Enzyme inhibitors as controllers of neurodegenerative diseases: An update of in vitro effects of medicinal plants

Considering the increase of the elderly population in recent years, the growing prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), has become one of the leading healthcare problems. Currently, available therapies for AD and PD are still limited, while medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for millennia can inhibit enzymes involved in the neurodegeneration processes in AD (acetylcholinesterase, AChE, and butyrylcholinesterase, BChE) and PD (tyrosinase, TYR), hence their inhibiting effects are continuously being investigated especially in the past decade. This study was aimed to review data on medicinal plants as potential cholinesterases and TYR inhibitors reported from January 2018 until May 2021. The literature search was performed using several online bibliographical databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate) and two websites. Data analysis showed that the highest number of representatives belongs to Lamiaceae family (up to 20%), followed by Asteraceae. Almost half of the tested samples were prepared from whole plant/aerial plant parts followed by leaves. The most frequently tested preparations were methanolic extracts (about 25% of the samples examined). Additionally, synergistic interactions between different herbs and/or isolated compounds were considered as a promising strategy for further research. The presented data showed that medicinal plants preparations represent an unlimited source for research of new and more effective AD and PD treatments. This review will provide a useful starting point for further research on this topic

In vitro evaluation of antioxidant, antineurodegenerative and antidiabetic activities of Ocimum basilicum L., Laurus nobilis L. leaves and Citrus reticulata Blanco peel extracts

Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) and Laurus nobilis (bay leaves or laurel) have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and also extensively employed as spices for adding aroma and flavor to various food products. Citrus reticulata  (mandarin) is mainly used in food industry for juice production, while its peel as main byproduct contains high concentration of valuable substances. The samples were collected in Lastva Grbaljska (Montenegrin coast) and purchased from the market. Since the oxidative stress results in development of numerous diseases, among them neurodegeneration and diabetes, the antioxidant activity, antineurodegenerative and antidiabetic activities were analyzed, aiming to compare potential of plants cultivated under natural conditions and commercially purchased from the market, as well as to compare the effect of different solvents applied in the extraction process. Water, methanol and acetone extracts of leaves and peel were tested by DPPH and total reducing power (TRP) methods for determination of antioxidant activity, and by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α-glucosidase inhibition assays for analyzing the other activities. Total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents were also determined. The acetonic extract of L. nobilis from Lastva showed the highest TPC, DPPH, TRP, and α-glucosidase inhibition, while water extract of commercial L. nobilis exhibited the highest AChE inhibition. The leaves of L. nobilis are demonstrated to be promising antioxidant, antineurodegenerative and antidiabetic agent

Water soluble biomolecules from Nepeta nuda regulate microbial growth: A case study of apple juice preservation

The following study was designed to explore antimicrobial properties of the by-product obtained in a hydro-distillation process of essential oil from Nepeta nuda L. Based on the obtained decoction of N. nuda and apple juice, we strived to develop a novel drink that would have antimicrobial self-preserving properties. By using 96-well plate microdilution assay it was shown that the N. nuda decoction has antimicrobial potential towards 8 bacterial and 6 fungal species, with the range of minimal inhibitory concentrations 10 mg/mL - 300 mg/mL. By using actual food system, such as apple juice, in combination with and without short thermal treatment, we have shown that the decoction of N. nuda can inhibit the growth of food contaminant fungus Penicillium aurantiogriseum. It was determined that 3 volumes of decoction (500 mg/mL) and 22 volumes of apple juice should be mixed in order to obtain self-preserving drink resistant to P. aurantiogriseum contamination. Likewise, when thermal treatment (80 °C for 10s) is included, self-preserving mixture of decoction and apple juice should be made in volume ratios 3:47, respectively. The designed product maintained the pleasant taste as determined by panelists during the sensorial evaluation. Chemical investigations (UHPLC–Orbitrap MS analysis) of N. nuda decoction showed that the most abundant compound was 1,5,9-epideoxyloganic acid (0.410 mg/g of dried decoction). Since N. nuda is traditionally used as a tea, we presented the novel formulation of the antimicrobial self-preserving drink based on the N. nuda decoction and apple juice

Biological activities of Sorbus aucuparia L. leaves extract

Biological activities of Sorbus aucuparia L. leaves extract was tested in our study. Antineurodegenerative activity was evaluated by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitory activity assays while antioxidant activity was by tested using four different assays. In all antioxidant test we noticed concentration dependent activity of tested extract and the highest applied concentration of 500 μg/ml was the most active. Extract applied in concentration of 200 μg/ml showed higher percent of inhibition in DPPH test compared to both applied concentrations of standard substances BHA and BHT (50 and 100 μg/ml). In ABTS test, activity of extract applied in 500 μg/ml was comparable or higher then BHA and BHT/Vitamin C, respectively. Moreover, all concentrations of tested extract were significantly more active in ß-carotene test than vitamin C. The lowest concentration of extract (100 μg/ml) was the most active in TYR assay reaching 42.57 % of the inhibition while in AChE assay there was not statistically significant differences among all applied concentrations

