Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Studies of Leaf Extract of Simarouba glauca DC In Vitro

The current study aimed to screen the preliminary phytochemicals in the leaf extract of the medicinal plant Simarouba glauca and to analyze its potential antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. The phytochemical profile of the methanol extract was analyzed, and bioactive compounds were identified using chromatography, FTIR and GCMS. Antimicrobial activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) were determined against 14 bacterial and 6 fungal strains. Moreover, the synergistic effect of a plant extract with commercially available antibiotics was also evaluated using the checkerboard method. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed exclusive activity against S. aureus and profound activity against E. coli and S. marcescens. Upon comparing breakpoints, methanolic extract demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity with a MIC value of 3.2 mg/mL against the test pathogens. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated potential antioxidant activity; methanol extract had higher antioxidant potential compared to the ethanol extract. The major proactive bioactive compound with maximum antioxidant capacity was observed to be terpenoids. The methanol extract of S. glauca showed significant cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line with an IC50 value of 16.12 µg/mL. The overall results of our work provide significant evidence for the usage of methanolic extract of S. glauca as an efficient ethnomedicinal agent and a potential candidate for relieving many human ailments.

Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Simarouba glauca DC (Simaroubaceae) on Lipoprotein Homeostasis and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

Background and Purpose: Simarouba glauca is widely reported to contain a number of biologically active compounds with potentials in the treatment of numerous diseases. The study was conducted to evaluate the sub-acute effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Simarouba glauca (AESG) on lipoproteins and oxidative stress biomarkers in male Wistar rats. Methods: Oral administration of AESG was carried out in line with the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), No. 425 using a total of 24 male Wistar rats allotted to four groups (n=6); given distilled water, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day of AESG respectively for 30 days. Results: In plasma, there was a significant reduction (P?0.05) in HDL-cholesterol; elevated (P?0.05) triglycerides (TG) at 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day; elevated (P?0.05), and LDL-cholesterol at 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, relative to the control. While the level of liver total cholesterol (TC) reduced significantly, it increased in the heart. Catalase (CAT) activity in the liver increased significantly (P?0.05) at all doses. The dose of 1000 mg/kg/day significantly (P?0.05) elevated kidney CAT activity. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver and heart reduced (P?0.05) at 500 mg/kg/day. At all doses, the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma, liver and heart were comparable with the control. Although, there were no significant changes in plasma and liver glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity at all doses, animals given 500 mg/kg had reduction (P?0.05) in the heart GSH-PX activity compared to the control. Conclusion: Oral sub-acute AESG at high doses altered lipid homeostasis in plasma and heart without lipid peroxidation or oxidative stress. The extract has the potential to cause hyperlipidemia.

Medicinal Potential of Laxmi Taru (Simarouba Glauca DC)

Cancer is becoming a high-profile disease throughout the world and for its treatment most prevalent technique is chemotherapy which has its limitations due to many toxic or side effects on healthy or non-cancerous body parts. Therefore, there is a demand for alternative and supportive anticancer agents for treatments which are naturally-derived with minimal side effects. This review paper highlights the therapeutic importance, safety, and efficacy of the Laxmi Taru along with their active constituents used either as single plant-decoctions, extracts, or in combinations especially in some traditional herbal medicines. World Health organization (WHO) is promoting this concept as ‘Save plants to save lives.’ Among the key health issues, WHO have also said that, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. The plethora of secondary metabolites (therapeutic agents) found in the plant are the rich source to find the alternative safe anti-cancer agents.

CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL SUITABILITY OF SIMAROUBA GLAUCA SEED SHELL LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS AS ADSORBENT OF BASIC DYES FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

The present study investigates the potential of Simarouba glauca seed shell powder as a cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of the cationic dyes Malachite green (MG), Methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RB) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and elemental (CHNS) analyses. Batch mode adsorption studies were carried out varying the experimental conditions, such as initial dye concentration and contact time, adsorbent dose, pH and particle size, in order to assess the adsorbent capacity for the removal of cationic dyes from wastewater. The experimental data were analysed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. The data fitted well the Langmuir model for the dyes studied. Kinetic data were analysed using the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intraparticle diffusion and Boyd models. The experimental results showed that the pseudo-second order model fitted well.

PHARMACOLOGICAL USES OF SIMAROUBA GLAUCA: A REVIEW

Simarouba glauca is an evergreen floral tree plant that is endemic to Florida, Lesser Antilles, South America, and the United States. Bitterwood, dysentery barks, Laxmi Taru, and Paradise tree are common names. It produces edible oils from its seeds. Various tree sections are used to treat different ailments. The plant contains many essential phyto constituents of major pharmacological significance. The pharmacological review of SG has proven its medicinal value and has different therapeutic qualities such as analgesic, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antitumor, antiulcer, hypoglycaemic, insecticidal, stomachic, and vermifuge. Several medically active compounds have been found in the plant. A group of triterpenes called Quassinoids is by far the most active compound. Further research into these plants can be concluded that these new pharmacophores can be beneficial for the improvement of mankind’s health and also helps in combating several other disorders. The purpose of this paper is to showcase the pharmacological importance of Simarouba glauca and it can provide a good forum for future researchers to carry out numerous studies on this particular plant species

Addition of 96 lichen species to the state of Odisha from Similipal Biosphere Reserve

A total of 96 species of lichens taxa belonging to 45 genera and 20 families are enumerated from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, in Mayurbhanj district as an addition to the lichen biota of Odisha, India. Most of the crustose lichen taxa usually growing as epiphytes on different phorophytes of the biosphere reserve exhibit their dominance. Among crustose lichens the members of family Graphidaceae with 26 species of 14 genera shown their maximum dominance. Together with Graphidaceae the lichen genus Pyrenula represented by 15 species found growing luxuriantly on smooth barked trees of the biosphere reserve. The dominant trees in the biosphere such as Shorea robusta Gaertn. followed by Mangifera indica L., Simarouba glauca DC. and Madhuca longifolia (L.) J. F. Macbr., provided suitable habitat for a number of lichen taxa to colonize. The south-west (SW) region of Similipal Biosphere Reserve exhibits the maximum additions of lichens, followed by north-west (NW), north-east (NE) and south-east (SE) respectively.