Elephantopus Species: Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Actions and Chemical Composition.

This review paper is a comprehensive summary of the traditional uses, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activity and compounds isolated from different specie of Elephantopus, family (asteraceae). The plant is a genus of about twelve plants out of which majority are natives of south east USA. It is used in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of nephritis, oedema, dampness, pain in the chest, fever, scabies, arthralgia due to wound and cough of Pneumonia. It is also used as a tonic, febrifuge, and diaphoretic against cough, bronchitis, and asthma. Phytochemicals identified in this plant, includes flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates and proteins. Previous studies on the plant revealed various pharmacological activities, which are attributed to its phytochemical content.These activities include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiasthmatic, antimicrobial and wound healing properties. Compounds isolated from different solvent fractions of the plant includes elephantopin, triterpenes, stigmasterol epifriedelinol and lupeol.Other compounds are copaene isopropyl  dimethyl hexahydronaphthalene, cyclosativene and  Zingiberene from the essential oils of Elephantopus scaber In conclusion, Elephantopus sp has wide traditional and pharmacological uses in various disease conditions. Therefore, further research is advocated on this plant. Key words: Elephantopus specie, traditional medicine, pharmacological actions, phytochemical constituents and compounds isolated

ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF Elephantopus scaber L. LEAVES AGAINST MCF -7 CELL LINES

This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Elephantopus scaber leaves against breast cancer cell lines. Leaves of the plant were collected, washed, shade dried and powdered. The ethanol extract of the leaf powder was used for the study. The anticancer activity of the ethanol extract of the leaves was evaluated using MTT assay against MCF-7 cells and was confirmed by ETBR-AO staining. The study confirms that the leaf extract of  E.scaber has pronounced anticancer potential against MCF-7 cell lines. The plant investigated possesses remarkable anticancer activity, where the effect was dose dependent and the IC50 value was found to be 79.56 μg /ml. Since the preliminary data is promising, isolation of the compound may contribute to the development  at a novel and natural phytomedicine for the disease. Additional studies are needed to determine its mode of action

ANALGESIC EFFECT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF BOSWELLIA DALZIELII (BURSERACEAE) STEM BARK

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory properties of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae), a medicinal plant commonly used in northern Nigeria as an anti-diarrhoeal, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.Methods: Three doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) of the crude aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii were evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin-induced nociception and formalin-induced hind paw oedema in rats. The acute oral toxicity was carried out using the up and down procedure as described by the OECD guidelines.Results: All doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) of the extract tested were effective against acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions producing a percentage inhibition of (55.43, 69.56 and 71.73%) respectively. A percentage inhibition of the formalin-induced nociception of (7.31, 31.70 and 48.78%-early phase) and (12.82, 21.79 and 48.71%-late phase) respectively was also produced. For the acetic acid writhing test, the percentage inhibition obtained at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg (69.56 and 71.73%) were higher than that of the standard drug (Piroxicam, 10 mg/kg) (59.78%). For formalin-induced nociception, the test extract at 100 mg/kg showed a higher percentage inhibition compared to Piroxicam, in early (48.78 and 43.90%) and late phase (48.71 and 39.74 %) respectively. The extract, however, did not show a significant activity against formalin-induced paw oedema at all the doses used.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that Boswellia dalzielii has significant analgesic properties comparable to that of the standard drug (10% Piroxicam), thus validating the traditional claim of its antinociceptive property

Isodeoxyelephantopin, a Sesquiterpene Lactone Induces ROS Generation, Suppresses NF-κB Activation, Modulates LncRNA Expression and Exhibit Activities Against Breast Cancer

The sesquiterpene lactones, Isodeoxyelephantopin (IDET) and Deoxyelephantopin (DET) are known to exhibit activities against some cancer types. The activities of these lactones against breast cancer and the molecular bases is not known. We examined the efficacy of lactones in breast cancer preclinical model. Although both lactones exhibited drug like properties, IDET was relatively effective in comparison to DET. IDET suppressed the proliferation of both invasive and non-invasive breast cancer cell lines. IDET also suppressed the colony formation and migration of breast cancer cells. The assays for Acridine Orange (AO)/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining, cell cycle distribution, phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA laddering suggested the apoptosis inducing potential of IDET. The treatment with IDET also induced an accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 and G2/M phases. The exposure of breast cancer cells to the lactone was associated with a depolarization in mitochondrial membrane potential, and cleavage of caspase and PARP. The lactone induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in breast cancer cells. Further, the use of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) suppressed IDET induced ROS generation and apoptosis. The NF-κB-p65 nuclear translocation induced by okadaic acid (OA) was suppressed by the sesquiterpene. IDET also suppressed the expression of NF-κB regulated tumorigenic proteins, and induced the expression of proapoptotic gene (Bax) in cancer cells. While the expression of oncogenic lncRNAs was suppressed, the tumor suppressor lncRNAs were induced by the sesquiterpene. Collectively, the modulation of multiple cell signaling molecules by IDET may contribute to its activities in breast cancer cells

Topical piroxicam in vitro release and in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects from palm oil esters-based nanocream

During recent years, there has been growing interest in use of topical vehicle systems to assist in drug permeation through the skin. Drugs of interest are usually those that are problematic when given orally, such as piroxicam, a highly effective anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and analgesic, but with the adverse effect of causing gastrointestinal ulcers. The present study investigated the in vitro and in vivo pharmacodynamic activity of a newly synthesized palm oil esters (POEs)-based nanocream containing piroxicam for topical delivery

Evaluation of antioxidant propery and toxicological assessment of polyalthia longifolia var. pendula leaf

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Evaluation of Antioxidant Property and Toxicological Assessment of Polyalthia Longifolia var. Pendula Leaf

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Alternativas para a auto-sustentabilidade dos xokleng da Terra Indígena Ibirama

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção