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Estimation of carbon pool in soil, above and below ground vegetation at different types of mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia

Rozainah MZ, Nazri MN, Sofawi AB, Hemati Z, Juliana WA

Mar Pollut Bull, 2018 Dec;137:237-245.
PMID: 30503430 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.023

This paper evaluated the total carbon stock of mangrove ecosystems in two contrasting sites: a fishing village in Delta Kelantan (DK) and Ramsar sites in Johor Park (JP). In both sites, aboveground carbon was significantly higher than belowground carbon, and stems contained more carbon than leaf and root partitions. The average carbon concentration of individual mangrove species (44.9-48.1%) was not significantly different but the larger biomass of the DK samples resulted in vegetation carbon stock that was higher than that in JP. Season played an important role in soil carbon stock-a pronounced wet season in DK coincided with the dry season in JP. The total carbon pool was estimated to be 427.88 t ha-1 in JP and 512.51 t ha-1 in DK, where at least 80% was contributed by soil carbon. The carbon dioxide equivalent was 1570.32 t ha-1 CO2e (JP) and 1880.91 t ha-1 CO2e (DK).

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
The phytochemical and anti-inflammatory studies of Dillenia suffruticosa leaves

Abubakar S, Al-Mansoub MA, Murugaiyah V, Chan KL

Phytother Res, 2019 Mar;33(3):660-675.
PMID: 30653753 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6255

The Dillenia suffruticosa leaves (Dilleniaceae), a folk medicine recommended in Southeast Asia for treating inflammation, were phytochemically studied for the first time and assessed for suppression of λ-carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The crude methanolic extract orally administered at 5,000 mg/kg, displayed no toxicity and at 250 to 1,000 mg/kg significantly suppressed the paw oedema. Two-isolated triterpenoids, betulinic acid (1) and koetjapic acid (2) orally administered at 50 mg/kg, significantly reduced the paw oedema, (p

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Clinacanthus nutans Leaf Extracts Against HeLa Cells

Haron NH, Md Toha Z, Abas R, Hamdan MR, Azman N, Khairuddean M, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2019 Feb 26;20(2):601-609.
PMID: 30806066

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the antiproliferative activity of extracts of Clinacanthus nutans
leaves against human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. Methods: C. nutans leaves were subjected to extraction using 80%
methanol or water. The methanol extract was further extracted to obtain hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and aqueous
fractions. The antiproliferative activity of the extracts against HeLa cells was determined. The most cytotoxic extract
was furthered analyzed by apoptosis and cell cycle assays, and the phytochemical constituents were screened by gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: All of the extracts were antiproliferative against HeLa cells, and
the DCM fraction had the lowest IC50 value of 70 μg/mL at 48 h. Microscopic studies showed that HeLa cells exposed
to the DCM fraction exhibited marked morphological features of apoptosis. The flow cytometry study also confirmed
that the DCM fraction induced apoptosis in HeLa cells, with cell cycle arrest at the S phase. GC-MS analysis revealed
the presence of at least 28 compounds in the DCM fraction, most of which were fatty acids. Conclusion: The DCM
fraction obtained using the extraction method described herein had a lower IC50 value than those reported in previous
studies that characterized the anticancer activity of C. nutans against HeLa cells.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Fulltext Inhibition of Human Platelet Aggregation and Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation by Premna foetida Extract and Its Major Compounds

Dianita R, Jantan I

Molecules, 2019 Apr 13;24(8).
PMID: 31013947 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081469

Many Premna species have been used in traditional medicine to treat hypertension and cardiac insufficiency, and as a tonic for cardiac-related problems. Some have been reported to possess cardiovascular protective activity through several possible mechanisms, but not Premna foetida. In the present study, the methanol extract of P. foetida leaves (PFM) and its isolated compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit copper-mediated human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and arachidonic acid (AA)- and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation. Six flavonoids, three triterpenoids, vanillic acid and stigmasterol were successfully isolated from PFM. Of the isolated compounds, quercetin was the most active against LDL oxidation (IC50 4.25 µM). The flavonols were more active than the flavones against LDL oxidation, suggesting that hydroxyl group at C-3 and the catechol moiety at B-ring may play important roles in protecting LDL from oxidation. Most tested flavonoids showed stronger inhibition towards AA-induced than the ADP-induced platelet aggregation with apigenin exhibiting the strongest effect (IC50 52.3 and 127.4 µM, respectively) while quercetin and kaempferol showed moderate activity. The results suggested that flavonoids, especially quercetin, apigenin and kaempferol were among the major constituents of P. foetida responsible for anti-LDL oxidation and anti-platelet aggregation.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Urine NMR Metabolomic Study on Biochemical Activities to Investigate the Effect of P. betle Extract on Obese Rats

