UNASSIGNED: Saliva enables the maintenance of oral and systemic health. Evaluation of saliva is very valuable for multiple parameters to be evaluated as they are easy to collect, allow easy and safe sample collection, are non-traumatic, can be repeated with ease, and are non-invasive in nature. Salivary enzyme systems have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and similar functions which aid in the maintenance of homeostasis in the oral cavity. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals from cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation.
UNASSIGNED: In the present study, the pH and antioxidant capacity of the saliva were evaluated. Subjects were categorized as GROUP A: Vegetarians: Diets were entirely devoid of eggs or meat of any type (for more than 20 years). GROUP B: Non-vegetarians: Diets included both red and white meat, consumed either daily or frequently. GROUP C: Eggetarians: Otherwise vegetarian diets which includes eggs, consumed frequently. Ten samples of each group were collected. The pH profile and antioxidant activity of the samples were analysed. Each of the individuals was subjected to oral examination for grading of the status of oral hygiene, caries teeth, missing and extracted teeth, and the health of gingiva. For the same Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHIS), Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and Gingival Status indices were used and the observations were noted.
UNASSIGNED: The average salivary pH for the vegetarians was 7 ± 0.5, that for eggetarians was 7.1 ± 0.5, and in the non-vegetarian group, the average pH was equal to 7.3 ± 0.5. Using the DPPH method, the percentage antioxidant activity of saliva in vegetarians was 20.9 ± 2.1%, while those of eggetarians and non-vegetarians were equal to 5 ± 0.6% and 11.4 ± 2%, respectively. Each individual was subjected to oral examination for grading of the status of oral hygiene (OHIS); decayed, missing, extracted teeth, filled teeth index (DMFT); and the health of gingiva (gingival status index). Overall, eggetarians had a high OHIS index (mean 1.08). The DMFT index was high in non-vegetarians with values ranging from 1 to 8. Statistical analysis using the T-test revealed that the antioxidant potential of the vegetarian group was significantly higher than those of the eggetarian and non-vegetarian dietary groups (P < 0.001). However, the eggetarian and non-vegetarian dietary groups did not significantly differ from each other with respect to this parameter.
UNASSIGNED: The antioxidant capacity is markedly high in vegetarians, 20.9+/- 2.1%, as compared to non-vegetarians, 11.4+/- 2.1%, and was the lowest in eggetarians, 5+/- 0.6%.

Cancer and diabetes represent significant challenges in the field of biomedicine, with major and global impacts on public health. Acacia nilotica, commonly called \'gum arabic tree,\' is recognized for its unique biomedical properties. The current study aimed to investigate the pharmacological potential of A. nilotica-based zinc-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in comparison to the ethanol and methanol-based extracts against cancer, diabetes, and oxidative stress. Green synthesis of ZnO-NPs was performed using barks of Acacia nilotica. Different techniques for the characterization of ZnO-NPs, including UV-Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transmission Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), were utilized. The morphological analysis of ZnO-NPs revealed that the fine NPs have mean particle sizes of 15 ± 1.5 nm. For the solvent based-extraction, leaves and barks were utilized and dissolved into ethanol and methanol for further processing. The MTT assay revealed that the optimum concentration of ZnO-NPs to inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cell line HepG2 was 100 μg/mL where 67.0 % inhibition was observed; and both ethanol- and methanol-based extracts showed optimum inhibition at 100 μg/mL. The DPPH assay further demonstrated that 250 μg/mL of ZnO-NPs and 1000 μg/mL of both ethanol- and methanol-based extracts, as the optimum concentration for antioxidant activity (with 73.1 %, 68.9 % and 68.2 % inhibition respectively). The α-Glucosidase inhibition assay revealed that 250 μg/mL of ZnO-NPs and 10 μg/mL of both ethanol- and methanol-based extracts as the optimum concentration for antidiabetic activity (with 95 %, 93.7 % and 93.4 % inhibition respectively). The study provided interesting insights into the efficacy and reliability of ZnO-NPs for potential pharmacological application. Further research should be focused on examining specific pathways and the safety of ZnO-NPs in comparison to solvent-based extracts.

Three cyclic diarylheptanoids, myricanol (1), myricanone (2), and porson (3), were isolated from Myrica javanica (Myricaceae). As a major component, myricanol (1) was obtained from dry powdered bark and twigs (up to 1.6%). Transformation of myricanol (1) afforded 5-prenylmyricanol (4) and 5-benzylmyricanol (5) in 84.5% and 65% yields, respectively. The bioactivities of the isolated cyclic diarylheptanoids and their derivatives were investigated to determine their cytotoxicity and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activities. The cytotoxicity assay against murine leukaemia P-388 cells demonstrated that compounds 4 and 5 showed an almost two-fold increase in the activity of their parent molecule (1), with an IC50 value of 12 µM. Furthermore, the free radical scavenging assay showed that myricanol (1) had the highest radical scavenging activity, revealing the importance of the free phenolic group (IC50 39.3 µM).