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF OPOPANAX HISPIDUS(APIACEAE) EXTRACTS

The present study was aimed to investigate antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of methanol and ethyl-acetate extracts from dried aerial parts, inflorescences and fruits of Opopanax hispidus (Friv.) Griseb., fam. Apiaceae. The antioxidant potential was evaluated with the help of two in vitro antioxidant models – DPPH and ABTS assays and estimation of total phenolic and flavonoids using spectrophotometric methods. BHA and Vitamin C were used as standard and positive control for above models. Microdilution assay was used to evaluate antimicrobial potential for the most common human gastrointestinal pathogenic microbial strains. The results of DPPH and ABTS assay showed that the highest antioxidant activity have methanol (IC50=1.157 mg/ml) and ethyl-acetate (IC50=3.167 mg/ml) extracts from inflorescences. The highest value of total phenolic (89.95±0.005 mg GA/g) and total flavonoid (24.06 ± 0.004 mg Qu/g) was measured in inflorescences extracts also. Results indicate that both extracts (methanol and ethyl-acetate) of inflorescences have high amount of phenol and flavonoids, which could be responsible for its good antioxidant activity.The most susceptible were Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli on ethyl-acetate extracts from fruits and inflorescence, respectively. This is the first record of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Opopanax hispidus from Serbia. It is also worth noting that these results validate the therapeutic use of the plant in traditional medicine

Medicinal plants used by the Yi ethnic group: a case study in central Yunnan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper is based on ethnomedicinal investigation conducted from 1999–2002 in Chuxiong, central Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The Yi medicine has made a great contribution to the ethnomedicinal field in China. Neither case studies nor integrated inventories have previously been conducted to investigate the traditional Yi plants. This paper aims to argue the status and features of medicinal plants used in traditional Yi societies through a case study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The approaches of ethnobotany, anthropology, and participatory rural appraisal were used in the field surveys. Twenty-two informants in four counties were interviewed during eight field trips. Medicinal plant specimens were identified according to taxonomic methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred sixteen medicinal plant species were found to be useful by the local people in the treatment of various diseases or disorders, especially those relating to trauma, gastrointestinal disorders and the common cold. Among these 116 species, 25 species (21.55%) were found to have new curative effects and 40 species (34.48%) were recorded for their new preparation methods; 55 different species were used in treating wounds and fractures, and 47 were used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Traditional Yi herbal medicines are characterized by their numerous quantities of herbaceous plants and their common preparation with alcohol.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Totally 116 species in 58 families of medicinal plants traditionally used by the Yi people were inventoried and documented. The characteristics of medicinal plants were analyzed. Some new findings (such as new curative effects and new preparation methods) were recorded These newly gathered ethnobotanical and medicinal data are precious sources for the future development of new drugs, and for further phytochemical, pharmacological and clinical studies.</p

Antioxidant and antineurodegenerative properties of St. John's-wort dry extract

Different biological activities of Hypericum perforatum L. dry extract was tested in this study. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by four different assays. Antineurodegenerative activity was tested using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase inhibitory activity assays. In all four antioxidant assays, concentration dependent manner was noticed in the activity of tested extract. The most active was the highest applied concentration (500 μg/ml). In DPPH test, extract applied in dose of 200 μg/ml showed similar or higher radical scavenging activity compared to the dose of 100 μg/ml applied for standard substances BHA and BHT. The lowest antioxidant activity for the extract was detected in ABTS test. All applied concentrations of dry extract were significantly more potent than vitamin C in ß-carotene test. Moreover, the extract reached 40.31 and 45.56 % of the inhibition in AChE and TYR assays, respectively. In both cases, the most active concentration of the extract was 200 µg/ml

Inhibition of quorum sensing virulente factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by Ferulago macedonica and Echinophora sibthorpiana extracts and essential oils

This study was conducted to analyse extracts and essential oils of Ferulago macedonica and Echinophora sibthorpiana (Apiaceae) for anti–quorum sensing potential using Pseudomonas aerugonisa PAO1 as biomonitoring system. Anti–quorum sensing screening was carried out by tree different tests which showed that examined samples possessed significant effects in suppressing of some virulent determinants of PAO1. The essential oils of F. macedonica and E. sibthorpiana aerial parts reduced the growth and modified the appearance of P. aeruginosa colonies and flagella to a large extent in twitching and motility assay. In the presence of essential oil of E. sibthorpiana, diameter of the colony was 6.67 mm, the flagella were absent and the color of the colony was changed from green to white. In anti–biofilm assay, the inhibitory activity of E. sibthorpiana was more notable than of F. macedonica. Applied colorimetric test revealed that examined samples strongly reduced the production of pigment pyocyanin where the highest inhibition of its synthesis showed F. macedonica oil (5.22%), followed by E. sibthorpiana oil (10.69%), which was singnificantly bigger potential in comparison to used antibiotics (141.55%)

Foliar Morphology And Anatomy Of The Gigantopterid Plant Delnortea Abbottiae, From The Lower Permian Of West Texas

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142005/1/ajb214202.pd