Ibrahim Jantan

Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oils of Nine Zingiberaceae Species

The rhizome oils of nine Zingiberaceae species [Zingiber officinale Rosc., Z. cassumunar Roxb., Z. zerumbet Smith, Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb., C. mangga Valeton and van Zyp, C. xanthorrhiza Roxb., Kaempferia galanga Linn., Alpinia galanga Swartz and Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schlecht] were investigated for their antifungal activities against five dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Microsporum canis, M. nanum and Epidermophyton floccosum), three filamentous fungi (Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus and Mucor sp.) and five strains of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Ca. tropicalis and Torulopsis glabrata). The antifungal testing was carried out by using the broth microdilution and the disc gel diffusion methods. Amongst the essential oils studied, only the oil of B. pandurata was effective against all the fungi, exhibiting the lowest MIC values of 0.63µgµl -1 to Mucor sp., 1.25µgµl -1 to both A. niger and A. fumigatus, and 2.5µgµl -1 to both T. rubrum and E. floccosum, and the highest inhibition zone diameter of 20.6mm against S. cerevisiae. The essential oil of K. galanga showed selective toxicity against A. fumigatus with a MIC value of 0.63µgµl -1, while the essential oils of Z. officinale and Z. cassumunar exhibited high activity against the yeasts (11.7-15.7mm). The chemical composition of the active essential oils was investigated by GC and GC-MS.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Chalcone Derivatives (Mini Review)

Chalcones are the principal precursors for the biosynthesis of flavonoids and isoflavonoids. A three carbon α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system constitutes chalcones. Chalcones are the condensation products of aromatic aldehyde with acetophenones in attendance of catalyst. They go through an assortment of chemical reactions and are found advantageous in synthesis of pyrazoline, isoxazole and a variety of heterocyclic compounds. In synthesizing a range of therapeutic compounds, chalcones impart key role. They have showed worth mentioning therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of various diseases. Chalcone based derivatives have gained heed since they own simple structures, and diverse pharmacological actions. A lot of methods and schemes have been reported for the synthesis of these compounds. Amongst all, Aldol condensation and Claisen-Schmidt condensation still grasp high up position. Other distinguished techniques include Suzuki reaction, Witting reaction, Friedel-Crafts acylation with cinnamoyl chloride, Photo-Fries rearrangement of phenyl cinnamates etc. These inventive techniques utilize various catalysts and reagents including SOCl(2) natural phosphate, lithium nitrate, amino grafted zeolites, zinc oxide, water, Na(2)CO(3), PEG400, silicasulfuric acid, ZrCl(4) and ionic liquid etc. The development of better techniques for the synthesis of α, β- unsaturated carbonyl compounds is still in high demand. In brief, we have explained the methods and catalysts used in the synthesis of chalcones along with their biological activities in a review form to provide information for the development of new-fangled processes targeting better yield, less reaction time and least side effects with utmost pharmacological properties.

Insecticidal Activities of the Leaf Oils of Eight Cinnamomum. species Against Aedes aegypti. and Aedes albopictus.

Abstract The leaf oils of eight Cinnamomum. species (C. rhyncophyllum. Miq., C. microphyllum. Ridl., C. pubescens. Kochummen, C. mollissimum. Hook. f., C. impressicostatum. Kosterm, C. scortechinii. Gamb., C. sintoc. Bl., and C. cordatum. Kosterm) were investigated for their larvicidal and adulticidal activities against Aedes aegypti. (Aedes aegypti Lynn) and Aedes albopictus. (Aedes albopictus Skuse). Acute mortalities of the fourth instar larvae and the adult mosquitoes were determined according to the standard WHO methods. Among the essential oils studied, the leaf oils of C. rhyncophyllum., C. microphyllum., C. pubescens., C. mollissimum., and C. impressicostatum. showed significant effects against the larvae of Ae. aegypti. and Ae. albopictus. with concentrations that caused 50% mortality (LC50) values of less than 12.8 and 11.8 µg ml−1, respectively. The essential oils that showed strong larvicidal effects also demonstrated relatively strong adulticidal effects on the mosquitoes after 3 h exposure with LC50 values ranging from 133.0 to 243.0 µg ml−1 against Ae. aegypti. and from 118.0 to 194.0 µg ml−1 against Ae. albopictus.. The efficacy of the oils toward the larvae and adult mosquitoes of both species was nonselective as the LC50 values showed little variation. The chemical composition of the oils was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This study suggested that the essential oils containing high levels of benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate exhibited strong insecticidal activities against the larvae and adult mosquitoes.