Abdul Ghani ZDF, Ab Rashid AH, Shaari K, Chik Z

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2019 Oct;189(2):690-708.
PMID: 31111377 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-019-03042-w

The present studies are to evaluate the ability of PB to induce weight loss and urine metabolite profile of Piper betle L. (PB) leaf extracts using metabolomics approach. Dried PB leaves were extracted with ethanol 70% and the studies were performed in different groups of rats fed with high fat (HFD) and normal diet (ND). Then, fed with the PB extract with 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg and two negative control groups given water (WTR). The body weights were monitored and evaluated. Urine was collected and 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach was used to detect the metabolite changes. Results showed that PB-treated group demonstrated inhibition of body weight gain. The trajectory of urine metabolites showed that PB-treated group gave the different distribution from week 12 to 16 compared with the control groups. In 1H NMR metabolomic approach analysis, the urine metabolites gave the best separation in principle component 1 and 3, with 40.0% and 9.56% of the total variation. Shared and unique structures (SUS) plot model showed that higher concentration PB-treated group was characterized by high level of indole-3-acetate, aspartate, methanol, histidine, and creatine, thus caused an increased the metabolic function and maintaining the body weight of the animals treated.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Fulltext Simultaneous quantification of ten key Kratom alkaloids in Mitragyna speciosa leaf extracts and commercial products by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Sharma A, Kamble SH, León F, Chear NJ, King TI, Berthold EC, et al.

Drug Test Anal, 2019 Aug;11(8):1162-1171.
PMID: 30997725 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2604

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a psychoactive plant popular in the United States for the self-treatment of pain and opioid addiction. For standardization and quality control of raw and commercial kratom products, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of ten key alkaloids, namely: corynantheidine, corynoxine, corynoxine B, 7-hydroxymitragynine, isocorynantheidine, mitragynine, mitraphylline, paynantheine, speciociliatine, and speciogynine. Chromatographic separation of diastereomers, or alkaloids sharing same ion transitions, was achieved on an Acquity BEH C18 column with a gradient elution using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile and aqueous ammonium acetate buffer (10mM, pH 3.5). The developed method was linear over a concentration range of 1-200 ng/mL for each alkaloid. The total analysis time per sample was 22.5 minutes. The analytical method was validated for accuracy, precision, robustness, and stability. After successful validation, the method was applied for the quantification of kratom alkaloids in alkaloid-rich fractions, ethanolic extracts, lyophilized teas, and commercial products. Mitragynine (0.7%-38.7% w/w), paynantheine (0.3%-12.8% w/w), speciociliatine (0.4%-12.3% w/w), and speciogynine (0.1%-5.3% w/w) were the major alkaloids in the analyzed kratom products/extracts. Minor kratom alkaloids (corynantheidine, corynoxine, corynoxine B, 7-hydroxymitragynine, isocorynantheidine) were also quantified (0.01%-2.8% w/w) in the analyzed products; however mitraphylline was below the lower limit of quantification in all analyses.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Constituents of the Edible Leaves of Melicope pteleifolia with Potential Analgesic Activity

Lee BW, Park JG, Ha TKQ, Pham HTT, An JP, Noh JR, et al.

