Mucuna pruriens is a medicinal plant whose seeds have various types of pharmacological activities and are used in many traditional medicines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemicals ...as well as the anti-aging, antioxidant, and moisturizing properties of seed extracts of M. pruriens var. pruriens and M. pruriens var. utilis. In addition, the best extract was selected for the development of nanoemulsions. M. pruriens var. utilis had the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. It had good antioxidant activity (the IC50 of DPPH was 4.87 µg/mL, the FRAP value was 1.63 mg of FeSO4/mg of extract, and the percentage of lipid peroxidation was 80.19%) and anti-aging activity (the percentages of inhibition of hyaluronidase, collagenase, and elastase were 26.41%, 51.16%, and 22.78%, respectively). The occlusive factor was 46.12 ± 1.72. Therefore, M. pruriens var. utilis seed extract was selected for the preparation of nanoemulsions. The results showed that the size, PDI, and zeta potential of nanoemulsions containing M. pruriens var. utilis seed extract at day 30 did not significantly differ from those at day 0. In addition, the %EE was 63.46%. A study of skin permeation showed that the retention in the membrane after six hours of skin permeation study was 44.19%. Therefore, nanoemulsions containing M. pruriens var. utilis seed extract have good potential for further use in cosmetic applications.
The investigation into promising botanical materials for natural cosmetics is expanding due to environmental and health awareness. Here, we aimed to evaluate the phytochemical substances and the ...potential skin-related pharmacological activities of four Mucuna seeds, namely M. gigantea (Willd.) DC. (MGG), M. interrupta Gagnep. (MIT), M. monosperma Wight (MMM), and M. pruriens (L.) DC. (MPR), belonging to the Fabaceae family. In methodology, the Mucuna seeds were authenticated using morphological and molecular approaches. L-DOPA, phenolics, and flavonoid content, incorporated with HPLC and GC–MS fingerprinting analyses, were determined. Then, skin-related antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiaging activities were determined. The results revealed that MPR showed the highest L-DOPA content (75.94 mg/100 mg extract), whereas MGG exhibited the highest phenolic and flavonoid content (56.73 ± 0.62 mg gallic/g extract and 1030.11 ± 3.97 mg quercetin/g extract, respectively). Only MMM and MPR could inhibit all of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and C. albicans, but no sample could inhibit C. acnes. Furthermore, all samples demonstrated antioxidant activity. Interestingly, all Mucuna samples exhibited strong collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase inhibitory activities. We conclude that the ethanolic extracts of four Mucuna seeds are probably advantageous in the development of skincare cosmeceutical products.
Known antimicrobial peptides KT2 and RT2 as well as the novel RP9 derived from the leukocyte extract of the freshwater crocodile (
Crocodylus siamensis
) were used to evaluate the ability in killing ...human cervical cancer cells. RP9 in the extract was purified by a combination of anion exchange column and reversed-phase HPLC, and its sequence was analyzed by mass spectrometry. The novel peptide could inhibit Gram-negative
Vibrio cholerae
(clinical isolation) and Gram-positive
Bacillus pumilus
TISTR 905, and its MIC values were 61.2 µM. From scanning electron microscopy, the peptide was seen to affect bacterial surfaces directly. KT2 and RT2, which are designed antimicrobial peptides using the
C. siamensis
Leucrocin I template, as well as RP9 were chemically synthesized for investigation of anticancer activity. By Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay, these antimicrobial peptides could inhibit both HeLa and CaSki cancer cell lines. The IC
50
values of KT2 and RT2 for HeLa and CaSki cells showed 28.7–53.4 and 17.3–30.8 µM, while those of RP9 were 126.2 and 168.3 µM, respectively. Additionally, the best candidate peptides KT2 and RT2 were used to determine the apoptotic induction on cancer cells by human apoptosis array assay. As a result, KT2 and RT2 were observed to induce apoptotic cell death in HeLa cells. Therefore, these results indicate that KT2 and RT2 with antimicrobial activity have a highly potent ability to kill human cervical cancer cells.
The principle of amino acid stretches tagged at the C terminal of Luecrocin I, which is an ultra-short antibacterial peptide, by tryptophan and arginine or lysine has been reported. The choice of ...amino acid type at each stretch position depends on the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions visualized in the helical wheel pattern of Luecrocin I. Oligopeptide tagging should also consider the properties such as positive charge, hydrophobicity, the content of hydrophobic amino acids, polar angle, the properly hydrophilic and hydrophobic facets. Amidation at C terminal and lysine substitute for arginine can increase selectivity between mammalian cells (hemolytic and MTT assay) and bacterial cells tested. KT2 and RT2 which have 53% hydrophobic residues, 7 positive charges, 160° polar angle, −0.02 (KT2) and −0.04 (RT2) hydrophobicity were effective against S. typhi DMST 22842, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, E. coli ATCC 25922 and V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139. The SEM images implied that the antibacterial mechanism of RT2 and KT2 may depend on concentration rather than time. Finally, RT2 and KT2 can be new antibacterial agents or may be further developed for alternative antibiotics.
