Protective effect of treatment with black cumin oil on spatial cognitive functions of rats that suffered global cerebrovascular hypoperfusion

The fixed oil of black cumin seeds, Nigella sativa L. (NSO), has shown considerable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD)and its subsequent cognitive impairment in which oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are the principal culprits. Cerebrovascular hypoperfusion was experimentally achieved by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (2VO) in rats. Morris water maze (MWM) test was employed to assess the effects of NSO on spatial cognitive function before and after 2VO intervention. Rats were divided into long-term memory (LTM) and short-term memory (STM) groups, each was further subdivided into 3 subgroups: sham control, untreated 2VO and NSO treated 2VO group. All subgroups were tested with MWM at the tenth postoperative week. Working memory test results for both sham control and NSO treated groups showed significantly lower escape latency time and total distance travelled than untreated 2VO group. Similarly, LTM and STM MWM tests for sham control and NSO treated groups revealed significantly better maze test performance as compared to untreated 2VO group. Sham control and NSO treated 2VO groups demonstrated superior probe memory test performance as compared to untreated 2VO group. The fixed oil of Nigella sativa seeds has demonstrated noticeable spatial cognitive preservation in rats challenged with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion which indicates a promising prospective neuroprotective effect

Antidiabetic efficacy of methanolic extract of the leaves of Tetracera Indica Merr. (Dilleniaceace) in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Tetracera indica Merr., (mempelas paya) is used in Malaysia and other parts of South-Asia as a folk medicine to treat fever, flu, skin rashes, itching, piles, mouth ulcer, diabetes, and insects bites. Objective: The study has been carried out to screen the antidiabetic efficacy of methanolic extract (MeOH) of the leaves of T. indica in vivo in alloxan induced diabetic and normal rats

Exploration of the antidiabetic potential of the leaves of Tetracera scandens Linn., (Mempelas Kesar) in alloxan induced diabetic wister rats

Background review: The WHO estimates that, currently, more than 246 million people worldwide have diabetes. The number is anticipated to increase to 380 million by the year of 2050. Natural products are excellent sources of lead compounds in the search for novel drugs for the treatment of various diseases. T. scandens Linn., (Mempelas Kesar)is an important medicinal plant widely used in folkloric medicine including Malaysia. The different parts of this plant have been found to act effectively in the treatment of gout, internal pains, sore throat, hepatitis and lowering hypertension traditionally. Objective: To explore the anti-diabetic potential of T. scandens in vivo. Methods: Glucose levels in rats with hypertension induced by alloxan (150 mg/kg b.w.) were determined after oral administration of both the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the leaves of T. scandens. Different doses of both extracts (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg b.w.) were evaluated in normal, and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Results & Conclusion: The methanolic extract exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity in diabetic rats at different doses stated above; however, the activity was found to be much stronger in the aqueous extract. In normal rats no hypoglycemic activity was observed when compared with the both diabetic and normal controlled groups. The fall of blood glucose was also found to comparable with the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kh b.w.). LD 50 of both the extracts was found to be above 5000 mg/kg body weight. Phytochemical screening vividly revealed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids abd flavonoids which could be responsible for its antihyperglycemic effect. Our study reveals the fact the the leaves of T. scandens possess potential antidiabetic agents which significantly lower the blood glucose level in the diabetic rats and could be clinically screened further to find out its therapeutic potential towards the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Antidiabetic efficacy of polar extracts of the leaves of Tetracera indica Merr. (Dilleniaceae) in alloxanized rats.

Background review: plants are considered less toxic than synthetic drugs. Recently, the search for appropriate anti-diabetic agents has been focused on plants used in traditional medicine partly because of leads provided by traditional medicine to natural products that may be better treatments than currently used drugs responsible for serious side effects among diabetics. In folk remedies, leaves of Tetracera indica Merr (Dilleniaceae) are effectively used in the treatment of diabetes. however, there is no scientific claim about its efficacy in the management of diabetes

Isolation of 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone as an anti-hyperglycemic agent from the leaves of Tetracera indica MERR. (Mempelas)