J Nat Prod, 2019 08 23;82(8):2201-2210.
PMID: 31393125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00224

Melicope pteleifolia has long been consumed as a popular vegetable and tea in Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia and southern mainland China, and is effective in the treatment of colds and inflammation. In the search for active metabolites that can explain its traditional use as an antipyretic, six new phloroacetophenone derivatives (3-8) along with seven known compounds (1, 2, and 9-13) were isolated from the leaves of M. pteleifolia. Their chemical structures were confirmed by extensive spectroscopic analysis including NMR, IR, ECD, and HRMS. All compounds isolated from the leaves of M. pteleifolia (1-13) have a phloroacetophenone skeleton. Notably, the new compound 8 contains an additional cyclobutane moiety in its structure. The bioactivities of the isolated compounds were evaluated, and compounds 1, 6, and 7 inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α-induced prostaglandin E2. Moreover, the major constituent, 3,5-di-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl phloroacetophenone (1), was found to be responsible for the antipyretic activity of M. pteleifolia based on in vivo experiments.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Fulltext Carica papaya extract in dengue: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rajapakse S, de Silva NL, Weeratunga P, Rodrigo C, Sigera C, Fernando SD

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 Oct 11;19(1):265.
PMID: 31601215 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2678-2

BACKGROUND: Carica papaya (CP) extract is becoming popular as an unlicensed herbal remedy purported to hasten recovery in dengue infection, mostly based on observations that it may increase platelet counts. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to critically analyze the evidence from controlled clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of CP extract in the treatment of dengue infection.
METHODS: PubMed, LILACS and Google Scholar were searched for randomized or non-randomized trials enrolling patients with suspected or confirmed dengue where CP extract was compared, as a treatment measure, against standard treatment. Recovery of platelet counts as well as other clinical indicators of favourable outcome (duration of hospital stay, prevention of plasma leakage, life threatening complications, and mortality) were assessed.
RESULTS: Nine studies (India-6, Pakistan-1, Indonesia-1, Malaysia-1) met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies showed an increase in platelet counts in patients receiving CP extract, while one study showed no significant difference between the two groups, and direct comparison was not possible in the remaining study. Serious adverse events were not reported. CP extract may reduce the duration of hospital stay (mean difference - 1.98 days, 95% confidence interval - 1.83 to - 2.12, 3 studies, 580 participants, low quality evidence), and cause improvement in mean platelet counts between the first and fifth day of treatment (mean difference 35.45, 95% confidence interval 23.74 to 47.15, 3 studies, 129 participants, low quality evidence). No evidence was available regarding other clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: The clinical value of improvement in platelet count or early discharge is unclear in the absence of more robust indicators of favourable clinical outcome. Current evidence is insufficient to comment on the role of CP extract in dengue. There is a need for further well designed clinical trials examining the effect of CP on platelet counts, plasma leakage, other serious manifestations of dengue, and mortality, with clearly defined outcome measures.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Acetylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds from Callicarpa maingayi

Ado MA, Maulidiani M, Ismail IS, Ghazali HM, Shaari K, Abas F

Nat Prod Res, 2021 Sep;35(17):2992-2996.
PMID: 31631709 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1679138

Phytochemical investigation on the soluble fractions of n-hexane and dichloromethane of methanolic leaves extract of the Callicarpa maingayi K. & G. led to the isolation of three triterpenoids [euscaphic acid (1), arjunic acid (2), and ursolic acid (3)] together with two flavones [apigenin (4) and acacetin (5)], two phytosterols [stigmasterol 3-O-β-glycopyranoside (6) and sitosterol 3-O-β-glycopyranoside (7)], and a fatty acid [n-hexacosanoic acid (8)]. Six (6) compounds (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8) are reported for the first time from this species. Their structures were elucidated and identified by extensive NMR techniques, GC-MS and comparison with the previously reported literature. Compound 3 was found to displayed good inhibition against acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 value of 21.5 ± 0.022 μM, while 1 and 2 exhibited pronounced α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 22.4 ± 0.016 μM and 24.9 ± 0.012 μM, respectively.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Approach to preserve phenolics in Thunbergia laurifolia leaves by different drying treatments

Oh HKF, Siow LF, Lim YY

J Food Biochem, 2019 07;43(7):e12856.
PMID: 31353691 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.12856

