Aqueous Extract

A keratinase enzyme was isolated and purified from a feather-degrading culture of Aspergillus oryzae. Fractional precipitation of the crude enzyme with ethanol, acetone and ammonium sulfate yielded 21 fractions. The fraction obtained at 75–85% ammonium sulfate saturation ...

Teas of Vernonia condensata Baker (Asteraceae) are widely used in Brazil for gastro-intestinal disorders and to treat several other diseases. In this study, we evaluated the acute toxicity, embryotoxicity and mutagenicity of a lyophilized aqueous extract (LAE) from V. condensata leaves. Single doses of LAE, up to 5000 mg/kg body weight, were given orally or intraperitoneally to male and female Swiss albino mice. No toxicity was observed after oral administration. The "Approximate Lethal Dose" after intraperitoneal injections was 3400 mg/kg for males and 5000 mg/kg for females. Embryotoxicity was investigated in Han:NMRI mice. LAE (0, 500 and 2000 mg/kg/day) was given by gavage on days 10, 11 and 12, and dams were submitted to caesarean sections on day 18 of pregnancy. Fetuses were weighed, examined for externally visible malformations, and evaluated for skeletal anomalies. Except for a slight reduction of fetal body weight accompanied by signs of delayed ossification at the highest dose, no other embryotoxic effect was noted in the exposed offspring. LAE-induced mutagenicity was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay without and with S9 mixture. LAE, tested up to 5000 microg/plate, was not mutagenic to tester strains TA97a, TA98 and TA100. Results therefore suggest that V. condensata aqueous extracts present low acute toxicity and pose neither teratogenic nor mutagenic risks.

Traditionally, the dried flower of Echium amoenum (Boraginaceae) has been used in Iran as an anxiolytic and mood enhancer. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of an aqueous extract of E. amoenum in treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Forty-four patients ...

Aqueous (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/L) and organic (hexane, chloroform and methanol, at 3000 and 6000 ppm) extracts of Inula crithmoïdes L. (roots, stems, leaves and flowers) were evaluated for their allelopathic activities on radish, lettuce, peganum and thistle. Pot cultures were conducted by incorporation of I. crithmoïdes leaves and flowers powder (1.25 and 2.5 g/kg) in soil and by irrigation with their aqueous extracts at 40 g/L. PEG (polyethylene glycol) solutions, with similar osmotic potentials of aqueous extracts, at the highest concentration, were without effect on target species, this eliminates the extracts osmotic effect. Germination index was not affected by root and stem extracts and significantly decreased by the two other ones. For growth, leaf and flower extracts had the most significant toxicity at 40 g/L, inducing up to a total inhibition. For organic extracts, a strong toxicity was recorded for the three fractions at 6000 ppm, thistle seedling growth was more sensitive, especially to chloroform fractions. Soil incorporation of residues (at 2.5 g/kg) significantly decreased root (35–100%) and shoot (0–100%) length of target species. Irrigation soil with leaves and flower aqueous extracts was harmful for peganum and thistle, respective inhibition percentages were 100% and 66.5%. I. crithmoïdes may be favorably used for incorporating in agricultural systems for sustainable weed management.► Inula crithmoïdes extracts reduced germination and growth of crops and weeds. ► Residue incorporation and irrigation with aqueous extracts were harmful for weeds. ► I. crithmoïdes had a significant allelopathic potential. ► Leaf and flower extracts were the most harmful. ► Their biomass can be incorporated into farming systems for weed management.

