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Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus Nees, a medicinal plant belonging to the family Acanthaceae, has been used by traditional healers of northeast India for medicinal values. Other genera of this family, such as Andrographis paniculata and Adhatoda vasica are used extensively for their therapeutic properties. Unlike these species, minimal scientific reports are available on the phytochemical constitution of P. thyrsiflorus. The present work provides the qualitative and quantitative estimation of pharmacologically important terpenoids and β- Sitosterol present in the plant's leaf, flower, and root. Ultra - high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electro spray ionisation mass spectrometry in positive ionization mode was used to identify and quantitate. The identified terpeniods were three labdane diterpenoids (Andrographolide, Neoandrographolide, 14- Deoxyandrographolide), and two cyclic triterpenoids (Betulin and β- Sitosterol). Quantitation was carried out for all the identified secondary metabolites except 14- Deoxyandrographolide. Almost all the identified secondary metabolites were found in a substantial amount in different extracts. Andrographolide and Neoandrographolide were found in the highest quantity in the leaf extracts (2245.63 ± 0.07 ng ml−1 in aqueous extract and 300.72 ± 0.93 ng ml−1 in 50% methanolic extract). A significant amount of Betulin and β- Sitosterol were obtained in leaf and root extracts (55.05 ± 0.53 ng ml−1 in 100% methanolic extract and 1691.50 ± 2.72 ng ml−1in aqueous extract respectively) of P. thyrsiflorus. To our knowledge, this is the first report for quantitative estimation of the terpenoids present in P. thyrsiflorus. This report confirms the richness of pharmacologically important metabolites in this underutilized plant with potential medicinal applications.

Strobilanthes glutinosus (family: Acanthaceae) is one of the important medicinal plants and the current research work was carried out to assess the phytochemical, biological, and in-silico evaluations of different solvent extracts of S. glutinosus. The phytochemical composition was assessed by determining qualitative phytochemical testing, total bioactive contents, and GC-MS analysis. For biological evaluation, antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP), antibacterial, and enzyme inhibition (urease) potential were determined. The methanol extract was found to contain the highest total phenolic (247.85 mg GAE/g extract), and flavonoid content (71.91 mg QAE/g extract), which can be correlated to the observed higher antioxidant potential of this extract. On the contrary, the n-hexane extract presented maximum anti-urease activity with IC50 value of 0.244 mg/ml, whereas, in the case of antibacterial assays, a dose-dependent activity was observed. Similarly, the GC-MS investigation of methanol extract and n-hexane fraction revealed the tentative identification of several important classes of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the main compounds as identified by GC-MS were further studied for in-silico molecular docking studies in order to highlight any interactions between the compounds identified and the urease enzyme. Overall, the present investigation highlighted the studied plant extracts to be considered further for the isolation of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical and food industry.

Background Biomedical research, recently, focus more on searching for biomasses that contain extractable biologically active components for formulating new drugs. Halophytes growing in hyper saline conditions are expected to produce stress alleviating bioactive compounds. These phytochemicals could be the better raw materials for formulating new drugs. Methods The purpose of this work was to describe physiologically active compounds from Acanthus ilicifolius and Heliotropium curassavicum that had antimicrobial, antioxidant and nutraceutical properties utilizing a variety of solvents. Analysis of bioactive compounds included the application of common phytochemical screening assays, proximate analysis, FTIR analysis and antioxidant assays. The disc diffusion technique was used to determine the antibacterial activity of the plant extracts. Results Highest extraction yield was observed with methanol. A. ilicifolius methanolic extracts included a variety of bioactive components, including alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, and terpenoids. H. curassavicum extracts showed the presence of all the phytochemicals except cardiac glycosides. The overall phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity of A. ilicifolius were substantially greater. The antimicrobial assays explored that among the tested bacterial pathogens viz., Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, significant level of control was observed in E. coli, K. pneumoniae and B. subtilis, which were significantly susceptible to both the plant extracts at a concentration of 50 μg/ml. Conclusion The reports from the current investigation explored the possibility of utilizing these halophytes in nutraceutical formulations. The current study sheds light on the possibility of halophytes as natural secondary metabolites and bioactive chemicals with potential for antimicrobials.

Introduction: Parkia biglobosa belong to the family mimosaceae and Acanthus montanus belong to the family acanthaceae. The plants both have a multipurpose use as herbal medicine. Aim: This work investigate the pharmacognostic standard and anti-dysentery activity of the mixed ethanol extract of both plants on E. histolytical induced dysentery. Method: The phytochemical, chemo microscopy and proximate analysis were carried out using the standard procedures. The mixed extract of ratio 50:50 was administered to different groups of rats at different doses. Loperamide was administered as standard drug. The change in faecal consistency was observed and recorded. Result: The phytochemical analysis shows the presence of alkaloids, tannins, proteins, glycosides and carbohydrates. Chemomicroscopy of both plants showed the presence of starch, calcium oxalate, lignin, cellulose. While the extractive value analysis gave 25.0% and 32.7% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Acanthus montanus) and 23.0% and 30.0% for water extractive value and ethanol extractive value respectively (for Parkiabiglobosa). The absence of death at 5000mg/kg of the extract shows that the lethal dose of the ethanol extract of the plant mixture is higher than 5000mg/kg which may be an indication of safety of the mixture. The anti-dysentery activity of the mixture of both plants with different concentration of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract showed a significant change in the faecal consistency of the rats. The effect obtained on the administration of 500mg/kg body weight of the extract mixture is more comparable to the standard (loperamide). Conclusion: The synergistic use of the extract contains the secondary metabolites glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, which may be responsible for their anti-dysentery synergistic activity. Mixed extracts from both leaves of P. biglobosa and A. montanus can be recommended as an anti-dysentery agent.

