Current Issue : July - September Volume : 2011 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 21 Articles
Background\r\nThe emergence in recent years of numerous resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria to a range of formerly efficient antibiotics constitutes a serious threat to public health. Crassocephalum bauchiense, a medicinal herb found in the West Region of Cameroon is used to treat gastrointestinal infections as well as liver disorders. The ethyl acetate extract from the leaves of C. bauchiense was evaluated for its antibacterial activity as well as acute and sub-acute toxicities.\r\n\r\nMethods\r\nThe plant extract was prepared by maceration in ethyl acetate. Its phytochemical screening was done by standard methods. The broth microdilution method was used to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity. The in vivo antibacterial activity of a gel formulation (0.05, 1 and 2% w/v) of this extract was evaluated using a Staphylococcus aureus-induced dermatitis in a murine model. Selected haematological and biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the dermal sub-acute toxicity of the extract in rats.\r\n\r\nResults\r\nPhytochemical screening of the C. bauchiense extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins and sterols. In vitro antibacterial activities were observed against all the tested microorganisms (MIC = 0.04-6.25 mg/ml). Formulated extract-gel (2% w/v) and gentamycin (reference drug) eradicated the microbial infection after five days of treatment. A single dermal dose of this extract up to 32 g/kg body weight (bw) did not produce any visible sign of toxicity. Also, daily dermal application of the C. bauchiense extract gel formulation for 28 days did not show any negative effect, instead some biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT and AST), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides were significantly (p < 0.05) affected positively.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nThese results indicate that the C. bauchiense ethyl acetate extract can be used safely for the treatment of some bacterial infections....
Plectranthus barbatus is a medicinal plant used to treat a wide range of disorders including seizure. However, the anticonvulsant activity of this plant has not been studied in depth. We therefore sought to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of P. barbatus leaves on seizures induced by strychnine sulphate (2.0?mg/kg) and pilocarpine (600?mg/kg) in mice. The extract was administered orally at 1, 10, 30, and 100?mg/kg. We report that the P. barbatus extract had marked anticonvulsant activity against strychnine-induced convulsions, but was quite ineffective against pilocarpine-induced convulsions. Further experiments will be required to identify the active molecules(s) and their mechanism(s) of action....
Acalypha indica is a herb, commonly found in India and Sri Lanka, belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, which is very widely used by the kani tribes of south India. It is said to be effective for the treatment of many diseases including liver ailments as well as inflammatory conditions ; but very few scientific studies have been carried out on this plant, especially on its leaves. Hence this study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of aqueous (AIA) and hydroalcoholic (AIE) extracts of the leaves of Acalypha indica (AI) , in experimental animals i.e. Wistar albino rats following oral administration. Acute toxicity studies revealed that both the extracts were safe up to a dose of 2000mg / kg body weight. Also the extracts significantly reduced edema induced by carrageenan within one to four hours post dosing at all the dose levels studied. In the chronic inflammatory model using cotton pellet also there was a significant reduction in the weight of cotton pellet induced granuloma indicating anti inflammatory effect. In addition both extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity in DPPH, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical induced in vitro assay methods. Thus it could be concluded that Acalypha indica leaf extracts possess significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in rats...
Background\r\nMyrsine africana is an herbaceous plant that is traditionally used as appetizer and carminative. Locally, it is used for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatism and diarrhea by healers. The aims of the current study were to screen the crude methanol extract obtained from the aerial parts (leaves and stem) of M. africana, for antispasmodic actions on isolated tissues and further to subject the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of plant to column chromatography for isolation of pure compounds.\r\n\r\nMethods\r\nThe antispasmodic action of the crude methanol extract was measured on the spontaneous rabbit's jejunum preparations at concentration 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/ml. The crude extract was also applied, in similar concentrations, on KCl (80 mM) induced contractions to explain its possible mode of action.\r\n\r\nResults\r\nA new compound Myrsigenin was isolated from the EtOAc fraction of M. africana. The structure of the compound was identified with the help of 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, HMBC, HMQC, NOESY and COSY. The plant crude methanol extract showed a significant antispasmodic action on rabbit jejunum and abolished the tissue contraction completely at concentration of 5.0 mg/ml.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nThe study concludes that the methanol crude extract of aerial parts of M. africana has antispasmodic action possibly through the calcium channel blocking mechanisms. A new compound Myrsigenin was isolated from the EtOAc fraction of the plant....
