GC-MS ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF BIOACTIVITIES OF KAEMPFERIA PARISHII - A NATURAL SOURCE OF TOTAROL

Objective: The present study was aimed for phytoconstituent analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and rhizome extracts of an unexplored plant, Kaempferia parishii (Zingiberaceae).Methods: The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to determine volatile chemical constituents. Antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using DPPH assay whereas the antimicrobial effects were tested by inhibition zone diameter and minimum inhibitory concentration.Results: GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of 7 and 8 identified components accounting for 92.1% and 82.86% of the leaf and rhizome extract of Kaempferia parishii respectively. In leaf extract phytol (72.55±0.5%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (4.94±0.2%), hexahydro farnesyl acetone (3.78±0.2%), dibutyl phthalate (3.31±0.2%) were found to be the major constituents and those of rhizome extract were totarol (74.96±0.86%), cembrene (2.83±0.2%), borneol (1.23±0.15). Both the extracts exhibited low to moderate antioxidant activity. They possess very weak activities against some tested microorganisms while the extracts had no activity against some microorganisms.Conclusion: Totarol, an antimicrobial agent, was found to be the major constituent of Kaempferia parishii rhizome extract. Thus, Kaempferia parishii can be used as a natural source of totarol. This is the first report on the unexplored plant, Kaempferia parishii.Keywords: Kaempferia parishii, GC-MS analysis, Totarol, Phytol, Antioxidant activity, Antimicrobial activit

Quality control of marketed herbal products of Asparagus racemosus Willd. through high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis

Asparagus racemosus Willd. is a valuable medicinal plant which is used all over the world. There are several marketed products of A. racemosus. The high demand for this herb has increased the risk of adulteration in its commercial products. The adulterated herbal products might pose serious ill effects on health. Therefore, it is necessary to check the quality of marketed products in terms of the presence of their major bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to carry out the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Shatavarin IV in marketed products of A. racemosus through a validated high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method. Ten marketed products were analysed and all of them had shown the presence of Shatavarin IV which was quantified. The identification and quantification were done by taking a standard Shatavarin IV as reference. The Shatavarin IV was detected at Rf 0.4±0.05 and showed maximum absorption at 425 nm. The Shatavarin IV was quantified using a 6-point calibration curve having a standard deviation of 3.89 % with an R2 value of 0.9968. The amount of Shatavarin IV varied between 1.47±0.25 to 2.69±0.51 mg/g on a dry weight basis which is a normal range in the raw plant materials. Thus, the present findings would be a simple, reliable and cost-effective method for the quality determination of herbal products of A. racemosus. The developed HPTLC chromatograms would serve as a reference for the quality assessment of commercial products of A. racemosus in future

Resequencing of Curcuma longa L. cv. Kedaram through transcriptome profiling reveals various novel transcripts

Curcuma longa L. (Turmeric), of the family Zingiberaceae, is one of the economically as well as medicinally important plant species. It is a sterile, polyploid and vegetatively propagated spice crop cultivated usually in Southeast Asia. In the current study, we carried out re-sequencing through transcriptome profiling of Curcuma longa cv. Kedaram (Cl_Ked_6). We acquired a total of 1 GB raw data by resequencing through paired-end sequencing using Nextseq 500 platform. The raw data obtained in this study can be accessible in NCBI database with accession number of SRR3928562 with bioproject accession number PRJNA324755. Cufflinks-2.2.1 tool was used for transcriptome assembly which resulted in 39,554 numbers of transcripts. The transcript length ranged from 76 to 15,568, having N50 value of 1221 and median transcript length of 860. We annotated the transcripts using multiple databases. This data will be beneficial for studying sequence variations particularly SNPs between cultivars of turmeric towards authentic identification and discovery of novel functional transcripts in Kedaram

Influence of various drying methods on physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds in <i>Centella asiatica</i> L. leaves: a comparative study

