complement the discussion of the results obtained. Findings The literature reflected that acacia contains all necessary phytochemicals like polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, glucosinolates, alkaloids and carotenoids along with essential macro, micro-nutrients. Furthermore, processing methods such as soaking, cooking, roasting and dehusking significantly reduced the anti-nutritional factors present in acacia seeds of different species. This review also focused on the processing methods that are used to eliminate or lower down the anti-nutritional factors from the seeds. Previous findings related to acacia plant parts with respect to food development are explored and mentioned. Originality/value This review emphasised mainly on recent studies that had been reported on ethnomedical acacia plants therapeutically, commercially and exponentially for further studies to increase the utilisation in food processing.
... The diverse genus Acacia contains several bioactive substances, including alkaloids (phenethylamine, amphetamine, candicine, mescaline, trichocereine, and hordenine) [19]; cyanogenic glycosides (linamarin, procacipetalin, heterodendrin, prunasin, sambunigrin, and lotaustralin); flavonoids (epicatechin, robinetinidol, fasciculiferin, melacacidin, galangin, myricetin, chrysin, and apigenin) [20]; terpenoids (acaciaside A&B and acacigenin) [21], phenolic compounds (ellagic acid, ferulic acid, and gallic acid) and tannins (gallotannin) [22,23]. Over the past seven decades, 152 active ingredients have been found in the Acacia genus and the medicinal compounds are mainly present in the pods, root, bark, and leaves of the Acacia shrubs. ...
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More than 1300 species of the vast genus Acacia are found in tropical habitats. They are crucial economic plants since they produce traditional medicines, timber, and gum. The pharmacological uses of the Acacia genus include anti-diarrheal, anti-malarial, chronic pain relief, wound healing, anti-cancer, anti-rheumatism, and anti-diabetes activities. It is also used for treating various illnesses such as gastroenteritis, allergies, Alzheimer′s disease, cough, and cardiovascular disease. The present review aims to summarize the antimicrobial activities including the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the Acacia genus. The literature was searched in books and online databases including SciFinder, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and scientific journals using the most relevant keywords: Acacia+antimicrobial, Acacia+antibacterial, and Acacia+antifungal.
... Phenolic compounds have the potential to function as antioxidants by scavenging the superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, peroxy radical or quenching singlet oxygen and by inhibiting lipid peroxidation in biological systems (Izunya et al., 2010). Oxidative stress, which results due to imbalance between the antioxidant defense system and the formation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), may induce damage to cellular biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, and lipids through oxidative modification and contributing to the pathogenesis of human diseases (Singh et al., 2009b). Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. ...
Article
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Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Family: Nyctaginaceae) commonly known as Punarnava is an herbaceous, spreading vine widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions in the world. The plants are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrate. The present study was carried out to determine the concentration of some bioactive phytochemicals (ascorbic acid,carotenoids, total phenolics, protein and carbohydrate) and their antioxidant activity in punarnava. Results showed the values for ascorbic acid (16.75±1.72 and 18.86±1.12 mg/100g of Fresh Weight), carotenoids (1.36±0.10 and 1.98±0.11 ìg/g of Fresh Weight), protein (122.975±6.27 and 134.45±6.23 mg/g of dry weight) and carbohydrate (56.67±5.77 and 60.11±5.23 mg/g of dry weight) for aqueous and methanolic of root extracts of B.diffusa respectively. Methanolic root extracts showed greater antioxidant activity than the aqueous extracts using DPPH method.
... QS is an intercellular communication system that plays an essential role in biofilm formation and virulence-factor production in several bacterial species [17]. Thus, this communication mechanism is used by these microbes to express various survival or virulence traits leading to increased resistance of bacteria [40]. ...
Article
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Rosmarinus officinalis and Myrtus communis essential oils (EOs) are well-known for their ethno-pharmaceutical properties. In the present study, we have analyzed the chemical composition of both EOs by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Then we assessed their antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-virulence actions against the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxic effect of agents tested against this bacterium was investigated by monitoring reactive oxygen-species (ROS) generation and antioxidant-enzyme (catalase) production. Regarding the antistaphylococcal effects, our results showed antibacterial efficacy of both Eos and their combination, where the minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged between 0.7 and 11.25 mg/mL. A combination of tested agents showed the highest anti-hemolytic and anti-protease effects. Additionally, association between EOs displayed more potency against the development of biofilm performed by S. aureus, with percentage of removal reaching 74%. The inhibitory impacts of EOs on S. aureus virulence factors were discovered to be concentration-dependent. Furthermore, our results provide insight on the abilities of R. officinalis and M. communis EOs, as well as their potential in combination, to generate ROS and affect oxidative stress enzyme catalase in S. aureus, leading to their antagonistic effect against this pathogen.
... Acacia is a varied genus including a variety of bioactive components such as alkaloids [33], flavonoids [8], terpenoids [34], phenolic compounds, and tannins [35,36], which are accountable for various pharmacological and biological properties such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiplatelet, hypoglycaemic, anti-atherosclerotic, analgesic, and anticancer, owing to their higher free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties [37]. The phytochemical analysis of the A. nilotica leaf extracts revealed that it contains volatile oil, saponins, hydrolysable tannin, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoid, phenol, alkaloids which are actual important compounds when regarding the pharmacologically bioactive phytochemicals in the plant [38]. ...
