International Journal of Phytomedicine
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Redox properties of a standardized extract of Chenopodium quinoa Willd fruit pericarp modify rat liver GST activities
Get PDFResearch of antioxidant properties of herbal thiol compounds is scarce. The main non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds in animal cell are GSH and cysteine. Therefore, in this work, we studied the redox effects of a Chenopodium quinoa Willd (Quinoa) coats extract previously titrated in its polyphenol and thiol compounds. The effects of quinoa extract on rat liver cytosolic and microsomal GSH-transferase was tested. The catalytic active form of this enzyme is its disulphide dimer, and then its reduction provokes its inactivation. Quinoa extract inhibited both enzymatic activities in a concentration-dependent manner. The reducing power of this extract was significantly higher than N-acetyl-cysteine and dithiothreitol. Low concentrations of quinoa extract (without surfactant properties) decrease the apparent Vmax of both cytosolic and microsomal GST, increase their apparent GSH Km and not modify their apparent Km for substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Redox effects of Quinoa extract would be the main cause involved in the inhibition of GSH-transferase activities. Moreover, thiol compounds present in this extract and not polyphenols seem to be the most important reducing agents acting on disulphide bond of GST active dimer. New pharmacological experiments are being carried out in order to evaluate the redox importance of thiol compounds present in this Quinoa extract
Antibacterial Potency and Phytochemical Screening of the Bark of Terminalia catappa Against some Clinical Isolates
No full textTo evaluate the antibacterial properties of ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of the bark of Terminalia catappa against some clinical isolates. The antibacterial activity of the T. catappa bark extracts was evaluated against five bacterial clinical isolates which are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae using agar-well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration was done by the broth dilution method. Broad spectrum antibiotics were used as positive control for the antibiotic sensitivity test. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of T. catappa bark were carried out using standard methods. However, ethyl-acetate and aqueous extracts of Terminalia catappa bark both showed that K. pneumoniae was more sensitive compared with E. coli, S. typhi, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Antibacterial activity of the ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts showed the value range from 10.33 ± 0.58 mg/ml to 9.33 ± 0.60 mg/ml. Ethyl-acetate extract showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 80 mg/ml while the aqueous extract shows MIC at the concentration of 100 mg/ml. However the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethyl-acetate extract against the clinical isolates was at the concentration of 100 mg/ml while there was no minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the aqueous extract. Phytochemical screening shows the presence of saponins, glycosides, and alkaloids, in larger quantity while flavonoids, tannins, and steroids in smaller quantity. This study indicates that the extracts were efficacious and can be used for the management of diseases caused by the tested organisms. Results obtained support the use of this plant as use in traditional medicine and support that the plant extracts possess compounds with good antimicrobial properties that can be used as antimicrobial agents in the search for new antimicrobial drugs
The phytochemical investigation and biological activity of Nepeta clarkei
No full textThe present study is aimed at the isolation and identification of the compounds responsible for the bioactive behavior of Nepeta clarkei (Hook. f). The crude extract and its various sub-fractions obtained from N. clarkei Hook. f. (chloroform (NCC), n-hexane (NCH), ethyl acetate (NCE), and aqueous (NCW)) along with methanolic extract were screened for anti-cancer activity. Only NCH and NCC fractions suppressed the cancer cell lines (HT29 and HCT116) to less than 20% and were screened for a range of other biological activities (antiglycation, phytotoxicity, antiplattelt, insecticidal and antimicrobial) in vitro. The chloroform fraction exhibited significant (63.31%) antiglycation activity followed by the n-hexane fraction (43.9%). Interestingly n-hexane fraction demonstrated a significant phytotoxic potential (100% inhibition) towards Lemna minor at the highest concentration (1000 µg/mL) only, while the chloroform fraction showed moderate activity (33.83%). The n-hexane fraction furthermore demonstrated 100% anti-platelet activity against AA (48 µg/mL) and PAF (15 µg/mL). On the other hand both the chloroform and n-hexane fractions were inactive against fungi and bacteria used in the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal assays. The order of toxicity towards brine shrimps was n-hexane > chloroform fractions. An intensive phytochemical investigation of the chloroform extract of N. clarkei resulted in the isolation of nine metabolites including 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis (2-ethylhexyl) diester (1), eupatorin (2), achillin (3), neoponcirin (4), parvifloroside B (5), decipinol ester A (6), betulinic acid (7), b-sitosterol (8), and β-sitosterol glucopyranoside (9). The structure elucidation was carried out on the basis of 1D (1H- and 13C) and 2D (H-C correlations; HMBC, HSQC) NMR techniques and confirmed by comparison of their physical and spectroscopic data with those reported in literature. All these compounds, to the best of our knowledge, were isolated from N. clarkei for the first time
Need of standardization of herbal medicines in Modern era
No full textThe medicinal plants are important source for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Medicinal plants & herbal medicines account for a significant percentage of the pharmaceutical market. As the side effects of Synthetic medicine have started getting more apparent, majority of formulation are prepared from herbs. The herbal medicines however, suffer from lack of standardization parameters. The main limitation is the lack of standardization of raw materials, of processing methods and of the final products, dosage formulation, and the non existence of criteria for quality control. It is necessary to introduce measures on the regulation of herbal medicines to ensure quality, safety, efficacy of herbal medicines by using modern techniques, applying suitable standards & GMP
α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity assessment of Cucurbita maxima seeds – a LIBS based study