The Equisetaceae family, commonly known as horsetails, has been of scientific interest for decades due to its status as one of the most ancient extant vascular plant families. Notably, the corresponding species have found their place in traditional medicine, offering a wide array of applications. This study presents a comprehensive phytochemical analysis of polar secondary metabolites within the sterile stems of five distinct Equisetum species using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn. For this purpose, fresh plant material was extracted with acetone/water, and the resulting crude extracts were fractionated using dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol, respectively. The results reveal a complex array of compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonoids, and other phenolic compounds. In addition, total phenolic contents (Folin-Ciocalteu assay) and antioxidant activities (DPPH assay) of the plant extracts were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. The present comparative analysis across the five species highlights both shared and species-specific metabolites, providing valuable insights into their chemical diversity and potential pharmacological properties.

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is one of the most commonly used nutraceuticals as it has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition of PV and its in vivo antioxidant properties. A phytochemical analysis measuring the total phenolic content (TPC), the identification of phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-ESI, and the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay of the extract were performed. The antioxidant effects on inflammation induced by turpentine oil were experimentally tested in rats. Seven groups with six animals each were used: a control group, the experimental inflammation treatment group, the experimental inflammation and diclofenac sodium (DS) treatment group, and four groups with their inflammation treated using different dilutions of the extract. Serum redox balance was assessed based on total oxidative status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiols, and an oxidative stress index (OSI) contents. The TPC was 0.28 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL extract, while specific representatives were represented by caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid, rosmarinic acid, vanillic acid, apigenin-glucuronide, hesperidin, kaempferol-glucuronide. The highest amount (370.45 μg/mL) was reported for hesperidin, which is a phenolic compound belonging to the flavanone subclass. The antioxidant activity of the extracts, determined using the DPPH assay, was 27.52 mmol Trolox/mL extract. The PV treatment reduced the oxidative stress by lowering the TOS, OSI, NO, and MDA and by increasing the TAC and thiols. In acute inflammation, treatment with the PV extract reduced oxidative stress, with lower concentrations being more efficient and having a better effect than DS.

The present study incorporated an environment-friendly and cost-efficient green synthesis method for fabricating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using various parts (leaves, buds, and flowers) of Bauhinia Variegate Linn. UV-Spectrophotometric analysis was used to confirm the synthesis of ZnO-NPs, which showed an absorption band within 360-380 nm range. Further techniques like FT-IR spectroscopy and (SEM) scanning electron microscopy equipped with a novel EDX were also included to confirm the synthesis, size, and shape of ZnO-NPs. Results obtained by FT-IR showed that the phytochemicals present in the ethanolic extract successfully acted as a capping agent. SEM micrographs confirmed irregularly shaped nanoparticles with an average size of 70-80 nm. The presence of Zinc and Oxygen peaks in EDX also confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The radical scavenging (antioxidant) potential of prepared nanoparticles was also evaluated by DPPH radical assay. The ZnO-NPs obtained from the ethanolic extract of buds showed the highest %RSA (86%) as compared to the flowers (79%) and leaves (76%). The current study findings showed the versatile morphology of all parts of the plant with significant antioxidant potential, establishing the use of Bauhinia Variegate in biological systems for various biomedical applications. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: A thorough comparative analysis of the radical scavenging power of major parts of the Bauhinia Variegate, which is 1st of its kind. Extensive characterization using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR, SEM, and EDX to observe the conformational and morphological changes. Analysis of the reduction potential of leaves, buds, and flowers of a single plant for future directions in green synthesis.

In the literature, the chemical composition of Rhododendron tomentosum is mainly represented by the study of isoprenoid compounds of essential oil. In contrast, the study of the content of flavonoids will contribute to the expansion of pharmacological action and the use of the medicinal plant for medical purposes. The paper deals with the technology of extracts from Rh. tomentosum shoots using ethanol of various concentrations and purified water as an extractant. Extracts from Rh. tomentosum were obtained by a modified method that combined the effects of ultrasound and temperature to maximize the extraction of biologically active substances from the raw material. Using the method of high-performance thin-layer chromatography in a system with solvents ethyl acetate/formic acid/water (15:1:1), the following substances have been separated and identified in all the extracts obtained: rutin, hyperoside, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. The total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were estimated using spectrophotometric methods involving the Folin-Ciocalteu (F-C) reagent and the complexation reaction with aluminum chloride, respectively. A correlation analysis was conducted between antioxidant activity and the polyphenolic substance content. Following the DPPH assay, regression analysis shows that phenolic compounds contribute to about 80% (r2 = 0.8028, p < 0.05) of radical scavenging properties in the extract of Rh. tomentosum. The extract of Rh. tomentosum obtained by ethanol 30% inhibits the growth of test cultures of microorganisms in 1:1 and 1:2 dilutions of the clinical strains #211 Staphylococcus aureus and #222 Enterococcus spp. and the reference strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145.

