Phytochemical study: molecular docking of eugenol derivatives as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents

Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a natural phenolic compound present in certain aromatic plants; however, it is generally extracted from essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata (Syzygiumaromaticum) (L.) Merr. and L.M. Perry. This bioactive natural compound has generated considerable biological interest with well-known antimicrobial and antioxidant actions. The authors have aimed to the evaluations of eugenol derivatives and their as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent with the aid of molecular dynamic simulation. The starting material was extracted from cloves using hydrodistillation. Two eugenol derivatives, acetyleugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenylacetate) and epoxyeugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) were prepared and tested against two strains Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus). The results have revealed that the three compounds (Eugenol, acetyleugenol and epoxyeugenol) possess important potentials of inhibition against E. coli and S. Aureus. The antioxidant activity of eugenol derivatives was evaluated by the reaction with DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), showed that the epoxyeugenol was the most active compound. The molecular docking scores of three compounds and the amino acids in the active site pockets of the selected proteins of the two bacteria have approved and explain the biological experimental outcomes.

Synthesis, Molecular Modeling, DNA Damage Interaction, and Antioxidant Potential of Hesperidin Loaded on Gold Nanoparticles

The flavonoglycone hesperidin is recognized as a potent anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant agent. However, its poor bioavailability is a crucial bottleneck regarding its therapeutic activity. Gold nanoparticles are widely used in drug delivery because of its unique properties that differ from bulk metal. Hesperidin loaded gold nanoparticles were successfully prepared to enhance its stability and bioactive potential, as well as to minimize the problems associated with its absorption. The free radical scavenging activities of hesperidin, gold nanoparticles, and hesperidin loaded gold nanoparticles were compared with that of Vitamin C and subsequently evaluated in vitro using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. The antioxidant pharmacophore-based structure-activity relationship analysis was assessed by the density functional theory as well as quantum chemical calculations. Moreover, the structural properties were utilized using Becke’s three-parameter hybrid exchange and Lee-Yang-Parr’s correction of functional approaches. Hesperidin-loaded gold nanoparticles were found to decrease hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and thus induce Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) instability. In addition, hesperidin-gold nanoparticles were observed to display important antioxidant potential as well as ameliorate the functional activity of macrophages against Escherichia coli, possibly protecting DNA. These particles might be appropriate for clinical trials and could prove useful for the treatment of various life-threatening disorders.

Effect of Maltodextrin Replacement by Selected Native Starches and Disaccharides on Physicochemical Properties of Pumpkin Oil Capsules Prepared by Spray-Drying

The aim of the study is to compare selected carbohydrates that differed in the glycaemic index: maltodextrin, three native starches (wheat, rice, maize), and two disaccharides (trehalose and lactose) used to encapsulation of model oil (in this case cold-pressed pumpkin oil). Encapsulation efficiency of pumpkin oil by spray drying, size of obtained capsules, oxidative stability of encapsulated oil, and retention of tocopherols, squalene, and sterols in surface and core material of capsules were determined. It was found that encapsulation efficiency varied from 35% for rice starch to 68–71% for wheat starch, maltodextrin, and lactose. The bulk density of capsules was independent of the used carbohydrate type (189–198 kg/m3), while their size was significantly lower for samples of pumpkin oil encapsulated in native starches (over 2 times compared to capsules with trehalose). Of the best lipid capturing agents (native wheat starch, maltodextrin, and lactose), wheat starch mainly bound tocopherols, squalene, and sterols to the capsule surface, while lactose to the core material of the capsules (35.5–81.2%). Among tested carbohydrates, native wheat starch acted as the best antioxidant agent (oxidative stability was 15.1 h vs. 9.4 h for pure pumpkin oil).

Therapeutic potential of resveratrol in diabetic nephropathy according to molecular signaling

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) as a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is a crucial menace for human health and survival and remarkably elevates the healthcare systems’ costs. Therefore, it is worth noting to identify novel preventive and therapeutic strategies to alleviate the disease conditions. Resveratrol, as a well-defined anti-diabetic/ antioxidant agent has capabilities to counteract diabetic complications. It has been predicted that resveratrol will be a fantastic natural polyphenol for diabetes therapy in the next few years. Objective: Accordingly, the current review aims to depict the role of resveratrol in the regulation of different signaling pathways that are involved in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inflammatory processes, autophagy, and mitochondrial dysfunction, as critical contributors to DN pathophysiology. Results: The pathogenesis of DN can be multifactorial; hyperglycemia is one of the prominent risk factors of DN development that is closely related to oxidative stress. Resveratrol, as a well-defined polyphenol, has various biological and medicinal properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects. Conclusion : Resveratrol prevents kidney damages that are caused by oxidative stress, enhances antioxidant capacity, and attenuates the inflammatory and fibrotic responses. For this reason, resveratrol is considered an interesting target in DN research due to its therapeutic possibilities during diabetic disorders and renal protection.