Background: The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing at an alarming rate globally. There is a need for suitable natural alternatives for its treatment, as the regular use of drugs causes several secondary health issues. Aim: This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the phenol and flavonoid content; antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity of fenugreek seeds and leaves in water and ethanolic extracts. Materials and Methods: Dried and powdered seeds and leaves of fenugreek were treated at different time and temperature combinations (100°C for 10 min; 80°C for 30 min; 60°C for 1 h; 37°C for 6 h; 24°C [room temperature] for 24 h; 100°C for 10 min followed by overnight soaking). Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and glucose uptake assays on 3T3-L1 cell lines were performed on the extracts. Results: The results show that fenugreek leaves treated at 100°C for 10 min and overnight soaking yield extracts with the highest concentrations of desired phenols (46.08 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g sample) and flavonoid content (13.02 ± 0.44 mg/g sample) and antioxidant activity (DPPH) (45.41 ± 2.1%) with enhanced glucose uptake activity in 3T3-L1 cell lines. Conclusion: The phenolic and flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and antidiabetic activity was highest in the water extract of fenugreek leaves treated at 100°C for 10 min and subsequent soaking for 24 h before filtration as compared to the other protocols tested. Furthermore, water extracts showed enhanced activity as compared to the ethanol extracts in case of both seeds and leaves and in all the treatment combinations.

Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae) is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation of the oral mucosa, blenorrhea, asthmatic bronchitis and nasal congestion. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects and acute toxicity of an aqueous extract of S. cordifolia were evaluated in animal models. The extract was prepared using leaves collected before the flowering period. The aqueous extract (AE) showed a significant inhibition of carrageenin-induced rat paw edema at a dose of 400 mg/kg administered orally, but did not block the edema induced by arachidonic acid. The AE also increased the latency period for mice in the hot plate test, and inhibited the number of writhes produced by acetic acid at the oral dose of 400 mg/kg. The aqueous extract of S. cordifolia showed low acute toxicity in mice.

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) seeds aqueous extract was screened for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant activities (reducing power, DPPH and liposome model system) showed a good antioxidant activity. The extract was also found to posses antibacterial activity with a MIC values with respect to Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica found to be 750 and 1000 ppm, respectively. The antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of the extract implicate its potential for natural preservation.

Aqueous extracts, prepared from dried or fresh roots, stems or leaves of Mikania glomerata, a plant found in Mata Atlântica in Southeastern Brazil, were able to efficiently neutralize different toxic, pharmacological, and enzymatic effects induced by venoms from Bothrops and Crotalus snakes. Phospholipase A2 activity and the edema induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus venom were inhibited around 100 and ∼40%, respectively, although this inhibition was only partial for Bothrops venoms. The hemorrhagic activity of Bothrops venoms (Bothrops altenatus, Bothrops moojeni, Bothrops neuwiedi, and Bothrops jararacussu) was significantly inhibited by this vegetal species, while the clotting activity of Crotalus durissus terrificus, Bothrops jararacussu, and Bothrops neuwiedi venoms was totally inhibited. Although, the mechanism of action of Mikania glomerata extract is still unknown, the finding that no visible change was detected in the electrophoretic pattern of snake venom after incubation with the extract excludes proteolytic degradation as a potential mechanism. Since the extract of Mikania glomerata significantly inhibited the studied snake venoms, it may be used as an alternative treatment to serumtherapy and, in addition, as a rich source of potential inhibitors of PLA2s, metalloproteases and serineproteases, enzymes involved in several physiopathological human and animal diseases.

The biodegradability of water-extracted saponins of berries from the Endod plant, Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit, was evaluated under OECD standardized conditions. Persistence of the saponins was evaluated by determination of saponin concentrations in water over a 30-day period, using a quantitative HPLC method and a semiquantitative hemolytic assay, which is considered a potential field method. The two methods were compared. Bioassays

Strobilanthes crispus (Acanthaceae) has been used traditionally as antidiabetic, diuretic, antilytic, and laxative and has been proven scientifically to possess high antioxidant activity, anti-AIDS, and anticancer properties. It is commonly consumed in the form of herbal tea. The ethnopharmacological value of this plant, such as the development of nutraceutical S. crispus herbal tea (fermented and unfermented) and assessment of their antihyperglycemic properties were investigated. The antidiabetic properties of S. crispus fermented and unfermented tea was carried out in normal and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rats for 21 days. Glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) were determined at day 0 (baseline), day 7, and day 21. The results showed that the hot water extract of both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea reduced blood glucose in hyperglycaemic rats. S. crispus unfermented tea also reduced glucose level in normal rat. Both fermented and unfermented S. crispus tea also showed to improve lipid profile. Antioxidant and polyphenol content that present in the extracts might contribute to the antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic properties. Further study is needed to be carried out in pre-clinical and clinical environment to prove its efficacy in human.

