Introduction: Morinda citrifolia or also known as noni is commonly consumed raw or blanched as side dishes or ‘ulam’. As cancer is one of the most leading causes of death in the world, we aimed to evaluate the anti-proliferative potential of noni shoot against various types of cancer cell lines. Methods: The breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), liver cancer (HepG2), and colorectal cancer (HT-29) cell lines were treated with 70% ethanol extract of noni shoot for cytotoxicity testing using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis induction effects were examined using AO/PI dual fluorescent assay and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) was also carried out to characterize the active compounds in noni shoot. Results: The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated noni shoot had IC50 of 49.72 µg/mL, 307.5 µg/mL and 65.43 µg/ mL against MDA-MB-231, HepG2, and HT-29 cell lines, respectively. The AO/PI staining showed apoptotic bodies such as cell blebbing, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation was markedly induced in the selected cancer cell lines-treated with noni shoot extract. Apoptosis induction by noni shoot was showed by a significant increase in sub G0/G1 phase in MDA-MB-231 and HT-29 cell lines of cell cycle analysis. It was found that noni shoot extract contained mostly acetic acid and ethriol that may contribute to its anti-cancer properties. Conclusion: These findings showed the potential anticancer properties of noni shoot extract thereby, further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of noni as anti-cancer agent and possibility to be developed as a nutraceutical or functional food products.
Phytochemicals

Infections caused by invasive fungal species continue to rise due to various contributing factors including the changes in the environmental and weather conditions, lifestyle, the occurrence of natural disasters, and the weakened human immune system. Even though synthetic drugs effectively cure fungal diseases, their unwanted side effects, as well as the rapid rise in resistance, have compelled researchers to develop new antifungal agents. Several medicinal plants are folklorically known to have antifungal activities. Among the traditionally used antifungal herbal plants is Senna alata, commonly known as akapulko and ringworm bush. In the current review, phytochemical analysis and numerous non-clinical studies on akapulko have been performed and confirmed its activity against several fungi pathogenic to humans. Anthraquinone compounds seemed to be the major phytochemicals responsible for its antifungal activity. In the Philippines, clinical trials have also confirmed its utility as a topical agent in treating cutaneous fungal infections. Research gaps that need to be addressed include the determination of the exact molecular mechanisms of their fungal killing action.
Phytochemicals

The persistence of human diseases challenges the current state of the discovery and production of synthetic drugs. Plants are recognized as a great resource to discover chemical compounds that can be used for drug development. In the Philippines, Ehretia microphylla (tsaang gubat) is recognized by the Department of Health as one of the ten recommended medicinal plants. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the traditional use, phytochemical constituents, pharmacologic activities as well as the non-clinical and clinical studies leading to the NIRPROMP formulation of the tsaang gubat tablet indicated for biliary and gastrointestinal pain. Among the phytochemical constituents observed were flavonoids, phenolics, triterpenes, and alkaloids. Evidence for other pharmacologic properties such as antibacterial, anti-angiogenesis, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, folliculogenesis, wound healing and anti-cancer activities are presented. Currently, tsaang gubat tablet has been granted a full patent for its invention as a tablet for relieving symptoms of biliary and gastrointestinal colic and is registered with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration for these indications. The tsaang gubat tablet is listed in the Philippine National Formulary after the conduct of in vitro, in vivo and Phase I-III clinical trials. Future platforms for research include the reformulation of the existing tsaang gubat drug for other indications, determination of the molecular mechanism of action and plans for plant conservation.
Phytochemicals ; Colic