This comparative study aimed to evaluate the effects of different drying methods such as solar drying, shade drying (SHD), freeze drying (FD), oven drying, and microwave drying on the physicochemical properties, bioactive components, and antioxidant activity of Centella asiatica. The results showed that out of all the treated samples, FD-treated samples showed the lowest moisture content (2.4%), the lowest water activity (0.24%), and the highest rehydration ratio (5.51%). For samples treated using different drying methods, significant differences in Commission on Illumination – LAB (L *, a *, and b *) values and total color difference (E) were observed. FD-treated samples showed the minimum color change (E) and highest lightness (L*). Additionally, upon Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis, no major changes in the functional groups were observed between C. asiatica leaves processed using different drying methods. FD-treated samples showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by SHD-treated samples, as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical scavenging assays. The phenolic (chlorogenic acid, rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin) and triterpene saponin (madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and asiatic acid) contents of the dried samples of C. asiatica were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, which showed that the FD method allowed for the highest retention of phenolic and triterpene saponins among the tested drying techniques. The physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant potential, and bioactive retention of the samples that underwent FD treatment were superior to those of other methods, and therefore, FD can be employed as the first-line drying technique for processing C. asiatica leaves

Influence of various drying methods on physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and bioactive compounds in Centella asiatica L. leaves: a comparative study

This comparative study aimed to evaluate the effects of different drying methods such as solar drying, shade drying (SHD), freeze drying (FD), oven drying, and microwave drying on the physicochemical properties, bioactive components, and antioxidant activity of Centella asiatica. The results showed that out of all the treated samples, FD-treated samples showed the lowest moisture content (2.4%), the lowest water activity (0.24%), and the highest rehydration ratio (5.51%). For samples treated using different drying methods, significant differences in Commission on Illumination – LAB (L*, a*, and b*) values and total color difference (E) were observed. FD-treated samples showed the minimum color change (E) and highest lightness (L*). Additionally, upon Fourier-transform infrared spectral analysis, no major changes in the functional groups were observed between C. asiatica leaves processed using different drying methods. FD-treated samples showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by SHD-treated samples, as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical scavenging assays. The phenolic (chlorogenic acid, rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin) and triterpene saponin (madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and asiatic acid) contents of the dried samples of C. asiatica were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, which showed that the FD method allowed for the highest retention of phenolic and triterpene saponins among the tested drying techniques. The physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant potential, and bioactive retention of the samples that underwent FD treatment were superior to those of other methods, and therefore, FD can be employed as the first-line drying technique for processing C. asiatica leaves

Comparison of efficacy between levonorgestrel intrauterine system and dienogest in adenomyosis: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Medical management of adenomyosis is an emerging perspective in modern gynecology. Though levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and dienogest (DNG) effectively relieve symptoms in adenomyosis, neither has been approved for the same indication. Our study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of these progestins in treating adenomyosis. Objective: To study the efficacy and safety of LNG-IUS versus DNG in patients with symptomatic adenomyosis. Design: Open-labeled, parallel, single-centered, randomized clinical trial. Methods: Patients with adenomyosis-associated pain with or without abnormal uterine bleeding were randomly allocated to either LNG-IUS group or DNG group. The primary outcome was a reduction in painful symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment measured by visual analog scale (VAS) score. Changes in menstrual blood loss (MBL), improvement in quality of life (QoL), and adverse drug reactions were also analyzed. Results: The VAS score significantly decreased from baseline in both groups. The baseline and post-treatment VAS scores in the LNG-IUS group were 6.41 ± 1.07 and 3.41 ± 1.04 ( p  = <0.001) and in the DNG group, were 6.41 ± 0.95 and 3.12 ± 1.40 ( p  = <0.001), respectively. A significantly greater proportion of patients in the LNG-IUS group experienced lighter MBL as compared to the DNG group [27/30 (90%) in the LNG-IUS group versus 17/22 (77.2%) in the DNG group ( p  = 0.006)]. Both the groups had improvement in QOL scores calculated by the World Heath Organisation QOL scale (WHOQOL BREF) questionnaire; however, it was more pronounced in the DNG group [(28.76 ± 30.47 in the LNG-IUS group versus 48.26 ± 44.91 in the DNG group ( p  = 0.04)]. Both the agents were safe as there were no reported major adverse drug reactions. Conclusion: DNG can be an effective and safe alternative to LNG-IUS for the medical management of adenomyosis. Trial registration: The trial was prospectively registered at the clinical trial registry – India (CTRI) vide CTRI number CTRI/2020/05/025186