Anxiolytic activity of methanolic extract (MHR) (30, 100 mg/kg) and anthocyanidins (AHR) (30, 100 mg/kg) of H. rosa-sinensis flowers was evaluated in mice using elevated plus maze (EPM), light-dark (LDT), hole board (HBT) and marble burying (MBT). MHR and AHR exhibited significant increase in time spent and number of entries in open arms in EPM and LDT. MHR and AHR showed significant increase in number of head-dipping in HBT and decreased number of marbles buried in MBT, similar to that of diazepam (1mg/kg), a reference standard. The same treatment showed a significant increase in protection against pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions. Pre-treatment with low dose haloperidol, prazosin and para-chloro phenylalanine (p-CPA) induced anxiety in animals which was significantly reversed after treatment with MHR and AHR. The study concludes that MHR and AHR possess potential anxiolytic-like activity involving dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) mechanisms....
Ethanolic extracts of pods of Moringa oleifera and Cassia fistula were taken for antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activity. The pods of Moringa oleifera and Cassia fistula exhibited significant reducing power and free radical scavenging effect on TAC, FRAP, FTC, TBA and MTT. All these antioxidant activities were concentration dependent which were compared with standard antioxidants such as BHA, ascorbic acid, BHT and rutin. In addition, total phenolic content and flavonoids was determined as gallic acid and quercetin equivalents respectively. The highest free radical scavenging of pod extract was observed at concentration of 1mg/ml for Moringa oleifera and for Cassia fistula....
Curcuma caesia and Curcuma amada have been used in the traditional Indian system of Medicine for the treatment of fever and pain. The present study evaluates the analgesic and antipyretic activity of different extracts obtained from Curcuma caesia and Curcuma amada rhizomes. Analgesic and antipyretic activities of the plant extracts was evaluated using chemical model of acute pain and brewer’s yeast induced hyperthermia in rats and their efficacy compared in terms of treatment. The writhing and pyrexia were observed at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of rats. Oral dose of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of both the plants showed pronounced inhibitory effect on acetic acid induced writhing response. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts also elicted significant reduction in brewer’s yeast induced hyperthermia in rats. Both the plants exerted analgesic and antipyretic activity whereby Curcuma amada showed better response in comparison to Curcuma caesia. The ethanolic extracts exerted higher efficacy than the aqueous extracts. Analgesic and antipyretic effect increased with an increase in dose. The observations provide support for the ethnobotanical use of both the plants....
The study undertaken to evaluate antidiabetic potential of Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark on normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic activity in normal rats was carried out by treatment using ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark at a dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively, p.o. and standard drug glibenclamide 10 mg/kg, p.o. The serum glucose was then measured at 0, 4, 8 and 12th days after administration of extracts and standard drug using glucometer. The oral glucose tolerance test was carried out by administering glucose (2 g/kg, p.o), to non-diabetic rats treated with ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark and glibenclamide. The serum glucose was then measured at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. after administration of extracts and standard drug. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were administered the same doses of bark extracts, and standard drug glibenclamide given to the normal rats for 21 days. The serum glucose was measured on day 0, 7, 14 and 21st after administration of the extracts and standard drug. The Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark extracts were effective in lowering serum glucose level in normal rats. Improvement in oral glucose tolerance was also registered by treatment with Bridelia retusa. The administration of bark extracts to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in serum glucose level. It is concluded that Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark extracts have significant anti-diabetic activity....
The methanolic extract of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. & Fern. (MECB) was investigated for its aphrodisiac effect. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Safed musli on general mating behaviour, libido and potency on sexually normal male albino rats. The suspension of the extract was administered orally at doses of 200 & 400 mg/kg b.w. to different group of male rats (having six rat in each group) once a day for seven days. The female albino rats involved in mating were made receptive by hormonal treatment .The general mating behaviour; libido and potency were determined and compared with the standard drug sildenafil citrate. Oral administration of the extract significantly increased the mounting frequency, intromission frequency, intromission latency, erections, quikflips, long flips and caused significant reduction in the Mounting latency and Post ejaculatory interval. The most appreciate effect of extract was observed at the dose of 400mg/kg body weight. The results indicated that MECB produced a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats. Thus the resultant aphrodisiac effect of the extract lends support to the claims for its traditional usage in sexual disorders....