Background: Rattan is a member of the Arecaceae family grown in the tropical or subtropical climates. These plants are used as raw materials for furniture-making. In some cases, its shoots are also used as food and may possess bioactive potentials. In this study, rattan root methanolic extracts were screened for phytochemicals and evaluated for antioxidant activities. Methodology: Six (6) methanolic extracts of selected rattan shoots were subjected to in vitro antioxidant assays, which include DPPH, FRAP, metal chelation, superoxide, and nitric oxide. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were also employed. Results: Shoots of Calamus sp. 02 (Bangaw-Bangaw; 85.59±0.430%), C. usitatus (Talola; 82.45±2.215%), and C. spinifolius (Kurakling; 75.54±1.599%) showed the most effective DPP radical inhibition at 66.67μg/mL. Concentration-dependent reducing power (>30% scavenging at 6.64μg/mL) with no-to-low metal chelating activity was also observed in these plant food. C. sp 02 and C. usitatus demonstrated an effective scavenging activity against superoxide anions at 227.3μg/mL. Nitric oxide scavenging activity was observed in all shoots with C. merrilli (Palasan) exhibiting highest at 78.13μg/mL. Qualitative phytochemical analyses showed that rattan shoots all contained reducing sugars, phenolics, terpenoids, and quinone compounds. Quantitative phytochemical analyses revealed that C. sp. 02 (66.024±4.183mg GAE/g) and C. merrilli (1.767±0.056mg QE/g) contained the highest amounts of phenolic and flavonoids, respectively. These phytochemicals present may explain their behavior as antioxidants. Conclusion The study revealed that different rattan shoots showed different capacities to scavenge particular oxidants. Of these, C. sp. 02, C. spinifolius, and C. merrilli may be considered promising sources of natural antioxidants.
Phytochemicals ; Antioxidants ; Calamus

Background: Streptococcus mutans is the leading cause of dental caries. One of many medicinal plants, purple leaf [Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff], which contains flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, and saponins, is a potential antibacterial agent. Objective: This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of purple leaf extract (Graptophyllum pictum L. Griff) against Streptococcus mutans. Methods: Streptococcus mutans were suspended in several Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff extract concentrations in a BHIB medium using the dilution method so that the concentration of 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.12%, 1.56%, 0.78% were obtained. Each tube was incubated for 24 hours, then subcultured in a Tryptone Yeast Extract Cystine medium in a petri dish using a spreader. Each petri dish was set for 24 hours; the growth of the colony, using CFU/mL unit, was manually calculated. The samples were then subjected to microbiological analysis. The Tukey's Honest Significant Difference test was performed to determine if the relationship between the sets of data in the treatment group is statistically significant (p<0.05). Results: Purple leaf extract contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, triterpenoid/ steroid, and saponin. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff against Streptococcus mutans was in concentration 3.125%, and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was in concentration 6.25%. Conclusion Purple Leaf Extract [Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff] has antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans.
Medicine ; Phytochemicals ; Streptococcus mutans

Aims: Plant extracts are a rich source of natural compounds that have some degree of antimicrobial efficacy and have less side effects compared to antibiotics. The aim of this research was to screen the phytochemical compounds and investigate the potency of Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe rhizome (CZR) extracts to inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of some pathogenic bacteria. Methodology and results: Antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of CZR extracts in different solvents were examined by agar well diffusion and the broth microdilution method after phytochemical screening. The 95% ethanolic extract of CZR exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial properties against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with inhibition zones of 7.25 ± 0.58-12.00 ± 0.26 mm and MIC values ranging from 50-200 mg/mL. The extract also showed rapid bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities towards Enterococcus faecalis DMST 4736 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 by time-kill assays. Moreover, the 95% ethanolic extracts of CZR also acted as a potent anti-biofilm agent against E. faecalis DMST 4736, S. aureus ATCC 25923, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Proteus mirabilis DMST 8212 (54.62 ± 0.30-71.25 ± 0.20% inhibition of biofilm formation). The bioactive potency of compounds of the crude 95% ethanolic extract (tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, terpenoids and alkaloids) play important roles in the observed antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe extract had broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The ethanolic CZR extract revealed bacteriostatic and bactericidal capacities, depending on time of exposure and concentration of the extracts. Thus, the present results indicate that C. zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe rhizomes are a potential natural alternative antibacterial agent for preventing bacterial diseases.
Phytochemicals--analysis ; Curcuma