This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and evaluated the total phenolic content, it also determined the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the ethanol (EtOH) extract of the whole plant of Dicliptera verticillata. The phytochemical study was carried out using repeated silica gel column chromatography followed by Sephadex LH-20 to purify the extract which afforded three known compounds: lutein (1), shikimic acid (2) and guaiacylglycerol (3). The structures of these compounds were identified after analyses of their NMR and MS data and comparison of these data with those reported in the literature. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities were evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical assay and the broth macrodilution method, respectively. The EtOH extract showed moderate antioxidant activity (63.9%; IC50 40.16 μg/mL), weak total phenolic content and had a bactericidal effect against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli). This is the first report on the isolation of compounds (1–3), as well as the total phenolic content and the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the EtOH extract of D. verticillata.

Stenosiphonium russellianum Nees. is rarely known species belongs to the family Acanthaceae and it is a shrub, found above 500m on slopes of mountain. It was traditionally used for wound healing in and as blood purifier. The current study designed to provide the requisite pharmacognostical and phytochemical properties of Stenosiphonium russellianum. Pharmacognostical studies like microscopic and macroscopic analysis of the leaves were carried out. Physiochemical parameter and preliminary phytochemical screening for secondary metabolite were also performed. Extracts were taken from nonpolar to polar solvants like hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, alcohol and water. Their extractive values are calculated. GCMS analysis of hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol extract of the leaves of Stenosiphonium russellianum were studied. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation showed the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols and glycosides. GCMS analysis revealed the presence compounds like lupeol, gamma sitosterol and stigmasterols. In conclusion, the information obtained from these studies can be used as markers in the identification and standardization of this plant as an herbal remedy and also towards further pharmacological activity estimation.

Aim: The present work was aimed at evolving with Pharmacognostical, Preliminary Phytochemical investigation and Antioxidant activity of plant Tubiflora acaulis Kuntze (Synonym Elytraria acaulis) belong to family Acanthaceae. Study Design: The permission was taken from Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board, Nagpur for plant collection, collected and authenticated and evaluated Pharmacognostical character including morphological and microscopical as well as Physical Evaluation, phytochemical process and antioxidant activity. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at PSGVPMs College of Pharmacy, Shahada, Dist- Nandurbar (MS) Affiliated to KBCNMU, Jalgaon University, Jalgaon (MS), during 2019-21. Methodology: The plant material firstly taken permission from Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board, Nagpur for plant collection, collected and authenticated and evaluated Pharmacognostical character including morphological and microscopical as well as Physical Evaluation, extraction by successive solvent method, phytochemical process and antioxidant activity of Tubiflora acaulis Kuntze (Acanthaceae). Results: The macroscopical and microscopical studies revealed useful diagnostic features. Qualitative phytochemical analyses revels that Tubiflora acaulis Kuntze leaf separately for different extract like pet. Ether, chloroform and methanol and contained the secondary metabolites. The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of secondary metabolite. The extract of Tubiflora acaulis showed the antioxidant activity by DPPH, Nitric oxide and reducing power assay. Conclusion: The findings of the current research indicated that the ethanol leaf extract of Tubiflora acaulis Kuntze (Acanthaceae) had presence of secondary metabolites and potent antioxidant properties against standard drug.

Background Adhatoda vasica L. is a medicinal plant, known as Malabar nut in English, belonging to the family Acanthaceae. It has been used traditionally to treat respiratory disorders like severe coughs, colds, chronic bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, and other illnesses. The multifunctional range of bioactives found in it has piqued the interest of pharmaceutical companies, who are looking for more evidence-based ways to develop new formulations. Objective To analyse the A. vasica leaves by GC-MS technique and evaluation of its antioxidant activity. Method Methanolic extract of A. vasica L. (MEAV) leaves was analyzed by GC-MS for identification and characterization of its bioactives and traditional therapeutic claims. A widely anticipated 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was used to determine the antioxidant activity of MEAV. Results The major compounds revealed in MEAV leaves are: 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine (3.06%); 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (5.35%); 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (16.82%); 2-butylphenol (6.85%); 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-dihydro-furan-2-on (2.5%); 2(OR 3)–(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methoxyphenol (3.52%); megastigmatrienone 3 (1.02%); tetradecanoic acid (1.52%); vomifoliol (0.58%); oxalic acid, cyclobutylhexyl ester (6.03%); hexadecanoic acid (6.06%); 4-ethyl-2-oxo-2,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[B]pyridine-3-carbonitrile (10.08%); phytol (2.01%); and vitamin E (3.18%). A significant reduction in free radicals against DPPH was observed, which revealed the antioxidant potential of MEAV. Conclusion MEAV consists of both polar and nonpolar components. GC-MS analysis was used to identify these compounds. The current work validates that the antioxidant activity of MEAV is attributed to the presence of compounds such as vitamin E and terpenes. Highlights This work validates the antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of A. vasica attributed to the presence of compounds like vitamin E and terpenes.

Proximate and phytochemical analyses of the root extracts of Justicia carnea and Justicia secunda in the Acanthaceae family were investigated using standard procedures and compared. The result of the proximate analysis indicated that the roots of both species contain nutrients in varying levels. Protein (11.38±0.01), lipid (4.81±0.01) and moisture content (17.01±0.01) were higher in the roots of J. carnea than in J. secunda (8.32±0.01, 2.01±0.01, 11.22±0.02) respectively, while Carbohydrate (6.62±0.00), Ash (16.75±0.05) and Fibre (55.18±0.01) were higher in J. secunda than in J. carnea (4.73±0.02, 9.81±0.01, and 52.29±0.00) respectively. Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannin, flavonoid, alkaloids, saponin, phytate and cyanogenic glycosides whereas the result for the quantitative analysis showed that the quantity of phytochemicals in Justicia carnea and Justicia secunda were: tannin (46.75±0.00 and 41.01±0.01), flavonoid (2.72±0.01 and 3.21±0.00), alkaloid (10.16±0.00 and 11.21±0.01), saponin (3.31±0.01 and 2.7±0.00), phytate (30.54±0.01 and 33.86±0.00) and cyanogenic glycoside (100.01±0.00 and 500±0.00) respectively. Justicia carnea contained higher quantity of tannin and saponin while Justicia secunda contained higher amount of flavonoid, alkanoid, phytate and cyanogenic glycoside. These results conceivably indicated that the two species are good sources of essential nutrients which could be used in diets to supplement the daily nutrient needs in humans and animals, and phyto-nutrients which possess strong pharmacological activities, providing scientific credence for its therapeutic usage in folklore medicine.