Different drying methods and blanching were investigated as to their effects on antioxidant and oxidase activities of Thunbergia laurifolia leaves. Results showed that oven-drying had the highest degradation of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity at >85%, while freeze-drying had the lowest at <20%. However, inactivation of oxidase enzymes by blanching at 100°C resulted in a lesser decrease in TPC for oven-drying at 50 and 100°C (51% and 65%, respectively), indicating the importance of inactivating the oxidase enzymes for lower degradation of phenolics on drying. The high-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that its major antioxidant, rosmarinic acid, degraded tremendously in the presence of oxidase enzymes, but only degraded slightly upon inactivation of oxidase enzymes. Hence, this work showed that by controlling the enzymatic activity, the preservation of phenolics with specific bioactivity in herbal tea leaves can be achieved. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Thunbergia laurifolia leaves have been frequently consumed in the form of a tea or pill due to its medicinal properties. Processing of fresh herbal plant leaves by drying is required to preserve antioxidant phenolic compounds and quality of the plant leaves. Although the drying effects on the antioxidant properties have been studied, the factors that cause the change in properties have not been investigated in-depth. Controlling the factors that affect the phenolic content can help to preserve the beneficial antioxidants when processing the leaves by drying. The result of this study will be of relevance and beneficial to the herbal tea industry.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Fulltext Variation in the metabolites and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of Cosmos caudatus at different growth stages

Wan-Nadilah WA, Akhtar MT, Shaari K, Khatib A, Hamid AA, Hamid M

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 Sep 05;19(1):245.
PMID: 31488132 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2655-9

BACKGROUND: Cosmos caudatus is an annual plant known for its medicinal value in treating several health conditions, such as high blood pressure, arthritis, and diabetes mellitus. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and total phenolic content of the leaf aqueous ethanolic extracts of the plant at different growth stages (6, 8. 10, 12 and 14 weeks) were determined in an effort to ascertain the best time to harvest the plant for maximum medicinal quality with respect to its glucose-lowering effects.
METHODS: The aqueous ethanolic leaf extracts of C. caudatus were characterized by NMR and LC-MS/MS. The total phenolic content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and α-glucosidase inhibitory assay, respectively. The statistical significance of the results was evaluated using one-way ANOVA with Duncan's post hoc test, and correlation among the different activities was performed by Pearson's correlation test. NMR spectroscopy along with multivariate data analysis was used to identify the metabolites correlated with total phenolic content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the C. caudatus leaf extracts.
RESULTS: It was found that the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and total phenolic content of the optimized ethanol:water (80:20) leaf extract of the plant increased significantly as the plant matured, reaching a maximum at the 10th week. The IC50 value for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (39.18 μg mL- 1) at the 10th week showed greater potency than the positive standard, quercetin (110.50 μg mL- 1). Through an 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach, the 10-week-old samples were shown to be correlated with a high total phenolic content and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. From the partial least squares biplot, rutin and flavonoid glycosides, consisting of quercetin 3-O-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, and quercetin 3-O-xyloside, were identified as the major bioactive metabolites. The metabolites were identified by NMR spectroscopy (J-resolve, HSQC and HMBC experiments) and further supported by dereplication via LC-MS/MS.
CONCLUSION: For high phytomedicinal quality, the 10th week is recommended as the best time to harvest C. caudatus leaves with respect to its glucose lowering potential.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Effect of operative variables and kinetic study of butyl butyrate synthesis by Candida rugosa lipase activated by chitosan-reinforced nanocellulose derived from raw oil palm leaves

Elias N, Wahab RA, Chandren S, Abdul Razak FI, Jamalis J

Enzyme Microb Technol, 2019 Nov;130:109367.
PMID: 31421729 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2019.109367

Currently, the chemically-assisted esterification to manufacture butyl butyrate employs corrosive homogeneous acid catalyst and liberates enormous quantities of hazardous by-products which complicate downstream treatment processes. This study aimed to identify the optimized esterification conditions, and the kinetic aspects of the enzyme-assisted synthesis of butyl butyrate using immobilized Candida rugosa lipase activated by chitosan-reinforced nanocellulose derived from raw oil palm leaves (CRL/CS-NC). The best process variables that gave the maximum conversion degree of butyl butyrate by CRL/CS-NC (90.2%) in just 3 h, as compared to free CRL (62.9%) are as follows: 50 °C, 1:2 M ratio of acid/alcohol, stirring rate of 200 rpm and a 3 mg/mL enzyme load. The enzymatic esterification followed the ping pong bi-bi mechanism with substrate inhibition, revealing a ˜1.1-fold higher Ki for CRL/CS-NC (55.55 mM) over free CRL (50.68 mM). This indicated that CRL/CS-NC was less inhibited by the substrates. Butanol was preferred over butyric acid as reflected by the higher apparent Michaelis-Menten constant of CRL/CS-NC for butanol (137 mM) than butyric acid (142.7 mM). Thus, the kinetics data conclusively showed that CRL/CS-NC (Vmax 0.48 mM min-1, Keff 0.07 min-1 mM-1) was catalytically more efficient than free CRL (Vmax 0.35 mM min-1, Keff 0.06 min-1 mM-1).

