International Journal of Phytomedicine
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Antioxidant activity and acute toxicity of a recipe used in traditional medicine for the treatment of high blood pressure
No full textThe use of recipes using herbs in the treatment of high blood pressure is quite common in Cote d’Ivoire. Among these recipes, a decoction of a mixture of plants called “Tanopati” is one of the most commonly used. The objective of this study is to determine the chemical constituents, evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity and acute toxicity in mice of lyophilized extract of “Tanopati” recipe. The phytochemical constituents of ‘Tanopati” was determined by the use of common tests related to flavonoids, tannins, leuco- anthocyanins, anthracenosids, terpenoids, steroid and saponins. We have also quantified the total polyphenolics compounds by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, flavonoids by aluminum trichloride reagent and condensed tannins by a method using iron trichloride. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH test and an acute toxicity test was performed in mice for the determination of Letal dose 50 (LD 50) of “Tanopati”. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, leuco-anthocyanin, anthracenosids, terpenoids, steroid and saponins. The quantitative determination of total polyphenols (232 µg EGA/mg), total flavonoids (58.48 µg EQ/mg) and condensed tannins (80,5 µg EC/mg ) showed that “Tanopati” contained a significant amount of phenolic compounds. The reduction of DPPH radicals (IC50= 28 µg/mL) and the capacity to reduce ferric ions to ferrous ions showed a considerable antioxidant activity of “Tanopati”. Acute toxicity study carried out on “Tanopati” performed in mice (p.o.) showed that the recipe is not toxic (LD50˃2000 mg/kg B.W). These results support the safely use of “Tanopati” as a traditional medicine for the care of hypertension. The antioxidant properties are undoubtedly an additional benefit for the usage of “Tanopati” as an antihypertensive drug
Use of murine L1210 and P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells in cytotoxic studies of flavonoids
No full textIn studies of antileukemic properties of flavonoids two murine cellular systems (L1210 and P388) are widely used beside the various established human leukemia lines. Differently from conventional clinically used chemotherapeutics, P388 cells reveal somewhat lower susceptibility towards plant polyphenolic agents than L1210 cells. Moreover, based on the cytotoxic analysis of different flavonoids, we provide some novel evidence of Burkitt`s lymphoma as a human equivalent of L1210 mouse model, enabling thus the use of L1210 murine model in development of novel antilymphoma drugs proceeding from natural polyphenols. At that, structurally different flavones can be considered as potential lead compounds; however, the most potent flavonoid described so far in B-cell lymphoma cells is the rotenoid deguelin, certainly requiring further in vitro and in vivo investigation
Antitumor activity of methanolic extract of Cyclea peltata
No full textPhytocompound based drugs are soon gaining popularity as alternates for treatment of chronic and serious illness. Cyclea peltata has largely been classified as medicinal plant and used to treat various illness. Soxhlet based extraction of the plant was carried out using various solvents and subjected to chromatographic analysis to understand the variety of phytoconstituents present in the crude extract of the plant. Invitro and invivo testing for anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of the plant revealed potent significance among the haematological and cytotoxic parameters. The results, thus, indicate efficacy for anticancer activity although the main constituent of the crude extract is yet to be established
Plasmatic antioxidant capacity as a possible marker of phytodrugs efficacy
No full textA correlation between drug plasma concentration and its therapeutic effect exist. Then we postulate that determination of plasmatic antioxidant capacity could prove phytodrugs efficacy. Therefore, we determined the plasmatic ability to reduce Fe3+ and malondialdehyde concentration after orally administration of herbal extracts to rats. For this, we use hydro-alcoholic extracts of Buddleja globosa Hope and Plantago major L. previously characterized according to their polyphenol and thiol compounds contents, and their capacities to inhibit the oxidation of microsomal lipid and thiol compounds. The amounts of polyphenol and thiol compounds were three times higher in B. globosa than in P. major extracts. Moreover, EC50 of B. globosa extract in preventing oxidation of microsomal lipid and thiol compounds induced by Cu2+/ascorbate were 3 times lower. These extracts were also able to inhibit microsomal GSH-transferase activity and chelate Cu2+. The oral administration of these extracts to rats provoked an increase in the ability to reduce Fe3+ and a decrease in malondialdehyde concentration. Since the antioxidant activity of these extracts was reproduced in vivo, we believe that the efficacy of phytodrugs used in complementary therapies may be evaluated by measuring the plasma antioxidant capacity
Nutritional quality assessment and antiplasmodial activity of Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth., Crescentia cujete L. and Myrianthus preussii Engl. from Akure, Southwestern Nigeria
No full textBackground and Purpose of the Study: Many plants are now considered to have dual purpose usefulness in terms of their therapeutic effects and nutritional benefits. Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth., Crescentia cujete L. and Myrianthus preussii Engl. are combined for use in the treatment of malaria in Akure, Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The powdered plant samples were screened for phytochemical constituents, proximate composition and mineral elements according to standard protocols. Plasmodium berghei infected mice were administered with water and ethanol extracts of plant samples and blood samples screened for parasitemia. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, and polyphenols were present in all the three samples. Anthraquinones and flavonoids were altogether absent. C. cajan had the highest ash (11.69%), crude protein (17.76%) and fat (17.34%) whereas C. cujete was richest in carbohydrate (58.52%). Calcium was found to be highest in C. cujete (22672.43mg/kg) and least in C. cajan (13288.33mg/kg). C. cujete was richest (898.37mg/kg) and C. cajan (304.22mg/kg) least in iron. However, magnesium was found to be highest in M. preussii (5837.03mg/kg) and least in C. cujete (2166.48mg/kg). The ethanol extract of the recipe was most active at 200mg/kg. Conclusions and Application of Findings: Dietary or mineral elements serve structural, functional and biochemical roles. The three plants contained appreciable major and minor elements. The leaf of C. cajan could serve as a complement for animal protein. The activity observed in the ethanol extract could be as a result of the complete dissolution of the phytochemicals in ethanol. Toxicity studies on the plants will confirm their safe application, although lead tested negative in the plant samples
