Investigation for Bioactive Compounds of \u3cem\u3eBerberis Lyceum\u3c/em\u3e Royle and \u3cem\u3eJusticia Adhatoda\u3c/em\u3e L.

In order to explore the medicinal values of plant species like Berberis lyceum and Justicia adhatoda, a study was conducted to analyze roots, leaves and fruits of both plant species for identification of various organic compounds. Chemical analysis as well as identification of organic compounds by chromatographic techniques were carried out. Results indicates that both plant species contained Proteins, Sugars, Lipids, Vitamin C, Sodium, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, and Zinc. Whereas the alkaloids like Palmatine, Berberine, Vasicine and Vasicinone were also found in leaves and roots of these plant species. However, it was observed that roots of both plant species contained higher concentrations of these chemical compounds as compared to fruits and leaves except sugar and vitamin C those were high in fruits. Furthermore presence of such bioactive compounds in Berberis lyceum and Justicia adhatoda indicated their importance in the form of local medicines. This experiment will help to increase the importance of new raw material found in these plant species and their demand in the market will be increased in the future. The extract of roots and fruits of these plant species are being used against various infections and diseases in rural population of subcontinent since many centuries

Extraction and Purification of Various Organic Compounds in Selected Medicinal Plants of Kotli Sattian, District Rawalpindi, Pakistan

The medicinal values of roots, leaves and fruits of Funnel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill), Berbery (Berberis lyceum Royle), Vasaka and (Justicia adhatoda L) were explored in this study. The root, leaf and fruit samples of these plant species were collected from hilly areas of Kotli Sattian. Chemical analyses as well as identification of organic compounds by chromatographic techniques were carried out. The results indicate that all three plant species contained Proteins, Sugars, Lipids, Fiber and Vitamin C. Flavonoids and Saponins (Phytohormones) were found only in the fruit and leaf samples of Foeniculum vulgare. Palmatine and Berberine (Alkaloids) were present in the leaves, and fruits of Berberis lyceum. Whereas Vasicine and Vasicinone (Alkaloids) accumulated in the roots and leave of Justicia adhatoda. It was observed that roots of Berberis lyceum and Justicia adhatoda contained higher concentrations of all chemical compounds analyzed as compared to fruits and leave except Sugar and Vitamin C which were high in the fruit of Berberis lyceum. By contrast in case of Foeniculum vulgare leaves and fruits of which contained higher concentration of protein, fats, flavonoids and saponin. The extract of roots, leaves and fruits of these plant species are being used against various infections and diseases in rural population of subcontinent since many centuries. This experiment will help to highlight the importance of these valuable organic compounds found in these plant species and their demand in the market will be increased in the future

Determination of Essential Oil Content of Wild Olive and Its Comparison With Olive Oil

Olive oil is a natural fruit, product of fine aroma, pleasant taste and has high nutritional values. Olive oil is considered as most useful edible oil in the world due to its nutrient contents and well tolerated by the stomach. Olive oil provides beneficial effects against ulcer, gastritis and colon cancer. It is composed of triglycerides, free fatty acids hydrocarbons, antioxidants and flavor compounds. In the present study we report new edible oil extracted from fruit of wild olive (Olea cuspedata). Samples of olive fruits were collected from hilly areas of Kotli Sattian, (District Rawalpindi) and were analyzed to evaluate quantity and quality of this newly extracted olive oil. Results indicates that concentration level of oil in the fruits of wild olive (34.11-36.69%) , oleic acid (61.86-66.37%), linoleic acid (20.19-21.6%), linoenic acid (1.36-1.59%), polyphenol (344.07-352.86 mg/kg ), peroxides( 7.66-8.32 meqO2/kg) and acidity (0.47-0.98 meqO2/kg ) was found. The level of these components was comparable with the level obtained from the fruits of cultivated olive and standard values reported for olive oil in the literature. Therefore it was observed that quality of new olive oil obtained from fruits of wild olive was comparable with olive oil (available in market ) consumed by human population throughout the world. It is expected that this new oil will be economically cheaper as compared to edible oils available in the market. This study will not only help to improve the nutritional values of existing oils but also provide oil with lower cost

Comparison in Various Bioactive Compounds of Leaves and Seeds of \u3cem\u3eFoeniculum Vulgare\u3c/em\u3e Mill.

Medicinal plants a gift of nature are being used against various infections and diseases in the subcontinent since past history. Herbs were use as food ( vegetables ) and flavors for hundred of years in many parts of world. Whereas number of herbs have also been traditionally regarded as natural remedies for common ailments of human population. Furthermore some herbal plants are considered as house of medicines and played an important role in nearly every culture on earth, including Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. A study was conducted to analyze the leaves and seeds of Foeniculum vulgare for different bioactive compounds to include saponins, total proteins, amino acids, fat and flavonoids with one and two dimensional thin layer and column chromatography followed by spectrophotometric analysis. Results indicates that leaves contained higher concentration of flavonoids and fat. Whereas level of saponins, proteins, amino acids, total minerals and other organic compounds was high in seeds. The analysis of leaves and seeds of Foeniculum vulgare for these valuable organic compounds will provide important raw materials that can be used for preparation of medicines in Pharmaceuticals companies. Furthermore interest of people in plant made medicines is increasing due to their concern about the side effects of powerful synthetic drugs and high prices of these medicines. It is expected that raw material obtained from plants will not only reduce the prices of medicines in the pharmaceutical market but also provide rapid and reliable system of treatment of various infection and disease of human population