Background: Nanoparticles (NPs) are colloidal systems with particles ranging from 10 to 100 nm in diameter. Because of their large surface-volume ratio, NPs are biologically active materials that could interact with biomolecules and microorganisms, enter into the cells, and affect the metabolic functions. The study aimed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from Capparis spinosa fruit aqueous extract, and evaluate their Ag nanostructure characterization and antifungal activity. Materials and Methods: Capparis spinosa fruit aqueous was prepared with the percolation method. Then, silver NPs were synthesized using 0.01 M silver nitrate solution, and their formation was validated by color changing of the solution from green to dark brown. The NPs were purified using centrifugation and then dried in an oven for further analyses. Ag-NPs nanostructure characterization was determined by various techniques such as Fourier Transforms Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Antifungal activity of Ag-NPs against three pathogenic fungi of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Kluyveromyces marxianus was also evaluated using the microdilution method. Results: Synthesis of Ag-NPs from aqueous extract of C. spinosa fruit was done successfully. UV-Vis spectrum of Ag-NPs showed an absorbance peak around 420 nm, revealing Ag-NPs surface plasmon resonance (K max). FTIR analysis showed that functional groups correspond to plant bioactive components, promoting the formation of Ag-NPs. Furthermore, spherical uniformity of the synthesized Ag-NPs from plant extract was confirmed by SEM analysis within the 50-80 nm size range. Our results showed that the produced Ag-NPs were spherical and in a suitable form and size (50-80 nm). The biosynthesized Ag-NPs had an inhibitory effect against all tested fungi with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 2500, 5000, and 625 µg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration of 10000, 10000, and 156.25 µg/mL for C. albicans, C. glabrata, and K. marxianus, respectively. Conclusion: According to the UV-Vis spectrum, FTIR, and SEM results, we succeeded in synthesizing Ag-NPs from C. spinosa fruit aqueous extract. This research was the first report of Ag-NPs synthesized from aqueous extract of C. spinosa fruit. Our simple, quick, and inexpensive method for biosynthesis of a nanoparticle, which showed antifungal activity, provides a new potential antifungal agent for therapeutic applications.

Traditionally, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. F. & Thomson (Menispermaceae), Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae), Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), and Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae) are some of the commonly used medicinal plants in India for curing ailments ranging from common cold, skin diseases, and dental infections to major disorders like diabetes, hypertension, jaundice, rheumatism, etc. To understand and correlate their medicinal use, trace element studies on the aqueous extract of these medicinal plants have been carried out using particle-induced X-ray emission technique. A 2-MeV proton beam was used to identify and characterize major and minor elements namely Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, and Sr in them. Results have revealed that these elements are present in varying concentrations in the selected plants. Notable results include very high concentrations of Cl, K, and Ca in all the leaf samples, appreciable levels of Mn in all plants, high Zn content in T. cordifolia, and the aqueous extract of Moringa leaves compared to others and relative higher concentrations of Cr in all the plants.

The effect of Tochu tea, which is an aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmoides leaves and a popular-beverage in Japan, on the urine mutagenicity before and after ingestion of raw fish and cooked beef was studied using Salmonella typhimurium YG1024. Urines were collected from seven healthy, non-smoking Japanese women before and after ingestion of raw fish and cooked beef. In experiment 1,3 were in a control group and 4 were in a Tochu tea-drinking group (2000 ml per day). The mutagenicity of urine from the Tochu tea-drinking group was much lower. In experiment 2 the 7 women switched groups; the tea-drinking group became the control group, and the control group became the Tochu tea-drinking group. Again, the mutagenicity of urine collected from the Tochu tea-drinking group was much lower. These results suggest that the decrease in the mutagenicity of the urine from the Tochu tea-drinking group was due to the intake of Tochu tea, but not to individual differences. Thus, the ingestion of Toc...