Saiqa Andleeb

Phytochemical Screening, Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibition, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Ajuga bracteosa Extracts

BACKGROUNDnAjuga bracteosa, a medicinal herb, is used by local community to cure a number of diseases such as inflammation, jaundice bronchial asthma, cancer and diabetes.nnnOBJECTIVESnThe aim of present work was to evaluate the antioxidant potential, in vitro antidiabetic and antimicrobial effects of A. bracteosa.nnnMETHODSnn-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of Ajuga bracteosa roots, were prepared via maceration. Antibacterial activity was carried out by agar well diffusion method. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening was done. The antioxidant activity was determined by iron (II) chelating activity, iron reducing power, DPPH, and ABTS free radical scavenging methods, Antidiabetic activity was evaluated through inhibition of α-glucosidase assay.nnnRESULTSnPhytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, quinines, terpenoids, xanthoproteins, glycosides, carbohydrates, steroids, phytosterols and amino acids. DPPH and ABTS potential values were recorded as 61.92% to 88.84% and 0.11% to 38.82%, respectively. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were expressed as gallic acid and rutin equivalents. Total iron content was expressed as FeSO4 equivalents. Chloroform and n-hexane extracts showed significant enzyme inhibition potential with IC50 values of 29.92 μg/ml and 131.7 μg/ml respectively. Aqueous extract showed maximum inhibition of E. coli, S. typhimurium, E. amnigenus, S. pyogenes, and S. aureus, (18.0±1.0 mm, 12.5±0.7 mm, 17.0±0.0 mm, 11.0±0.0 mm and 15.3±2.0 mm mm), respectively. Similarly, n-hexane extract showed maximum inhibition of E. coli, E. amnigenus, S. aureus (11.6±1.5 mm; 11.3±1.5 mm; 13.3±0.5 mm). This study also shows that n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of A. bracteosa root possess α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and therefore it may be used as hypoglycemic agents in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia.nnnCONCLUSIONnAjuga bracteosa root extracts may provide a basis for development of antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic drugs.

Etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma and treatment through medicinal plants: a comprehensive review

Liver is a power house of the body for many components such as vitamins, minerals, iron and glycogen and play role in biotransformation. Some ingredients of our diet (foodstuffs may contain with aflatoxin B1, vinyl chloride, tobacco, heavy alcohol intake, fried meat, coffee and oral contraceptives),when metabolized become tremendous for liver and leads toward hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC occurs through cyclical liver injury due to inflammation and DNA damaging as a result of oxidative stress. Phytochemicals of medicinal plants have curative potential against liver cancer due to presence of linalool, eucalyptol, borneol, thujone, camphor, 4-terpineol, monoterpenes and α-cadinol, sophytotherapies have several advantages over conventional chemotherapies. According to literature survey Acanthus ilicifolius, Allium sativum, Artemisiaprinceps, Artemisia vulgaris, Amorphophallus campanulatus, Brucea javanica, Broussonetia luzonica, Dracocephalum kotschyi, Graptopetalum paraguayense, Nigella sativa, Petasites japonicas, Silybum marianum, Bergenia ciliata, Cassia fistula and Picrorhiza scrophularilora have vital bioactive compounds used against hepatocellular carcinoma.

In vitro Studies on Cytotoxic, DNA Protecting, Antibiofilm and Antibacterial Effects of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Prepared with Bergenia ciliata Rhizome Extract

BACKGROUNDnMany health hazardous diseases are caused by clinical pathogens. Drugresistant microbes are one of the major health problems in the world. To overcome the effect of infectious diseases new antimicrobial agent from nature has been explored which is environmentally friendly, less costly and more effective for the development of next-generation drugs. Bergenia ciliata and silver nitrate both have medicinal properties.nnnOBJECTIVESnThe aim of the current research was to evaluate the cytotoxic, and antibacterial effect of green synthesized nanoparticles using Bergenia ciliata rhizome against clinical bacterial pathogens.nnnMETHODSnExtract of Bergenia ciliata was prepared by maceration technique. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Bergenia ciliata rhizome extract. Synthesized silver nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-vis spectrophotometer, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial, anti-biofilm, cell proliferation inhibition, DNA protection, brine shrimp lethality effects of synthesized nanoparticles were investigated.nnnRESULTSnUV-vis spectrophotometer indicated the prelaminar synthesis of silver nanoparticles at 400 nm. The spherical shape of synthesized nanoparticles with 35 nm size was confirmed using SEM. Greatest zone of inhibition (6.0 ± 0.0 mm to 8.3 ± 0.57 mm) was recorded against all tested pathogens compared with the B. ciliata aqueous extract. Anti-biofilm analysis and MTT assay supported the results of the antibacterial activity. Silver nanoparticles protect the DNA degradation.nnnCONCLUSIONnGreen synthesized nanoparticles had potent antibacterial activity and may provide a basis for the development of the new antibacterial drug.

Biological activities and secondary metabolite screening of Rumex hastatus extract through Fourier transform infrared and Raman Spectroscopy

BACKGROUNDnHuman infectious diseases are caused by various pathogens including bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, and protozoans. These infectious agents are controlled by using synthetic drugs as well as natural sources.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe aim of current study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Rumex hastatus against clinical bacterial pathogens.nnnMETHODSnIn current research antibacterial effect of Rumex hastatus was analyzed against seven clinical pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa through agar well diffusion method. The boiled extract was used for the phytochemical screening, antioxidant potential, thin layer chromatography, bio-autography, and spot screening. Genomic DNA was extracted to find the DNA protection effect of R. hastatus.nnnRESULTSnAntibacterial results showed that diethyl ether extract has the maximum inhibition of S. pyogenes (9.66 ± 0.57 mm). Acetone and diethyl ether extracts showed moderate inhibition of K. pneumoniae (6.33 ± 1.52 mm and 5.66 ±1.15 mm) and S. aureus (6.33 ± 1.52 mm and 5.66 ± 0.57 mm). Similarly, chloroform extract indicated moderate inhibition of S. pyogenes (5.66 ± 1.15 mm). Ethanol extract had low or even no effect on the growth of bacteria. Genomic DNA extraction also encouraged the antibacterial effect of R. hastatus. Various phytochemical constituents such as ketoses, oligosaccharides, amino acids, amines, sugars, flavonoids, and antioxidant constituents were detected. TLC-Bioautography and spot screening results revealed the potential use of R. hustatus as an antibacterial agent.nnnCONCLUSIONnIt was concluded that most of the tested fractions appeared as an important source for the discovery of new antimicrobial drugs.