Although many biological properties of Houttuynia cordata have been found, its anti-aging and anti-acne effects have not yet been investigated. This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro ...anti-aging and anti-acne activities of H. cordata extracts and their cytotoxic activities and phytochemicals analyzed with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Dried aerial parts of H. cordata were given different extractions. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained were named HCA and HCE, respectively, and used to screen total phenolic and flavonoid contents. In vitro anti-aging, skin-related antimicrobial, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vitro cytotoxic, and LC-MS/MS analyses were performed. The total phenolic contents of the HCA and HCE were 5.11 ± 0.25 and 27.02 ± 1.07 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry extract while their total flavonoid contents were 104.94 ± 5.16 and 571.86 ± 2.86 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g dry extract, respectively. The HCA and HCE inhibited the activities of collagenase (28.33–46.00%), elastase (30.00–34.33%), and hyaluronidase (93.87–98.72%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the HCA against Cutibacterium acnes DMST14916 were 5.77 and 5.77 mg/mL while those of the HCE were 2.47 and 2.47 mg/mL, respectively. Cell collapses of C. acnes after treatment with the extracts were observed with SEM. The HCE was not toxic to macrophages, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts up to 400 mg/mL. The HCA showed toxicity against macrophages at 62.5 mg/mL and both skin cells at 250 mg/mL. The main phytochemicals in the extracts were identified with LC-MS/MS. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and flavonoid derivatives in H. cordata extracts could be major phytochemicals to possess a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-aging activities. The findings from this study showed that the HCE has potential anti-aging and anti-acne properties while having non-cytotoxic activities on the immune and skin cells. These results indicate that the extract is probably advantageous in the development of skincare cosmeceutics and beauty treatments.
In this study, the phytochemicals and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic extracts of Thai edible plants, green tea, red cotton tree flower, fingerroot and ginger were evaluated. The plant extracts ...were taken for evaluation of antimicrobial activities against Cutibacterium acnes DMST 14916, Staphylococcus epidermidis TISTR 518, and Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 746. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of green tea, fingerroot, and ginger extracts against C. acnes DMST 14916 were 3.92, 0.49, and 7.85 mg cm-3, respectively and the minimum bacteriostatic concentrations (MBCs) were 3.92, 0.49, and 7.85 mg cm-3, respectively. The MICs and MBCs of fingerroot extract against S. epidermidis TISTR 518 were 0.12 and 0.49 mg cm-3, respectively, while those against S. aureus TISTR 746 were 0.12 and 0.98 mg cm-3, respectively. Red cotton tree flower extract showed no antimicrobial activity against the acne-causing bacteria. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation, the bacterial cells treated with the plant extracts revealed visible shrinkages compared to the smooth cell surfaces of the controls. The phytochemicals in the plant extracts were analysed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Well-known antimicrobial compounds like azelaic acid, embelin and kaempferol 3-rutinoside-4′-glucoside were identified in all extracts. The cytotoxic effects of the plant extracts on human cell lines were further investigated. The green tea extract was slightly toxic to HaCaT cells found at the initial concentration of 62.5 mg cm-3, but not toxic to MRC-5 cells. The fingerroot and ginger extracts had no cytotoxicity on HaCaT cells, but promoted the MRC-5 cell proliferation. The combination effects of the plant extracts were prebiotic-like and indifferent effects. Regarding all results, the ethanolic extracts of green tea, fingerroot, and ginger could be used individually as natural anti-acne ingredients capable of further product development to improve human skin health.
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•Thai edible plant extracts have antimicrobial activities against Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus.•Most plant extracts are no toxic to human keratinocytes and fibroblasts.•Phytochemicals in the extracts are analysed by LC-QTOP MS/MS.
Antioxidant peptides were isolated from the leukocyte extract of the Siamese crocodile,
Crocodylus siamensis
. Crocodile leukocyte was extracted by a combination of methods including freeze-thawing, ...acetic acid extraction and homogenization. The peptides in the leukocyte extract were purified by anion exchange chromatography and reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the elution peaks at each purification step. As a result, there were two purified peptides exhibiting strong antioxidant activity in reducing free radicals on DPPH molecules. The amino acid sequences of these peptides were determined by LC-MS/MS as TDVLGLPAK (912.5 Da) and DPNAALPAGPR (1,148.6 Da), and their IC
50
values were 153.4 and 95.7 μM, respectively. The results of this study therefore indicate that leukocyte extract of
C. siamensis
contains peptides with antioxidant activity which could be used as a novel antioxidant.