Article
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Plants are a promising source of bioactive compounds that can be used to tackle many emerging diseases both infectious and non-infectious. Among different plants, Acacia is a very large genus and exhibits a diverse array of bioactive agents with remarkable pharmacological properties against different diseases. Acacia, a herb found all over the world, contains approximately more than 1200 species of the Fabaceae family. In the present review, we have collected detailed information on biochemical as well as pharmacological properties. The data were retrieved using different databases, such as Elsevier, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus, and an extensive literature survey was carried out. Studies have shown that Acacia possesses several secondary metabolites, including amines, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, seed oils, cyclitols, fluoroacetate, gums, non-protein amino acids, diterpenes, fatty acids, terpenes, hydrolyzable tannins, and condensed tannins. These compounds exhibit a wide range of pharmaceutical applications such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiviral, liver protective effects, and so on. Thus, the literature shows the tremendous phytochemical impact of the genus Acacia in medicine. Overall, we recommend that more research should be conducted on the medicinal value and isolation and purification of the effective therapeutic agents from Acacia species for the treatment of various ailments.
... Acacia nilotica (common name: Gum Arabic tree) is an important traditional plant for the treatment of several diseases in several countries around the world [22]. Many components were isolated and identified from the extracts of the different organs of this plant comprising the terpenes, tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids [21,22,28,29]. Several reports described the interesting biological potentialities of the different extracts of this plant, such as the treatment of inflammation, free radicals, leishmanial, diabetes, cancers, plasmodial, and other infections, along with molluscicidal activity [30][31][32]. ...
Article
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Acacia nilotica (synonym: Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter and Mabb.) is considered an important plant of the family Fabaceae that is used in traditional medicine in many countries all over the world. In this work, the antiviral potentialities of the chemically characterized essential oils (EOs) obtained from the bark and fruits of A. nilotica were assessed in vitro against HAV, HSV1, and HSV2. Additionally, the in silico evaluation of the main compounds in both EOs was carried out against the two proteins, 3C protease of HAV and thymidine kinase (TK) of HSV. The chemical profiling of the bark EOs revealed the identification of 32 compounds with an abundance of di- (54.60%) and sesquiterpenes (39.81%). Stachene (48.34%), caryophyllene oxide (19.11%), and spathulenol (4.74%) represented the main identified constituents of bark EO. However, 26 components from fruit EO were assigned, with the majority of mono- (63.32%) and sesquiterpenes (34.91%), where trans-caryophyllene (36.95%), Z-anethole (22.87%), and γ-terpinene (7.35%) represented the majors. The maximum non-toxic concentration (MNTC) of the bark and fruits EOs was found at 500 and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. Using the MTT assay, the bark EO exhibited moderate antiviral activity with effects of 47.26% and 35.98% and a selectivity index (SI) of 2.3 and 1.6 against HAV and HSV1, respectively. However, weak activity was observed via the fruits EO with respective SI values of 3.8, 5.7, and 1.6 against HAV, HSV1, and HSV2. The in silico results exhibited that caryophyllene oxide and spathulenol (the main bark EO constituents) showed the best affinities (ΔG = −5.62, −5.33, −6.90, and −6.76 kcal/mol) for 3C protease and TK, respectively. While caryophyllene (the major fruit EO component) revealed promising binding capabilities against both proteins (ΔG = −5.31, −6.58 kcal/mol, respectively). The molecular dynamics simulation results revealed that caryophyllene oxide has the most positive van der Waals energy interaction with 3C protease and TK with significant binding free energies. Although these findings supported the antiviral potentialities of the EOs, especially bark EO, the in vivo assessment should be tested in the intraoral examination for these EOs and/or their main constituents.
... "Acacia species contain polyphenolic compounds, which have potent antioxidant properties and aid in the prevention and treatment of many oxidative stress-related diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disease. The antioxidant activity of the plant, which is present in the methanolic extract of the plant, is due to kaempferol" [13]. ...
Article
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This review article aims to provide details on the primary phytochemicals found in Acacia and its numerous pharmacological activities. For those working on the creation of new pharmaceutical products, this review is helpful.
Article
Medicinal plants have been recognized as valuable source of natural antibacterial compounds and alternative agent for the treatment of bacterial infections. This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical properties, antibacterial activity and biochemical compounds of the crude extracts of Acacia nilotica. The reflux extraction, qualitative phytochemical screening, agar well diffusion and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was used. Phytochemical screening indicates the presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, sterols, terpenoids and flavonoids. Ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts were the most active with mean inhibition zone (MIZ) diameter of 20.00±0.00mm and 14.67±1.16mm against B. cereus and P. aeruginosa respectively while the MIZ of the fractions (22.00±1.53mm) were higher at 50mg/mL as compared to the positive control with MIZ of 17.00±0.00 (p<0.05). the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration MBC of 15.6mg/mL and 31.3mg/mL were obtained against P. aeruginosa. Compounds identified in the most active fractions with higher peaks include Oleic Acid (24.43%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (22.96%) and Tetradecanetetrol (19.25%) which are reported to possessing antibacterial activity. Based on the result of this study, it can be concluded that extract from Acacia nilotica possess antibacterial activity and can be considered for drug development against the test organisms.