The present study was carried out to scientifically prove the traditional claim of Tetracera indica Merr. which is used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes in Malaysia. Aqueous (AQ) and methanolic (MEOH) extracts of the leaves of T. indica were prepared and experiments were conducted in vivo using animal model. Glucose levels in male albino rats (SD strain) with hyperglycemia induced by alloxan monohydrate (160 mg/kg b.w.) were determined after the oral administration of the aqueous AQ and MEOH extracts. Two doses of each extract (250 and 500 mg/kg b.w.) were evaluated. Both extracts exhibited significant anti-hyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats, however in normal rats no hypoglycemic activity was observed, when compared with both +ve and –ve controlled groups. The antidiabetic activity was also found to be comparable to that of the effect produced by glibenclamide (GLBC) (0.25 mg/kg b.w.). The LD50 of both extracts was found to be more than 5000 mg/kg body weight and no lethal toxicity was observed within this range. MEOH extract of the leaves of T. indica upon repeated coloumn choromatography and recrystallization techniques afforded a major phenolic compound viz., 5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone (1.2 gm) (Fig. 1) which revealed significant anti-hyperglycemic activity comparable to GLBC in vivo. Structure of biologically active compound was thoroughly elucidated through extensive spectroscopic (NMR, IR, UV and MASS) analysis. This study justifies the use of T. indica by the local herbalists to treat diabetes in Malaysia

Anti-hyperglycemic activity of the leaves of Tetracera scandens Linn. Merr. (Dilleniaceae) in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Aim of the study: The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-diabetic potential of the leaves of Tetracera scandens Linn. Merr. (Dilleniaceae) in vivo with regard to prove its efficacy by local herbalists in the treatment of diabetes frailties. Materials and methods: Crude aqueous (AQ) and methanol (MEOH) extracts of the leaves of T. scandens L. were administered to both normal and alloxan induced diabetic male albino rats (Wistar strain). The blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after oral administration of AQ and MEOH extracts. Results: Significant reduction in glucose was observed in fasting blood glucose levels in the treated diabetic rats without causing any hypoglycemic effect compared to normal rats. Both polar extracts of the leaves of T. scandens L. exhibited significant anti-hyperglycemic activity at different doses and intervals. The highest anti-hyperglycemic effect (62.5%) was observed by the AQ extract at 0.25 g/kg body weight (b.w.) and MEOH extract (36.5%) at 0.5 g/kg b.w. after 8 h. The significant anti-hyperglycemic activity was found to be comparable with a known oral synthetic hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide 0.25 mg/kg b.w. Conclusion: This study provides scientific evidence that the leaves of T. scandens L. have anti-diabetic efficacy and justifies its utility by local herbalists. However, more experiments at the clinical levels are required to confirm the utility of this plant by traditional practitioners in the management of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Tetracera scandens L.; Dilleniaceae; Alloxan induced diabetic rats; Anti-hyperglycemic activity in viv

Antifungal activity of Andrographis paniculata extracts and active principles against skin pathogenic fungal strains in vitro

Context: Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Acanthaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated in southern Asia, China, and Europe. It is used in the treatment of skin infections in India, China, and Malaysia by folk medicine practitioners. Objective: Antifungal activity of the whole plant extracts and isolation of active principles from A. paniculata were investigated. Materials and methods: Dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MEOH) extracts of A. paniculata whole plant were screened for their antifungal potential using broth microdilution method in vitro against seven pathogenic fungal species responsible for skin infections. Active principles were detected through bioguided assays and isolated using chromatography techniques. Structures of compounds were elucidated through spectroscopy techniques and comparisons were made with previously reported data for similar compounds. Results: DCM extract revealed lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (100 μg/mL) against Microsporum canis, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis, whereas MEOH extract revealed lowest MIC (150 μg/mL) against C. tropicalis and Aspergillus niger. DCM extract showed lowest minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) value (250 μg/mL) against M. canis, C. albicans, C. tropicalis and A. niger, whereas MEOH extract showed lowest MFC (250 μg/mL) against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, M. canis, C. albicans, C. tropicalis and A. niger. Bioassay guided isolation from DCM and MEOH extract afforded 3-O-β-d-glucosyl-14-deoxyandrographiside, 14-deoxyandrographolide, and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide as antifungal compounds. The lowest MIC (50 μg/mL) and MFC (50 μg/mL) was exerted by 14-deoxyandrographolide on M. canis. Discussion and conclusion: This is first report on the isolation of antifungal substances through bioassay-guided assay from A. paniculata. Our finding justifies the use of A. paniculata in folk medicines for the treatment of fungal skin infections