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Fate of cypermethrin in Malaysian oil palm plantation

Sulaiman N, Chee Beng Y, Ahmad Bustamam FK, Khairuddin NSK, Muhamad H

Drug Test Anal, 2020 Apr;12(4):504-513.
PMID: 31898859 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2760

Cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide commonly used to control bagworm infestation in oil palm plantations. It is applied through spraying onto the leaves where the bagworms reside. This article reports the fate of cypermethrin used in a Malaysian oil palm plantation during a typical dry season through the analysis of cypermethrin residue in environmental and palm oil samples collected from a supervised field trial. Residues of cypermethrin were not detected in the soil samples collected at different depths, water samples collected at different points in the experimental plots, and oil samples extracted from fresh fruit bunches (FFB) harvested from each plot for both single and double dosages of treatment throughout the study interval. Analysis of leaf samples, however, revealed that cypermethrin residue was detected for both pesticide treatments up to day 2 after cypermethrin application.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Fulltext Bioassay-Guided Different Extraction Techniques of Carica papaya (Linn.) Leaves on In Vitro Wound-Healing Activities

Soib HH, Ismail HF, Husin F, Abu Bakar MH, Yaakob H, Sarmidi MR

Molecules, 2020 Jan 24;25(3).
PMID: 31991676 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25030517

Herbal plants are traditionally utilized to treat various illnesses. They contain phytochemicals that can be extracted using conventional methods such as maceration, soxhlet, and boiling, as well as non-conventional methods including ultrasonic, microwave, and others. Carica papaya leaves have been used for the treatment of dengue, fungal, and bacterial infections as well as an ingredient in anti-aging products. Phytochemicals analysis detected the presence of kaempferol, myricetin, carpaine, pseudocarpaine, dehydrocarpaine I and II, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, β-carotene, lycopene, and anthraquinones glycoside. Conventional preparation by boiling and simple maceration is practical, simple, and safe; however, only polar phytochemicals are extracted. The present study aims to investigate the effects of three different non-conventional extraction techniques (ultrasonic-assisted extraction, reflux, and agitation) on C. papaya phytochemical constituents, the antioxidant capacity, and wound-healing activities. Among the three techniques, the reflux technique produced the highest extraction yield (17.86%) with the presence of saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, and phenolic metabolites. The reflux technique also produced the highest 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging with an IC50 value of 0.236 mg/mL followed by ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) (IC50: 0.377 mg/mL) and agitation (IC50: 0.404 mg/mL). At tested concentrations (3.125 µg/mL to 500 µg/mL), all extracts do not exhibit a cytotoxicity effect on the human skin fibroblast, HSF1184. Interestingly, reflux and UAE were active fibroblast proliferators that support 85% (12.5 µg/mL) and 41% (6.25 µg/mL) better cell growth, respectively. Additionally, during the early 24 h of the scratch assay, the migration rate at 12.5 µg/mL was faster for all extracts with 51.8% (reflux), 49.3% (agitation), and 42.5% (UAE) as compared to control (21.87%). At 48 h, proliferated cells covered 78.7% of the scratch area for reflux extract, 63.1% for UAE, 61% for agitation, and 42.6% for control. Additionally, the collagen synthesis was enhanced for 31.6% and 65% after 24 and 48 h of treatment for reflux. An HPLC-MS/MS-QTOF (quadruple time-of-flight) analysis of reflux identified nine phytochemicals, including carpaine, kaempferol 3-(2G-glucosylrutinoside), kaempferol 3-(2″-rhamnosylgalactoside), 7-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-rhamnosyl-(1->2)-galactoside-7-rhamnoside, luteolin 7-galactosyl-(1->6)-galactoside, orientin 7-O-rhamnoside, 11-hydroperoxy-12,13-epoxy-9-octadecenoic acid, palmitic amide, and 2-hexaprenyl-6-methoxyphenol. The results suggested that reflux was the best technique as compared to ultrasonic and agitation.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Schwarzinicines A-G, 1,4-Diarylbutanoid-Phenethylamine Conjugates from the Leaves of Ficus schwarzii

Krishnan P, Lee FK, Yap VA, Low YY, Kam TS, Yong KT, et al.