Article
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Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity limits its therapeutic use as an effective aminoglycoside. Herbal drugs have a distinct place in the world of pharmaceuticals since they are safe, effective, and cost-efficient. Acacia nilotica (L.) has long been recognized for its antihypertensive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet aggregatory benefits in traditional medicine. Still, the protective effect of Acacia nilotica on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity is still unknown. Thus, the goal of this research was to examine the protection of ethanolic extract of Acacia nilotica (ANE) against nephrotoxicity triggered by Gentamicin. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups containing six rats in each group. The distilled water were given in control group. The rats in groups two and three were administered metformin and gentamicin respectively. In groups five and six, rats were administered ANE at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. Ten days of daily treatments were given. The urea, creatinine, uric acid, and LDH levels were analyzed on serum, whereas histological evaluation, MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, TNF-α, IL-6, and caspase-3, were performed on kidney tissue on day 11. The gentamicin-treated group exhibited a significantly elevated MDA, and lower levels of antioxidant enzymes. Kidney function markers, inflammatory markers and caspase-3 expression were significantly elevated in the gentamicin-treated group. ANE significantly restored kidney function biomarkers, upregulated biochemical levels, inhibited TNF-α, caspase-3, cytokine expression, and reduced histological lesions. In conclusion, ANE has the ability to prevent gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and reduce nephrotoxic damage. As such, it may represent an effective therapy for patients receiving gentamicin treatment.
Chapter
Aromatherapy is a medical practice that uses aromatic compounds or essential oils to influence mood and health. Essential oils used in aromatherapy are created from a wide variety of medicinal plants, flowers, herbs, roots, and trees that are found all over the world and have significant, well-documented benefits on enhancing physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. This book is a comprehensive reference on aromatic compounds present in essential oils and their therapeutic use. Starting from fundamentals of essential oil biosynthesis the book guides the reader through their basic biochemistry, toxicology, profiling, blending and clinical applications. The concluding chapters also present focused information about the therapeutic effects of essential oils on specific physiological systems, plant sources, skin treatment and cancer therapeutics. The combination of basic and applied knowledge will provide readers with all the necessary information for understanding how to develop preclinical formulations and standard clinical therapies with essential oils. This is an essential reference for anyone interested in aromatherapy and the science of essential oils.
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The characteristics of Algerian Nigella sativa (Ns) seeds were investigated after extraction with three aqueous ethanol concentrations (40, 60 and 80%) at three seed concentrations (2.5, 5 and 7.5%) referred as T, F and S, respectively. Aqueous ethanol extraction (40%) at 2.5 and 5% Ns seed concentration [T40% and F40%] had the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Higher seed (7.5%) and aqueous ethanol concentrations (60 and 80%) extracts [S60% and S80%] exhibited the maximum antioxidant activity. T80% and S40% extract exerted high antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Four stirred yogurts formulated with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% of S60% extract were evaluated for physicochemical and sensory properties; two of these formulated yogurts were further investigated for stability under refrigerated storage (4 °C for 21 days). Yogurt formulated with 0.5% of S60% extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, high titratable acidity, low pH and increasing syneresis during storage. However, the control yogurt had higher syneresis than the fortified yogurt (60 vs 46% at 21 days storage).
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Background and Objective: One of the most important issues currently challenged by public health organizations worldwide is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The current study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Acacia nilotica extracts and Copper Sulphate (CuSO4) on different clinical bacterial and fungal isolates. Materials and Methods: Using standard microbial methods, four bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant staphylococci, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli ) and fungus species were obtained from clinical samples of various infections. By using colonial morphology, Gram’s stain and metabolic assays in accordance with accepted microbial practices, the strains were identified. The strains were subcultured onto Sabouraud dextrose agar, MacConkey agar and nutrient agar blood agar before being kept at 37°C for roughly 18 to 24 hrs to determine purity. The antibacterial activity was screened using the paper disc diffusion technique. Results: The Acacia nilotica extracts have shown the maximum antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas species followed by vancomycin sensitive S. aureus, vancomycin resistant S. aureus while, the least activity was observed against Bacillus subtilis at the concentration of 750 μg mL–1. Candida albicans and Rhizopus have shown sensitivity against tested drugs. The antimicrobial activity of CuSO4 against tested bacterial species revealed the highest sensitivity as well as for fungal species. Penicillium species were completely resistant against both studied extracts. Conclusion: Results of the present study have reported a recommended use of Acacia nilotica extracts compared with CuSO4 for their potential antimicrobial effects as significant antibacterial as well as antifungal agents.
Chapter
Antibiotic resistance is a global health concern. Strains of pathogenic microorganisms that have developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, such as MRSA, are extremely difficult to treat, and alternative methods for tackling pathogenic microorganisms are in demand. One potential target for new therapeutics is inhibition of quorum sensing: how microorganisms communicate and form biofilms in a density-dependent manner. Inhibiting this system via ‘quorum quenching’ (QQ) is a promising route to new pharmaceuticals and for controlling biofilm formation and growth. Quorum sensing also provides interesting possibilities in synthetic biology for producing novel products, biosensors, bioactive molecules, and so on. This book covers the biology of quorum sensing and quenching, and potential sources of QQ enzymes and other inhibitors, as well as an overview of their mechanism and potential biotech applications. The book also covers the potential for new drug development from QQ, covering a range of related topics including protein engineering, imaging and computational studies, and integrated systems. This book is an ideal companion to researchers in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, particularly those interested in biofilm formation, quorum sensing, novel antimicrobial development, synthetic biology and enzymology.