One new benzophenone derivative, named penibenzophenone C (1), and a new benzophenone natural product, neamed penibenzophenone D (2), together with two known compounds (3, 4) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from the mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius L. collected in the South China Sea. The structures of 1–4 were elucidated by extensive NMR spectral interpretation and MS data. The new compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antibacterial activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with the MIC values of 3.12 and 6.25 μg ml−1, respectively.

Adhatoda vasica (L.) (Acanthaceae) has vital medicinal roles, and it is widely used in the indigenous medicine system in India. One of the important goals of the present study is to make report on the phytochemical and different in-vitro/in-vivo pharmacological activity of plant Adhatoda vasica. This study will help to find specific bioactive compounds of vasaka, and their suitable use for human welfare. The bioactive compound vasicine have been isolated from alcoholic extract of vasica leaves using column chromatography. In this review article covered all the reported pharmacological activities of vasaka plant, and their chemical constituents. In-addition; chemical constituents of vasaka has been found active against many diseases such as antimicrobial activity, hepatoprotective, antitussive, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiulcer, anti-urolithiatic, abortifacient, thrombolytic, radio modulator, cardiovascular protection, hypoglycaemic, antitubercular, antioxidant and anticancer.

Many Bangladeshi medicinal plants have been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, the anticholinesterase effects of eight selected Bangladeshi medicinal plant species were investigated. Species were selected based on the traditional uses against CNS-related diseases. Extracts were prepared using a gentle cold extraction method. In vitro cholinesterase inhibitory effects were measured by Ellman’s method in 96-well microplates. Blumea lacera (Compositae) and Cyclea barbata (Menispermaceae) were found to have the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (IC50, 150 ± 11 and 176 ± 14 µg/mL, respectively) and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory effect (IC50, 297 ± 13 and 124 ± 2 µg/mL, respectively). Cyclea barbata demonstrated competitive inhibition, where Blumea lacera showed an uncompetitive inhibition mode for acetylcholinesterase. Smilax guianensis (Smilacaceae) and Byttneria pilosa (Malvaceae) were also found to show moderate AChE inhibition (IC50, 205 ± 31 and 221 ± 2 µg/mL, respectively), although no significant BChE inhibitory effect was observed for extracts from these plant species. Among others, Thunbergia grandiflora (Acanthaceae) and Mikania micrantha (Compositae) were found to display noticeable AChE (IC50, 252 ± 22 µg/mL) and BChE (IC50, 314 ± 15 µg/mL) inhibitory effects, respectively. Molecular docking experiment suggested that compounds 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone (BL4) and kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1⟶6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (BL5) from Blumea lacera bound stably to the binding groove of the AChE and BChE by hydrogen-bond interactions, respectively. Therefore, these compounds could be candidates for cholinesterase inhibitors. The present findings demonstrated that Blumea lacera and Cyclea barbata are interesting objects for further studies aiming at future therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease.

Potential biomass valorization of aquatic plant seeds of eight species was studied. Merremia emarginata (Convolvulaceae), Nelumbo nucifera (Nelumbonaceae), Schoenoplectus articulatus (Cyperaceae), Cleome viscosa (Cleomaceae), Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae), Rorippa palustris (Brassicaceae), Ludwigia parviflora (Onagraceae), and Hygrophila auriculata (Acanthaceae) were investigated for their oil yield and their lipophilic bioactive compound composition. The ultrasound-assisted extraction of oil followed by GC and HPLC analyses was applied for the determination of bioactive compounds. The oil yield ranged from 1.7 to 29.1%, in N. nucifera and H. auriculata, respectively. The studied species differed significantly with respect to the composition of fatty acids and bioactive compounds (statistically assessed). Unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) were the predominant group of fatty acids (74–88%) in the investigated samples. Four species were mainly comprised of γ-tocopherol (88–99%) (M. emarginata, C. viscosa, I. purpurea, L. parviflora), while the other four studied samples were dominated by γ-tocotrienol (72%) in N. nucifera, β-tocotrienol (72%) in S. articulates, α- and γ-tocopherol (49% and 41%, respectively) in R. palustris, and α-tocopherol (91%) in H. auriculata. β-Sitosterol was the main sterol (46–69%) in the majority of studied species, with the exception of H. auriculata, in which Δ5-stigmasterol (50%) dominated. Considerable levels of campesterol in each species (13–25%) were also recorded. Squalene was detected only in I. purpurea, R. palustris, and L. parviflora. The studied species were characterized by considerable quantities of carotenoids, tocochromanols, phytosterols, and squalene (0.6–6.9, 51–634, 292–2480, and 0–22 mg/100 g oil, respectively). Seeds of several studied aquatic species can be considered as an alternative source of oil and/or valuable lipophilic ingredients for industrial applications.

Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) is a popular mangrove ethnomedicinal plant that cures several ailments, including asthma, diabetes, cancer, and many others. Our experiment was aimed at evaluating the anti-atherogenic effect of A. ilicifolius (leaf and stem) on a high-fat diet-induced atherogenic rat model. Atherosclerosis was developed in 12 weeks. Treatment with the standard drug (3 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o. of Simvastatin), separate doses of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of A. ilicifolius leaf (250 and 500 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.), and stem (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.) was subsequently conducted for additional 15 days. The anti-atherogenic effect was evaluated by estimating the change in body weight, systolic blood pressure, and lipid profile. Histopathology of aorta, liver, and kidney of atherogenic models was done for further evaluation. The antioxidant effect of different extracts was performed via DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay using ascorbic acid as standard. The anticoagulant effect was determined after 15 days of treatment with the same doses of the plant extracts and the standard Warfarin (2 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.). When compared with atherogenic control, treatment with A. ilicifolius significantly reduced ( p p

Chemical investigation on chloroform extract of Phlogacanthus turgidus led to the isolation of one new compound namely turgidol, together with five known triterpenoids, lupeol, lupenone, betulin, betulinic acid, and taraxerol. Their structures and stereochemistry have been determined by 1 D and 2 D NMR analysis, high resolution mass spectrometry, and compared with those in literatures. The relative configuration of turgidol was defined using DFT-NMR chemical shift calculations and subsequent DP4+ probability method. Turgidol, betulin, and betulinic acid were evaluated for cytotoxic activity toward K562 cancer cell line and the alpha-glucosidase inhibition.

