If left untreated, hypercholesterolaemia can lead to atherosclerosis, given time. Plants from the Fabaceae family have shown the ability to significantly suppress atherosclerosis progression. We selected four extracts from Pithecellobium ellipticum, from the Fabaceae family, to be screened in a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) assay. The ethanol extract, at a concentration of 500 μ g/mL, exhibited superior inhibition properties over the other extracts by demonstrating 80.9% inhibition, while 0.223 μ g/mL of pravastatin (control) showed 78.1% inhibition towards enzymatic activity. These findings led to the fractionation of the ethanol extract using ethyl acetate : methanol (95 : 5), gradually increasing polarity and produced seven fractions (1A to 7A). Fraction 7A at 150 μ g/mL emerged as being the most promising bioactive fraction with 78.7% inhibition. FRAP, beta carotene, and DPPH assays supported the findings from the ethanol extract as it exhibited good overall antioxidant activity. The antioxidant properties have been said to reduce free radicals that are able to oxidize lipoproteins which are the cause of atherosclerosis. Phytochemical screenings revealed the presence of terpenoid, steroid, flavonoid, and phenolic compounds as the responsible group of compound(s), working individually or synergistically, within the extract to prevent binding of HMG-CoA to HMG-CoA reductase.
Rhodanine is a heterocyclic organic compound that has been investigated for its potential biomedical applications, particularly in drug discovery. Rhodanine derivatives have been examined as the medication options for numerous illnesses, including cancer, inflammation, and infectious diseases. Some rhodanine derivatives have also shown promising activity against drug-resistant strains of bacteria and viruses. One of these derivatives is polyrhodanine (PR), a conducting polymer that has gained attention for its biomedical properties. This review article summarises the latest advancements in creating biomaterials based on PR for biosensing, antimicrobial treatments, and anticancer therapies. The distinctive characteristics of PR, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and good conductivity, render it an attractive candidate for these applications. The article also explores obstacles and potential future paths for advancing biomaterials made with PR, including synthesis modifications, characterisation techniques, and in vivo evaluation of biocompatibility and efficacy. Overall, as an emerging research topic, this review emphasises the potential of PR as a promising biomaterial for various biomedical applications and provides insights into the contemporary state of research and prospective directions for investigation.