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textlessptextgreatertextlessbr/textgreaterThis paper presents the in vivo antioxidant activity of soy isoflavones in human subjects determined by the urinary excretion of secondary lipid peroxidation products. Ten healthy women 18-35 years of age consumed a self-selected diet and avoided legumes, whole grains, and isoflavone containing foods. A powdered soy protein isolate was added daily to their diet that provided 3 levels of isoflavones: control 0.15, low 1.01, and high 2.01 mg/kg body weight. Subjects were randomized to consume all three diets for 13 weeks each, with each subject serving as her own control. Urine samples were analyzed from 24-hr collections at the end of each diet period for lipophilic aldehydes and related carbonyl compounds by HPLC. Results show that six of the individual urinary nonpolar compounds (NPC) levels were significantly lower due to consumption of the high isoflavone diet and one was also significantly lower due to consumption of the low isoflavone diet. The total of the individually measured urinary NPC was significantly lower with consumption of both the low and high isoflavone diets when compared with the control diet.textless/ptextgreater
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Iron was released from ferritin by both cysteine and ascorbate at the pH found in muscle foods (5.5-6.9). The rate of iron release from ferritin was influenced by temperature and ferritin and reducing agent concentrations. Storing beef muscle at 4°C for 11 days resulted in a decrease in the concentration of ferritin antibody precipitatable iron, suggesting that iron is released from ferritin in situ. Physiological concentrations of ferritin catalyzed lipid oxidation in vitro, and heating ferritin increased the rate of lipid oxidation. These data suggest that ferritin could be involved in the development of off-flavors in both cooked and uncooked muscle foods.
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The scavenging effect of methanolic extracts of peanut hulls (MEPH) on free-radical and active-oxygen species was investigated. MEPH showed marked activity as a radical scavenger in the experiment using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, indicating that MEPH has effective activities as a hydrogen donor and as a primary antioxidant to react with lipid radicals. MEPH also possessed antioxidative activity toward hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2 radical anion), indicating that MEPH has a scavenging activity on H2O2 and O2 radical anion. The scavenging effect of MEPH on hydroxyl radical was investigated by means of electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. MEPH exhibited a marked scavenging effect on hydroxyl radical, and the scavenging activity of MEPH depended on its concentrations. These results indicate that MEPH is also active as an oxygen scavenger and as a secondary antioxidant. The overall antioxidant effect of MEPH on lipid peroxidation might be attributed to its properties of scavenging free-radical and active-oxygen species.
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Red clover is a rich source of isoflavones which are reported to have beneficial estrogenic effects and, moreover, contains significant amounts of polyphenolic substances which are known for their potential bio-active antioxidant properties and radical scavenging capacity. The concentration of total polyphenols was remarkably high in the red clover extract (153 mgyg) and in a red clover based food supplement (114 mgyg), above all in comparison to soy extract (18 mgyg). In correlation with the respective total content of polyphenols, the DPPH radical scavenging capacity was found to be most pronounced in the red clover extract (EC : 0.32 mgyml; ARP: 7) and the red clover preparation (EC : 0.50 mgyml; ARP: 5) whereas the soy preparation 50 50 showed only minor radical scavenging capacity (EC : 1.09 mgyml; ARP: 2). In consideration of the beneficial nutritional-50 physiological and health promoting effects of isoflavones and polyphenols red clover extract could be regarded as a potent antioxidant and radical scavenging active and functional food ingredient or dietary food supplement.
Article
In order to find antioxidant potential, seeds of 30 varieties of Glycine max were studied for their total phenolic contents (TPC), flavonoids and antioxidant activity (AOA). The seed extracts showed wide variation of TPC from 6.4 to 81.7 mg GAE/g, flavonoids 3.5 to 44.6 mg QE/g and AOA 7.5% to 74.7%. Free radical-scavenging activity (FRSA), assayed by DPPH in terms of IC50 (inhibitory concentration), ranged from 0.14 to 0.80 mg/ml, EC50 (efficiency concentration) from 6.1 to 34.8 mg/mg DPPH, ARP (anti-radical power) 2.9 to 16.4 and reducing power from 1.9 to 4.7 ASE/ml. Variety Kalitur showed highest the FRSA followed by Alankar and Hara soya, as evident from their low IC50, EC50 and high ARP values. Alankar, Kalitur NRC-37, PK-472, VLS-47, Hara soya varieties were with comparatively higher TPC (52.7–81.7 mg GAE/g), AOA (50.5–74.7%) and showed better inhibition of peroxide formation assayed through ammonium thiocyanate and egg yolk, non-site-specific and site-specific inhibition of hydroxyl radical induced deoxyribose degradation and ferrous ion-chelating capacity than did the other varieties. Seed extracts of these varieties and leaves of Kalitur showed significant protection against DNA damage caused by free radicals. The agri-wastes of some promising varieties, e.g. Alankar, Kalitur, NRC-37 and PK-472, showed TPC ranging from 27.4 to 167 mg GAE/g, total flavanoids from 10.4 to 63.8 mg QE/g and AOA from 26.5% to 84.7% and their values were highest in the leaves, followed by pod pericarp and twigs. Out of all the varieties studied, leaves of Alankar and Kalitur varieties were more potent free radical-scavengers than were seeds, pod pericarp or twigs. The specific phenolic compositions and their quantifications were performed by HPLC and MS/MS, which showed that the seeds of Kalitur were higher in genistin (127 μg/g), seeds and leaves of Alankar in diadzin (113 μg/g) and gallic acid (87.2 μg/g), respectively. The present studies may be of importance in varietal improvement, nutraceuticals, bio-pharmaceuticals and utilization of agri-wastes as possible cost-effective natural antioxidants.