UNASSIGNED: Erianthemum aethiopicum Wiens and Polhill (Loranthaceae) is a parasitic plant native to north eastern Africa and Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, it is traditionally used to treat breast swelling, mastitis, morning illnesses and vomiting.
UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to screen the main phytochemical constituents; determine the total amounts of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins; and evaluate the antimicrobial (against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus sciuri, Candida glaebosa and Cryptococcus albidus) and antioxidant (against DPPH radical and ferric ion) activities of E. aethiopicum leaves extracts.
UNASSIGNED: Powdered E. aethiopicum leaves were macerated using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol. All crude extracts were qualitatively screened for phytochemical identification. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents of the chloroform, ethanol, and methanol extracts were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against the aforementioned microbes using agar disc diffusion and broth micro-dilution techniques. Chloroform, ethanol, and methanol extracts were also evaluated for antioxidant activity by DPPH and ferric ion reduction antioxidant power (FRAP) assays.
UNASSIGNED: Methanol (17.56 ± 16%) and ethanol (16.45 ± 19%) showed better extraction efficiency. Flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and sterols were detected in all extracts. The highest total content of phenolics (22.63 ± 0.69 mgGAE/gDCE), flavonoids (5.38 ± 0.52 mgCE/gDCE) and tannins (39.18 ± 38 mg CE/g DCE), as milligram of gallic acid and catechin per gram of dried crude extract, were recorded in the methanolic extract. The methanolic extract also presented best anti -DPPH strength (IC50, 4.31 μg/mL) and ferric ion reduction power (absorbance of 0.71) though found weak compared to the ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.49 μg/mL and absorbance of 0.93, respectively).
UNASSIGNED: All evaluated extracts displayed antifungal activity against both Cryptococcus albidus and Candida glaebosa strains (minimum inhibitory concentration values of 12.5-25 mg/mL), whereas they were found to have negligible activity against all tested bacterial strains. This report provides preliminary information for further phytochemical investigation of Erianthemum aethiopicum to isolate potential antioxidant and antifungal compounds.

The study of medicinal plants and their active compounds is relevant to maintaining knowledge of traditional medicine and to the development of new drugs of natural origin with lower environmental impact. From the seeds of the Brazilian plant Pterodon emarginatus, six different preparations were obtained: essential oil (EO), ethanol extract (EthE) prepared using the traditional method, and four extracts using solvents at different polarities, such as n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol (HexE, ChlE, EtAE, and MetE). Chemical characterization was carried out with gas chromatography, allowing the identification of several terpenoids as characteristic components. The two sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene and farnesol were identified in all preparations of Pterodon emarginatus, and their amounts were also evaluated. Furthermore, the total flavonoid and phenolic contents of the extracts were assessed. Successively, the antiradical activity with DPPH and ORAC assays and the influence on cell proliferation by the MTT test on the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell line of the preparations and the two compounds were evaluated. Lastly, an in silico study of adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) showed that β-caryophyllene and farnesol could be suitable candidates for development as drugs. The set of data obtained highlights the potential medicinal use of Pterodon emarginatus seeds and supports further studies of both plant preparations and isolated compounds, β-caryophyllene and farnesol, for their potential use in disease with free radical involvement as age-related chronic disorders.

Introduction Beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol, has been linked to antibacterial and antinociceptive effects. Plant sterols exhibit valuable medicinal properties, including anti-adhesive activities. The dietary composition of sterols includes carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and various minerals, along with beneficial reinforcements like essential nutrients. Methodology This study primarily aims to evaluate the antioxidant potential of beta-sitosterol through assessments using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and total antioxidant assays. Results The investigation into beta-sitosterol\'s antioxidant properties revealed a positive correlation between its concentration and antioxidant activity. Similar trends were observed in the present study, indicating an increase in antioxidant activity at lower concentrations. Discussion and conclusion Our findings demonstrate that beta-sitosterol exhibits significant antioxidant activity in the tested samples. These results highlight beta-sitosterol\'s potential as a potent antioxidant and contribute to our understanding of its beneficial effects.