Canarium patentinervium miq. (burseraceae kunth.): a phytochemical and pharmacological study

Canarium patentinervium Miq. belongs to the family of Burseraceae best known for producing resins of economic, medicinal, and cultural values such as frankincense, myrrh, and copal. This family consists of 18 genera and 700 species of trees. In the Asia-Pacific region, about 20 species of Burseraceae are used to treat haemorrhoids, heal wounds and to treat skin infections. This plant has been used to heal wounds amongst the indigenous people of Malaysia. Furthermore no pharmacological and phytochemical studies have been reported on this species. This study was undertaken to screen the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of this plant. Qualitative phytochemical properties of the crude extract was determined for the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins or sterols. Phytochemical analysis of Canarium patentinervium Miq. revealed presence of tannins and flavonoids in the ethanol extract of leaves and barks. Bioassay guided fractionation led to isolation of eight secondary metabolites by chromatography which were identified by NMR techniques. Two coumarins (scopoletin and scoparone), five phenols (cynaroside, hyperin, (+)-catechin, lioxin and syringic acid) and a norsesquiterpene with cyclohexenone ring (vomifoliol). The latter three compounds were isolated for the first time from the genus Canarium. The plant and the isolated compounds were then subjected to six biological assays comprising of antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-parasitic activities. Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and bacteria have become more resistant to conventional antibiotic and the search for novel antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants has become crucial. Antibacterial test was done using disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and death kinetic assay with ampicillin as the positive control. The ethanol extract of leaves and the hexane extract of bark displayed remarkable antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. All isolated compounds tested against S.aureus ATCC 11632 showed bacterial growth inhibition. Scopoletin, scoparone, hyperin, cynaroside and syringic acid had bactericidal effect 200 µg/ml for both Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica. Six kinds of major biological effects were evident in the crude and compounds namely, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-AChE, anti-parasitic, and anticancer all of which were reported for the first time from this plant. Given the aforementioned evidence it is tempting to speculate that Canarium patentinervium Miq. represents an exciting scaffold from which to develop leads for treatment of inflammatory and oxidative stress related diseases

Canarium patentinervium miq. (burseraceae kunth.): a phytochemical and pharmacological study

Canarium patentinervium Miq. belongs to the family of Burseraceae best known for producing resins of economic, medicinal, and cultural values such as frankincense, myrrh, and copal. This family consists of 18 genera and 700 species of trees. In the Asia-Pacific region, about 20 species of Burseraceae are used to treat haemorrhoids, heal wounds and to treat skin infections. This plant has been used to heal wounds amongst the indigenous people of Malaysia. Furthermore no pharmacological and phytochemical studies have been reported on this species. This study was undertaken to screen the phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of this plant. Qualitative phytochemical properties of the crude extract was determined for the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins or sterols. Phytochemical analysis of Canarium patentinervium Miq. revealed presence of tannins and flavonoids in the ethanol extract of leaves and barks. Bioassay guided fractionation led to isolation of eight secondary metabolites by chromatography which were identified by NMR techniques. Two coumarins (scopoletin and scoparone), five phenols (cynaroside, hyperin, (+)-catechin, lioxin and syringic acid) and a norsesquiterpene with cyclohexenone ring (vomifoliol). The latter three compounds were isolated for the first time from the genus Canarium. The plant and the isolated compounds were then subjected to six biological assays comprising of antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-parasitic activities. Infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and bacteria have become more resistant to conventional antibiotic and the search for novel antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants has become crucial. Antibacterial test was done using disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and death kinetic assay with ampicillin as the positive control. The ethanol extract of leaves and the hexane extract of bark displayed remarkable antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. All isolated compounds tested against S.aureus ATCC 11632 showed bacterial growth inhibition. Scopoletin, scoparone, hyperin, cynaroside and syringic acid had bactericidal effect 200 µg/ml for both Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica. Six kinds of major biological effects were evident in the crude and compounds namely, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-AChE, anti-parasitic, and anticancer all of which were reported for the first time from this plant. Given the aforementioned evidence it is tempting to speculate that Canarium patentinervium Miq. represents an exciting scaffold from which to develop leads for treatment of inflammatory and oxidative stress related diseases