Plant-derived immunomodulators: an insight on their preclinical evaluation and clinical trials

The phagocyte–microbe interactions in the immune system is a defense mechanism but when excessively or inappropriately deployed can harm host tissues and participate in the development of different non-immune and immune chronic inflammatory diseases such as autoimmune problems, allergies, some rheumatoid disorders, cancers and others. Immunodrugs include organic synthetics, biological agents such as cytokines and antibodies acting on single targets or pathways have been used to treat immune-related diseases but with limited success. Most of immunostimulants and immunosuppressants in clinical use are the cytotoxic drugs which possess serious side effects. There is a growing interest to use herbal medicines as multi-component agents to modulate the complex immune system in the prevention of infections rather than treating the immune-related diseases. Many therapeutic effects of plant extracts have been suggested to be due to their wide array of immunomodulatory effects and influence on the immune system of the human body. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, lactones, alkaloids, diterpenoids and glycosides, present in several plants, have been reported to be responsible for the plants immunomodulating properties. Thus the search for natural products of plant origin as new leads for development of potent and safe immunosuppressant and immunostimulant agents is gaining much major research interest. The present review will give an overview of widely investigated plant-derived compounds (curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechol-3-gallate, quercetin, colchicine, capsaicin, andrographolide, and genistein) which have exhibited potent effects on cellular and humoral immune functions in pre-clinical investigations and will highlight their clinical potential.

A Comprehensive Review on the Chemotherapeutic Potential of Piceatannol for Cancer Treatment, with Mechanistic Insights

Cancer is a diverse class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that constitutes the greatest cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite steady progress, the treatment modalities of cancer are still insufficient. Several new concepts have emerged for therapeutic intervention in malignant diseases with the goal of identifying specific targets and overcoming resistance against current cytotoxic therapies. Many studies have reported the remarkable and significant properties of dietary plant polyphenols such as curcumin, resveratrol, flavopiridol, indirubin, magnolol, piceatannol, parthenolide, epigallocatechin gallate, and cucurbitacin as anticancer agents known for their pleiotropic effects on cancer, immune cells, and inflammation. Piceatannol, an analogue and metabolite of resveratrol, is a natural stilbene commonly found in grape skins and wine. Compared to resveratrol, this molecule exhibits superior bioactivities as an inhibitor of COX-1/2 and the CSN-associated kinase. Piceatannol is thought to be a potent natural compound with many therapeutic effects, such as the prevention of hypercholesterolemia, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, and cardiovascular diseases. It also demonstrates vasorelaxation, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. This comprehensive review summarizes the current data regarding the mechanisms of action of piceatannol, its chemopreventive properties, and its possible therapeutic potential against various types of human cancer.

Ficus carica L. (Moraceae): Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Biological Activities

This paper describes the botanical features of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), its wide variety of chemical constituents, its use in traditional medicine as remedies for many health problems, and its biological activities. The plant has been used traditionally to treat various ailments such as gastric problems, inflammation, and cancer. Phytochemical studies on the leaves and fruits of the plant have shown that they are rich in phenolics, organic acids, and volatile compounds. However, there is little information on the phytochemicals present in the stem and root. Reports on the biological activities of the plant are mainly on its crude extracts which have been proven to possess many biological activities. Some of the most interesting therapeutic effects include anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antimicrobial activities. Thus, studies related to identification of the bioactive compounds and correlating them to their biological activities are very useful for further research to explore the potential of F. carica as a source of therapeutic agents.