Recently, the demand for discovery of safe anticancer drugs from nature has been extensively increased to avoid cancer chemotherapy side effects. Blepharis edulis (Forssk.) pers (Acanthaceae) is a perennial herb growing in Egypt with many traditional and pharmacological activities. The in vitro assay as well as identification of phytoconstituents in plant samples by LC/MS/MS spectrometry has reserve time and efforts for rapid screening and identification of biologically active compounds in plants. Herein, we investigated the cytotoxic activity of different fractions of Blepharis edulis methanolic extract using Sulforhodamine B stain (SRB) against three cancer cell lines; Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. The results revealed that the n-butanol fraction showed the most potent cytotoxic activity against the three tested cancer cell lines with CC50 values 9.12 ± 0.92, 6.79 ± 0.65 and 4.19 ± 0.51 against MCF-7, HCT-116 and HepG2 cell lines, respectively. Moreover, the high resolution the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS-MS) metabolomic analysis for the n-butanol fraction as the most active sample has been achieved for the first time. A total of 30 compound of different classes including flavonoids, aromatic aldehydes, aromatic acids and alkaloids, have been identified from Blepharis edulis.

Vasicine (VAS) is mainly obtained from Adhatoda vasica Nees or Justicia adhatoda (Malabar nut, Adosa), family Acanthaceae. In the present work, we have elaborated chemistry, pharmacology, molecular...

Phlogacanthus Thyrsiformis is a shrub belonging to the Acanthaceae family, normally found in the north-eastern parts of India, Nepal, Burma, Indo-Chinese region and Indonesia. It is used as a cure for diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, burns, boils, high blood pressure, sprains and body pains. Silver and gold nanoparticles were synthesized from the extracts of the leaves of this plant as the some biomolecules, known as secondary metabolites, present in plant extracts can be used to reduce metal ions to nanoparticles. The contents of the leaves were extracted in various solvents and the tests for the presence of secondary metabolites were carried out. The gold and silver nanoparticles synthesized using the plant extracts and characterized using TEM, SEM techniques and the phytochemical screening tests were done for different extracts. The anti-oxidant studies of the several extracts were carried out.

Barleria albostellata (Acanthaceae), is a valuable medicinal plant with a broad spectrum of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to characterize the micromorphology, distribution, and chemical composition of the trichomes present on the leaves and stems of B. albostellata using light and electron microscopy and histochemistry. Morphological observations using stereo and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a dense indumentum bearing numerous non-glandular trichomes on the leaves and stems of B. albostellata. The histochemical and SEM analyses revealed the presence of five morphologically distinct glandular capitate trichome types, multangulate-dendritic branched (MDB) non-glandular trichomes and a glandular head attached to a branched non-glandular trichome. Transmission electron micrographs showed that numerous plastids, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum cisternae were actively involved in the secretory process. The stained leaf and stem sections indicated the presence of alkaloids and phenolics as the major medicinal compounds in glandular and non-glandular trichomes. To our knowledge, this study represents the first detailed report describing the key micromorphological features of the foliar structures of B. albostellata as well as the preliminary chemical composition of the secretions produced by these structures.

The species Andrographis paniculata L. Ness, family Acanthaceae grows in many parts in the island of Java in Indonesia. In this research, new potentials of photoprotective agents from A. paniculata plant extracts, along with their characteristics, were investigated. The phytochemical test, infrared analysis, ultraviolet characterization, fluorescence identification, flavonoid content by thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) and photoprotective analysis were performed in the extracts. The new potentials of A. paniculata plant extracts were studied at various concentrations of extracts and shown by the value of the sun protection factor (SPF). Based on phytochemical test, A. paniculata plant extracts contained flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, triterpenoids and polyphenols. A. paniculata plant extracts have 2 maximum wavelengths at 230 nm and 362 nm. The excitation peak at 300 nm (552.11 a.u) and the emission peak at 605 nm (516.02 a.u). The flavonoid content of the extracts was 0.022 µg/mL quercetin with Rf value of 0.61. The chromatogram of the LCMS/MS is similar to quercetin-3-glycoside standard at a retention time of 2.77. The photoprotective activity of A. paniculata plant extracts had ≥ 15 SPF. Its shows the possibility to use this extract as photoprotective agent in pharmaceutical preparations.

Background Malaria is among the most devastating and widespread tropical parasitic diseases which is more prevalent in developing countries. Acanthus polystachyus (Acanthaceae) leaves are traditionally used for the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo antimalarial and in vitro antioxidant activity of the leaves extract of Acanthus polystachyus. Materials and Methods The leaves part of A. polystachyus were extracted using 80% methanol. The antioxidant effect of Acanthus polystachyus extract was evaluated by using (DPPH) diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay model. To evaluate the antimalarial effect of the A. polystachyus extract, Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain (chloroquine sensitive) was used to infect the mice in three different experimental protocol: suppressive, curative, and prophylactic test models. Results The leaves extract of Acanthus polystachyus significantly (P

The genus Justicia (Acanthaceae) is a source of important pharmaceutical compounds. Justicia species are integral parts of several drug preparations in Indian indigenous healthcare system. However, J. beddomei and J. adhatoda are the authentic sources of ‘Vasa’. To authenticate assured therapeutic effect, proper identification at species level is critical. Phytochemical studies were carried out in different parts of seven Justicia species, viz., J. adhatoda, J. beddomei, J. betonica, J. carnea, J. gendarussa, J. santapaui and J. wynaadensis, using chromatographic analysis. Extracts of various parts like root, stem and leaf of the selected species were compared. The various parts showed remarkable differents in their chemical profiles. Comparative high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) profile of seven Justicia species, various parts such as root, stem and leaf, have been developed and the same can be used as an analytical tool for the identification and authentication of genuine material and also as a ready reckoner to identify the authenticity of market raw drug samples.

