Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Cawat Hanoman Stem (Bauhinia aculeata L.) using DPPH Method

The free radical is an unstable molecule because contains one or two unpaired electrons. The antioxidant substance is a simple way to decrease the illness caused by free radicals. Cawat hanoman (Bauhinia aculeata L.) was known to contain tannin components one of the benefits as an antioxidant. This research aims to determine the antioxidant activity of the B. aculeata stem tested by qualitatively used thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and quantitatively using the DPPH method. Bauhinia aculeata stem was extracted using a maceration extract method with 96% ethanol. Antioxidant activity test was done qualitatively by eluent of ethyl acetate : methanol : purified water (6 : 2 : 1) using TLC and quantitatively using the DPPH method. The result of antioxidant activity from 96% ethanol extract of B. aculeata stem qualitatively showed the presence of yellow spots on a purple background at TLC after syringed DPPH 0.5 mM and quantitative test that resulted in an IC50 of 21.862 μg/mL. These results indicate that 96% ethanol extract of B. aculeata has very strong antioxidant activity

Antibacterial Activity Test of Ethanol Extract Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) Peel against Growth of Propionibacterium acnes

Pineapple peel (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is waste from the pineapple fruit. The purpose of this study was to determine the content of pineapple peel extract and to antibacterial activity in various concentrations effective in inhibiting the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. The pineapple peel extract is made by using the extraction method in the form of maceration. The method used in the inhibitory test using the three replication samples in each treatment group. The sample consisted of 10 treatment groups ie pineapple peel extract concentration 12.5%, 25%, 37.5%, 50%, 62.5%, 75%, 87.5%, and 100%, as well as positive and negative control. The results obtained from pineapple peel screening contain flavonoid and saponin compounds. The data analysis shows that pineapple peel extract concentrations of 50%, 62.5%, 75%, 87.5%, and 100% had inhibitory zones with the medium-strong category while clindamycin as the control has a strong inhibition zone. The conclusion of this research proves that pineapple peel extract has antibacterial power to P. acnes with effective concentration is 100% with the strong category

In-vitro Cytotoxicity and In-silico Insights of the Multi-target Anticancer Candidates from Haplophyllum tuberculatum

This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of Haplophyllum tuberculatum(Forsk.) aerial parts ethanol extract and fractions and reveal the potential anticancer targets, binding modes, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity properties of its phytoconstituents. MTT assay was used to investigate the anticancer activity. TargetNet, ChemProt version 2.0, and CLC-Pred web servers were used for virtual screening, and Cresset Flare software was used for molecular docking with the 26 predicted targets. Moreover, pkCSM, swiss ADME, and eMolTox web servers were used to predict pharmacokinetics and safety. Ethanolic extracts of H. tuberculatum on HepG2 and HeLa cell lines showed promising activities with IC50 values 54.12 and 48.1 µg/mL, respectively. Further, ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest cytotoxicity on HepG2 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values 41.7 and 52.31 µg/mL. Of 70 compounds screened virtually, polygamain, justicidin A, justicidin B, haplotubine, kusunokinin, and flindersine were predicted as safe anticancer drugs candidates. They showed the highest binding scores with targets involved in cell growth, proliferation, survival, migration, tumor suppression, induction of apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Our findings revealed the potency of H. tuberculatum as a source of anticancer candidates that further studies should support

Computational Drug Design against Ebola Virus Targeting Viral Matrix Protein VP30

Ebola viral disease (EVD) is a deadly infectious hemorrhagic viral fever caused by the Ebola virus with a high mortality rate. Until date, there is no effective drug or vaccination available to combat this condition. This study focuses on designing an effective antiviral drug for Ebola viral disease targeting viral protein 30 (VP30) of Ebola virus, highly required for transcription initiation. The lead molecules were screened for Lipinski rule of five, ADMET study following which molecular docking and bioactivity prediction was carried out. The compounds with the least binding energy were analyzed using interaction software. The results revealed that 6-Hydroxyluteolin and (-)-Arctigenin represent active lead compounds that inhibit the activity of VP30 protein and exhibits efficient pharmacokinetics. Both these compounds are plant-derived flavonoids and possess no known adverse effects on human health. In addition, they bind strongly to the predicted binding site centered on Lys180, suggesting that these two lead molecules can be imperative in designing a potential drug for EVD

Test on the Antioxidant Activities of Methanol Extract of Bidara Leaves (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) using the DPPH Radical Immersion Method

Bidara (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) is a tropical tree originating from Sudan in which it is commonly known as "Nebeq" in Saudi Arabia. It is of a bioactive compound - a flavonoid compound, which is the potential to be used as an antioxidant. It is capable of inhibiting any cell damages caused by free radicals. This study aimed to measure the activities of the free radicals in methanol extracts of Z. spina-christi leaves. The process of extracting the Z. spina-christi leaves was carried out through the maceration method using methanol as a solvent. The qualitative analysis of chemical compounds with certain eluents using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was purposely to determine the groups of active compounds in extracts. The measurement of antioxidant activities was carried out using the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl Hidrazyl (DPPH) immersion method in which absorption was measured at a maximum wavelength of 513 nm. The results showed that the methanol extract of Z. spina-christi leaves had a very weak antioxidant activity with the IC50 value of 466.804 μg/ml. The results of the bioautographic profile showed the presence of flavonoid compounds, phenols, saponins, and tannins