Neocinnamomum caudatum Essential Oil Ameliorates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting NF-&kappa;B Activation and ROS Production

Neocinnamomum caudatum (Lauraceae) plant is used in the traditional system of medicine and is considered a potential source of edible fruits, spices, flavoring agents and biodiesel. The leaves, bark and roots of the species are used by local communities for the treatment of inflammatory responses, such as allergies, sinusitis and urinary tract infections. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the molecular mechanism through which this plant exerts its anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of the current research was to characterize the chemical constituents of bark (NCB) and leaf (NCL) essential oil of N. caudatum and to elucidate its anti-inflammatory action in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation were further subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The major constituents in bark essential oil identified as &beta;-pinene (13.11%), &alpha;-cadinol (11.18%) and &alpha;-pinene (10.99%), whereas leaf essential oil was found to be rich in &beta;-pinene (45.21%), myrcene (9.97%) and &alpha;-pinene (9.27%). Treatment with NCB and NCL at a concentration of 25 &micro;g/mL exerted significant anti-inflammatory activity by significantly reducing LPS-triggered nitric oxide (NO) production to 45.86% and 61.64%, respectively, compared to the LPS-treated group. In the LPS-treated group, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&alpha;, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1&beta;, decreased after treatment with essential oil, alleviating the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. The essential oil also inhibited the production of intracellular ROS and attenuated the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with NCB also reduced nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-&kappa;B)/p65 translocation and elevated the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in LPS-induced macrophages. The present findings, for the first time, demonstrate the anti-inflammatory potential of both bark and leaf essential oils of N. caudatum. The bark essential oil exhibited a significantly more important anti-inflammatory effect than the leaf essential oil and could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Integrating network pharmacology and experimental verification to decipher the multitarget pharmacological mechanism of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil in treating inflammation

Inflammatory diseases contribute to more than 50 % of global deaths. Research suggests that network pharmacology can reveal the biological mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases and drug effects at the molecular level. The aim of the study was to clarify the biological mechanism of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil (CZEO) and predict molecular targets of CZEO against inflammation by employing network pharmacology and in vitro assays. First, the genes related to inflammation were identified from the Genecards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) databases. The CZEO targets were obtained from the SwissTargetPrediction and Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA) database. A total of 1057 CZEO and 526 anti-inflammation targets were obtained. The core hub target of CZEO anti-inflammatory was obtained using the protein–protein interaction network. KEGG pathway analysis suggested CZEO to exert anti-inflammatory effect mainly through Tumor necrosis factor, Toll-like receptor and IL-17 signalling pathway. Molecular docking of active ingredients-core targets interactions was modelled using Pyrx software. Docking and simulation studies revealed benzyl benzoate to exhibit good binding affinity towards IL8 protein. MTT assay revealed CZEO to have non-cytotoxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells. CZEO also inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α and promoted the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, CZEO inhibited intracellular ROS generation, NF-kB nuclear translocation and modulated the expression of downstream genes involved in Toll-like receptor signalling pathway. The results deciphered the mechanism of CZEO in treating inflammation and provided a theoretical basis for its clinical application

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of essential oil of <i>Hedychium greenii</i> and <i>Hedychium gracile</i> from India

<p>The chemical constituents of the essential oils hydrodistilled from rhizome parts of <i>Hedychium greenii</i> W.W. Sm. and <i>Hedychium gracile</i> Roxb, of family Zingiberaceae, growing in India, were analysed for the first time by GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. A total of 30 and 29 components representing 99.62 and 96.74% of the total oil were identified in the essential oils of <i>H. greenii</i> and <i>H. gracile</i>, respectively. The major components of <i>H. greenii</i> were bornyl acetate (31.32%), <i>α</i>-pinene (14.49%), camphene (12.81%) and limonene (10.55%), whereas <i>H. gracile</i> was dominated by <i>β</i>-pinene (25.24%), <i>γ</i>-terpinene (24.62%), terpinen-4-ol (14.87%) and 1,8-cineole (7.51%). Essential oils were assessed for antioxidant potential using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. <i>H. greenii</i> oil exhibited stronger antioxidant potential as compared to <i>H. gracile</i> oil and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Thus, <i>H. greenii</i> rhizome oil has the potential to be used as an alternative source of antioxidant.</p