Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium fumiculosum

The aim of this study was to investigate the biological and chemical activity on two species of fungi of the genus Penicillium isolated from wastewater. On the selected species of fungi the different antioxidant activity assays were carried out: DPPH free-radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity, Fe2+- chelating ability and Fe3+- reducing power. Total phenol content was also determinate for ethanolic extract of mycelia. Penicillium chrysogenum ethanolic extract contained higher total phenolic content and better total antioxidant capacity as well as ferrous ion chelating ability. Penicillium fumiculosum ethanolic extract showed higher DPPH free-radical scavenging activity, as well as reducing power. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that two types of fungi are potential new sources of natural antioxidants. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 43004

Phytochemical screening and biological activity of extracts of plant species Halacsya sendtneri (Boiss.) Dörfl.

This study is aimed at examining total polyphenol, flavonoid, gallotannin and condensed tannins content in acetone, chloroform, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts of Halacsya sendtneri (Boiss.) Dörfl., their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, as well as identifying and quantifying the phenolic components. The antioxidant activity is consistent with the results of total quantity of phenolic compound. The results showed that the acetone extract of plant species Halascya sendtneri (Boiss.) Dörfl. possessed the highest antioxidant activity. IC50 values were determined: 9.45��1.55 μg/mL for DPPH free radical scavenging activity, 13.46±1.68 μg/mL for inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation, 59.11±0.83 μg/mL for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and 27.91±0.88 μg/mL for ferrous ion chelating ability. The antimicrobial activity was tested using broth dilution procedure for determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MICs were determined for 8 selected indicator strains. All of the extracts showed strong to moderate strong antimicrobial activity. The phenolic composition of Halacsya sendtneri extracts was determined by the HPLC method. The dominant phenolic compound in acetone, chloroform and ethyl acetate extract is rosmarinic acid. Ethyl acetate extract was also abundant in p-hydroxybenzoic acid and ferulic acid. The main compounds in petrol ether extract were chlorogenic acid and quercetin

Hepatoprotective effects of Gentiana asclepiadea L. extracts against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats

This study is an attempt to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Gentiana asclepiadea L against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats. Methanol extracts of aerial parts (GM) and roots (GAR) of G. asclepiadea at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.w. were orally administered to Wistar rats once daily for 7 days before they were treated with CCl4. The hepatoprotective activity of the extracts in this study was compared with the reference drug silymarin. In CCl4 treated animals, GM and GAR significantly decreased levels of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, and increased the level of total protein. Treatment with the extracts resulted in a significant increase in the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione, accompanied with a marked reduction in the levels of malondialdehyde, as compared to CCl4 treated group. The histopathological studies confirmed protective effects of extracts against CCl4-induced liver injuries. No genotoxicity was observed in liver cells after GM treatment, while GAR showed only slight genotoxic effects by comet assay. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sweroside, swertiamarin and gentiopicrin in high concentrations in both extracts. It could be concluded that the use of G. asclepiadea extracts in the treatment of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia [III 43004