Isolation and identification of flavonoids from anticancer and neuroprotective extracts of Trigonella foenum graecum

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effects of Trigonella foenum graecum methanol and ethyl acetate extracts, against cancer cell lines and NaNO2-induced neurodegeneration in mice brain.Methods: Adult male albino mice (n = 20) were administered NaNO2 orally at a dose of 300 mg/kg for 15 days. The control group received distilled water and normal mice feed. Experimental groups were given T. foenum graecum methanol and ethyl acetate extracts in two different doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg orally for 15 days. Histopathological examination of the brain was carried out with the aid of cresyl violet and H&E staining. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the extracts was evaluated by 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against HCEC, MCF-7 and Hep2 cell lines. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) were used to determine the structures of the bioactive compounds.Results: Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of T. foenum graecum seeds inhibited neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cortex regions of the brain when compared to control group. Moreover, the extracts exhibited anticancer activity against Hep2 and MCF-7cells and low cytotoxicity against HCEC, sparing healthy cells in-vitro. In addition, two flavonoids amurensin and cosmosiin were isolated from T. foenum graecum extracts.Conclusion: Amurensin and cosmosiin from T. foenum extracts are reported here for the first time agents that possess significant anticancer and neuroprotective properties.Keywords: Trigonella foenum-graecum, Anticancer, Neurodegeneration, Flavonoids, Amurensin, Cosmosii

A comprehensive perspective of traditional Arabic or Islamic medicinal plants as an adjuvant therapy against COVID-19

COVID-19 is a pulmonary disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. More than 200 million individuals are infected by this globally. Pyrexia, coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, diarrhoea, sore throats, and body aches are among the typical symptoms of COVID-19. The virus enters into the host body by interacting with the ACE2 receptor. Despite many SARS-CoV-2 vaccines manufactured by distinct strategies but any evidence-based particular medication to combat COVID-19 is not available yet. However, further research is required to determine the safety and effectiveness profile of the present therapeutic approaches. In this study, we provide a summary of Traditional Arabic or Islamic medicinal (TAIM) plants’ historical use and their present role as adjuvant therapy for COVID-19. Herein, six medicinal plants Aloe barbadensis Miller, Olea europaea, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella sativa, Cassia angustifolia, and Ficus carica have been studied based upon their pharmacological activities against viral infections. These plants include phytochemicals that have antiviral, immunomodulatory, antiasthmatic, antipyretic, and antitussive properties. These bioactive substances could be employed to control symptoms and enhance the development of a possible COVID-19 medicinal synthesis. To determine whether or if these TAIMs may be used as adjuvant therapy and are appropriate, a detailed evaluation is advised

Pharmacologically active flavonoids from the anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial extracts of Cassia angustifolia Vahl

Background: Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (commonly known as senna makkai or cassia senna), native to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and also extensively cultivated in Pakistan, is a medicinal herb used traditionally to cure number of diseases like liver diseases, constipation, typhoid, cholera etc. This study was conducted to evaluate the in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer assays and phytochemical constituents of aqueous and organic extracts of C. angustifolia leaves. Methods: The antimicrobial activities of C. angustifolia aqueous and organic (methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate) extracts were investigated by the disk diffusion method. These extracts were further evaluated for antioxidant potential by the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Anticancer activities of the extracts were determined by the MTT colorimetric assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of C. angustifolia extracts were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, respectively. The structures of the bioactive compounds were elucidated by NMR and ESI-MS spectrometry. Results: Bioactivity-guided screening of C. angustifolia extracts, led to the isolation and identification of three flavonoids quercimeritrin (1), scutellarein (2), and rutin (3) reported for the first time from this plant, showed significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 (IC50, 4.0 mu g/mu L), HeLa (IC50, 5.45 mu g/mu L), Hep2 (IC50, 7.28 mu g/mu L) and low cytotoxicity against HCEC (IC50, 21.09 mu g/mu L). Significant antioxidant activity was observed with IC50 2.41 mu g/mL against DPPH radical. Moreover, C. angustifolia extracts have the potential to inhibit microbial growth of E. cloacae, P. aeruginosa, S. mercescens and S. typhi. Conclusion: C. angustifolia extracts revealed the presence of quercimeritrin (1), scutellarein (2), and rutin (3), all known to have useful bioactivities including antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities.Research Directorate, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan [H-12]This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Pharmacologically active flavonoids from the anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial extracts of Cassia angustifolia Vahl

Background: Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (commonly known as senna makkai or cassia senna), native to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and also extensively cultivated in Pakistan, is a medicinal herb used traditionally to cure number of diseases like liver diseases, constipation, typhoid, cholera etc. This study was conducted to evaluate the in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer assays and phytochemical constituents of aqueous and organic extracts of C. angustifolia leaves. Methods: The antimicrobial activities of C. angustifolia aqueous and organic (methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate) extracts were investigated by the disk diffusion method. These extracts were further evaluated for antioxidant potential by the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Anticancer activities of the extracts were determined by the MTT colorimetric assay. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of C. angustifolia extracts were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric assay, respectively. The structures of the bioactive compounds were elucidated by NMR and ESI-MS spectrometry. Results: Bioactivity-guided screening of C. angustifolia extracts, led to the isolation and identification of three flavonoids quercimeritrin (1), scutellarein (2), and rutin (3) reported for the first time from this plant, showed significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 (IC50, 4.0 mu g/mu L), HeLa (IC50, 5.45 mu g/mu L), Hep2 (IC50, 7.28 mu g/mu L) and low cytotoxicity against HCEC (IC50, 21.09 mu g/mu L). Significant antioxidant activity was observed with IC50 2.41 mu g/mL against DPPH radical. Moreover, C. angustifolia extracts have the potential to inhibit microbial growth of E. cloacae, P. aeruginosa, S. mercescens and S. typhi. Conclusion: C. angustifolia extracts revealed the presence of quercimeritrin (1), scutellarein (2), and rutin (3), all known to have useful bioactivities including antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities.Research Directorate, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan [H-12]This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]