Phytochemical, antibacterial and antifungal activity of rhizome from Anaphyllum wightii.schott against clinical isolates and plant pathogens
No full textAnaphyllumwightii. Schott is a very rare and endemic threatened plant belonging to the family Areacea. It has been used in the tribal medicine to treat eczema, scabies and as antidote against snakebite.Different solvent extracts of Anaphyllumwightii.Schott were prepared and analysed for phytochemical screening by standard protocols. Antimicrobialactivity was measured using well diffusion method and micro dilution broth method against clinical isolates. The n-butanol and methanol extracts of A. wightii showedsignificant activity against all of the selected microorganisms. Water extract did not show any activity against any of the organisms except Klebsiella sp.The MIC value for leaf n- butanol and methanol were 1.5 mg/ml to 2.5mg/ml and the MBC values were 1.25 to 5 5mg/ml respectively.The antimicrobial activity of rhizome observed in the present study may provide the suggestion that the plant could be a potential source of new and effective antibacterial & antifungal agents. Hence further studies areproposed for the isolation of the antibacterial & antifungal agents from the rhizome extracts of A. wightii
Experimental Comparison of Phytoremediation and Filtration Methods in the Remediation of Water Contaminated with Arsenic
No full textAn experimental work was done on waters contaminated with arsenic using filtration and phytoremediation methods to determine the most appropriate remediation method. Filtration method; Measurements of arsenic solution (0.00g (de-ionized water), 0.010g, 0.020g, 0.050g, and 0.0100g) was made by a 10litre pipette into an hundred milliliter bottle (100ml) containing warm de-ionized water and each was made to pass through four different geo-materials (marble, activated charcoal, filtration carbon and clay) placed on layers of sand in glass filtration tanks ; while Phytoremediation method was done by cultivation of various ages of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crasspipes Mart. Solms) in arsenic acid solution of equal concentration (100.0 mg/L); an experiment based on duration and maturity which was to ascertain the exact hour, (0hour, 2hours, 12hours, 24hours, 48hours, 120hours) water hyacinth will absorb a metal, and at what matured level (sprouting, flowering, matured) the plant can absorb best. Plants were harvested, dried, pulverized and analysed for metal content using inductively coupled-ion chromatography and filtrates analysed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Arsenic concentration in filtrates showed no arsenic loss, indicating poor absorption capacity of the geo-materials. Highest arsenic bio-accumulation was found at 100 mg/l in matured water hyacinth. Remediation of arsenic using water hyacinth proved to be a better method for arsenic removal compared to filtration
Enteromorpha Compressa, Gelidium pulchrum, Macro algae from Egypt Exhibit Potent Anticancer, Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Activities
No full textOver the past several decades, algae and their extracts have generated an enormous amount of interest in the pharmaceutical industry as a fresh source of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of absolute and aqueous (50%) methanol extracts of both Gelidium pulchrum and Enteromorpha compressa algae. In vitro cytotoxicity of the extracts was tested by MTT and trypan blue technique against two malignant cell lines (HeLa and EACC). The effect of methanol extracts on caspase-3 and Bax gene protein expression levels was evaluated as indicator of apoptosis induction in treated- Hela cells. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using three methods,(DPPH, Reducing power and ABTS) andanti-inflammatory activity measured by two systems (in vivo and in vitro). The obtained results showed that all studied extracts expressed significant in vitro cytotoxic activity toward HeLa, and EACC cell lines. The data revealed up regulation of both Bax and caspase-3 protein expressions levels in treated-HeLa cell line. In DPPH assay aqueous MeOH extracts of Gelidium pulchrum exhibit maximum inhibition (IC50= 51±2.3). The highest reducing power was 179.3±4.7µg/mL GAE in aqueous MeOH extract of Gelidium pulchrum. The data also showed that all tested extracts have anti-nflammatory activity against carrgeenan induced paw oedema. While absolute MeOH extract of Gelidium pulchrum has maximum protection (71.7±1.7 %) in membrane stabilization test. Data obtained indicate the potential of these algal extracts for the antitumor through induction of apoptosis in cancer cells in addition to, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This biological action is interesting for further isolation and identification of new natural anticancer and antioxidant compounds
Effects of Lemon balm essential oil application on atopic dermatitis-like immune alterations in mice
No full textLemon balm oil has been used as anti-inflammation agent, but there has been no scientific study to date on the possible effects of Lemon balm oil on alleviating atopic dermatitis. BALB/c mice were sensitized with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene for atopic dermatitis induction. Thereafter, Lemon balm oil was applied on the dorsal skin for 4 weeks. Scratching behavior was measured. Blood and spleen were collected for measuring IgE and cytokine, respectively. Serum IgE levels were significantly lowered in 3% Lemon balm oil application group after 3-week application. The Lemon balm oil application showed a significantly lower spleenocyte interleukin-10 level and an increasing tendency in Interferon- level compared with that of saline application. Scratching frequency of the Lemon balm oil application group had a lower tendency than the control groups. This study may demonstrate Lemon balm oil’s immunoregulatory potential for alleviating atopic dermatitis through influencing of Th2 / Th1 cell activation