Aims: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the possibility of reversing the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics using phytochemicals from plant extracts as antibiotic-adjuvant. Methodology and results: Twenty-one plants were collected from Podhigai Hills, Tamil Nadu, India and tested in this study. The susceptibility of burn wound isolates (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) to antibiotics and the adjuvant activity of the aqueous plant extracts were tested using well diffusion assay. The impact of the plant extracts on quorum sensing was assessed using Chromobacterium violaceum as the model organism. The antibiofilm activity of the adjuvant and antibiotics was determined by crystal violet assay. The isolates which were resistant to more than one class of antibiotics (aminoglycoside, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone and penicillin) were designated as multidrug resistant bacteria. Combination of cefdinir-Citrullus colocynthis showed 17 mm inhibition zone which is greater than cefdinir (0 mm) against P. aeruginosa. The combination reduced quorum sensing with an inhibition zone of 30 mm. The same combination reduced 96% and 95% of the biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively at 16 h. Besides, cefdinir with Leucas aspera reduced quorum sensing with an inhibition zone of 28 mm. The combination reduced 94% and 95% of biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively at 16 h. The aqueous extract of C. colocynthis and L. aspera revealed the presence of flavonoids that possess adjuvant activity. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Cefdinir-C. colocynthis and cefdinir-L. aspera reversed the resistance of multi drug resistant bacteria to cefdinir. The flavonoids of C. colocynthis and L. aspera served as an adjuvant that potentiates the activity of cefdinir.
Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Phytochemicals

Syringa plants are of important value in ornamental, economic and medical fields. The terpenoids in Syringa plants mainly include iridoids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids, most showing activities such as cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, anti-flu virus, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation effects. Among the above active compounds, sesquiterpenoids have attracted increasing attention. In this review, the phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Syringa terpenoids were summarized in order to provide an overview for further research and development of Syringa plants.
Phytochemicals ; Sesquiterpenes ; Syringa ; Terpenes ; Triterpenes

Aims: The exploration of natural products with innovative uses is dynamic and expanding rapidly. Medicinal plants have fascinated many researchers that subsequently lead to research publications highlighting plant extracts with wide range of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, quinones, terpenoids, tannins and saponins that exhibit antimicrobial activities and disease control. The concentration of these bioactive compounds in each plant species varies based on the pathosystem and environmental conditions. This study aims to uncover the various types of phytochemicals with antifungal properties. Methodology and results: Seven categories of plant-based antifungal compounds were reviewed, which are terpenoids, saponins, phenolic compounds, coumarins, alkaloids, essential oils and peptides, with examples and structures of some available compounds. The mechanism of action of each category of phytochemical was discussed. Also, the impact of some compounds was explained and elaborated. Conclusion, significance and impact of study It is of a great importance to explore natural plant fighters against fungal infection. Those active plant components do not only have antifungal properties, but they also help in the healing process and some even exhibit anticancer activities. The development and knowledge of antifungal activities from plant extracts have the potential for applications in antifungal therapy. Since the exact description of how antifungal compounds function in the human body is still unclear more studies are required to unveil phytochemicals’ properties and to elucidate their effects on living cells.
Phytochemicals--therapeutic use ; Antifungal Agents

Aims: Murraya paniculata (L.) has been widely employed in medicine, has also been modified to serve as an ingredient in health foods and found application in cosmetics. This study was aimed to assess the biological activities of M. paniculata by analyzing the chemical compositions of its flowers, leaves and bark. Methodology and results: Crude extracts drawn from the flowers, leaves and bark of M. paniculata underwent testing to determine the antibacterial properties in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), as well as the overall chemical composition, total phenolic content, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Crude extract of leaves exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity when tested against Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 1466, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The crude extract from bark delivered the most significant antibacterial activity when tested against Micrococcus luteus TISTR 9341, Escherichia coli ATCC 1261, Pseudomonas sp., Streptococcus sp. and Methicilin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). For all crude extracts, the MIC value against M. luteus TISTR 9341 was 12.5 mg/mL. Meanwhile, the MBC value for the crude extract of leaves against B. subtilis ATCC 6633 was 12.5 mg/mL, whereas, for flower and bark crude extracts, the MBC value against S. aureus TISTR 1466 was 25 mg/mL. Antioxidant activity was at its highest for the crude extract from bark (IC50 = 1.36 mg/mL). The highest phenolic content was recorded for the crude extract from bark, while the highest flavonoid content came from the crude extract of leaves (70.81 ± 0.31 mgGAE/g extract and 115.73 ± 1.18 mgQE/g extract, respectively). Conclusion, significance and impact of study The research findings suggest that the crude extracts of M. paniculata leaves and bark show greater significant levels of bioactivity than was the case for crude extracts from flowers. The research findings could help in exploring the possibilities of using M. paniculata for pharmaceutical purposes and in aquaculture.
Murraya ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Phytochemicals