Article
Complex I (NADH-ubiquinone reductase) and Complex III (ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase) supplemented with NADH generated O2− at maximum rates of 9.8 and 6.5 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively, while, in the presence of superoxide dismutase, the same systems generated H2O2 at maximum rates of 5.1 and 4.2 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively. H2O2 was essentially produced by disproportionation of O2−, which constitutes the precursor of H2O2. The effectiveness of the generation of oxygen intermediates by Complex I in the absence of other specific electron acceptors was 0.95 mol of O2− and 0.63 mol of H2O2/mol of NADH. A reduced form of ubiquinone appeared to be responsible for the reduction of O2 to O2−, since (a) ubiquinone constituted the sole common major component of Complexes I and III, (b) H2O2 generation by Complex I was inhibited by rotenone, and (c) supplementation of Complex I with exogenous ubiquinones increased the rate of H2O2 generation. The efficiency of added quinones as peroxide generators decreased in the order Q1 > Q0 > Q2 > Q6 = Q10, in agreement with the quinone capacity of acting as electron acceptor for Complex I. In the supplemented systems, the exogenous quinone was reduced by Complex I and oxidized nonenzymatically by molecular oxygen. Additional evidence for the role of ubiquinone as peroxide generator is provided by the generation of O2− and H2O2 during autoxidation of quinols. In oxygenated buffers, ubiquinol (Q0H2), benzoquinol, duroquinol and menadiol generated O2− with k3 values of 0.1 to 1.4 m− · s−1 and H2O2 with k4 values of 0.009 to 4.3 m−1 · s−1.
Article
This paper reports the first approach to the antioxidant potential evaluation of traditional stoned table olives “alcaparras”. This kind of olives are largely produced and consumed in Trás-os-Montes region (Northeast of Portugal). Different solvents and temperature extraction conditions were employed in order to achieve the best method to obtain phenolic compounds and a higher antioxidant activity. The optimum method (water at boiling temperature) was applied on 10 samples from the traditional market. The total phenol content ranged between 5.58 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 29.88 mg GAE/g and effective concentration (EC50) values were in the range 0.36–1.64 and 0.34–1.72 mg/mL for reducing power and radical scavenging effect, respectively. A significantly negative linear regression was observed between the total phenol content found in the samples and its antioxidant activity.
Article
The antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract of Cinnamomum verum barks (CBE) were evaluated with reference to antioxidant compounds like butylated hydroxyl anisole, trolox and ascorbic acid. By virtue of their hydrogen donating ability, all of the tested compounds and CBE exhibited reducing power. They were found to be potent in free radical scavenging activity especially against DPPH radicals and ABTS radical cations. The hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide radicals were also scavenged by the tested compounds. CBE also exhibited metal chelating activity. The peroxidation inhibiting activity of CBE recorded using a linoleic acid emulsion system, showed very good antioxidant activity.
Article
The antioxidant activity of grape juices, wines made from the same lot as juices and their major polyphenolic constituents was measured by the inhibition of lipid oxidation (ferric-thiocyanate) and free radical scavenging (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) methods. dl-α-Tocopherol and 3-tertiary-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) were used as references. The inhibition of lipid oxidation of the standards followed the order: rutin = ferulic acid > tannic acid = gallic acid = resveratrol > BHA = quercetin > dl-α-tocopherol > caffeic acid. Meanwhile, the free radical scavenging activity of gallic acid was the highest, tannic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, BHA and rutin activities were intermediate and that for ferulic acid, dl-α-tocopherol and resveratrol were the lowest. Wines had higher activity than the corresponding grape juices and red wine showed the strongest activity among the grape products tested. The antioxidant activity of the samples seems to be based on their free radical scavenging capacity.
Article
The reaction of lipid peroxides in animal tissues with thiobarbituric acid was dependent on pH of the reaction mixture as was the case for linoleic acid hydroperoxide. The optimum pH was found to be 3.5. Taking this fact into consideration, a standard procedure for the assay of lipid peroxide level in animal tissues by their reaction with thiobarbituric acid was developed as follows. Ten percent ( tissue homogenate was mixed with sodium dodecyl sulfate, acetate buffer (pH 3.5), and aqueous solution of thiobarbituric acid. After heating at 95°C for 60 min, the red pigment produced was extracted with n-butanol-pyridine mixture and estimated by the absorbance at 532nm. As an external standard, tetramethoxy-propane was used, and lipid peroxide level was expressed in terms of nmol malondialdehyde. Using this method, the liped peroxide level in the liver of rats suffering from carbon tetrachloride intoxication was investigated. The results were in good agreement with previously reported data obtained by measuring diene content.
