Parasitic diseases, especially those caused by protozoans and helminths, such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis, ...are the cause of millions of morbidities and deaths every year, mainly in tropical regions. Nature has always provided valuable antiparasitic agents, and efforts targeting the identification of antiparasitic drugs from plants have mainly focused on glycophytes. However, salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) have lately attracted the interest of the scientific community due to their medicinal assets, which include antiparasitic properties. This review paper gathers the most relevant information on antiparasitic properties of halophyte plants, targeting human uses. It includes an introduction section containing a summary of some of the most pertinent characteristics of halophytes, followed by information regarding the ethnomedicinal uses of several species towards human parasitic diseases. Then, information is provided related to the antiprotozoal and anthelmintic properties of halophytes, determined by in vitro and in vivo methods, and with the bioactive metabolites that may be related to such properties. Finally, a conclusion section is presented, addressing perspectives for the sustainable exploitation of selected species.
The antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential of fifteen cycloartane-type triterpenes' potentials were investigated using different assays. In the phosphomolybdenum method, cycloalpioside D (
) ...(4.05 mmol TEs/g) showed the highest activity. In 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) radical and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation radical scavenging assays, cycloorbicoside A-7-monoacetate (
) (5.03 mg TE/g) and cycloorbicoside B (
) (10.60 mg TE/g) displayed the highest activities, respectively. Oleanolic acid (
) (51.45 mg TE/g) and 3-
-β-d-xylopyranoside-(23
,24
)-16β,23;16α,24-diepoxycycloart-25(26)-en-3β,7β-diol 7-monoacetate (
) (13.25 mg TE/g) revealed the highest reducing power in cupric ion-reducing activity (CUPRAC) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, respectively. In metal-chelating activity on ferrous ions, compound
displayed the highest activity estimated by 41.00 mg EDTAE/g (EDTA equivalents/g). The tested triterpenes showed promising AChE and BChE inhibitory potential with 3-
-β-d-xylopyranoside-(23
,24
)-16β,23;16α,24-diepoxycycloart-25(26)-en-3β,7β-diol 2',3',4',7-tetraacetate (
), exhibiting the highest inhibitory activity as estimated from 5.64 and 5.19 mg GALAE/g (galantamine equivalent/g), respectively. Compound
displayed the most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity (113.24 mg KAE/g (mg kojic acid equivalent/g)). Regarding α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, 3-
-β-d-xylopyranoside-(23
,24
)-16β,23;16α,24-diepoxycycloart-25(26)-en-3β,7β-diol (
) (0.55 mmol ACAE/g) and compound
(25.18 mmol ACAE/g) exerted the highest activities, respectively. In silico studies focused on compounds
,
, and
as inhibitors of tyrosinase revealed that compound
displayed a good ranking score (-7.069 kcal/mole) and also that the ΔG free-binding energy was the highest among the three selected compounds. From the ADMET/TOPKAT prediction, it can be concluded that compounds
and
displayed the best pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior, with considerable activity in most of the examined assays.
(Roem. & Schult.) K. Schum (family Asclepiadaceae) is a creeping woody climber used to treat ailments in many traditional medicine systems. The present study aims to examine the antioxidant and ...enzyme inhibition activities of
leaf using different compositions of methanol-water mixture as an extraction solvent. The extracts were characterized by HPLC-ESI-MS
in terms of chemical compounds. The in silico results show that compound
(quercitrin) has the higher docking scores among the selected substances and the MD simulation revealed that the interactions with the enzymatic pocket are stable over the simulation time and strongly involve the tyrosinase catalytic Cu atoms. All together the results showed that both 80% and 100% methanolic extracts contained significantly (
< 0.05) the highest total phenolics content while the highest content of total flavonoids was significantly (
< 0.05) extracted by 100% methanol. About 26 compounds were tentatively identified by HPLC-ESI-MS
and 6 of them were quantified using standards. Results showed that the extracts were rich in flavonoids with a relatively high abundance of two kaempferol glycosides comprising 60% of quantified compounds. The 100% and 80% methanol extracts recorded significantly (
< 0.05) the highest total antioxidant, DPPH and ABTS activity as well as tyrosinase and ⍺-amylase inhibitory activities. The best significant (
< 0.05) cholinesterase inhibitory activity and reducing capacity of Fe
and Cu
was recorded from the 80% methanolic extract while 100% ethanolic extract gave the highest significant (
< 0.05) butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. The best glucosidase activity was observed in the 50% and 80% methanolic extracts. Although the water extract displayed the least total phenolics and flavonoids content and consequently the lowest antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activity, it displayed significantly (
< 0.05) the highest chelating power. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the richness of
leaf as a potential source of bioactive compounds for the food industry, for the preparation of food supplements and functional foods.
