METHODS: Gallic acid (1), and methyl gallate (2), were isolated via bioassay-directed isolation, and they exhibited anticancer properties towards several cancer cell lines, examined using MTT cell viability assay. Pyrogallol (3) was examined against the same cancer cell lines to deduce the bioactive functional group of the phenolic compounds.
RESULTS: The results showed that the phenolic compounds could exhibit moderate to weak cytotoxicity towards certain cell lines (GI50 30 - 86 µM), but were inactive towards DU145 prostate cancer cell (GI50 > 100 µM).
CONCLUSION: It was observed that pyrogallol moiety was one of the essential functional structures of the phenolic compounds in exhibiting anticancer activity. Also, the carboxyl group of compound 1 was also important in anticancer activity. Examination of the PC-3 cells treated with compound 1 using fluorescence microscopy showed that PC-3 cells were killed by apoptosis.
METHODS: Protein structure prediction, molecular docking simulation, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were performed to elucidate the interactions of PYY with NPY1R and NPY4R.
RESULTS: The predicted binding models of PYY-NPY receptors are in agreement with those described in the literature, although different interaction partners are presented for the C-terminal tail of PYY. Non-polar interactions are predicted to drive the formation of the protein complex. The calculated binding energies show that PYY has higher affinity for NPY4R (ΔGGBSA = -65.08 and ΔGPBSA = -87.62 kcal/mol) than for NPY1R (ΔGGBSA = -23.11 and ΔGPBSA = -50.56 kcal/mol).
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the constructed models, the binding conformations obtained from docking and MD simulation for both the PYY-NPY1R and PYY-NPY4R complexes provide a detailed map of possible interactions. The calculated binding energies show a higher affinity of PYY for NPY4R. These findings may help to understand the mechanisms behind the improvement of diabetes following bariatric surgery.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Extracts were obtained via sequential solvent extraction method using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Antimicrobial activity testing was done using broth microdilution assay against 17 strains of bacteria. The leaf hexane extract of E. coccinea and rhizome hexane extract of E. sessilanthera showed best antimicrobial activities, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0·016 to 1 mg ml-1 against Gram-positive bacteria. From these active extracts, two antimicrobials were isolated and identified as trans-2-dodecenal and 8(17),12-labdadiene-15,16-dial with MIC values ranging from 4 to 8 μg ml-1 against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.
CONCLUSION: Etlingera coccinea and E. sessilanthera demonstrated good antimicrobial activities against clinically relevant bacteria strains. The antimicrobial compounds isolated showed low MIC values, hence suggesting their potential use as antimicrobial agents.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study is the first to identify the potent antimicrobials from these gingers. The antimicrobials isolated could potentially be developed further for use in treatment of bacterial infections. Also, this study warrants further research into other Etlingera species in search for more antimicrobial compounds.
METHODS AND RESULTS: The crude extracts of E. pubescens were obtained through methanol extraction, and evaluated for antimicrobial activities. From this extract, 1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)heptan-3-yl acetate (etlingerin) was isolated. When compared to curcumin (a compound with a similar chemical structure), etlingerin showed twofold lower minimum inhibitory concentration values while also being bactericidal. Through time kill assay, etlingerin showed rapid killing effects (as fast as 60 min) against the Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 8188). Further assessment revealed that etlingerin caused leakage of intracellular materials, therefore suggesting alteration in membrane permeability as its antimicrobial mechanism. Cytotoxicity study demonstrated that etlingerin exhibited approximately 5- to 12-fold higher IC50 values against several cell lines, as compared to curcumin.
CONCLUSIONS: Etlingerin isolated from E. pubescens showed better antibacterial and cytotoxic activities when compared to curcumin. Etlingerin could be safe for human use, though further cytotoxicity study using animal models is needed.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Etlingerin has a potential to be used in treating bacterial infections due to its good antimicrobial activity, while having potentially low cytotoxicity.
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we attempted to isolate and identify the active compound from the aqueous extract of B. orientale.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extract of B. orientale was subjected to repeated MCI gel chromatography, Sephadex-LH-20, Chromatorex C18 and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography and was characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization mass-spectrometry spectroscopic methods. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Antibacterial assays were conducted using disc diffusion whereas the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined using the broth microdilution assay. Cytotoxicity was assessed using thiazolylblue tetrazoliumbromide.
RESULTS: A polymeric proanthocyanidin consisting of 2-12 epicatechin extension units and epigallocathecin terminal units linked at C4-C8 was elucidated. Bioactivity studies showed strong radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 5.6 ± 0.1 µg/mL), antibacterial activity (MIC = 31.3-62.5 µg/mL) against five gram-positive bacteria and selective cytotoxicity against HT29 colon cancer cells (IC50 = 7.0 ± 0.3 µg/mL).
CONCLUSION: According to our results, the proanthocyanidin of B. orientale demonstrated its potential as a natural source of antioxidant with antibacterial and anti-cancer properties.
SUMMARY: A bioactive proanthocyanidin was isolated from the aqueous extract of medicinal fern Blechnum orientale Linn and the structure was elucidated using NMR and ESI-MS spectral studies.The proanthocyanidin compound possessed strong radical scavenging activity (IC50 5.6 ± 0.1 µg/mL)The proanthocyaniding compound showed bactericidal activity against five gram-positive bacteria inclusive of MRSA (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration, MBC 31.3-62.5 µg/mL).The proanthocyanidin compound is strongly cytotoxic towards cancer cells HT29 (IC50 7.0 ± 0.3 µg/mL), HepG2 (IC50 16 µg/mL) and HCT116 (IC50 20 µg/mL) while weakly cytotoxic towards the non-malignant Chang cells (IC50 48 µg/mL). Abbreviation used: CC: Column chromatography, DP: degree of polymerization, DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ESI-MS: electronsprayionisation mass-spectrometry, MBC: Minimum bactericidal concentration, MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration, MTT: Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide, MRSA: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance, TLC: thin layer chromatography, PD: prodelphinidin.
METHODS: Water extract of B. orientale was used. Excision wound healing activity was examined on Sprague-Dawley rats, dressed with 1% and 2% of the water extract. Control groups were dressed with the base cream (vehicle group, negative control) and 10% povidone-iodine (positive control) respectively. Healing was assessed based on contraction of wound size, mean epithelisation time, hydroxyproline content and histopathological examinations. Statistical analyses were performed using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD test.
RESULTS: Wound healing study revealed significant reduction in wound size and mean epithelisation time, and higher collagen synthesis in the 2% extract-treated group compared to the vehicle group. These findings were supported by histolopathological examinations of healed wound sections which showed greater tissue regeneration, more fibroblasts and angiogenesis in the 2% extract-treated group.
CONCLUSIONS: The ethnotherapeutic use of this fern is validated. The water extract of B. orientale is a potential candidate for the treatment of dermal wounds. Synergistic effects of both strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities in the extract are deduced to have accelerated the wound repair at the proliferative phase of the healing process.