Article
Lipid peroxidation and loss of enzymes located predominantly in either periportal or centrilobular hepatocytes were investigated in precision-cut liver slices from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Pretreatment of animals with 80 mg/kg phenobarbital for the site-specific enzyme studies enhanced and accelerated CCl4 toxicity in slices resulting from increased radical formation. Liver slices were exposed to 0.57 mM CCl4 by vaporization using a roller incubation system at 37 degrees C for a total of 9 hr. Conjugated diene formation, an index of lipid peroxidation, was detected 15 min following CCl4 administration and increased over time. Loss of cytochrome P450 occurred in a time-dependent manner relative to controls where levels in treated slices were 42% of controls at 9 hr. A 48-hr fast prior to termination increased intracellular K+ leakage relative to that present in slices from fed animals. Significant leakage of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and beta-glucuronidase from centrilobular hepatocytes occurred 9 hr following CCl4 administration. The content of the periportal enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase) was unchanged in the same slices over the duration of the experiment. Reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a mitochondrial selective dye and indicator of viability, was significantly lower in treated slices from phenobarbital-treated animals at 9 hr relative to controls. These studies demonstrate that precision-cut slices are an ideal in vitro system for mechanistic studies and the investigation of site-specific toxicants since the integral architecture of the liver and cellular identity are maintained.
Article
It has been suggested that antioxidant administration to rats would reduce the physiological response to stress. In the present experiment adult male rats were given diets supplemented with vitamin E for one or seven days before they were subjected to immobilization stress. Vitamin E administration reduced hepatic and gastric lipid peroxidation in unstressed rats but did not modify the pituitary-adrenal, glucose and lactose responses to 1 or 18 h immobilization. Similarly, gastric ulceration caused by 18 h immobilization was unaffected by the diets. These results indicate that the inhibition of lipid peroxidation does not modify the response of several, well-known, stress-markers in the rat.
Article
Seven flavonoids and three non-flavonoid antioxidants, i.e. butylated hydroxyanisole, chlorpromazine and BW 755 C, were studied as potential scavengers of oxygen free radicals. Superoxide anions were generated enzymatically in a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and non-enzymatically in a phenazine methosulphate-NADH system, and assayed by reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium. The generation of malonaldehyde (MDA) by the ascorbate-stimulated air-oxidised boiled rat liver microsomes was considered as an index of the non-enzymatic formation of hydroxyl radicals. Flavonoids but not non-flavonoid antioxidants lowered the concentration of detectable superoxide anions in both enzymic and non-enzymic systems which generated these SOD-sensitive radicals. The most effective inhibitors of superoxide anions were quercetin, myricetin and rutin. Four out of seven investigated flavonoids seemed also to suppress the activity of xanthine oxidase as measured by a decrease in uric acid biosynthesis. All ten investigated compounds inhibited the MDA formation by rat liver microsomes. Non-flavonoid antioxidants were more potent MDA inhibitors than flavonoids. It is concluded that antioxidant properties of flavonoids are effected mainly via scavenging of superoxide anions whereas non-flavonoid antioxidants act on further links of free radical chain reactions, most likely by scavenging of hydroxyl radicals.
Article
Hydroxyl radicals, generated by reaction of an iron-EDTA complex with H2O2 in the presence of ascorbic acid, attack deoxyribose to form products that, upon heating with thiobarbituric acid at low pH, yield a pink chromogen. Added hydroxyl radical "scavengers" compete with deoxyribose for the hydroxyl radicals produced and diminish chromogen formation. A rate constant for reaction of the scavenger with hydroxyl radical can be deduced from the inhibition of color formation. For a wide range of compounds, rate constants obtained in this way are similar to those determined by pulse radiolysis. It is suggested that the deoxyribose assay is a simple and cheap alternative to pulse radiolysis for determination of rate constants for reaction of most biological molecules with hydroxyl radicals. Rate constants for reactions of ATP, ADP, and Good's buffers with hydroxyl radicals have been determined by this method.
Article
A method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of phenolic substances having non-substituted phenolic groups after their separation by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel or cellulose. After the clear detection of the phenolic substance on the chromatoplate by means of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, the quantitative spectrophotometric determination of the substance is carried out by transferring the sorbent area containing the spot into a test-tube and using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, without the necessity for carrying out a prior elution for the recovery of the substance.The method appears to have good accuracy and to be suitable for general application.
Article
The reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NitroBT) with NADH mediated by phenazine methosulfate (PMS) under aerobic conditions was inhibited upon addition of superoxide dismutase. This observation indicated the involvement of superoxide aninon radical (O2−) in the reduction of NitroBT, the radical being generated in the reoxidation of reduced PMS. Similarly, the reduction of NitroBT coupled to D-amino acid oxidase-PMS system under aerobic conditions was also inhibited by superoxide dismutase. A simple method for detecting superoxide dismutase is described.
Article
The purpose of this article is to explain what oxygen radicals are, how transition metals are involved in their formation and reactivity, and the role played by radicals and metals in some disease states.
