Antioxidant (Peroxynitrite scavenging, Hypochlorous acid scavenging) Antifungal Activity, and Screening of Bioactive Metabolites of Juniper (Juniperus communis) Using FTIR Technique

Abstract

 Background: The use of plant-based remedies and the chemicals produced from them has a long history in traditional medicine. Traditional medicine practitioners have long relied on juniper (Juniperus communis) to alleviate symptoms such as amenorrhoea, albuminuria, bladder catarrh, acute and chronic cystitis, leucorrhea, and cystitis. Because of its high concentration of bioactive components such as phenolics, terpenoids, organic acids, alkaloids, and volatile chemicals, it finds widespread application in medicine. The coniferous tree known as Juniper communis belongs to the Cupressaceae family and the genus Juniperus. A number of recent studies have examined the vast potential of this evergreen shrub, drawing conclusions about its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and neuroprotective effects, as well as its antiproliferative, anticancer cell, and ability to activate inductive hepato-, renal-, and gastroprotective mechanisms. These findings are relevant to various biomedical fields. The goals of our research were to identify antioxidant (peroxynitrite and hypochlorous acid scavenging) and antifungal compounds in juniper (Juniperus communis) by means of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Methods: Using an electric grinder, the dried material was ground into a fine powder. The stock solution was prepared by mixing 50 g of the powder with 200 ml of solvents (w/v, 50 g/200 ml). Methanol, ethyle acetate, and ethanol were the solvents utilised for the extraction process. After pouring the SDA medium on top, the dishes were let to solidify. Then, using a sterile cork borer, a 5 mL disc was removed from each fungus and deposited on top of the culture medium.. Results: Peak (Wave number cm-ˡ), Intensity, Bond, Type of Vibration, and Functional group assignment recorded [675.09, 67.825, Strong, C-Cl, Stretch and alkyl halides], [692.44, 69.075, Strong, C-Cl, Stretch, alkyl halides], [738.74, 72.075, Strong, =C–H, Bending, Alkenes], [813.96, 76.441, Strong, =C–H, Bending, Alkenes], [974.05, 65.287, Strong, =C–H, Bending, Alkenes], [1008.77, 54.765, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides], [1049.28, 58.347, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides], [1093.64, 64.409, Strong, C- F, Stretch, alkyl halides], [1232.51, 80.641, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides], [1276.88, 80.140, Strong, C-F, Stretch, alkyl halides], [1606.70, 79.503, Bending, N-H, Stretch, Amide], [1647.21, 79.220, Variable, C=C, Stretch, Alkene]. Antifungal activity of secondary metabolites of Juniperus communis recorded Alternaria alternaria (15.11 ± 0.22, 12.10 ± 0.18 and 19.30 ± 0.22 respectively), Aspergillus flavus (19.07 ± 0.37, 14.25 ± 0.35 and 22.09 ± 0.37 respectively), Trichophyton rubrum (20.53 ± 0.31, 16.11 ± 0.39 and 22.94 ± 0.31 respectively), and Fusarium oxyporum (11.12 ± 0.39, 20.08 ± 0.38 and 17.62 ± 0.39 respectively). Voriconazole (VCZ) and Amphotericin B (AmB) as standard anti-fungal activity were (23.31 ± 0.38 and 27.09 ± 0.41) respectively. Juniperus communis metabolites was very highly active against Trichophyton rubrum (22.94 ± 0.31). Conclusion: This study suggests that Juniperus communis could be a useful plant for treating fungal infections because of its medicinally active components. Findings from this study point to Juniperus communis as a potential plant source of active chemicals with medicinal value for the treatment of certain