Zapotin, a Polymethoxyflavone, with Potential Therapeutic Attributes

The use of plants as traditional medicines is common and has prevailed in many different cultures over time. Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) are natural polyphenols from the group of flavonoids. Zapotin, a member of the PMFs, is found mainly in citrus plants and is almost exclusively limited to their peels. The chemical structure of zapotin has been questioned from the very beginning, since the structure of flavonoids with a single oxygen atom in the C2′ position is extremely rare in the plant kingdom. To clarify this, the structural determination and bio-inspired synthesis of zapotin are discussed in detail in this review. Due to the broad biological potential of PMFs, the complication in the isolation process and characterization of PMFs, as well as their purification, have been estimated by adapting various chromatographic methods. According to available data from the literature, zapotin may be a promising curative agent with extensive biological activities, especially as a chemopreventive factor. Apart from that, zapotin acts as an antidepressant-like, anticancer, antifungal, and antioxidant agent. Finally, accessible studies about zapotin metabolism (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) underline its potential in use as a therapeutic substance.

Assessment role of total phenols and flavonoids extracted from Pleurotus columbinus mushroom on the premature ovarian failure induced by chemotherapy in rats

Background Many species of mushroom contain an assortment of free radical scavengers (Phenolics and Flavonoids compounds) that have made them nutritionally beneficial and a source of expansion of drug production. In this study, we examined the preventive and remedial role of total phenol extract from Pleurotus columbines (TP) in alleviating the consequences of cyclophosphamide (CTX) on the ovaries of female rats. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: healthy controls, cyclophosphamide (CTX), received a TP (100 mg/kg) orally daily for 14 days and curative group: CTX-TP, we determined and identified a total phenol from a mushroom extract and examined it as an antioxidant agent. To investigate the therapeutic influence, it was administrated 2 weeks after CTX. To assess the impact of TP on ovarian damage caused by CTX, ovarian hormone tests were performed such as luteinizing hormone (LH), 17-β-estradiol (E2), and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH). Besides, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum was evaluated, and histopathological analysis of the ovary was examined. Results This study indicates that treatment with TP decreased the severity of cyclophosphamide-induced ovary injury by reducing inflammation and apoptotic effects and increasing the activity of antioxidants. Conclusions TP could be used to alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced ovary injury.

Potency of endophytic fungi from Nauclea orientalis L. as antioxidant producer

Nauclea orientalis L. is widely distributed in Indonesia. Secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and saponins are abundant in the bark of N. orientalis L. These compounds have the potential to act as antioxidants. Endophytic fungi, through genetic transfer and coevolution, can produce the same metabolites as their host plant. As a result, understanding the potential of endophytic fungi from N. orientalis L. to produce antioxidant compounds that can be developed is critical. According to the findings of this study, twelve isolates have the potential to produce secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties. Three isolates had high antioxidant activity: DB2 was identified as Aspergillus minisclerotigenes with an IC50 of 21 g/mL containing tannins, terpenes, and flavonoids, AB3 as Colletotrichum perseae with an IC50 of 31 g/mL containing tannins and terpenoids, and AB1 as Diaporthe tulliensis with an IC50 of 48 g/mL containing tannins. The secondary metabolite group has the potential to be developed into an antioxidant agent

Rosemary Essential Oils as a Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds: Chemical Composition, Thermal Properties, Biological Activity, and Gastronomical Perspectives

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a plant worldwide cultivated mainly for essential oils, extracts, and as a spice. Up-to-date results showed diversity in composition of the essential oils, which may influence their quality, biological activity, and thermal properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and thermal properties of the rosemary essential oils originating from Serbia and Russia. Additionally, oils were added to the sunflower oils in order to investigate possible antioxidant activity during the frying. Investigation of the chemical profile marked α-pinene, eucalyptol, and camphor as the most abundant compounds in both oils. However, overall composition influenced in such manner that Russian oil showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity, while Serbian oil proved to be better antioxidant agent in case of frying of sunflower oil. This would significantly influence possible application of the oils, which could be used as an antioxidant agent for extension of the food shelf life, or antimicrobial agent for protection against different microbial strains.

New chalcone derivatives as potential antimicrobial and antioxidant agent

Seven chalcone derivatives were synthesized by the Claisen-Schmidt condensation. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by spectral data (Ultraviolet/visible, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy). The compounds were tested for their in silico and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The molecular docking assessments showed that all the compounds exhibited good binding affinity with the target microorganism proteins but, compounds 6e and 6g showed better binding affinity compared with the standards. The antimicrobial test revealed that all the compounds screened were active against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) between 0.4 and 0.6 mg/mL. Compounds 6a, 6c and 6d had moderate activities on Salmonella typhi. Compounds 6b and 6c had moderate activity on Escherichia coli. Compound 6c had moderate activity on Aspergillus niger while compounds 6a and 6e had poor activity. All the compounds except compound 6e had no inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The in-vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) as the standard. Compounds 6c, 6e and 6g gave excellent inhibitory activity better than the standard. Compound 6a gave good activity at 500 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL concentrations but, below the standard at 250 μg/mL and no inhibition at 125 μg/mL. Compound 6d had good inhibition at 500 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL but, no inhibition at 125 μg/mL and 250 μg/mL. Compound 6b was found to be inactive in all the concentrations. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties of the compounds were assessed using SwissADME. The results of lead likeness showed that compound 6e is a lead-like molecule.