Actitud hacia la práctica profesional entre los farmacéuticos comunitarios en Kuala Lumpur, Malasia

Objetivos: Este estudio se dirigió a evaluar las actitudes de los farmacéuticos comunitarios hacia la práctica profesional y determinar su competencia observada en diversas actividades farmacéuticas. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado en la ciudad de Kuala Lumpur. El cuestionario contenía 40 preguntas divididas en seis secciones que abordaban varios aspectos de la práctica y la información demográfica. En el estudio participaron 223 farmacéuticos con licencia que trabajan en farmacias comunitarias. Los datos se analizaron utilizando SPSS. Se utilizaron pruebas de correlación de Chi-cuadrado y Pearson para determinar la significación estadística de los datos dicotómicos. Hallazgos clave: Entre los 233 encuestados en actividades de gestión, 194 (87%) obtuvieron una puntuación buena y 5 (2,2%) obtuvieron una puntuación mala. En las actividades de dispensación, 199 (89,2%) obtuvieron la puntuación buena y 5 (2,2%) obtuvieron la puntuación mala. En las actividades de atención farmacéutica, 209 (93,7%) obtuvieron una buena puntuación y 4 (1,8%) obtuvieron una mala puntuación. En actividades inter / intraprofesionales, 108 (48,4%) puntuaron bien y 10 (4,5%) puntuaron mal. En las actividades de salud pública, 153 (68,6%) obtuvieron la puntuación buena y 6 (2,7%) obtuvieron la puntuación mala, mientras que en las actividades de mantenimiento de competencias, 160 (71,7%) obtuvieron la puntuación buena y 3 (1,3%) obtuvieron el puntaje pobre. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los participantes obtuvo una buena actitud fue del 93,7% para las actividades de atención farmacéutica mientras que la mayor de los participantes obtuvo una mala actitud fue del 4,5% para las actividades inter / intraprofesionales. La mayoría de los participantes aceptan las actividades para mantener la competenciaObjectives: This study was directed to evaluate community pharmacists’ attitudes towards professional practice and determine their observed competence in various pharmaceutical activities. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The questionnaire contained 40 questions splitted into six sections that addressed several aspects of practice and demographic information. The study was involved in 223 licensed pharmacists who work in community pharmacies. Data were analyzed by using SPSS. Chisquare and Pearson’s correlation tests were used for statistical significance for dichotomous data. Key findings: Among the 233 respondents in managerial activities, 194 (87%) achieved the score good, and 5 (2.2%) had the score poor. In dispensing activities, 199 (89.2%) achieved the score good, and 5 (2.2%) had the score poor. In pharmaceutical care activities, 209 (93.7%) got the score good, and 4 (1.8%) got the score poor. In inter/intra professional activities, 108 (48.4%) got the score good, and 10 (4.5%) got the score poor. In public health activities, 153 (68.6%) got the score good, and 6 (2.7%) got the score poor whereas in the maintenance of competency activities, 160 (71.7%) got the score good, and 3 (1.3%) got the score poor. Conclusions: The highest of participants got a good attitude was 93.7% for pharmaceutical care activities while the highest of participants got poor attitude was 4.5% for inter/intra professional activities. The majority of the participants are accepting the activities to maintain competence.This work is supported by UCSI University, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kuala Lumpur Malaysi

Evaluation of phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of a new polyherbal formulation TC-16: additive, synergistic or antagonistic?