The aril and seed of nutmeg,
Houtt. (Myristicaceae), hold significant value in various industries globally. Our preliminary research found two morphological variations: a globose shape and an oval ...shape. Due to these different characteristics, the safety of consumers is of primary concern. Thus, authentication and comparative pharmacological and toxicity analyses are necessary. In this study, pharmacognostic and advanced phytochemical analyses, DNA barcoding, cytotoxicity, and the anti-nitric oxide production of commercial Thai nutmeg were examined. Via morphologic examinations and TLC fingerprinting, all the sampled aril and seed were categorized into globose and oval-shaped groups. The results of HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS/MS experiments revealed distinct differences between these groups. The DNA barcoding of the
H-
A region using the BLAST method and neighbor-joining tree analyses confirmed the globose nutmeg as
and the oval-shaped variant as
. A comparison was then carried out between the potential toxicity and anti-inflammatory capabilities of
and
. Cytotoxicity tests on HaCaT, 3T3-L1, Caco-2, HEK293, and RAW264.7 were performed using both methanolic extracts and volatile oil from the arils and seeds of both species. This study concludes that blending or substituting these two species maintains their therapeutic integrity without posing safety concerns.
Abstract
Objectives
Cutibacterium acnes is one of the common multifactorial causes that play an important role in the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris. We aimed to develop novel antimicrobial ...peptides for reduction of the hypercolonization.
Methods
Six cationic peptides were derived by de novo designation. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of peptides were investigated. The peptide conformation was determined by circular dichroism spectrometry. The antimicrobial effects of peptides were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and DNA-binding ability assay.
Results
Among designed peptides, WSKK11 and WSRR11 were effective antimicrobials against C. acnes at MICs of 128 and 64 mg/L, respectively. The MICs of WSKK11 against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were 8, 8 and 32 mg/L, while those of WSRR11 were 64, 32 and 32 mg/L, respectively. WSKK11 and WSRR11 were less toxic to human erythrocytes (<2%) and not toxic to macrophages, keratinocytes and fibroblasts up to 512 mg/L. WSKK11 and WSRR11 mostly revealed the conformation of the undefined or random coil structures under mimicked environmental conditions. The peptides affected cell surfaces and cell membranes of C. acnes as well as possibly translocating through the cell membrane, observed by a combination of SEM and TEM, respectively. WSKK11 and WSRR11 had the ability to bind bacterial DNA.
Conclusions
The two novel antimicrobial peptides WSKK11 and WSRR11 are members of a new class of antimicrobial agents that could deal with acne problems. Therefore, the antimicrobial peptides may be promising novel active agents for dermatological, beauty and cosmeceutical applications.
Introduction
Organic molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors are known as cannabinoids. These molecules possess pharmacological properties similar to those produced by Cannabis sativa L. ...High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC, also known as ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography, UHPLC) have become the most widely used analytical tools for detection and quantification of phytocannabinoids in various matrices. HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) are usually coupled to an ultraviolet (UV), photodiode array (PDA), or mass spectrometric (MS) detector.
Objective
To critically appraise the literature on the application of HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) methods for the analysis of phytocannabinoids published from January 2020 to December 2023.
Methodology
An extensive literature search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar and published materials including relevant books. In various combinations, using cannabinoid in all combinations, cannabis, hemp, hashish, C. sativa, marijuana, analysis, HPLC, UHPLC, UPLC, and quantitative, qualitative, and quality control were used as the keywords for the literature search.
Results
Several HPLC‐ and UPLC (or UHPLC)‐based methods for the analysis of phytocannabinoids were reported. While simple HPLC‐UV or HPLC‐PDA‐based methods were common, the use of HPLC‐MS, HPLC‐MS/MS, UPLC (or UHPLC)‐PDA, UPLC (or UHPLC)‐MS, and UPLC (or UHPLC)‐MS/MS was also reported. Applications of mathematical and computational models for optimization of protocols were noted. Pre‐analyses included various environmentally friendly extraction protocols.
Conclusion
During the last 4 years, HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) remained the main analytical tools for phytocannabinoid analysis in different matrices.
HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) are versatile analytical tools for the analysis of phytocannabinoids. This review critically appraises the literature on the application of HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) methods for the analysis of phytocannabinoids published from January 2020 to December 2023. During this period, HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) remained the main analytical tools for phytocannabinoid analysis. Applications of mathematical and computational models for optimization of protocols were noted. Pre‐analyses included various environmentally friendly extraction protocols.