Article
The polyphenolic antioxidants, consumed as an integral part of vegetables, fruits and beverages, are suggested as possessing anticarcinogenic properties. In the present study we have looked into the anticarcinogenic potential of plant polyphenols ellagic acid (EA) and quercetin against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. Ellagic acid was able to significantly reduce tumour incidence to 20% from the control value of 72.2%. Similarly, tumour burden was also decreased, although not significantly, from 3.15 to 2.5. Quercetin (QR) caused the tumour incidence to decrease from 76.4% to 44.4% when fed until the third dose of carcinogen. Both of the polyphenols suppressed the tumour incidence mainly by acting at the initiation phase of the carcinogenesis, since continuing the feeding of polyphenols until the termination of the experiment did not cause any apparent change in tumour incidence or tumour burden. Besides this, ellagic acid was found to be a better chemopreventor than quercetin. In order to search for their mechanism of action, the effect of feeding of these compounds on reduced glutathione (GSH), an important endogenous antioxidant, and on lipid peroxidation was investigated. Both ellagic acid and QR caused a significant increase in GSH and decrease in NADPH- and ascorbate-dependent lipid peroxidation. Ellagic acid was found to be more effective in decreasing the lipid peroxidation and increasing the GSH. This may be one of the reasons for its observed better anticarcinogenic property as compared to quercetin.
Article
Fatty acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are used as extracellular quorum sensing signals by a variety of gram-negative bacteria. By activating proteins belonging to the LuxR family of transcriptional regulators, these signal metabolites allow population density-dependent gene regulation within a species, as well as interspecies communication among different bacteria. The experimental detection of AHLs is important in the identification of quorum sensing capabilities in bacteria. Chromobacterium violaceum is a gram-negative bacterium that produces the purple pigment violacein in response to the presence of the AHL N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone (C6HSL). The mini-Tn5 mutant strain C. violaceum CV0blu is deficient in the production of this signal molecule but retains the ability to synthesize violacein in response to the presence of C6HSL and a variety of other short-chain AHLs. We have developed a quantitative bioassay that measures the amount of violacein produced by this strain in response to the presence of different concentrations of various AHL molecules. This new assay provides a means of quantifying the amount of a given AHL present in a bacterial culture and can be used to measure differences in AHL production among different strains or different batch cultures of a given species.
Article
An ethanol extract of the stem of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten (OFS) was assessed to determine the mechanism(s) of its antioxidant activity. The ethanol extract exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation in a thiocyanate assay system. In addition, the OFS extract showed dose-dependent free-radical scavenging activity, including DPPH radicals, superoxide anions (O(2)(*-)), and hydroxyl radicals (*OH), using different assay systems. The OFS ethanol extract was also found to be effective in protecting plasmid DNA against the strand breakage induced by hydroxyl radicals in a Fenton's reaction mixture. Furthermore, the extract showed significant (p < 0.01) dose-dependent protection of mouse splenocytes against glucose oxidase-mediated cytotoxicity. Finally, the OFS extract was characterized as containing a high amount of phenolics (180.3 mg/g), which might be the active compounds responsible for the antioxidant properties of the OFS extract.
Article
Liquid chromatography coupled with ionspray mass spectrometry in the tandem mode (LC/MS/MS) with negative ion detection was used for the identification of a variety of phenolic compounds in a cocoa sample. Gradient elution with water and acetonitrile, both containing 0.1% HCOOH, was used. Standard solutions of 31 phenolic compounds, including benzoic and cinnamic acids and flavonoid compounds, were studied in the negative ion mode using MS/MS product ion scans. At low collisional activation, the deprotonated molecule [M - H](-) was observed for all the compounds studied. For cinnamic and benzoic acids, losses of CO(2) or formation of [M - CH(3)](-*) in the case of methoxylated compounds were observed. However, for flavonol and flavone glycosides, the spectra present both the deprotonated molecule [M - H](-) of the glycoside and the ion corresponding to the deprotonated aglycone [A - H](-). The latter ion is formed by loss of the rhamnose, glucose, galactose or arabinose residue from the glycosides. Different fragmentation patterns were observed in MS/MS experiments for flavone-C-glycosides which showed fragmentation in the sugar part. Fragmentation of aglycones provided characteristic ions for each family of flavonoids. The optimum LC/MS/MS conditions were applied to the characterization of a cocoa sample that had been subjected to an extraction/clean-up procedure which involved chromatography on Sephadex LH20 and thin-layer chromatographic monitoring. In addition to compounds described in the literature, such as epicatechin and catechin, quercetin, isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-glucoside) and quercetin-3-O-arabinose, other compounds were identified for the first time in cocoa samples, such as hyperoside (quercetin-3-O-galactoside), naringenin, luteolin, apigenin and some O-glucosides and C-glucosides of these compounds.
