A review on phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum

Background and aims: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a medicinal plant with potential applications in the medicinal purposes. Fenugreek has been used in food as a flavouring agent since ancient times in many countries like Greece, Rome and Egypt. It has a special place in the traditional medical system. The aim of this study was to review phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum. Methods: This research was a review study. Data were collected using articles in various databases and books about pharmacological effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum. Results: The seeds are rich sources of lipids, protein, mucilage, calcium, dietary fiber B vitamins, Iron, protease inhibitors and several steroid saponins, tiny amounts of alkaloid, furostanol glycosides and steroidal peptide. As a medicinal plant, fenugreek recognized as a galactagogue or lactation stimulant in women after child birth as well as for its ability to treat wounds and sore muscles. In addition, it has the ability to be as antibacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, anthelmintic (antagonistic effect against parasitic worms), and antinociceptive (pain-reducing) properties. In recent years, laboratory studies and clinical trials have focused on the potential activity of fenugreek as a natural medicine. Conclusion:These studies have shown that fenugreek plants possess immunomodulatory, hypocholesterolaemic, hypoglycaemic, gastro- and hepatoprotective and antioxidative properties. Pharmacological properties of fenugreek have been explored to identify a role for the plant in diabetes management and in cardiovascular health, indicating the presence of bioactive compounds in fenugreek, which may be responsible for its health benefits

Evaluation of the antibacterial activities of skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterusalbus)

1855-1859The water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface, and almost 90 % of the world's species are found in the water environment. Therefore, it is necessary to explore drugs from marine and freshwater organisms. The skin of marine and freshwater animals are covered with a mucus layer, which acts as a biochemical and mechanical barrier for their skin. This study aimed to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of Asian swamp eel(Monopterusalbus) skin mucus. Aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared to detect the antimicrobial activities with different extract concentrations from 0.49 to 1000 μg/mL against various pathogens, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activities were determined by measuring the diameter of inhibition zone, minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bactericidal concentration, inhibition percentage, and survival percentage. The results showed inhibition in bacterial growth, which was treated with both methanol extract and the aqueous extract. However, methanol extract has significantly higher antibacterial activities than the aqueous one. At 100 µl/disc, the inhibition zone of methanol extract against E. coli was10.7 ± 0.17 mm while 9.9 ± 0.06 mm against S. aureus. The percentage of bacterial inhibition for eel skin mucus (ESM) methanol extract against E. coli showed higher inhibition (72.46 %) than against S. aureus(68.45 %) at 1000 µl/mL. ESM aqueous extract showed the highest bacterial survival rate against S. aureus at 7.81 µg/mL, which was 71.11 %, whereas the methanol extract was 58.25 %. The results were statistically significant, with p < 0.001. In conclusion, the current study revealed that eel skin mucus might be considered as a promising source for antibacterial activities

Identification of the bioactive compounds of skin mucus from asian swamp eel (monopterus albus) using liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Asian swamp eels have been widely accepted as sources of food, especially among various Asian cultures. However, their potential values as novel sources of therapeutic agents have not been widely appreciated. Like most other tropical fishes and amphibians, the outer integumentary system of Monopterus albus is covered with mucus layers, which may act as a mechanical and biochemical barrier for their skin. The biochemical components of these mucus layers may have certain compounds that may be medically beneficial to human. The current study was interested to screen the bioactive compounds of skin mucus from the tropical Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) using Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS), for this purpose, eel skin mucus extract was used for LC-QTOF-MS analysis. The screening results for the bioactive compounds revealed different bioactive compounds which possess multiple biological properties mainly anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In conclusion, the current study illustrated that eel skin mucus contain different bioactive compounds which might be consider as therapeutic-promising agents

In-vitro evaluation of the antifungal activities of eel skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

T Discovery and development of new drugs from marine and freshwater animal remain one of the most challenging areas in recent marine sciences field. Thus, the object of current study to examine the antifungal activity of Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) skin mucus. Eel skin mucus aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared with different extract concentrations from 0.49 to 1000 μg/mL against fungus pathogens i.e. Aspergillus niger and Microsporum gypseum. The antifungal assay conducted using well diffusion method. The results showed a dose dependent decrease the fungal growth, at 100µl/well, the inhibition zone of methanol extract against M. gypseum (25.7±0.75) mm, while the aqueous one was (23.3±0.16) mm Whereas eel skin mucus methanol and aqueous extracts showed lower inhibition zone against Aspergillus niger at the same concentration which was (11.1±0.59) mm and (9.0±0.15) mm respectively. The methanol extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against M. gypseum because M. gypseum infect the upper layers of the skin and eel skin mucus protect eels from infections. The results were statistically significant with p < 0.001. In conclusion, the present study carried out to reveal the antifungal activities of eel skin mucus which might be use as a source of antifungal agent