No full textThe aim of the present study was to investigate, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the aqueous extract of Cucurbita maxima seeds in vitro and to correlate their activity with their phytoelemental profile quantitatively assessed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Diabetes can be managed by controlling postprandial hyperglycemia which can be achieved by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Results reveal that the C. maxima seeds have appreciable α-amylase inhibitory activity of 46.03±1.37% with IC50 value at 7.00±0.29 mg ml-1 in addition to substantial α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of 35.11±1.04% with IC50 at 8.11±0.36 mg ml-1. Acarbose was used as a reference. LIBS analysis showed the presence of certain phytoelements viz. Mg, Ca, K and Na which are well known glycemic elements and hence could be responsible for inhibitory activity of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes.Thus, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory action of C. maxima seeds would be responsible for their antidiabetic activity. The glycemic elemental profile further validates their role in controlling diabetes and hence C. maxima seeds could be explored as a potential herbal candidate for managing postprandial hyperglycemia causing type 2 diabetes mellitus
Consumption of Moringa oleifera flour and its effects on the biochemical profile and intestinal motility in an animal model
No full textMoringa oleifera (MO) belongs to the family Moringaceae and is native to tropical Africa. It exhibits many therapeutic properties and has been widely cultivated because of the high food value of the leaves, fruit, flowers and roasted seeds. It possesses high quality protein, calcium, iron, fiber, minerals and essential amino acids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of MO flour in anthropometric and biochemical profile of Wistar rats. Animals were divided randomly into the following groups (n=10): G1 (control group) and G2 (treated with MO flour mixed to the rat food) were both treated for 40 days and G3 (control group), G4 (treated with senne) and G5 (treated with MO flour) were studied to evaluate the intestinal motility. After 40 days, animals of G1 and G2 were euthanized and evaluation of glycaemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c, HDL-c, C reactive Protein (PCR), hepatic enzymes, Lee Index, weight and visceral fat were performed. Our results showed reduction of visceral fat, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and VLDL-c and increase in the HDL-c levels. No significant differences were found in the body weight, glycaemia, hepatic enzymes and PCR. The MO flour also promoted laxative effects similar do senne. Our results with the use of Moringa oleifera flour are very promising, once its use improved lipid profile, prevented weight gain and showed no adverse effects. Thus we may conclude that this flour could be added to industrial products in order to provide healthier products to the consumers
Identification of an antibacterial Withanolide (Dinoxin B) from leaf of Datura inoxia Mill.
Get PDFNatural medicines are gaining popularity due to the alarming incidence of bacterial resistance even in regions with improved healthcare systems. Hence, there is a distinct and constant need for isolating medicinally active compounds from different natural sources. Taking this into consideration, experiment was done in order to isolate and identify an antibacterial compound from Datura inoxia through bioassay and Mass spectroscopy technique. The ethanol, hexane and aqueous leaf extracts of Datura inoxia were screened fo
Effect of Cnidoscolous aconitifolius (miller) i.m. Johnston leaf extract on sperm characteristics and reproductive hormones of male rats
No full textThe increase in population growth rate has prompted urgent need to search for plants with antifertility potentials. The present study is concerned with the evaluation of the effect of Cnidoscolous aconitifolius leaf ethanolic extract (LF) on sperm indices and reproductive hormones in male wistar rats. Eighteen male albino rats were divided into three groups (A,B,C) of six animals each. Group A (control) received distilled water while groups B and C received 250 and 500 mgkg-1 leaf extracts respectively on daily basis for fourteen days. Solvent partitioned fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol) of the leaf crude ethanol extract were similarly evaluated using another twenty five male rats divided into groups of five. Cotton seed oil (5ml/kg) was used as reference standard Results showed that administration of the extract produced significant decrease (p < 0.05) in sperm count and weight of testis even though there was no significant difference in hormonal level between the treated animals and the control group The reduction in sperm count by C. aconitifolius leaf is an indication of adverse effect on spermatogenesis and provides some justification for further exploitation of this plant as potential male contraceptive
Genotoxic evaluations in Wistar rats of the hallucinogenic plant extract ayahuasca
No full textAyahuasca, a psychoactive infusion, is a sacrament used by indigenous and non-indigenous communities in Brazil and other countries. This beverage has vaunted healing properties; however, its use in a therapeutic context still lacks preclinical data to certify its safety and effectiveness. This study evaluated the genotoxic, mutagenic and cytotoxic potential of ayahuasca in Wistar rats after a single oral dose. Rats of both sexes were randomly distributed into five experimental groups (n=10): negative control that received filtered water, positive control that received doxorubicin and treated groups that received ayahuasca at 1, 5 and 15 times the usual dose taken in human religious rituals. The rats were euthanized 30 hours after dosage. Genotoxicity was evaluated by flow cytometry, comet assay and micronucleus test. Renal, hepatic and pancreatic functions were evaluated by serum analysis. Ayahuasca showed low genotoxicity, with an increased frequency of micronuclei only at the highest exposure level, and a non-observed-adverse-effect-level established at 5X the dose, or 1.5 mg/kg bw N,N-dimethyltryptamine a major component of the infusion. No cytotoxic effects were observed in the tested conditions. Furthermore, hepatic, renal and pancreatic functions remained without significant changes for all treated groups
Phytochemical Screening and Analgesic Activity of Opuntia ficus indica cladods extract in Wistar rats
No full textThe purpose of this work is the study of the peripheral and central analgesic activity of the Opuntia ficus indica cladods extract. Different concentrations are tested: 1000 mg/kg; 2000 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg of body weight on rats by three different methods: the tail flick, the hot-plate and the writhing test to the acetic acid. The results obtained show that the aqueous extract of the cladods has an peripheral and central analgesic activity comparable to that of the Aspirin after administration to rats. The phytochemical analysis of the extract reveals the presence of tannins, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids and anthocyanins whose properties can be used to advantage in the treatment of pain. Our results confirm the traditional use of Opuntia ficus-indica cladods as an analgesic