Summary. India has a rich tradition of plants based knowledge on health care. A large number of plants are used by folklore traditional in India for treatment of skin disease, fever, asthma, piles, ourn and wound. Nyctanthes arbortristis linn.(Oleaceae ) is a shrub plant it is used for various type of skin disease. The present study was aimed to evaluate its scientific validity. The alcoholic extract and the hydro gel of same were investigated for the evaluation of its healing efficiency on excision wound model in rats. A different formulation of alcoholic extract was topically applied on the excision wound surface as a single dose. Wound area and histopharmacology were used to evaluate the effect on wound healing. The effect produced by gel in terms of wound contracting ability, wound closure, decrease in surface area of wound. Tissue regeneration at the wound site and histopharmacological characteristics were significant (p<0.01) in treated rats. The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of the wound. Industrial relevance:-Nyctanthes arbortristis is used for the treatment of skin disease and as a antiseptic for wound .It has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of asthma, piles, fever. In traditional systems there was only claim for the wound healing activity of this plant. How ever, there is no scientific data to support the wound healing activity of Nyctanthes arbortristis crude extract as well as its gel formulation againt the specific micro organism which generally infect wound. The gel is an topical dosage from and easy to formulate. It wound be an economical option for treatment of wounds....
In induced fenvalerate toxicity of rats significant decrease in TEC, PCV, haemoglobin and TLC values was observed in all fenvalerate treated groups when compared to control groups. There was no significant difference among treated groups and ameliorated groups. Significant decrease in serum total protein, serum cholesterol and serum acetyl choline esterase and significant increase in serum ALT, AST, serum glucose and creatinine levels were observed in all fenvalerate treated groups. There was no significant difference between toxin treated groups and ameliorated groups. But in group VII (lower dose of fenvalerate and ashwagandha treated group) significant improvement was observed when compared to corresponding toxin treated group....
Medicinal plants have curative properties due to the presence of various complex chemical constituents of different composition, which are found as secondary plant metabolites in one or more parts of these plants. Indian medicinal plants used in the Ayurvedic traditional system to treat diabetes are a valuable source of novel anti-diabetic agents. Pancreatic a-amylase inhibitors offer an effective strategy to lower the levels of post-prandial hyperglycemia via control of starch breakdown. In this study, Five Indian medicinal plants with known hypoglycemic properties were subjected to sequential solvent extraction and tested for a-amylase inhibition, in order to assess and evaluate their inhibitory potential on a Amylase. Polyherbal formulation consists of aqueous extract of different parts of Gymnema salvestre, Tinospora cordifolia and Lawsonia inermis which showed synergistic hypoglycemic action....
A number of potential anti-diabetic plants were identified through an ethnobotanical survey of the traditional pharmacopeia of the Cree of Eeyou Istchee (CEI-Northeastern Canada) used against symptoms of diabetes and their biological activity assessed by in vitro bioassays. Among these, Sorbus decora C.K.Schneid. (Rosacea) ranked highly and increased the transport of glucose in skeletal muscle cells in culture. The present study thus aimed at confirming the antidiabetic potential of S. decora in in vivo models of insulin resistance and diabetes, notably the streptozotocin Type 1 diabetic rat (STZ), the genetic KK-A(y) Type 2 diabetic mouse and the rat rendered insulin resistant with 10% glucose water consumption for 6 weeks. Sorbus decora ethanol extract (SDEE) was administered orally (200 mg kg(-1)) and compared to metformin (150 or 500 mg kg(-1)). The intragastric (i.g.) gavage of SDEE transiently decreased glycemia in STZ rats in a bi-phasic manner but the effect was cumulative over several days. In KK-Ay mice, SDEE incorporated in food (0.12%) decreased glycemia by 15% within 1 week as compared to vehicle controls. In pre-diabetic insulin-resistant rats, SDEE fed daily by i.g. gavage for 2 weeks significantly decreased the slight hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, without affecting sugar water intake. Using the HOMA insulin resistance parameter, the effect of SDEE was equivalent to that of metformin. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of S. decora demonstrates both anti-hyperglycemic and insulin-sensitizing activity in vivo, thereby confirming anti-diabetic potential and validating CEI traditional medicine....