Anti-inflammatory trends of 1, 3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one derivatives.

Chalcones (1, 3-Diphenyl-2-propen-1-one) are constituted by a three carbon α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system. The biosynthesis of flavonoids and isoflavonoids is initiated by chalcones. Notable pharmacological activities of chalcones and its derivatives include anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antimalarial, antituberculosis, antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral effects respectively. Owing to simplicity of the chemical structures and a huge variety of pharmacological actions exhibited, the entities derived from chalcones are subjected to extensive consideration. This review article is an effort to sum up the anti-inflammatory activities of chalcone derived chemical entities. Effect of chalcones on lipid peroxidation, heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), cyclooxygenase (COX), interleukin 5 (IL-5), nitric oxide (NO) and expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) is summarized stepwise.

Essential oils of Cinnamomum species from peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRACT The chemical composition of the leaf, bark and wood oils of seven Malaysian Cinnamomum species (C. pubescens, C. javanicum, C. iners, C. impressicostatum, C. mollissimum, C. porrectum and C. camphora) was examined by co-chromatography with authentic samples on three columns of different polarity, capillary GC/MS and selective proton NMR. The major components of the leaf, bark and wood oils were identified. These species could be useful new natural sources for safrole, eugenol, linalool, camphor and benzyl benzoate, which are commercially important chemicals in the flavor, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. The distribution and accumulation of the compounds in different parts of the plant within the same species or among different species may be used for taxonomic purposes and for future use in the identification of possible varieties of Cinnamomum species.

Pharmacological evaluation and docking studies of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based synthetic compounds as inhibitors of secretory phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenase and proinflammatory cytokines

Arachidonic acid and its metabolites have generated high level of interest among researchers due to their vital role in inflammation. The inhibition of enzymes involved in arachidonic acid metabolism has been considered as synergistic anti-inflammatory effect. A series of novel α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity on secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂), cyclooxygenases (COX), soybean lipoxygenase (LOX) in addition to proinflammatory cytokines comprising IL-6 and TNF-α. Six α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based compounds (2, 3, 4, 12, 13 and 14) exhibited strong inhibition of sPLA₂ activity, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 2.19-8.76 μM. Nine compounds 1-4 and 10-14 displayed inhibition of COX-1 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.37 to 1.77 μM (lower than that of reference compound), whereas compounds 2, 10, 13 and 14 strongly inhibited the COX-2. The compounds 10-14 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against LOX enzyme. All compounds were evaluated for the inhibitory activities against LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 release in the macrophages. On the basis of screening results, five active compounds 3, 4, 12, 13 and 14 were found strong inhibitors of TNF-α and IL-6 release in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking experiments were performed to clarify the molecular aspects of the observed COX and LOX inhibitory activities of the investigated compounds. Present findings increases the possibility that these α,β-unsaturated carbonyl based compounds might serve as beneficial starting point for the design and development of improved anti-inflammatory agents.

Chemical Composition of the Rhizome Oils of Four Curcuma Species from Malaysia

Abstract The chemical composition of the rhizome oils of four Malaysian Curcuma species (Curcuma mangga, C. xanthorrhiza, C. aeruginosa and C. domestica) was determined by co-chromatography with authentic samples on two columns of different polarity, GC/MS and linear retention indices. Myrcene (81.4%) was the most abundant component in the oil of C. mangga. The oil of C. xanthorrhiza was made up mainly of sesquiterpenoids of which xanthorrhizol (44.5%) was the major constituent. 1,8-Cineole (23.2%) and curzerenone (28.4%) were the predominant constituents of the oil of C. aeruginosa. The oil of C. domestica contained significant amounts of α-tumerone (45.3%), linalool (14.9%) and β-tumerone (13.5%).