A green synthesis of silver nanoparticles was synthesized by AgNO3 with arabinoxylan, isolated from green stem of Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh). The synthesized Ag NPs-arabinoxylan conjugates were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA, EDX, and Zeta potential experiments. The Ag NPs formation was established by the surface plasmon resonance band ~410.25 nm. SEM image showed mostly spherical morphology of Ag NPs. The fcc crystalline nature was identified by XRD, SAED and the size were 24.5 and 25 nm from TEM and XRD analysis respectively. The prepared Ag NPs showed dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumonia, Candida albicans and E. coli. The nanoparciles damage 4% hemolysis to human RBCs at 12.5 μg/mL. MTT assay of Ag NPs showed that half of the cell killed at 10 μg/mL and wound healing assay observed effective inhibition cell proliferation.

Natural plant dyes have been developed and used across many traditional societies worldwide. The blue pigment indigo has seen widespread usage across South America, Egypt, Europe, India and China for thousands of years, mainly extracted from indigo-rich plants. The utilization and genetic engineering of indigo in industries and ethnobotanical studies on the effects of cultural selection on plant domestication are limited due to lack of relevant genetic and genomic information of dye plants. Strobilanthes cusia (Acanthaceae) is a typical indigo-rich plant important to diverse ethnic cultures in many regions of Asia. Here we present a chromosome-scale genome for S. cusia with a genome size of approximately 865 Mb. About 79% of the sequences were identified as repetitive sequences and 32 148 protein-coding genes were annotated. Metabolic analysis showed that the main indigoid pigments (indican, indigo and indirubin) were mainly synthesized in the leaves and stems of S. cusia. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the expression level of genes encoding metabolic enzymes such as monooxygenase, uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferase and β-glucosidase were significantly changed in leaves and stems compared with root tissues, implying their participation in indigo biosynthesis. We found that several gene families involved in indigo biosynthesis had undergone an expansion in number, with functional differentiation likely facilitating indigo biosynthesis in S. cusia. This study provides insight into the physiological and molecular bases of indigo biosynthesis, as well as providing genomic data that provide the basis for further study of S. cusia cultivation by Asia's traditional textile producers.

Andrographis paniculata (family: Acanthaceae) is a medicinal herb-used in Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani), traditional and folk systems to treat various illnesses. This study examined the phytochemical constituents of ethanol extract from A. paniculata and its protective effect against genotoxicity caused by cyclophosphamide (CPA). Phytochemical screening and estimation of total phenolic content were analyzed using standard methods. The bioactive components from the ethanol extract of A. paniculata (EAP) were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. To investigate the protective effect of EAP against CPA-induced genotoxicity, human peripheral lymphocyte cultures were used. To test the antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of EAP, lymphocytes were treated with different concentrations of extract (50∼250 mg/mL) alone and co-treated along with CPA+EAP for 48 h. The cells were analyzed for structural chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in control, CPA treated, and CPA+ EAP co-treated lymphocytes. Results of the study revealed that the lymphocyte cultures which had 48 h continuous exposure to EAP (50∼250 mg/mL) did not show any significant changes in CAs and SCE frequencies. These results substanti-ate the antimutagenic nature of the extract. Furthermore, the lymphocytes co-treated with CPA along with extract showed a significant reduction in CAs (reduced from 26.50±2.50% to 11.00±1.00%) and SCEs (reduced from 9.92±0.63 per cell to 4.56±0.18 per cell). These results suggest that A. paniculata is protective against CPA induced genotoxicity and put forward its possible use as a supplement with chemotherapeutic drugs.

Andrographis paniculata (AP) is commonly known as creat or green chiretta belongs to the family Acanthaceae. It is also known as Kalmegh and popularly called as King of bitters. It was widely used in the traditional system of medicines such as Siddha system, Ayurvedic system and Chinese medicine for the regular treatment of a common cold. Some of the reported health benefits are Antidiabetic, Antipyretic, Hepatoprotective, Antioxidant, Antimalarial, Anti-cancer, Antityphoid, Anti-diarrhoea, antioedema, etc. Whole plant possesses medicinal property and leaves are explicitly used for therapeutic care. The plant contains four major diterpenoids such as andrographolide, neoandrographolide,14-deoxyandrographolide, 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and also includes other phytoconstituents such as flavonoidssesquiterpene lactones, etc. Andrographolide is found as major constituent in the leaves and reported for a wide variety of pharmacological activities. The purpose of this review is to brief the plant's literature survey via internet sources such as google scholar and PubMed providing a medium to explain the plant's ethnobotany information on conventional usage, essential chemical constituents and selected plant pharmacology activities are obtained from existing research articles to frame the review. The present analysis also illustrates the pharmacological and phytochemical characteristics of Andrographis paniculata from which researchers may get benefited for further qualitative research.

Acacia macrostachya (Mimosaceae) and Lepidagathis anobrya (Acanthaceae) are two medicinal plants used in Burkina Faso folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the phenolic content, the antioxidant, lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidaseinhibitory effects of Acacia macrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya.The experimental results revealed that Acacia mascrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya have respective total phenolic contents varies from 240.13 ± 0.44 and 30.88 ± 0.30 mg GAE / 100 mg extract; and total flavonoids contents of 2.30 ± 0.002 and 4.24 ± 0.28 QE / 100 mg of extract. The two plants demonstrated anti-free radicals (ABTS) capacities of 0.06 and 0.14 TEAC while the FRAP reducing power of 2.24 ± 0.08 and 4.43 ± 0.12 mmol AAE per 100 mg respectively. Acacia macrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya showed significant inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation with the inhibition percentage values of 55.45 ± 1.48 and 66.36 ± 0.65 respectively. In the 15-lipoxygenase inhibition, Acacia macrostachya demonstrated very important inhibitory effect with the IC50 value of 1.32 ± 0.16 while the effect of Lepidagathis anobrya is very moderate.The results of this work demonstrated the interest of Acacia macrostachya and Lepidagathis anobrya in the management of inflammatory diseases.