Level of Cytokine Interleukin-6 and Interleukin 1-β on Infectious Rat Model Treated with Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith Fruit Extract as Immunomodulator

Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M Smith or locally in Southeast Sulawesi known as Wualae fruit has activity as an immunomodulator by increasing phagocytosis activity. Prior studies have been conducted to observe the effect of E. elatior as an immunomodulator, thus further study is needed to observe the production of cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 which are responsible for the immune responses. Etlingera elatior fruit macerated with 96% ethanol for three days and produced a total of ±74.6 g concentrated extract. Experimental animals used were divided into four groups (n=4) and treated orally once a day for seven days as follows: group I (0.5% Na CMC); group II (Stimuno®); group III (E. elatior fruit extract dose of 300 mg/kg BW); and group IV (E. elatior fruit extract dose of 400 mg/kg BW). On the eight-day, animals were infected with Staphylococcus aureus intraperitoneally and left for an hour. Thereafter, blood was collected and assayed using ELISA Kit (Elabscience rat IL-1β and Elabscience rat IL-6). Results demonstrated that group IV increased levels of IL-1β and group III and IV increased level of IL-6 (p<0.05). Increased levels of IL-1β and IL-6 are associated with phagocytosis in the immune response. In conclusion, E. elatior fruit extract at doses of 300 and 400 mg/kg BW increases levels of IL-1β and IL-6

Antiasthma Activities of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaves Extract on the Eosinophil Count and Mast Cells in BALB/c Mice

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract. This study aimed to prove Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves extract's effect on reducing the eosinophil count and mast cells in asthmatic mice. Twenty BALB/c mice that met the inclusion criteria were divided into four groups of standard control (K1), negative control (K2), dexamethasone (K3), and M. oleifera leaves extract (K4). On days 0 and 7, intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) was sensitized. On days 14, 16, and 18, mice were re-sensitized by inhalation using 1% OVA in sterile 0.9% NaCl. On days 18 to 25, K1 and K2 groups were given Na-CMC, the K3 group was given dexamethasone 1.3 µg/day, and the K4 group was given M. oleifera leaves extract 3.9 mg/day. On the 25th day, the mice were terminated to analyze the eosinophil count and stable bronchiolar mast cells. In conclusion, M. oleifera leaves extract was proven to decrease the eosinophil count with a p-value <0.05 and could stabilize bronchiolar mast cells with a p-value <0.05

In the Footsteps of Scribonius Largus, a Pioneer of Clinical Pharmacy in Ancient Rome

Clinical pharmacy involves pharmacists in direct patient care concerning optimizing medicines and promoting health awareness and disease prevention. The whereabouts of the field can be traced to Scribonius Largus, a renowned physician and pharmacist in ancient Rome. Although Largus served as an imperial physician, he has also been an exemplary pharmacist authoring a comprehensive pharmacognosy textbook and dedicated a big part of his life to improving pharmacotherapy and advancing ethics in the field. Revisiting his contributions provides valuable lessons for contemporary clinical pharmacists

Identification of Chemical Compounds from Karamunting Stem (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) by Thin Layer Chromatography

Karamunting or Kalimantan Grapes (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) is a medicinal plant from Central Kalimantan that is easily found in shrubs. Based on hereditary experiences of the people of Central Kalimantan, karamunting can be used for the treatment of various diseases, one of which is diabetes. This study aims to identify the chemical compounds contained in the karamunting stem. The method used is thin layer chromatography with eluent n-hexane : ethyl acetate and methanol : chloroform. Besides, a color reaction was carried out to determine the group of compounds contained in the methanol extract of the karamunting stem. The TLC results show better stain separation in eluent n-hexane : ethyl acetate with the formation of four stains. Positive results are indicated by the content of phenol, saponin, flavonoid and terpenoid compounds. The existence of this group of compounds can be a clue to further research on the truth of the efficacy of karamunting

Antibiotics Resistance Pattern of Coliform Bacteria Isolated from Slaughterhouse Wastewater in Jega Town, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Wastewater is an essential reservoir of pathogenic bacteria, which include resistant strains. This study determined the antibiotics resistance pattern of Coliform bacteria isolated from slaughterhouse wastewater in Jega local government. Five different samples of wastewater from different locations of a slaughterhouse were collected using standard sample collection techniques. Coliform bacteria were isolated using the standard microbiological method. The total bacterial count was determined using plate count agar. Suspected coliforms were identified based on morphological and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the standard disc diffusion method. The highest bacterial count (8.4x102 CFU/ml) was observed from the wastewater collection point, and the lowest bacterial (1.2x102 CFU/ml) count from the slaughtering point. Three Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter aerogenes, were identified. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated in slaughterhouse wastewater 39 (45.8%). Among the antibiotics tested against isolated bacteria, Septrin was the most resistant antibiotics recorded against E. coli and E. aerogenes with 84.61% and 88.89% resistant, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to show higher resistance to Chloramphenicol and Septrin with 84.21% resistance each. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from slaughterhouse wastewater showed the risks associated with antimicrobial drug resistance transferred from food-producing animals to humans. Management concerns, such as local government health officers and community development officers, should increase the sensitization of slaughterhouse workers by organizing conferences or conducting radio talk to educates these slaughterhouse workers on the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater and health risk associated with antimicrobial-drug resistance transferred from animals to humans