Chemical constituents and antimicrobial properties of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum & Thonn)

The chemical composition of the leave extracts of Phyllanthus amarus (Schum and Thonn) of the family Euphorbiaceae from Nigeria was analyzed by GC-MS. The extracts were also examined for their potential to inhibit the growth of clinical isolates following standard procedure. The major compounds identified in the hexane extract are a flavonoid, flavone 4’,5,7-triethoxy-3,3’,6- trimethoxy (20.23%) and a triterpenoid 17-(1,5-Dimethylhexyl)-6-hydroxy-5-methylestr-9-en-3-yl acetate (19.02%) while bufalin (18.71%) and tetratetracontane (12.91%) were the major compounds detected in the methanol extract. Steroidal triterpenoids are the major compounds present in the extracts as it accounted for 47% of the total detectable content in the hexane extract and 52% in the methanol extract. The steroidal triterpenoids which exist primarily as acetate in the hexane extract include cycloeucalenyl acetate, ergosta-5,7,22-trien-3-ol acetate, macdougallin, 17-(1,5-Dimethylhexyl)-6-hydroxy-5-methylestr-9-en-3-yl acetate, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol while the methanol extract contains 6,7-epoxypregn-4-ene-9,11,18-triol-3,20-dione, 11,18-diacetate, bufalin, olean-13(18)-ene, methyl ursolate, barringenol R1 and 7,8- epoxylanostan-11-ol,3-acetoxy. Hexane extract of the plant exhibited antifungal activity on Candida albicans while methanol extract revealed significant antibacterial activity on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus at all concentrations of the extract between 12.5 and 100 mg/mL, the activity being comparable to the standard antibacterial drug, Oxacillin. The leaves of Phyllanthus amarus is a potential source of steroidal triterpenoids which could serve as biomarker for the plant species. The extracts of the plant may also serve as a natural source of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of some microbial infections.Keywords: Phyllathus amarus, antimicrobial, phytochemicals, leaf extract

Chemical composition and antioxidant potentials of Kigelia pinnata root oil and extracts

The chemical composition of Kigelia pinnata root oil extracted with n-hexane was analyzed by GC/GCMS. The antioxidant potential of the oil was compared to that of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the root. UV and IR spectroscopic techniques were used to carry out partial characterization of the oil and extracts. The free radical scavenging activity by spectrophotometric assay on the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was examined while the total antioxidant activity (TAA) and relative antioxidant activity (RAA) were compared with standard antioxidant, α-tocopherol. The antioxidant activity (which correlated with the total phenolic content of the extracts) was assumed to be from the total phenolic content of the extracts. TAA was found to be higher in methanol extract (at 0.25 mg/mL). We hereby report for the first time the major component of the oil from the root of Kigelia pinnata to be elaidic acid (56.12 %). It is a reported toxicant which thereby underscores the risk in the use of the plant in traditional therapies

Computational and experimental validation of antioxidant properties of synthesized bioactive ferulic acid derivatives

Ferulic acid, a well-known natural phenolic compound, is considerably reportedfor its hydroxyl and peroxyl radical scavenging activities. However, the antiox-idant capacity of ferulic acid is limited by its relatively low solubility in hydro-phobic media thereby preventing its application for autoxidation of fats and oils.To this end, several research efforts are being made to maximize the therapeuticbenefits of ferulic acid and these efforts included but not limited to structuralmodification of ferulic acid to produce its derivatives. In this study, we synthe-sized ester and amide derivatives of ferulic acid and evaluated them forin vitroantioxidant potential as well as molecular docking properties. Data revealed thatferulic ester and amide derivatives had excellent antioxidant capacity anddemonstrated strong inhibitory potential. Analysis of molecular docking indi-cated ferulic ester as potent inhibitor of target proteins in breast cancer as well asin oxidative stress. Taken together, the findings support potent antioxidantproperties by these ferulic derivatives. Findings may become relevant wherestructural modification to enhance physico-chemical properties without com-promising the antioxidant and/or medicinal potential are desirabl

COVID-19

The anxiety and trauma associated with the tragic coronavirus disease pandemic coded, COVID-19 led many to indulge in various unorthodox preventive measures such as the extensive indiscriminate use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS), abuse, misuse, overdose of prescription drugs like chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine phosphate globally. While some preventive measures are recommended and adopted, such as national lockdown, self-isolation, quarantine, stay-at-home model, avoidance of large gathering, social distancing, wearing of face-masks and hand gloves, periodic hand washing particularly with liquid soaps/detergents under running tap water, avoidance of touching the face among others, the use of ABHS has been more prominent. ABHS contains on average 60-70 % by weight of one or more alcohols. During the 2019/2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the use of ABHS was more renowned to the extent that some individuals recommended the application on the hands every 30 minutes for a period of at least 20 seconds while outside the home. Though, the periodic application of the hand sanitizers seems like an effective on-the-go solution to preventing the spread of the virus, many other associated hazards call for caution. Besides transdermal absorption leading to mortality and morbidity of varying degree; alcohol-alcohol adulteration, deliberate and unintentional ingestion of ABHS may result in respiratory depression, irreversible blindness, intoxication, cirrhosis, acidosis, headache, central nervous system depression, seizure, hypoglycemia, coma, or even death in some cases. The non-ABHS are equally not absolutely safe as many of them contain active agents that are allegedly carcinogenic, toxic, inducing microbial resistance and endocrine disruption. Considered together, this implies that while some may not die from contracting the disease, the preventive measures taken could lead to death or other forms of morbidity thereby revealing that there is indeed, death in preventive measures when done without cautionary measures. This study seeks to highlight some associated risks in the use of ABHS and non-ABHS, whilst advocating the use of safer or ‘greener’ alternative procedure for use as preventive measures particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic

In vitro anticandidal and antioxidant potential of Mezoneuron benthamianum

Objective: To investigate the preliminary phytochemical screening and antioxidant properties of the methanolic extract of Mezoneuron benthamianum (M. benthamianum). Method: The anti-candidal potential and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) were evaluated on fresh isolates of Candida species using disc diffusion method. While the lipophilic free radical scavenging activity was examined using the spectrophotometric assay on the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and compared with standard antioxidant, α-tocopherol. Result: The anti-candidal activities of M. benthamianum root and leaf revealed zones of inhibition (ZI) against Candida glabrata as (13.6±1.00) mm and (13.7±1.00) mm respectively while, Candida krusei ZI against root (13.7±1.00) mm and leaf (11.8±0.80) mm as the most significant among other candida species (Candida stellatoidea, Candida albicans and Candida torulopsis). Phytochemicals present in the plant extracts includes saponin, anthracquinones, flavonoids and tannins. The antioxidant potential of the plant was significant and dose dependent at the concentrations tested. The extract has IC50 values of 781 μg/mL while the standard, α-tocopherol has 222.3 μg/mL. Conclusions: The result from this research suggests that M. benthamianum is a potent anti-candida and antioxidant plant and may be a potential anti-candida plant for future prospect in drug development

Effect of thermal degraded products of <i>Cymbopogon</i> <i>citratus</i> on the In vitro survival of <i>Meloidogyne</i> <i>incognita</i> eggs and juveniles

The products of thermally-degraded Cymbopogon citratus were evaluated for nematicidal activity as an alternative of toxic synthetics. The products exhibited moderate nematicidal activity, but not as significantly (p&lt;0.05) effective as carbofuran, a synthetic nematicide.  Thermally degraded products of fresh Cymbopogon citratus (CMGC/th/fresh) was the most promising at 90 mg/mL and could be used in place of the toxic synthetic nematicide

Computational and experimental validation of antioxidant properties of synthesized bioactive ferulic acid derivatives

Ferulic acid, a well-known natural phenolic compound, is considerably reportedfor its hydroxyl and peroxyl radical scavenging activities. However, the antiox-idant capacity of ferulic acid is limited by its relatively low solubility in hydro-phobic media thereby preventing its application for autoxidation of fats and oils.To this end, several research efforts are being made to maximize the therapeuticbenefits of ferulic acid and these efforts included but not limited to structuralmodification of ferulic acid to produce its derivatives. In this study, we synthe-sized ester and amide derivatives of ferulic acid and evaluated them forin vitroantioxidant potential as well as molecular docking properties. Data revealed thatferulic ester and amide derivatives had excellent antioxidant capacity anddemonstrated strong inhibitory potential. Analysis of molecular docking indi-cated ferulic ester as potent inhibitor of target proteins in breast cancer as well asin oxidative stress. Taken together, the findings support potent antioxidantproperties by these ferulic derivatives. Findings may become relevant wherestructural modification to enhance physico-chemical properties without com-promising the antioxidant and/or medicinal potential are desirabl

New Ferulic Acid Derivatives Protect Against Carbon Tetrachloride-InducedLiver Injury in Rats

Background:Ferulic Acid (FA) is a phenolic compound that exhibits a wide range of therapeutic effects majorly due to its antioxidant property. There have beenrecent efforts to maximize the therapeutic value of FA by way of structural modification of FA to form FA derivatives in order to enhancephysicochemical, antioxidant and therapeutic prospects.Objective:In this work, we synthesized, characterized and evaluated new ferulic derivatives [ferulic phthalate and maleate] for their potential to protectagainst CCl4-induced liver injury in Wistar rats.Methods:Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into groups and given oral administration of CCl4 only, or in combination with either ferulic phthalate ormaleate and thereafter, some biochemical parameters (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and malondialdehyde)and antioxidant indices (superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione) were determined.Results:Exposure to CCl4 altered liver biochemical indices in particular plasma alanine transaminase activities, in a manner reminiscent of liver injury.However, ferulic acid, as well as the ferulic derivatives significantly (p<0.05), improved rat liver indices. Also, ferulic derivatives improved(p<0.05) the rat antioxidant status compared with the group given CCl4 only. Furthermore, ferulic acid and ferulic maleate significantly (p<0.05)ameliorated rat lipid peroxidation caused by CCl4. Histological studies revealed mild infiltration caused by CCl4 but this cellular distortion wasabated and improved in rats administered with ferulic acid, ferulic phthalate as well as ferulic maleate.Conclusion:These findings do not only support the antioxidant as well as the therapeutic potentials of ferulic phthalate and maleate but also the medicinal valueand prospects of phenolic compounds for therapeutic purposes