The present review mainly focuses on the morphological and pharmacological activities of the Adhatoda vasica belonging to the family Acanthaceae, which is commonly referred to as Adosa or Adsogi. It also focuses on the evidence based therapeutic uses of A.vasica in various experimental models. This plant is found in all the ecosystem in India and other parts of the world as well. Because of its greater availability and multitude of pharmacological activities, the plant is being used in the treatment of numerous diseases. Extracts of various parts of the plants such as bark, root, leaf, flower, fruit and many a times, the whole plants are used in the management of pain, inflammation, asthma, cold, cough, diabetes, bronchitis, diarrhea, dysentery and other upper respiratory diseases and it is also used to heal wounds; is utilised as an insecticide, and also used as abortifacient. In asthma and acute stages of bronchitis, the extract of vasica offers an unflagging result by decreasing the thickness of the sputum. Because of the above mentioned reasons the plant has greater importance in the various systems of medicines such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. According to the texts, the plant has greater power on asthma, abortifacient and uterotonic. Numerous trials have been conducted to prove the effects of A.vasica on asthma which led to its inclusion in WHO manual. According to the present day studies the alkaloids such as vasicinone, vasicine, and oxyvasicine which are present in A.vasica are responsible for most of the activities. But extensive studies need to be conducted to understand the constituent responsible for abortifacient and uterotonic activity.

Introduction: Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are plant phytochemicals that have both defensive properties in plants and therapeutic effects in humans. The presence of BXs has been largely studied in the Poaceae family (monocots). To study the presence or absence of BXs in dicotyledons and monocotyledons outside the Poaceae family, parts of 24 plant species at several growth stages were selected for analysis, some of which were already known to contain BXs.Objectives: To devise a step-wise mass spectrometry-based approach for confirming the presence of BXs in plant samples, and to use the method to explore the status of BXs in selected plant species.Experimental: Plant samples were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction and analyzed using triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results: The use of different columns, double mass transitions, and ion ratios proved to be a robust tool for confirming the presence of BXs in different plant species. By this method, the presence of BXs was confirmed in three of the 24 species. Double-hexose forms of BXs, which have not been reported before in dicotyledons, were confirmed to be present in the dicotyledon plants Acanthus mollis and Lamium galeobdolon, and the presence of BXs in the seeds of Consolida orientalis is reported for the first time here. High concentrations of BXs were found in the aerial parts of Acanthus mollis and Lamium galeobdolon, at 20 and 32 μmol/g plant dry weight, respectively.Conclusions: The stepwise approach described in this work confirmed the presence of BXs in new samples.

Justicia gendarussa Burm .f. (family Acanthaceae) which is also known as willow-leaves and commonly known as Nili-Nirgundi, it is very commonly found nearby to China and its availability is very common in larger parts of India and Andaman islands. Traditionally it is used to treat various sorts of disorders such as wound healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiproliferative, anti-arthritic etc. Justicia gendarussa is one of the crucial herbs which has been used in the Ayurveda. Majorly leaves parts of the plant shows the pharmacological activity but the root of the plant Justicia gendarussa is also have the important medicinal values. A large variety of pharmacologically active constituents i.e., alkaloids, flavonoids, saponin, carbohydrates, steroids, triterpenoids, carotenoids, aminoacids, tannins, phenolics, coumarines and anthaquinones are also present in this plant and they makes the plant pharmacologically important. The activity of the plant is also dependent on the solvent which is used for the extraction the various vital chemical constituents. The different- different parts of the plants having the different medicinal values also differ in the chemical values. This review is not only focused on the essential phytochemical constituents which is available in the plant but it also explains their necessary medicinal value to shows the essential biological action and phytopharmacological actions of various parts of the plant.

Ruellia angustiflora (Acanthaceae) is known as flower-of-fire, and its leaves are traditionally employed to promote wound healing. This study was aimed at extracting and characterizing the chemical constituents of the extracts of R. angustiflora obtained by ultrasound-assisted and supercritical fluid extractions, and subsequently investigate their antioxidant potential and cyto-genotoxicity. The extract obtained by ultrasound (UAE-EtOH) was characterized by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS), and the extract obtained via supercritical fluid (SFE-CO2) by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The antioxidant potential was verified by the antiradical activity against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), and the cyto-genotoxicity evaluation to test cell viability and DNA damage was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures. The SFE-CO2 extract presented some fatty acids, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, tocopherols and phytosterols. The UAE-EtOH extract contained phenolic acids and flavonoids, and showed the highest antioxidant capacity. Neither extract was genotoxic or cytotoxic at the tested concentrations.

Three novel 14-membered cyclopeptide alkaloids, justicianenes B-D (1-3), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Justicia procumbens L., and their structures were determined on the basis of detailed NMR spectroscopic data and the absolute stereochemistry of the ring-bonded α-amino acids in the cyclopeptide alkaloids were determined by ECD spectra. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, including brest cancer MCF-7, cervix carcinoma HeLa, lung cancer A549 and H460, and diphyllin (14) showed moderate cytotoxicity against the HeLa, A549 and H460 cells with IC50 of 9.13, 23.12, 42.34 µM, respectively, justicianene D showed weak cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell with inhibition rate of 50% at the concentration of 90 µM.