J Nat Prod, 2020 01 24;83(1):152-158.
PMID: 31935094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b01160

Schwarzinicines A-G (1-7), representing the first examples of 1,4-diarylbutanoid-phenethylamine conjugates, were isolated from the leaves of Ficus schwarzii. The structures of these compounds were determined by detailed analysis of their MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. Compounds 1-4 exhibited pronounced vasorelaxant effects in the rat isolated aorta (Emax 106-120%; EC50 0.96-2.10 μM). However, compounds 1 and 2 showed no cytotoxic effects against A549, MCF-7, and HCT 116 human cancer cells (IC50 > 10 μM).

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Distribution of mercury in sediments, plant and animal tissues in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia

Wolswijk G, Satyanarayana B, Dung LQ, Siau YF, Ali ANB, Saliu IS, et al.

J Hazard Mater, 2020 04 05;387:121665.
PMID: 31784131 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121665

Charcoal production activities at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) in Peninsular Malaysia have a potential to emit volatile compounds such as Hg back into the ambient environment, raising concerns on the public health and safety. The present study was aimed at analyzing Hg concentration from different plant/animal tissues and sediment samples (in total 786 samples) to understand clearly the Hg distribution at the MMFR. Leaves of Rhizophora spp. showed higher Hg concentration with an increasing trend from young, to mature, to senescent and decomposing stages, which was possibly due to accumulation of Hg over time. The low Hg concentration in Rhizophora roots and bark suggests a limited absorption from the sediments and a meagre accumulation/partitioning by the plant tissue, respectively. In the case of mangrove cockles the concentration of Hg was lower than the permissible limits for seafood consumption. Although the mangrove gastropod - Cassidula aurisfelis Bruguière had rather elevated Hg in the muscle tissue, it is still less than the environmental safely limit. Beside the chances of atmospheric deposition for Hg, the sediment samples were found to be unpolluted in nature, indicating that in general the MMFR is still safe in terms of Hg pollution.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Fulltext Potential Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Cassia timorensis DC

Azman NAN, Alhawarri MB, Rawa MSA, Dianita R, Gazzali AM, Nogawa T, et al.

Molecules, 2020 Oct 04;25(19).
PMID: 33020403 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194545

Seventeen methanol extracts from different plant parts of five different Cassia species, including C. timorensis, C. grandis, C. fistula, C. spectabilis, and C. alata were screened against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). C. timorensis extracts were found to exhibit the highest inhibition towards AChE whereby the leaf, stem, and flower methanol extracts showed 94-97% inhibition. As far as we are aware, C. timorensis is one of the least explored Cassia spp. for bioactivity. Further fractionation led to the identification of six compounds, isolated for the first time from C. timorensis: 3-methoxyquercetin (1), benzenepropanoic acid (2), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (3), β-sitosterol (4), stigmasterol (5), and 1-octadecanol (6). Compound 1 showed moderate inhibition towards AChE (IC50: 83.71 μM), while the other compounds exhibited poor to slightly moderate AChE inhibitory activity. Molecular docking revealed that the methoxy substitution of 1 formed a hydrogen bond with TYR121 at the peripheral anionic site (PAS) and the hydroxyl group at C5 formed a covalent hydrogen bond with ASP72. Additionally, the OH group at the C3' position formed an interaction with the protein at the acyl pocket (PHE288). This possibly explains the activity of 1 in blocking the entry of acetylcholine (ACh, the neurotransmitter), thus impeding the hydrolysis of ACh.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Fulltext Chemical Compounds of Malacca Leaf (Phyllanthus emblica) after Triple Extraction with N-Hexane, Ethyl Acetate, and Ethanol

Asmilia N, Fahrimal Y, Abrar M, Rinidar R

ScientificWorldJournal, 2020;2020:2739056.
PMID: 32395086 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2739056