Ibuprofen-loaded chitosan–lipid nanoconjugate hydrogel with gum arabic: Green synthesis, characterisation, in vitro kinetics mechanistic release study and PGE2 production test

Ibuprofen is a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine that is often used to treat inflammation in general. When given orally, it produces gastrointestinal issues which lead to lower patient compliance. Ibuprofen transdermal administration improves both patient compliance and the efficacy of the drug. Nanoconjugation hydrogels were proposed as a controlled transdermal delivery tool for ibuprofen. Six formulations were prepared using different compositions including chitosan, lipids, gum arabic, and polyvinyl alcohol, through ionic interaction, maturation, and freeze–thaw methods. The formulations were characterised by size, drug conjugation efficiency, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further analysis of optimised hydrogels was performed, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), rheology, gel fraction and swelling ability, in vitro drug release, and in vitro macrophage prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) production testing. The effects of ibuprofen’s electrostatic interaction with a lipid or polymer on the physicochemical and dissolution characterisation of ibuprofen hydrogels were evaluated. The results showed that the S3 (with lipid conjugation) hydrogel provided higher conjugation efficiency and prolonged drug release compared with the S6 hydrogel

The therapeutic potential of skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus): In vivo evaluation and histological evidence

Objectives The Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus), is commonly distributed in Asian countries. However, its therapeutic potential has not been thoroughly investigated yet. The current study aimed to evaluate the in-vivo therapeutic properties of the skin mucus of this fish. Methods The eel mucus was collected fleshly and topical gel with carbopol 934 was formulated to study the antibacterial activity on the infected skin of the rats. Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study and divided into 4 groups negative, positive, normal control, and treated groups. Results Intracutaneous injections of pathogenic bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus) and fungi (Microsporum gypseum, Candida albicans) were injected into the rats. The development of tinea capitis, impetigo, and cutaneous candidiasis in the animal model was confirmed based on clinical and histopathological observations. To treat the infected rats, a formulated gel of eel skin mucus was applied on the infected rat’s skins topically. The histological analysis confirms a complete recovery in the skin tissues similar to commercial antifungal and antibacterial agents used in the positive control groups. Conclusion The present novel eel skin mucus is an efficient therapeutic candidate in treating skin infections associated with pathogenic microbes

Evaluation of the antibacterial activities of skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterusalbus)

The water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface, and almost 90 % of the world's species are found in the water environment. Therefore, it is necessary to explore drugs from marine and freshwater organisms. The skin of marine and freshwater animals are covered with a mucus layer, which acts as a biochemical and mechanical barrier for their skin. This study aimed to investigate the potential antibacterial activity of Asian swamp eel(Monopterusalbus) skin mucus. Aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared to detect the antimicrobial activities with different extract concentrations from 0.49 to 1000 μg/mL against various pathogens, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activities were determined by measuring the diameter of inhibition zone, minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bactericidal concentration, inhibition percentage, and survival percentage. The results showed inhibition in bacterial growth, which was treated with both methanol extract and the aqueous extract. However, methanol extract has significantly higher antibacterial activities than the aqueous one. At 100 µl/disc, the inhibition zone of methanol extract against E. coli was10.7 ± 0.17 mm while 9.9 ± 0.06 mm against S. aureus. The percentage of bacterial inhibition for eel skin mucus (ESM) methanol extract against E. coli showed higher inhibition (72.46 %) than against S. aureus(68.45 %) at 1000 µl/mL. ESM aqueous extract showed the highest bacterial survival rate against S. aureus at 7.81 µg/mL, which was 71.11 %, whereas the methanol extract was 58.25 %. The results were statistically significant, with p < 0.001. In conclusion, the current study revealed that eel skin mucus might be considered as a promising source for antibacterial activities

Activation of apoptotic cell death by skin mucus from Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) against human lung cancer cell line

Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) is a freshwater fish which distributed widely in the East of India mainly across Malay Peninsula and Indochinese Peninsula, it is also broadly distributed in the Southern areas of East Asia including, southeastern China, Western Japanese Archipelago, and Korean Peninsula. It lives in muddy places, rice paddies, and slow-flowing currents areas. It has a unique morphological elongated body which is similar to snake and covered with a thick layer of the mucus. The objective of this study is to screen the cytotoxic activity of eel skin mucus extracts and to evaluate the mechanism of cell death whether it is apoptosis or necrosis based on caspases activity assays. For this purpose; eel skin mucus was collected from healthy fresh eels to prepare aqueous and methanol extracts. Preliminary cytotoxicity study was demonstrated against Non-small-cell lung carcinoma cell line (A549) using cell viability assay which revealed that methanol extract is more potent than aqueous extract; the revealed data was based on the response of ESM methanol and aqueous extracts to the relevant IC50 concentrations as IC50 values were 621±0.09 µg/mL and 845 ± 0.25 µg/mL respectively. Subsequently, the mechanism of cell death induced cell death through triggering apoptosis by the activation of caspase-3/7, 8 and 9. In conclusion, the present study has revealed the cytotoxic potentials of eel skin mucus which may lead to the development of new anticancer agents.

Evaluation and comparison of the antifertility potential activity and adverse effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds and combined oral contraceptive pills in female rats.

Antifertility agents are one of the most common medication used in this modern era. In this research we used herbal plant Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds to study the antifertility activity of Fenugreek Seeds allowed aqueous (FSA) extract in female rats compared with marketed combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) by evaluating Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) level and to detect the adverse effects by determining the uterine weight, implantation rate, endometrial thickness, endometrial gland density and observing the histological uterine tissues. Methods: Twenty four female Sprague Dawley strain rats of 8 weeks old were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D). Animals in Group A (positive control group) were not given any treatment and they were allowed to mate to become pregnant. Group B (negative control group) were not given any treatment as only female rats were kept. Group C (treated group) they were administered orally with 0.05 mg/kg body weight of COCPs for 15 days. Group D (treated group) they were administered orally with 750 mg/kg body weight of FSA extract for 15 days. The blood samples were taken after the both treatment on the proestrous phase to evaluate FSH level. In group A, C and D, 3 male rats of Spargue Dawley strain were also kept to do the mating process. Results: Administration of 0.05mg/kg of COCPs led to decrease the serum FSH concentration to 71.56 ng/ml while 750 mg/kg FSA extract led to decrease it to 25.62 ng/ml, which shows that FSA extract is effective almost three times more than COCPs at higher dose. The uterine weight in the FSA extract treated group was normal, while the COCPs treated group was insignificantly high. The implantation rate was zero in all groups except the positive control group. The endometrial thickness in the FSA extract treated group was normal while in the COCPs increased. The endometrial gland density was normal in FSA extract treated group, while it decrease in COCPs treated group which a remarkable sign of endometrial atrophy. Histological endometrial tissues were normal in FSA extract treated group while COCPs treated group showed abnormal deciduiod cells (decidual like cells). Conclusions: Administration of FSA extract decreased FSH concentration to almost three times more than OCCPs which show the high effectiveness of FSA extract more than marketed COCPs, not only that but it also showed no adverse effects in the uterine opposite with COCPs which guide us to alternative natural and safe contraceptive method

Evaluation of the antimicrobial properties of eel skin mucus from monopterus albus against selected oral pathogens and identification of the anti-oral bioactive compounds using LC-QTOF-MS

Despite great achievements in oral health of populations globally, oral health problems remain in many communities all over the world, thus our study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Monopterus albus skin mucus against selected oral pathogens. Monopterus albus is Asian swamp eel with elongated body like snakes. Their skin covered with thick layer of mucus. They are usually found as a sluggish in the stagnant waters as it has a weak swimming behavior. Although eels are capable of quick movements, but they tend to be lethargic and they rely on stealth swimming movements to capture their prey such as shrimp, frogs and other small fishes. With regard to this matter, aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared to test antimicrobial activities against selected oral pathogens; Gram-positive bacteria i.e. Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Gram-negative bacteria which are Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomona aeruginosa and fungus pathogens i.e. Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activities were determined by inhibition percentage. The results showed a dramatic decrease in the oral pathogens treated with eel skin mucus methanol extract higher than the aqueous extract. Enterococcus faecalis showed the highest activity while Candida albicans showed the lowest activity. After in-vitro evaluation for eel skin mucus activities, identification study using liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) was performed to investigate the compound responsible for the anti-oral pathogens activities, the results showed the presence of salvianolic acid G which strongly corelated with the antimicrobial activity against selected oral pathogens. Results were statistically significant with p < 0.001. In conclusion, the present study revealed that eel skin mucus can be considered as promising source for anti-oral pathogens activities