The current investigation was to examine the hepatoprotective potential of D.littoralis Nees. (family Acanthaceae) On paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The aerial parts of D.littoralis Nees. The powder was concentrated with various solvents (PE, EA, and methanol) through Soxhlet concentrates and different crude concentrates utilized for hepatoprotective activity. Hepatotoxicity was induced by paracetamol (2g/kg b.wt.) on the 5th day of the investigational period and given orally. Paracetamol-induced rats to exhibit elevated activities of liver enzymes such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, total cholesterol & triglyc in serum. Furthermore, Oral administration of the ethyl acetate concentrates of D.littoralis (200 mg/ kgb.wt.) given rats were significant reduction the level of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, total cholesterol & triglycerides when compared to other concentrates. They also significantly elevated the concentration of complete protein and albumin when compared to other concentrates. Thus, results suggested that ethyl acetate concentrates of D.littoralis could afford better hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity rats.

Limitations in existing anticoagulants have prompted a search for the natural origin of anticoagulants. Since there is an increasing need to source for pharmacological and medicinal materials from a plant source, thus an exploratory effort towards identifying and characterizing new anticoagulants from plants is worthwhile. Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans) commonly known as Sabah snake grass belongs to Acanthaceae family was chosen since it has therapeutic and medicinal benefits. This plant possessed anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic activities. This study was carried out to identify the anticoagulant activities of C. nutans leaves in aqueous and methanol extracts at different concentrations based on prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The dried leaves of C. nutans were ground into a fine powder and extracted using aqueous and methanol. Anticoagulant assays of PT and aPTT were done on three different concentrations of C. nutans aqueous and methanol extracts (10 mg/mL, 20 mg/mL, and 30 mg/mL) and control group respectively. PT and aPTT of plasma samples were prolonged in both types of extracts (p

Context Fruit of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. (Acanthaceae) is used as a Chinese herb. Studies have found that it contains marinoid J, a novel phenylethanoid glycoside (PG) compound, but its neuroprotective functions are largely unknown. Objective This study evaluated the effects of marinoid J on vascular dementia (VD) and determined its potential mechanisms of action. Materials and methods The VD model was established by the ligation of the bilateral common carotid artery in Sprague–Dawley rats, who received daily intragastrically administration of saline, marinoid J (125 or 500 mg/kg body weight/d), or oxiracetam (250 mg/kg body weight/d) for 14 days (20 rats in each group). The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluate cognitive performance. The hippocampus was subjected to histological and proteomic analyses. Results Marinoid J shortened the escape latency of VD rats (31.07 ± 3.74 s, p

Two new polycyclic pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids with unprecedented skeleton, anisulcusines A (1) and B (2), along with four known compounds (3-6), were identified from the aerial parts of Anisotes trisulcus (Forssk.) Nees. To our knowledge, anisulcusines A and B are the first polycyclic pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids that possess a unique N-methyl-1,2-dihydro-1'H-spiro[benzo[d][1,3]oxazine moiety. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and high-resolution mass spectroscopy. Anisulcusine B (2) exerted moderate cytotoxic effect on cultured human hepatoma (HuH7) cells, whereas compounds 1 and 3-5 exhibited mild cell proliferative or growth stimulatory activity. HIGHLIGHTS Two new polycyclic pyrroloquinazoline alkaloids from Anisotes trisulcus. Structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectra. Compound (2) exerted moderate cytotoxic effect against human hepatoma (HuH7) cells. Compounds (1, 3-5) exhibited mild cell proliferative or growth stimulatory activity.

Phytochemical investigation of chloroform fraction (DBC) and ethyl acetate fraction (DBE) of D. bupleuroides (Acanthaceae) resulted in the isolation of β-sitosterol (1) from DBC and vanillic acid (2) from DBE, which were first to be isolated from D. bupleuroides. β-Sitosterol (1) exhibited substantial antioxidant activity (IC50 = 198.87 µg/mL), whereas vanillic acid (2) showed significant antioxidant power (IC50 = 92.68 µg/mL) employing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) radical scavenging capacity assay. Both compounds showed pronounced antimicrobial activity using the agar disc diffusion method, particularly against fungi showing MIC values of 0.182 and 0.02 concerning Candida albicans, respectively, and 0.001 mg/mL regarding Penicillium notatum. They revealed considerable antibacterial activity with MIC values ranging between 0.467 and 0.809 mg/mL. Vanillic acid (2) exhibited substantial anticancer potential displaying 48.67% cell viability at a concentration of 100 μg/mL using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyl-2H-Tetrazolium Bromide) assay concerning HepG2 cell lines. These results were further consolidated by in silico studies on different enzymes, where vanillic acid displayed a high fitting score in the active pockets of DNA-gyrase, dihydrofolate reductase, aminoglycoside nucleotidyltransferase, and β-lactamase. It also inhibited human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK-2) and DNA topoisomerase II, as revealed by the in silico studies. ADME/TOPKAT (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) prediction showed that vanillic acid exhibited reasonable pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity properties and, thus, could perfectly together with D. bupleuroides crude extract be incorporated in pharmaceutical preparations to counteract cancer and microbial invasion, as well as oxidative stress. Thus, it is concluded that D. bupleroides could be a potential source of therapeutically active compounds, which would be helpful for the discovery of clinically effective and safe drugs.

Hygrophila polysperma is a heterophyllous amphibious plant. The growth of H. polysperma in submerged conditions is challenging due to the low CO2 environment, increased resistance to gas diffusion, and bicarbonate ion (HCO3–) being the dominant dissolved inorganic carbon source. The submerged leaves of H. polysperma have significantly higher rates of underwater photosynthesis compared with the terrestrial leaves. 4,4′-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate (DIDS), an anion exchanger protein inhibitor, and ethoxyzolamide (EZ), an inhibitor of internal carbonic anhydrase, repressed underwater photosynthesis by the submerged leaves. These results suggested that H. polysperma acclimates to the submerged condition by using HCO3– for photosynthesis. H. polysperma transports HCO3– into the leaf by a DIDS-sensitive HCO3– transporter and converted to CO2 by carbonic anhydrase. Additionally, proteome analysis revealed that submerged leaves accumulated fewer proteins associated with C4 photosynthesis compared with terrestrial leaves. This finding suggested that H. polysperma is capable of C4 and C3 photosynthesis in the terrestrial and submerged leaves, respectively. The ratio of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase to ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) in the submerged leaves was less than that in the terrestrial leaves. Upon anatomical observation, the terrestrial leaves exhibited a phenotype similar to the Kranz anatomy found among C4 plants; however, chloroplasts in the bundle sheath cells were not located adjacent to the vascular bundles, and the typical Kranz anatomy was absent in submerged leaves. These results suggest that H. polysperma performs proto-Kranz type photosynthesis in a terrestrial environment and shifts from a proto-Kranz type in terrestrial leaves to a HCO3– use photosynthesis in the submerged environments.

