Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2019 in |
Background: Plants and herbs consumed by humans are the rich sources of phytonutrients compounds synthesized in plants itself. Such bioactive substances are responsible for the plant’s antioxidant and medicinal values. Flavonoids are an essential group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds, and its flavan nucleus characterizes it. It is one of the most common classes of compounds available in vegetables, fruits, and plant-derived beverages. Flavonoids are considered as health promoting and disease preventing dietary supplements. It is now considered as an indispensable component in a variety of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medicinal, cosmetic and other applications. Objectives: The main aim of this present review is to discuss the current trends of research and development on flavonoids, general working mechanisms of flavonoids, functions, and applications of flavonoids, prediction of flavonoids as potential drugs in preventing many chronic diseases and future research directions. Discussion: Their basic structures consist of C6-C3-C6 rings with different substitution patterns to produce a series of subclass compounds such as flavones, flavonols, flavanones, isoflavones, flavanols or catechins and anthocyanins. Many...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2019 in |
Incidence of fungal infections is increasing at an alarming rate, presenting an enormous challenge to healthcare professionals. Despite advances in preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions, the invasive fungal infection causes significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. An effective alternative to conventional synthetic antifungal agents can be the use of medicines from natural sources for treatment of fungal infections. The present study is based on a comparative evaluation of preliminary phytochemical screening and in-vitro antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts of Cassia tora seeds and leaves. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates in all four extracts while anthraquinones were found in ethanolic extract of leaves and seeds. The in-vitro antimicrobial assay was performed by agar well diffusion method. Each of the extracts was screened for antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Ethanolic extract of leaves showed significant antimicrobial activity. The MIC of ethanolic extract of leaves was found to be 100 mg/ml, 75 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2019 in |
Calotropis procera plant belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family. It is prescribed to treat bronchitis, asthma, cough, infections, cancer, ascites, intestinal worms, cutaneous diseases, eczema, leprosy and also aid to stimulate the immune system. The leaves of C. procera were investigated for their phytochemical and anti-microbial activity. Chemical screening of leaves ethanolic extract exhibited to contain active compounds like alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, and reducing sugar. The antibacterial activity of C. procera leaves against four different bacteria revealed that the ethanolic extracts could kill only Staphylococcus aureus and Basillus subtilis, but more resisted by Pseudomonas sp., and Escherichia coli compare to the standard antibiotic streptomycin. GC-MS analysis of the ethanolic extracts indicated that the highest percentage in 100% ethanolic leaves extract belongs to camphene 6.22%, thebaine 7.59% dodecanoic acid 19.15%, and linolenic acid ethyl ester 14.87%, while the highest percentage in 70% ethanolic leaves extract belongs to hexa-hydro-farnesol 9.87%, gamolenic acid 12.71%, and linolenic acid ethyl ester 6.83%. This is the first phytochemical, and antibacterial study on C. procera leaves...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2019 in |
The extensive study on O – methylated flavonoids reveals that substitution with methyl group enhances the radical scavenging behavior in certain compounds. Due to potential applications of C-glycosides in metabolic engineering, methylation in these flavonoids needs to be analyzed in both theoretical and experimental levels for their radical scavenging behavior. In this work naturally occurring C- glycosyl flavonoid apigenin 8-C-glucoside (vitexin) is theoretically simulated by substituting the C4′, C5 and C7 hydroxyl positions with methoxy unit and studied with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) for radical scavenging behavior. Structural stability is attained through B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) theory using Gaussian 03 package which provided the stable conformer for the studied compound without imaginary frequency. Structural activity is analyzed with the support of parameters like kinetic energy (temperature independent), HOMO-LUMO, molecular descriptors, Mulliken charge density analysis and compared with vitexin. Combined investigation of the parameters above revealed the superiority of phenyl hydroxyl vitexin over phenyl methoxy vitexin for radical scavenging activity unlike its O methylated...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2019 in |
Aim: The present investigation was carried out by evaluating the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on a high-fat diet (HFD) along with a low dose of alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in male Wistar rats. Methods: In the present study, administration of high fatty diet (HFD) for 45 days along with low dose of alloxan (80 mg/kg) in rats on 30 days produced significant high fatty diet in the, body weight, low density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and blood glucose levels while decreases the high density lipoprotein (HDL) and serum insulin level. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) was started to administered at a dose of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg (orally) on day 45 of HFD administration and continue further 45 days. Glibenclamide was used as reference standard. Results: Results of PCA shows a significant decreased in body weight, blood glucose level after 45 days of treatment in diabetic animals. Result also indicated to increase in serum insulin level. The result of lipid profile indicated to normalize after 45 days treatment with PCA in diabetic...
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