Purification and characterization of α-amylase from Ganoderma tsuage growing in waste bread medium

The objective of this study was to purify and characterize the α-amylase for industrial perspective. The production of α-amylase through solid-state fermentation by Ganoderma tsuage was investigated by using waste bread as substrates. Production parameters were optimized as 2 mL of inoculum size, moisture 50%, additional carbon source (glucose) and nitrogen source (ammonium nitrate) 10:1, 1 mM/mL MgSO4, 0.75 mM/mL CaCl2 and 0.50 mM/mL KH2PO4. The purification value of α-amylase was observed as 1.2 fold with specific activity of 112 U/mg having a yield of 22%. Specific activity of α-amylase increased up to the level of 143 U/mg and had 1.5-fold purification factor having a yield of 6% after Sephadex gel filtration. Optimum value of α-amylase was obtained at 35°C and at pH 6 for the time duration of 72 h. The Km and Vmax values for α-amylase were 1.3 mg and 39 mg/min, respectively. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) was found to increase the activity of α-amylase while all other compounds seemed to have inhibitory action against α-amylase. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) was the strongest inhibitor and therefore would not be advised for use in future research against α-amylase production.Keywords: α-Amylase, purification, characterization, waste bread, Ganoderma tsuag

Chemical Profiling and Bioactivities of Selective Organic Compounds from Fruits of Olea ferruginea and its Comparison with Olea europaea

This study evaluate the chemical profiling and bioactivities of selective organic compounds from fruits of Olea ferruginea and its comparison with Olea europaea from three unexplored locations of Pakistan. The oil was characterized into fatty acids by GC-MS and FT-IR. Antioxidant activities were detected by DPPH, ABTS and H₂O₂ scavenging bioassays. For cytotoxicity, Brine-Shrimp-Cytotoxicity-Bioassay was tested. The extracted oil was checked against five bacterial strains. Higher quantity of phytochemicals and yields of oil were present in fruit of Olea ferruginea collected from Malakand as compared to other locations. Prominent inhibitory activity against E.coli and S.aureus was observed during antibacterial assay. Good quality oil with antioxidant properties obtained from fruit of Olea ferruginea from Malakand. The comparative studies revealed the same qualitative composition of both species but Olea europaea showed greater oil-yield than Olea ferruginea. In consequence, the wild species Olea ferruginea was found to be economical, wild and drought tolerant. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Protective effect of leaf extract of Ficus carica L. against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic toxicity in mice and HepG2 cell line

Purpose: To determine the in vivo and in vitro hepatoprotective effects of Ficus carica.Methods: The methanol leaf extract of Ficus carica L was further fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. For in vivo study, male albino mice were divided into twelve groups. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the mice using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The extract of F. carica and its fractions were administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Silymarin was used as standardhepatoprotective drug. The protective effects of the extract and fractions were determined via assay of biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzymes in the liver. The histopathology of the liver was also studied. Moreover, the in vitro hepatoprotective effect of the extract and fractions against CCl4-induced damage was determined in HepG2 cell line.Results: There were significant increases in the serum levels of liver biomarkers in CCl4-treated group, whereas treatments with plant extract and fractions significantly reduced the levels of these parameters (p < 0.05). In addition, results from histopathology revealed evidence of protective effect of Ficus carica through reversal of CCl4-induced decreases in the activities of liver antioxidant enzymes.Conclusion: These results indicate that methanol leaf extract of Ficus carica L. and its fractions exert significant and dose-dependent hepatoprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. Keywords: Ficus carica, Hepatoprotection, Carbon tetrachloride, Liver biomarker

Quality assessment and antimicrobial activity of various honey types of Pakistan

Forty samples of different honey types (Acacia, Ziziphus, Brassica and Citrus) were collected from different areas of Pakistan and analyzed for moisture, pH, total acidity, ash, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sucrose, total sugars, invert sugar, protein, proline contents as well as macro and micro elements. The variation in composition of honey samples was observed due to different types of flora. Higher pH (6.56 ± 0.05) was observed for Ziziphus honey, acidity (45.0 ± 2.35 mg/kg) for Citrus, moisture (36.8 ± 1.8%) for Brasica and HMF (32.7 ± 0.49 mg/kg) for Acacia. Whereas, higher concentrations of proline (2.1 ± 0.04 mg/kg) and invert sugar (0.38 ± 0.1%) for Citrus honey and protein (16.5 ± 1.5 g/100g) for Acacia honey were observed. Likewise, a significant level (P < 0.05) of ash, electric conductivity, sucrose, total sugar as well as macro and micro elements was also found in these honey types. Different formulations of honey has significantly inhibited growth of pathogenic microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger when compared to control group, which is an evidence that honey is a therapeutic agent being used since ancient time throughout the world.Key words: Honey types, flora, sugar, nutritional food, therapeutic agent