Molecular Spectroscopic (FTIR and UV-Vis) and Hyphenated Chromatographic (UHPLC-qTOF-MS) Analysis and In Vitro Bioactivities of the Momordica balsamina Leaf Extract

Abstract

Momordica balsamina (M. balsamina) is a medicinal herb comprising health-promoting secondary metabolites. This study was aimed to profile bioactive compounds in the methanolic extract of M. balsamina leaves using molecular spectroscopic (UV-Vis and FTIR) and hyphenated chromatographic (UHPLC-qTOF-MS) techniques and evaluate the biological (in vitro anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity) activities of the extract. The preliminary phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. The UV-Vis profile revealed various absorption bands ranging from 200 to 750 nm, indicating the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, terpenoids, carotenoids, chlorophyll, and alkaloids. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, anthraquinones, and phenolic compounds. A high-resolution and accurate mass spectrometer (LC-QTOF-MS model LC-MS-9030 instrument) was used, and the results confirmed the presence of flavonoid aglycones, such as quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol, as well as pseudolaroside A and dicaffeoylquinic and feruloyl isocitric acids. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of pseudolaroside A dimer and feruloyl isocitric acid in M. balsamina leaves. In vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that the extract was nontoxic against human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29 and Caco2), Vero, and RAW 264.7 cells. However, the extract showed anti-inflammatory activity on RAW 264.7 cells. The study confirmed that M. balsamina leaves contain nontoxic secondary metabolites that may play a pivotal role in human health as anti-inflammatory agents.

Romanian Viscum album L.—Untargeted Low-Molecular Metabolomic Approach to Engineered Viscum–AuNPs Carrier Assembly

“…The spectra of nanoparticle carrier assembly ( Figure 3 a) show the characteristic absorption bands of the viscum sample as well as the AuNPs coated with a surfactant (trisodium citrate) ( Figure 3 a,b). In addition, the peaks at 1622, 1371, 1258, 1114, and 660 cm −1 were found in the synthesized AuNP solution ( Figure 3 a) and are shifted to higher wavenumbers (1641, 1382, 1267, 1153 and 671 cm −1 ), indicating binding of nanoparticles to the functional groups O–H, C=O, C–N, C–S, and C–O belonging to the various phytoconstituents ( Figure 3 a,b and Table 3 ) [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [ 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ].…”

“…In addition, the peaks at 1622, 1371, 1258, 1114, and 660 cm −1 were found in the synthesized AuNP solution (Figure 3a) and are shifted to higher wavenumbers (1641, 1382, 1267, 1153 and 671 cm −1 ), indicating binding of nanoparticles to the functional groups O-H, C=O, C-N, C-S, and C-O belonging to the various phytoconstituents (Figure 3a,b and Table 3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. 3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91].…”

“…In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. 3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98].…”

“…3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. Figure 4a shows the specific XRD spectrum of AuNPs.…”

Toxicity Assessment of Curculigo orchioides Leaf Extract Using Drosophila melanogaster: A Preliminary Study

“…Plants contain various components that have often been used to make natural medicines. Because of the unparalleled richness of chemical compounds, plant-derived natural products, as a standardized extract or in pure form, give limitless prospects for new therapeutic leads [ 31 ]. The present study used FTIR to identify the functional groups in A.L.…”