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•Eleven phenolic compounds were reported for the first time from Ficus sycomorus.•Leaf and stem bark extracts displayed antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties.•Bioinformatics ...analysis showed selective advantage of quercetin in tumorigenesis.•F. sycomorus could be a beneficial source of natural of bioactive agents.
This study was aimed to determine the phenolic profile of the leaf and stem bark of Ficus sycomorus and to investigate their antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties. Extracts were prepared by maceration with hexane and dichloromethane: ethanol (DE) (1:1) respectively. Phenolic content was quantitatively determined and their constituents were identified on the basis of co-chromatography with reference compounds. Results showed that the leaf displayed significant higher polyphenolic and flavonoid contents than the stem bark while the latter showed significant highest total tannin content.. The leaf DE extract exhibited significant higher antiradical activity and higher capacity to reduce Fe3+ than the stem bark DE extract. The leaf DE and stem bark hexane extracts significantly (p < 0.05) displayed the highest acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibition while the former showed significantly (p < 0.05) the highest inhibition towards tyrosinase. Regarding the enzyme inhibition effects, the bioinformatics analysis suggested that the quercetin pool could be at the basis of the observed effects. Results obtained from this study suggested that, F. sycomorus could be a rich natural source of bioactive molecules with antioxidant and enzyme inhibition properties.
Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts obtained from the Turkish plant Centaurea kotschyi subsp. persica led to the isolation of nine sesquiterpene lactones belonging to the guaiane class, ...including the undescribed kotschyols A and B, a monoterpene lactone (daphnauranin E), four known lignans (matairesinol, matairesinoside, arctiin and arctigenin) and an undescribed dihydrobenzofuran neolignan (4-O-glucosylcrataegifin A). The structures of these compounds were defined by spectroscopic analysis, including ECD and 1D/2D NMR, and chemical conversion. Spurred from the traditional use of C. kotschyi subsp. persica and previous reports on the activity of its extracts, the isolated compounds were evaluated for their hypoglycaemic activity disclosing the bioactive components.
Aerial parts of Centaurea kotschyi subsp. persica contain the undescribed sesquiterpene lactones kotschyols A and B and the dihydrobenzofuran neolignan 4-O-glucosylcrataegifin A. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their hypoglycaemic activity disclosing the bioactive components. Display omitted
•The aerial parts of the Turkish plant Centaurea kotschyi subsp. persica have been analyzed.•Two new guaianolides, named kotschyols, and a new neolignane have been isolated.•Detailed structural characterization of the isolated compounds is reported.•Isolated compounds have been evaluated for their hypoglycaemic activity.
•Extracts and essential oils of four different hops varieties from the territory of Slovenia were obtained.•Monoterpnenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were dominant components in isolated essential ...oils.•All obtained extracts and oils were characterized by strong antimicrobial activity.•All extracts and essential oils were selective towards normal cells.
Hydrophilic, lipophilic extracts and essential oil of four hops varieties from Slovenia were examined in this study. Lipophilic extracts were obtained by supercritical extraction (SFE), while for hydrophilic extracts ultrasound and microwave extraction were employed. Essential oils were isolated by the hydrodistillation process. The lipophilic composition of essential oils and lipophilic extracts was determined by GC–MS analysis. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most abundant class of compounds in oils (62.27–79.65 %), with myrcene being the most abundant constituent. Limonene and trans-caryophyllene were two terpenes determined in all essential oils while only trans-caryophyllene was detected in SFE samples. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity, determined by applying in vitro assays, was more influenced by extraction technique than by varieties. Molecular docking was carried out to gain insight into the potential cancer protein targets BCL-2 and MMP9, whereby humulene epoxide II displayed good binding configuration within the cavities of the two proteins.
Preparation of functional products as well as natural-based products requires non-toxic but effective extraction techniques. In this study, subcritical water extraction was used for the extraction of ...different aronia parts in order to explore their potential. Stems, leaves and berries of Aronia melanocarpa were extracted under the following conditions: temperature 130 °C; pressure 35 bar; time 20 min. The total phenols and flavonoid contents of the produced extracts were evaluated by conventional spectrophotometric methods. Additionally, the main phenolic compounds were also identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The biological potential of the extracts was evaluated by determining their antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and lipid peroxidation assays), antimicrobial, enzyme inhibitory (cholinesterase and elastase) and cytotoxic effects (HeLa, A-549, LS-174T, MRC-5 cell lines). The results indicate that leaves and berries extracts exhibited stronger antioxidant action when compared with stems. The strongest cholinesterase and elastase inhibitory activity was also found in berries extract. Similarly, the extracts obtained from leaves and berries showed considerable cytotoxic effects against tested cell lines. A moderate antimicrobial effects was observed too. Demonstrated biological potential of all three aronia parts can trace a new road map for developing newly designed functional products.