Article
In this study the correlation of phytochemical characteristics and antioxidative properties of classical herbal tea extracts-Infusum solidaginis, Decoctum solidaginis, Maceratum solidaginis-and tinctures prepared by various concentration of ethanol (40, 70, 96% v/v) have been examined for the release of flavonoids and their antioxidant activity. Quantitative and composition determination of flavonoids were carried out by spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis, respectively. Hydrogen-donating ability and reducing power properties were used to define in vitro radical scavenging activity of Solidago extracts, but integral antioxidative capacity was determined by luminometry (Photochem), calculating the ascorbic acid equivalents. Chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside and quercetin were confirmed by retention times and UV spectra. Based on the dissolution rate, variance of flavonoid release and ascorbic acid equivalents it was concluded, that Tinctura solidaginis (70% v/v ethanol) and Infusum solidaginis are the most appropriate preparations.
Article
Since 1922 when Wu proposed the use of the Folin phenol reagent for the measurement of proteins (l), a number of modified analytical pro- cedures ut.ilizing this reagent have been reported for the determination of proteins in serum (2-G), in antigen-antibody precipitates (7-9), and in insulin (10). Although the reagent would seem to be recommended by its great sen- sitivity and the simplicity of procedure possible with its use, it has not found great favor for general biochemical purposes. In the belief that this reagent, nevertheless, has considerable merit for certain application, but that its peculiarities and limitations need to be understood for its fullest exploitation, it has been studied with regard t.o effects of variations in pH, time of reaction, and concentration of react- ants, permissible levels of reagents commonly used in handling proteins, and interfering subst.ances. Procedures are described for measuring pro- tein in solution or after precipitation wit,h acids or other agents, and for the determination of as little as 0.2 y of protein.
Article
To study the antioxidant activity of quince fruit (pulp, peel, and seed) and jam, methanolic extracts were prepared. Each extract was fractionated into a phenolic fraction and an organic acid fraction and was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/diode array detection and HPLC/UV, respectively. Antiradical activities of the extracts and fractions were evaluated by a microassay using 1,1'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The phenolic fraction always exhibited a stronger antioxidant activity than the whole methanolic extract. Organic acid extracts were always the weakest in terms of antiradical activity, which seems to indicate that the phenolic fraction gives a higher contribution for the antioxidant potential of quince fruit and jam. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts showed that peel extract was the one presenting the highest antioxidant capacity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam extracts were correlated with the caffeoylquinic acids total content. Among the phenolic fractions, the seed extract was the one that exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam phenolic extracts were strongly correlated with caffeoylquinic acids and phenolics total contents. For organic acid fractions, the peel extract was the one that had the strongest antiradical activity. The IC50 values of quince pulp, peel, and jam organic acid fractions were correlated with the ascorbic acid and citric acid contents.
Article
Four successive and two crude extracts of Aporosa lindleyana Baill. root were tested for antioxidant activity using standard in vitro and in vivo models. The successive methanol and ethyl acetate and crude 50% methanol extracts showed antioxidant activity with IC50 values 3.51+/-0.27, 6.09+/-1.00 and 7.34+/-0.46 microg/ml, respectively, in DPPH method. In the nitric oxide radical inhibition method, the successive ethyl acetate, petroleum ether and methanol extracts showed antioxidant activity. The successive methanol extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight administered for 5 days prior to CCl4 treatment caused a significant increase in the levels of catalase and SOD and a significant decrease in the level of TBARS in liver, kidney and blood, when compared to CCl4 treated control. These results indicate strong antioxidant nature of Aporosa lindleyana root. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies against normal Vero cell lines indicate non-toxic nature of the root extracts. The study provides a proof for the ethnomedical and reported biological activities.
Article
Bacterial intercellular communication, or quorum sensing (QS), controls the pathogenesis of many medically important organisms. Anti-QS compounds are known to exist in marine algae and have the ability to attenuate bacterial pathogenicity. We hypothesized that terrestrial plants traditionally used as medicines may also produce anti-QS compounds. To test this hypothesis, 50 medicinal plants from southern Florida were screened for anti-QS activity using two biomonitor strains, Chromobacterium violaceum and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Of these plants, six showed QS inhibition: Conocarpus erectus L. (Combretaceae), Chamaecyce hypericifolia (L.) Millsp. (Euphorbiaceae), Callistemon viminalis (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G. Don (Myrtaceae), Bucida burceras L. (Combretaceae), Tetrazygia bicolor (Mill.) Cogn. (Melastomataceae), and Quercus virginiana Mill. (Fagaceae). This study introduces not only a new mode of action and possible validation for traditional plant use, but also a potentially new therapeutic direction for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Article
Leontice smirnowii is a member of the Berberidaceae family. In the current study we investigated the possible antiradical and antioxidant activity of the monodesmosides (MLS) and crude extract (CELS) of Leontice smirnowii using different antioxidant tests: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, scavenging of superoxide anion radical-generated non-enzymatic system, ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method, reducing power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and metal chelating activities. Experiment revealed that MLS and CELS have an antioxidant effect concentration-dependently. Total antioxidant activity was performed according to FTC method. At the 30mug/ml concentration, the inhibition effects of MLS and CELS on peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion were found to be 95.3% and 95.6%, respectively. On the other hand, percentage inhibition of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), alpha-tocopherol and trolox were found to be 98.2%, 98.5%, 84.0% and 87.9% inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion, respectively, at the same concentration. In addition, MLS and CELS had effective DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activities. Also, these various antioxidant activities were compared with BHA, BHT, alpha-tocopherol and trolox which were accepted as references antioxidants.