The effects of antidepressant treatments have traditionally been discussed primarily in terms of effects on noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. Mucuna Pruriens Linn. (D.C) (Leguminoseae) has several therapeutic applications in folk medicine in curing or managing a wide range of nervous disorders including Parkinsonism. Based on nervous protective actions of Mucuna Pruriens seeds, investigation of noradrenaline and serotonin mediated antidepressant action of 21 days treatment of hydroalcoholic extract of the Mucuna Pruriens seeds (MPE) (200 mg/kg, p.o) was carried out using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) test in mice. Further, the effect of riboxetine (1 mg/kg, i.p.; a noradrenergic agonist), prazocin (62.5 µg/kg, i.p.; an α1 adrenergic antagonist), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i.p.; a serotonin agonist) and p-chlorophenyl alanine (100 mg/kg, i.p.; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) on antidepressant like action of MPE was also studied in this test. Antidepressant action of MPE was indicated by significant reversal of stressors induced reduction of sucrose intake in mice. This antidepressant action of MPE was significantly reduced by prazocin and enhanced by riboxetine in the CUMS test. Further, antidepressant action of MPE was significantly reduced by p-chlorophenyl alanine and enhanced by fluoxetine in the CUMS test. The results of the present study provide scientific evidences for the involvement of noradrenergic and serotonergic system in the antidepressant like effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Mucuna Pruriens seeds....
In this study we investigated and compared the total phenolic, alkaloid content and In-vitro antioxidant activity of aerial and root part alcoholic extracts of Gynandropsis gynandra collected from two different regions Anakapalli (North coastal) and Marteru (Godavari river region) of Andhra Pradesh, India. Quantitative regional variation was observed in total phenolic and alkaloid content in alcoholic aerial and root part extracts of Gynandropsis gynandra from Anakapalli and Marteru regions of Andhra Pradesh. Concentration dependent antioxidant activity was observed for all these extracts and observed regional variation in two regions of extracts for scavenging of Superoxide, Hydroxyl and DPPH radicals. From two regions, Marteru region and from part wise aerial part extracts of Gynandropsis gynandra showed good antioxidant, Phenolic and alkaloid content....
Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit or delay the oxidation process by blocking the initiation or propagation of oxidizing chain reactions. Antioxidants can interfere with the oxidation process by reacting with free radicals, chelating metals and also by acting as oxygen scavenger. Antioxidants are of interest for the treatment of many kinds of cellular degeneration. Recent investigations have shown that the antioxidant properties of plants could be correlated with oxidative stress defence and different human diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, alzheimer’s disease, down’s syndrome, parkinson’s disease, hepatic damage etc. Restrictions on the use of synthetic antioxidants are being imposed because of their hepatotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Thus the interest in natural antioxidants has been increased considerably. Especially India being a wealthy land of medicinal herbs and since only 5% of plant kingdom has been investigated it becomes essential to explore the medicinal value of herbs. Traditional herbal medicines form an important part of the healthcare system of India. Ayurveda, supposed to be the oldest medical system in the world, provides potential leads to find active and therapeutically useful compounds from plants. Plants have developed an array of defense strategies (antioxidant system) to cope up with oxidative stress. The antioxidative system includes both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. The non enzymatic system includes ascorbic acid (vitamin C); α-tocopherol, cartenes etc. and enzymic system include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) etc. The function of this antioxidant system is to scavenge the toxic radicals produced during oxidative stress and thus help the plants to survive through such conditions. Many Indian plants have been investigated for their beneficial use as antioxidants or source of antioxidants using presently available experimental techniques. The present review deals with an exclusive list of such plants based on information collected from various literatures dealing with herbs found in India having antioxidant property....
Abutilon Indicum belongs to the family Malvaceae .Qualitative phytochemical analysis of Abutilon indicum leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids in 50 % hydro ethanolic extract prepared by hot and cold maceration process and flavonoids are present in the aqueous extract. 50 % hydro ethanolic extract prepared by hot maceration process of Abutilon indicum leaves was shown to have sufficient phenol content in the range of 44.71 mg/g of Gallic acid and it showed flavonol content of 128.83 mg/g of quercetin. Abutilon indicum was found to be effective in significantly reducing both TG and TC levels after 12 days of pretreatment with 50 5 Hydro ethanolic extract prepared by hot maceration process at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Abutilon indicum significantly reduced TG levels by 16.85 % and 20.64 % respectively. And decreased TC level by 37.39 % and 43.8 % respectively. LDL levels were also found to be decreased by 31.55 % and 39.83 % respectively. VLDL levels were also significantly decreased by 16.85 and 20.63 %. No significant changes were seen on HDL cholesterol. All these decreased levels were statistically significant ( P<0.001) and indicates anti hyperlipidemic activity of Abutilon Indicum leaves....