•Subcritical water extraction as cutting-edge technology for recovery of bioactives.•Examination of subcritical aronia extracts prepared from berries, leaves and stems.•Chemical and biological characterization of obtained extracts.•Possibility of usage safe and health extracts for food functionalization.•Potential of the extracts in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.
Assessment of carbon emissions and environmental impact of production is indispensable to achieve a sustainable industrial production in Turkey, especially for those companies willing to compete in ...new international green markets.
In this case study, corporate carbon footprint of a representative Turkish tanning company was analyzed. Inventory and impact data are presented to help in the environmental decision-making process. The results indicate that significant environmental impacts were caused during the landfilling of solid wastes as well as the production of the electricity and fuel required in the tannery. Turkish tannery inventory data presented here for the first time will be useful for leather tanning company managers to calculate sustainability key indicators.
Improving alternatives at country level were identified (increasing the renewable sources on electricity production and promote energy recovery in landfills) which would be useful not only to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of tanning sector but also of other industries requiring electricity and producing organic wastes. Considering the substantial contribution of industrial processes to the Turkish carbon emissions (15.7%) (TUIK, 2013), work done on those areas would provide a sound improvement in environmental profile of Turkey. The importance to promote a national strategy to reduce GHG emissions in Turkey was discussed here, as well as its relation to corporate carbon footprint assessments.
One of the significant points revealed from the case study is the lack of published country specific emission factors for Turkey, which is a fundamental prerequisite to promote corporate carbon footprint assessment within the country.
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•Inventory data for Turkish tannery published for the first time.•Carbon footprint of tanneries and options for improvement presented•Contribution of corporate carbon footprint (CCF) to Turkey's GHG mitigation strategy•Turkish emission factors need to be published for wider CCF calculations.•Findings important for Turkish companies to compete in international green markets
Mangroves are ecologically important plants in marine habitats that occupy the coastlines of many countries. In addition to their key ecological importance, various parts of mangroves are widely used ...in folklore medicine and claimed to effectively manage a panoply of human pathologies. To date, no comprehensive attempt has been made to compile and critically analyze the published literature in light of its ethnopharmacological uses. This review aims to provide a comprehensive account of the morphological characteristics, ethnobotany, global distribution, taxonomy, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical profiles, and pharmacological activities of traditionally used mangroves. Out of 84 mangrove species, only 27 species were found to be traditionally used, however not all of them are pharmacologically validated. The most common pharmacological activities reported were antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. Mangroves traditionally reported against ulcers have not been extensively validated for possible pharmacological properties. Terpenoids, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were the main classes of phytochemicals isolated from mangroves. Given that mangroves have huge potential for a wide array of medicinal products and drug discovery to prevent and treat many diseases, there is a dire need for careful investigations substantiated with accurate scientific and clinical evidence to ensure safety and efficient use of these plants and validate their pharmacological properties and toxicity.
Several species within the genera Cassia or Senna have a treasure of traditional medicines worldwide and can be a promising source of bioactive molecules. The objective of the present study was to ...evaluate the phenolic content and antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities of leaf methanolic extracts of C. fistula L., C. grandis L., S. alexandrina Mill., and S. italica Mill. The two Cassia spp. contained higher total polyphenolic content (42.23–49.75 mg GAE/g) than the two Senna spp., and C. fistula had significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the highest concentration. On the other hand, the Senna spp. showed higher total flavonoid content (41.47–59.24 mg rutin equivalent per g of extract) than that found in the two Cassia spp., and S. alexandrina significantly (p ˂ 0.05) accumulated the highest amount. HPLC–MS/MS analysis of 38 selected bioactive compounds showed that the majority of compounds were identified in the four species, but with sharp variations in their concentrations. C. fistula was dominated by epicatechin (8928.75 µg/g), C. grandis by kaempferol-3-glucoside (47,360.04 µg/g), while rutin was the major compound in S. italica (17,285.02 µg/g) and S. alexandrina (6381.85). The methanolic extracts of the two Cassia species exerted significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher antiradical activity, metal reducing capacity, and total antioxidant activity than that recorded from the two Senna species’ methanolic extracts, and C. fistula displayed significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the highest values. C. grandis significantly (p ˂ 0.05) exhibited the highest metal chelating power. The results of the enzyme inhibition activity showed that the four species possessed anti-AChE activity, and the highest value, but not significantly (p ≥ 0.05) different from those obtained by the two Cassia spp., was exerted by S. alexandrina. The Cassia spp. exhibited significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher anti-BChE and anti-Tyr properties than the Senna spp., and C. grandise revealed significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the highest values. C. grandise revealed significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the highest α- amylase inhibition, while the four species had more or less the same effect against the α-glucosidase enzyme. Multivariate analysis and in silico studies showed that many of the identified phenols may play key roles as antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties. Thus, these Cassia and Senna species could be a promising source of natural bioactive agents with beneficial effects for human health.
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