A new isocoumarin, xylariamalirin (1), was isolated from the n-BuOH-soluble fraction of the fermentation broth of an endophytic fungus Xylaria mali, derived from the Taiwanese Lepidagathis stenophyllTaiwana C. B. Clarke ex Hayata (Acanthaceae) growing in the Hengchun Peninsula of southern . The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, and by HR-ESI-MS mass spectrometry.

Background Indigo alkaloids, such as indigo, indirubin and its derivatives, have been identified as effective antiviral compounds in Baphicacanthus cusia. Evidence suggests that the biosynthesis of indigo alkaloids in plants occurs via the shikimate pathway. The enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) is involved in plant metabolism; however, its underlying putative mechanism of regulating the production of indigo alkaloids is currently unknown. Results One gene encoding EPSPS was isolated from B. cusia. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that BcEPSPS was expressed at the highest level in the stem and upregulated by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. The results of subcellular localization indicated that BcEPSPS is mainly expressed in both the plastids and cytosol, which has not been previously reported. An enzyme assay revealed that the heterogeneously expressed BcEPSPS protein catalysed the generation of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate. The overexpression of BcEPSPS in Isatis indigotica hairy roots resulted in the high accumulation of indigo alkaloids, such as indigo, secologanin, indole and isorhamnetin. Conclusions The function of BcEPSPS in catalysing the production of EPSP and regulating indigo alkaloid biosynthesis was revealed, which provided a distinct view of plant metabolic engineering. Our findings have practical implications for understanding the effect of BcEPSPS on active compound biosynthesis in B. cusia.

Background Clinacanthus nutans extracts have been consumed by the cancer patients with the hope that the extracts can kill cancers more effectively than conventional chemotherapies. Our previous study reported its anti-inflammatory effects were caused by inhibiting Toll-like Receptor-4 (TLR-4) activation. However, we are unsure of its anticancer effect, and its interaction with existing chemotherapy. Methods We investigated the anti-proliferative efficacy of polar leaf extracts (LP), non-polar leaf extracts (LN), polar stem extract (SP) and non-polar stem extracts (SN) in human breast, colorectal, lung, endometrial, nasopharyngeal, and pancreatic cancer cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT assay. The most potent extracts was tested along with gemcitabine using our established drug combination analysis. The effect of the combinatory treatment in apoptosis were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Annexin V assay, antibody array and immunoblotting. Statistical significance was analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Dunnett’s test. A p-value of less than 0.05 (p Results All extracts tested were not able to induce potent anti-proliferative effects. However, it was found that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC (AsPC1, BxPC3 and SW1990) were the cell lines most sensitive cell lines to SN extracts. This is the first report of C. nutans SN extracts acting in synergy with gemcitabine, the first line chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, as compared to conventional monotherapy. In the presence of SN extracts, we can reduce the dose of gemcitabine 2.38–5.28 folds but still maintain the effects of gemcitabine in PDAC. SN extracts potentiated the killing of gemcitabine in PDAC by apoptosis. Bax was upregulated while bcl-2, cIAP-2, and XIAP levels were downregulated in SW1990 and BxPC3 cells treated with gemcitabine and SN extracts. The synergism was independent of TLR-4 expression in pancreatic cancer cells. Conclusion These results provide strong evidence of C. nutans extracts being inefficacious as monotherapy for cancer. Hence, it should not be used as a total substitution for any chemotherapy agents. However, SN extracts may synergise with gemcitabine in the anti-tumor mechanism.

Qing Dai (Naturalis Indigo) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used as a topical agent in moderate psoriasis, targeting interleukin-17 (IL-17). In this study, it was prepared from the aerial parts of Strobilanthes cusia. Three undescribed indole alkaloid derivatives, indigodoles A-C, along with seven known compounds were isolated from this preparation of Qing Dai and their structures were elucidated from spectroscopic data, including NMR, MS, UV, IR, optical rotation, and CD. As well, most compounds were tested against IL-17. Indigodole C and tryptanthrin could significantly inhibit IL-17 production of Th17 cells. In addition, indigodole A and indirubin showed notably anti-IL-17 gene expression in dose-dependent effects without cytotoxicities toward Th17 and Jurkat cells, respectively. Overall, our studies indicate that the aforementioned indole alkaloids could contribute to anti-IL 17 properties of Qing Dai.

Objective: The genus Ruellia has been widely used in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine as an antioxidant. This study seeks to examine the antioxidant activity of the species Ruellia brittoniana. Methods: In this study, Ruellia brittoniana flowers were acquired from Depok, West Java, Indonesia. The flowers were cleaned and ground to form a powder, then dissolved in hexane, ethanol and ethyl acetate solvents. These three extracts were then tested for phytochemicals and thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts were also analyzed for antioxidants using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results: Phytochemical results from the three extracts proved that Ruellia brittoniana contains flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and triterpenes. These results are comparable to the results from TLC analysis, which showed the samples contained 4–5 chemical components. Furthermore, the best antioxidant activity resulted from the ethyl acetate extract of the Ruellia brittoniana flower with an IC50 value of 68.42 ppm. Conclusion: An ethyl acetate extract from the Ruellia brittoniana flower can be used as a natural source of additional antioxidants.