Present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-diabetic activity of Saptarangydi ghanavati in established experimental animal model. Eighteen adult Wister stain albino rats of either sex weighing between 180�±25g were selected and made diabetic by injecting Streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were divided into three groups, having 6 animals in each group. A separate group (normal control) containing six rats was kept to get normal values and for comparison. Saptarangydi ghanavati was suspended in water and administered to animals at the dose of 270 mg/kg for 20 consecutive days. Glibenclamide was used as standard anti-diabetic drug. Parameters like effect on body weight, weight of liver and kidney, blood sugar level, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, S.G.P.T. and S.G.O.T. activity, alkaline phosphates activity and glycosylated hemoglobin, cytoarchitecture of pancreas, liver and kidney were studied. Treatment with Saptarangydi ghanavati moderately decreased blood sugar level at all time intervals in non-significant manner. Further it produced moderate protection of pancreas and marked protection of liver and kidney against the toxicant. This study shows Saptarangydi ghanavati is having moderate anti-diabetic activity besides it is having marked cytoprotectve activity....
From the ancient era the herbs and naturals have been used as an important tool to cure disease. The herbals are always considered as safe by the people. Survey indicated that about 70–80% of the world’s populations rely on non-conventional medicine, mainly of herbal source, in their primary healthcare. But recently, some herbs such as Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn, Piper betle Linn, Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Vitex negundo Linn., Argemone mexicana and Asparagus racemosus etc. are evidenced for fatal outcomes. Thus the development criteria for safety of herbal drug become important. The present review is made to focus on emerging need of toxicity study of the herbal drugs prior to its use. So the toxicity studies need to be done even if the plants have a history of long usage or do not have any documented toxicity, as they can lead to some unrelated toxicity especially during long term treatment for chronic conditions or when used as food supplements and nutraceuticals....
The food and medicinal uses of soursop plant extracts by different widely separated peoples of the world are many and varied. Various regions of the world use soursop fruit ; leaf; young shoot ; seed ; root and bark extracts as food, as a desert, as a refreshing drink, as a herbal/traditional medicine and as a source of making economic gains. The similarity of the uses to which people in different continents put similar parts of Annona muricata attests to the “selectivity” of drug action1 of such soursop plant extracts. Similarity of the various medicinal and health promotion uses of soursop plant extracts in various parts of the world suggests that soursop fruit pulp, fruit juice, shoot extract, stem back extract, root extract, leaf extract and seed extract produce their effects through similar mechanisms of action. This paper suggests that the similar mechanism of action that underlies all these apparently different medicinal and food uses of the soursop plant (Annona muricata) is inhibition of energy metabolism of the affected tissue or organ. Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and inhibition of rapid utilization of ATP in the affected tissues are thus identified as the mechanisms of medicinal and physiological effects of soursop plant extracts....
Searches for moieties with antimicrobial activity are frequent and medicinal plants have been considered interesting, since they are frequently used in popular medicine as remedies for many infectious diseases. There are number of medicinal plants available in Tumkur district of Peninsula Craton, out of which nine plants were selected, namely, Bombax ceiba (Bombacaceae), Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), Caesalpinia pitcherima (Caesalpiniaceae), Cassia fistula (Caesalpiniaceae), Clerodendrum viscasum (Verbenaceae), Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae), Albizia lebbeck (Mimosaceae), Artocarpus hirsutus (Moraceae), Cascabela thevetia (Apocynaceae) which are traditionally used in the treatment of various skin disorders. In the present study antimicrobial activity of selected plants were carried out against seven microorganisms Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus, which are known to cause different skin infections. The tests were carried out using spread plate method at 200 mg/10 ml concentration level of the crude methanol extracts. Of the nine plants tested, all showed antimicrobial activity against one or more species of micro organisms. The most active antimicrobial plants were Bombax ceiba, Cassia fistula and Artocarpus hirsutus. Hence the MICs of the crude extracts of these three plants were investigated by agar dilution method....
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