Background Scientific literature has demonstrated the association of free radicals in the etiology of various chronic diseases. Hence, the identification of potent antioxidants remains a useful task. The combination of multiple herbs in polyherbal formulations (PHF) is often associated with greater therapeutic efficacy due to synergistic interactions. However, antagonism can occur in natural product mixtures and the resultant antioxidant potential might not always be the additive value of the antioxidant properties of each component. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the phytochemicals, antioxidative potential and interaction among the herbs in TC-16, a new PHF comprising Curcuma longa L., Zingiber officinal var. Bentong, Piper nigrum L., Citrofortunella microcarpa (Bunge) Wijnands and Apis dorsata honey. Methods TC-16 was screened for phytochemicals. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of TC-16 and its individual ingredients were determined, followed by assessment of antioxidant properties using in vitro assays including 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and β-carotene bleaching (BCB) assays. Interactions among the herbs were also investigated by calculating the difference in antioxidant activity and combination index. Results Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides were present in TC-16. TC-16 possessed the highest phenolic (46.14±1.40 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (132.69±1.43 mg CE/g) contents following C. longa. Synergistic antioxidant activity among the herbs was evident in ORAC and BCB assays which uses mainly hydrogen atom transfer-based antioxidant mechanisms. Conclusions TC-16 demonstrated roles in combating free radicals. In a PHF, synergistic interaction among the herbs is observed in some but not all mechanisms. Mechanisms showing synergistic interactions should be highlighted to maximize the beneficial property of the PHF

Malaria: the importance of phytochemicals as sources of alternative medicines

Malaria is a zoonotic disease caused by parasites from the Plasmodium genus. This parasite is transmitted to humans when bitten by female Anopheles mosquitos. Five species of Plasmodium are known to infect humans: P. malariae, P. ovale, P. knowlesi, P. falciparum, and P. vivax. Of these, P. falciparum is associated with the highest probability of severe infection. This parasite's lifecycle involves a sexual stage and an asexual stage. The first takes place in the mosquito and the second in humans. The diagnosis of malaria can be done by microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests or molecular methods, the latter being the most accurate. As for the treatment of this disease, artemisinin, chloroquine, primaquine, and tafenoquine are the principal components used in today's available treatments. Vaccination is also an important factor in the fight against malaria, and, presently, there are two available vaccines, RTS, S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M. Several phytochemicals effective against malaria are also found in plant species used in traditional medicine. Examples are Azadirachta indica, Gossypium barbadense, Toddalia asiatica, Alstonia scholaris, Carica papaya, Andrographis paniculata, and Strychnos ligustrina. Furthermore, compounds from three wild nutmeg species have also been proven effective against P. falciparum. The medicinal properties of phytochemicals like alkaloids, phenolic compounds and terpenes have even allowed the investigation of drug-resistant malaria strains. When it comes to preventing malaria transmission, insecticide treated nests and indoor residual spraying have been proven to reduce transmission rates. For pregnant women, intermittent preventive treatment of malaria is also recommended. The need for the development of innovative treatment and prevention strategies is urgent due to the emergence of resistant strains. Hence, we present an overview of the available treatment and prevention strategies currently approved and employed while focusing on the potential of phytochemicals as targets for further studies that can lead to the development of new medicines.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COVID-19 influenced gut dysbiosis, post-acute sequelae, immune regulation, and therapeutic regimens

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has garnered unprecedented global attention. It caused over 2.47 million deaths through various syndromes such as acute respiratory distress, hypercoagulability, and multiple organ failure. The viral invasion proceeds through the ACE2 receptor, expressed in multiple cell types, and in some patients caused serious damage to tissues, organs, immune cells, and the microbes that colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Some patients who survived the SARS-CoV-2 infection have developed months of persistent long-COVID-19 symptoms or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Diagnosis of these patients has revealed multiple biological effects, none of which are mutually exclusive. However, the severity of COVID-19 also depends on numerous comorbidities such as obesity, age, diabetes, and hypertension and care must be taken with respect to other multiple morbidities, such as host immunity. Gut microbiota in relation to SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology is considered to evolve COVID-19 progression via mechanisms of biochemical metabolism, exacerbation of inflammation, intestinal mucosal secretion, cytokine storm, and immunity regulation. Therefore, modulation of gut microbiome equilibrium through food supplements and probiotics remains a hot topic of current research and debate. In this review, we discuss the biological complications of the physio-pathological effects of COVID-19 infection, GIT immune response, and therapeutic pharmacological strategies. We also summarize the therapeutic targets of probiotics, their limitations, and the efficacy of preclinical and clinical drugs to effectively inhibit the spread of SARS-CoV-2