Malacca (Phyllanthus emblica) is one of the plants that is often by the community in the Aceh Besar district of Indonesia as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungals, antivirals, antimutagenic, antimalaria, and antiallergic. This research was conducted to analyze the content of chemical compounds in the ethanol extract of the Malacca leaf (EEDM) using a gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). Malacca leaves were extracted by the maceration method using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. The GC-MS analysis showed EEDM contained 22 chemical compounds. The highest chemical content of EEDM is octadecanoic acid reaching 22.93%, 9,12-octadecanoic acid 14.99%, octadecanoic acid 7.59%, 9-hexadecenoic acid 6.17%, octadecanoic acid 5.95%, octadecanal 5.59%, 9,12-octadecanoic acid 5.06%, 3-eicosyne 4.75%, 1-hexadecenoic acid 4.08%, 11-tetradecen-1-ol 2.92%, 2-furanmethanol 2.83%, delta-guaiene 2.43%, cyclohexane 2.13%, hexadecanoic acid 1.99%, sativen 1.87%, octadecanoic acid 1.52%, 1H-cyclopropaanaphthalene 1.40%, tetradecanoic acid 1.40%, 3,7,11-tridecatrienenitrile 1.20%, caryophellene 1.11%, 2H-pyran 1.07%, and trans-caryophellene 1.03%. This study clearly shows the presence of fatty acids which play a major role in the efficacy of these traditional medicines particularly as antioxidant and antimalarial.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry
Robust Magnetized Oil Palm Leaves Ash Nanosilica Composite as Lipase Support: Immobilization Protocol and Efficacy Study

Onoja E, Wahab RA

Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2020 Oct;192(2):585-599.
PMID: 32495234 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-020-03348-0

Strategies to immobilize the individual enzymes are crucial for enhancing catalytic applicability and require a controlled immobilization process. Herein, protocol for immobilizing Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) onto modified magnetic silica derived from oil palm leaves ash (OPLA) was optimized for the effects of concentration of CRL, immobilization time, and temperature, monitored by titrimetric and spectrometric methods. XRD and TGA-DTG spectrometric observations indicated that OPLA-silica was well coated over magnetite (SiO2-MNPs) and CRLs were uniformly bound by covalent bonds to SiO2-MNPs (CRL/Gl-A-SiO2-MNPs). The optimized immobilization protocol showed that in the preparation of CRL/Gl-A-SiO2-MNPs, CRL with 68.3 mg/g protein loading and 74.6 U/g specific activity was achieved using 5 mg/mL of CRL, with an immobilization time of 12 h at 25 °C. The present work also demonstrated that acid-pretreated OPLA is a potential source of renewable silica, envisioning its applicability for practical use in enzymatic catalysis on solid support.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*
Fulltext Neuroprotective Effects of 7-Geranyloxycinnamic Acid from Melicope lunu ankenda Leaves

Abdulwanis Mohamed Z, Mohamed Eliaser E, Jaafaru MS, Nordin N, Ioannides C, Abdull Razis AF

Molecules, 2020 Aug 15;25(16).
PMID: 32824120 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163724

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are chronic conditions that have drawn robust interest from the scientific community. Phytotherapeutic agents are becoming an important source of chemicals for the treatment and management of NDDs. Various secondary metabolites have been isolated from Melicope lunu-ankenda plant leaves, including phenolic acid derivatives. However, their neuroprotective activity remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study is to elucidate the in vitro neuroprotective activity of 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid isolated from Melicope lunu-ankenda leaves. The neuroprotective activity was evaluated in differentiated human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells by monitoring cell viability using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Moreover, the potential to impair apoptosis in differentiated cells was investigated employing the Annexin V-FITC assay, acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining, and fluorescence microscopy. Morphological assessment and ultrastructural analysis were performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the effect of 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid on surface morphology and internal features of the differentiated cells. Pre-treatment of neuronal cells with 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid significantly protected the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis. Cytoskeleton and cytoplasmic inclusion were similarly protected by the 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid treatment. The present findings demonstrate the neuroprotective potential of 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity in neuronal cells, which is an established hallmark of neuronal disorders.

Matched MeSH terms: Plant Leaves/chemistry*

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