Natural products from medicinal plants in Asia and the Pacific for RNA viruses: Hercules’ fifth labour

Context: The emergence of zoonotic viruses in the last decades culminating with COVID-19 and challenges posed by the resistance of RNA viruses to antiviral drugs requires the development of new antiviral drugs. Objective: This review identifies natural products isolated from Asian and Pacific medicinal plants with in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity towards RNA viruses and analyses their distribution, molecular weights, solubility and modes of action. Materials and methods: All data in this review was compiled from Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, ChemSpider, PubChem and library search from 1961 to 2022. Results: Out of about 350 molecules identified, 43 phenolics, 31 alkaloids, and 28 terpenes were very strongly active against at least one type of RNA virus. These natural products are mainly planar and amphiphilic, with a molecular mass between 200 and 400 g/mol and target viral genome replication. Hydroxytyrosol, silvestrol, lycorine, tylophorine and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate with IC50 below 0.01 mg/mL and selectivity index (S.I.) above 100 have the potential to be used for the development of anti-RNA virus leads. Discussion and conclusions: The medicinal plants of Asia and the Pacific are a rich source of natural products with the potential to be developed as lead for the treatment of RNA viral infections

Isolation and characterization of werneria chromene and dihydroxyacidissimol from burkillanthus malaccensis (Ridl.) swingle

The secondary metabolites of endemic plants from the Rutaceae family, such as Burkillanthus malaccensis (Ridl.) Swingle from the rainforest of Malaysia, has not been studied. Burkillanthus malaccensis (Ridl.) Swingle may produce antibacterial and antibiotic-potentiating secondary metabolites. Hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts of leaves, bark, wood, pericarps, and endocarps were tested against bacteria by broth microdilution assay and their antibiotic-potentiating activities. Chromatographic separations of hexane extracts of seeds were conducted to investigate effective phytochemicals and their antibacterial activities. Molecular docking studies of werneria chromene and dihydroxyacidissiminol against SARS-CoV-2 virus infection were conducted using AutoDock Vina. The methanol extract of bark inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 250, 500, and 250 µg/mL, respectively. The chloroform extract of endocarps potentiated the activity of imipenem against imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The hexane extract of seeds increased the sensitivity of P. aeruginosa against ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. The hexane extract of seeds and chloroform extract of endocarps were chromatographed, yielding werneria chromene and dihydroxyacidissiminol. Werneria chromene was bacteriostatic for P. aeruginosa and P. putida, with MIC/MBC values of 1000 > 1000 µg/mL. Dihydroxyacidissiminol showed the predicted binding energies of -8.1, -7.6, -7.0, and -7.5 kcal/mol with cathepsin L, nsp13 helicase, SARS-CoV-2 main protease, and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain S-RBD. Burkillanthus malaccensis (Ridl.) Swingle can be a potential source of natural products with antibiotic-potentiating activity and that are anti-SARS-CoV-2

Development of Computational In Silico Model for Nano Lipid Carrier Formulation of Curcumin

The oral delivery system is very important and plays a significant role in increasing the solubility of drugs, which eventually will increase their absorption by the digestive system and enhance the drug bioactivity. This study was conducted to synthesize a novel curcumin nano lipid carrier (NLC) and use it as a drug carrier with the help of computational molecular docking to investigate its solubility in different solid and liquid lipids to choose the optimum lipids candidate for the NLCs formulation and avoid the ordinary methods that consume more time, materials, cost, and efforts during laboratory experiments. The antiviral activity of the formed curcumin–NLC against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was assessed through a molecular docking study of curcumin’s affinity towards the host cell receptors. The novel curcumin drug carrier was synthesized as NLC using a hot and high-pressure homogenization method. Twenty different compositions of the drug carrier (curcumin nano lipid) were synthesized and characterized using different physicochemical techniques such as UV–Vis, FTIR, DSC, XRD, particle size, the zeta potential, and AFM. The in vitro and ex vivo studies were also conducted to test the solubility and the permeability of the 20 curcumin–NLC formulations. The NLC as a drug carrier shows an enormous enhancement in the solubility and permeability of the drug