IN VITRO PLANT REGENERATION OF THEVETIA NERIIFOLIA, JUSS FROM INTERNODE EXPLANTS VIA INDIRECT ORGANOGENESIS

Objective: Present study was carried out to develop an efficient in vitro protocol for micro propagation of plantlets via indirect organogenesis from internode explants of Thevetia neriifolia, a medicinal plant with immense biological potentialities.Methods: For callus induction, internodes from 4 weeks old seedlings were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with varying concentrations (0.5-2.0mg/L-1) of Auxins (2,4-D, IBA) and Cytokinins (KIN, BA).Results: Creamy white callus obtained initially was gradually transformed into the light green meristematic callus during subsequent subculturing in most of the combinations. The best organogenic response was achieved with a combination of IBA+BA (0.5+1.0mg/L-1) with 2.722±0.752 shoots per explant. Shoot initiation was induced/enhanced by transferring the non meristematic IBA+KIN calluses to the above IBA+BA medium. However, better response for maximum shoot proliferation (6.091±1.231) was achieved when cytokinin BA (1.0mg/ L-1) was supplied individually, with 100% efficacy. Good roots were produced in IBA (1.0mg/L-1) medium and the rooted plantlets were transferred to paper cups and acclimatized (72%) subsequently in green houses.Conclusion: This rapid and successful protocol for micro-propagation definitely facilitates to promote the mass cultivation of this potent medicinal plant.Â

Antioxidant effects of ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium gangeticum root on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rat hearts

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the ethyl acetate extract of <it>Desmodium gangeticum </it>root for cardioprotection from ischemia reperfusion-induced oxidative stress.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant potential of the extract was in terms of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxide scavenging activity, nitric oxide scavenging activity and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. The <it>in vivo </it>antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed in an isolated rat heart model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Free radicals were scavenged by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner within the range of the given concentrations in all models. Administration of the ethyl acetate extract of <it>Desmodium gangeticum </it>root (100 mg per kg body weight) before global ischemia caused a significant improvement of cardiac function and a decrease in the release of lactate dehydrogenase in coronary effluent, as well as the level of malondialdehyde in myocardial tissues.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ethyl acetate extract of <it>Desmodium gangeticum </it>root protects the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion-induced damage in rats. The effects of the extract may be related to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.</p

Radical scavenging and gastroprotective activity of methanolic extract of Gmelina arborea stem bark

AbstractBackgroundGmelina arborea (GA) is widely used in traditional medicine for treating a number of ailments including gastrointestinal tract disorders.ObjectiveTo evaluate the gastroprotective effect of GA stem bark against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats.Materials and methodsAll animals were fasted for 36 h and received GA extract 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (bw), 1 h before the administration of ethanol. The animals received ranitidine 50 mg/kg bw which served as the standard. The rats were sacrificed after 4 h. Then, the injuries to the gastric mucosa were estimated through gross evaluation of ulcer lesions and histology. The antioxidant parameters such as level of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in gastric tissue were also determined.ResultsGA treatment at a dose of 500 mg/kg bw offered 91.98% inhibition of ulcer formation, which is higher than that of ranitidine. The ethanol treatment extensively increased lipid peroxidation and it was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced in GA-treated group that eventually helped to prevent free radical accumulation. The GA enhanced the gastric mucosal antioxidant system, as indicated by a dose-dependent increase in the level/activities of GSH, GPx, and SOD. GA also attenuated the severity of histological signs of cell damage. Further, GA extract showed in-vitro 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 124.39 μg/ml.ConclusionThe results indicate that the gastroprotective effect of GA is probably related to its antioxidant activities that protect gastric mucosa against oxidative damage and antilipid peroxidative activity that maintain membrane integrity

APOPTOSIS INDUCTION OF CENTELLA ASIATICA ON HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELLS

The present study evaluated the ability of methanolic extract of Centella asiatica (Linn) Urban (Umbelliferae) to induce apoptosis in different cancer cell lines. MCF-7 cells emerged as the most sensitive cell line for in vitro growth inhibitory activity. C. asiatica extract induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as indicated by nuclear condensation, increased annexin staining, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and induction of DNA breaks identified by TUNEL reactivity. It is possible that the use of C. asiatica extract as a component in herbal medicines could be justifiable

<i>Oroxylum indicum</i> Vent Root Bark Extract Inhibits the Proliferation of Cancer Cells and Induce Apoptotic Cell Death

Oroxylum indicum Vent is a medium-sized deciduous tree that belongs to the family Bignoniaceae. The roots of this tree are used as one of the ten ingredients to prepare the Dasamula formulation in the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India. Although traditional uses are attributed to the medicinal plant, there are limited scientific data on its potential. The present study thus analyzed the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of the plant against different cancer cells. MTT assay was used to determine cytotoxicity using HeLa, HCT 15, and MDA-MB-231 cells, with the IC50 values, revealed at concentrations of 92.43, 133.0, and 112.84 µg/mL respectively. However, the extract was less toxic to non-cancer cells. HeLa cells further treated with OIM were subjected to flow cytometric analysis for studying the cell cycle stages. When untreated cells at G1 phase were found at a relative percentage of 71.9%, it increased to 79.3 and 86% with OIM treatment at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/mL; cells in the S phase decreased from 10.3 to 8.2 and 7.5%, concluding the arrest of the cell cycle at G1 phase. With further study of apoptotic morphology with dual acridine orange–ethidium bromide staining and Annexin–Hoechst staining, cells at early and late apoptotic stages were observed with OIM treatment at 100 µg/mL concentration. Although such effects were noticed with OIM treatment, it could not be concluded that the extract had remarkable anti-proliferative effects, since the small changes noticed in cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction were attained at a high concentration of OIM 100 µg/mL. The biological activities of plants and their extracts are attributed to the presence of multifarious compounds present in them. LC-MS Q-TOF analysis confirmed the presence of biochanin A and baicalein in OIM. HPLC-based quantification of baicalein and chrysin was shown to be 3.36 and 1.11 mg/gram dry weight. To conclude, the above results suggest that the root bark of O. indicum has a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anticancer and apoptotic properties

Kingiodendron pinnatum, a pharmacologically effective alternative for Saraca asoca in an Ayurvedic preparation, Asokarishta

Saraca asoca (Fabaceae) is a prime ingredient in Asokarishta, a well-known Ayurvedic preparation for gynecological ailments. Due to scarcity, adulteration or substitution of related raw drugs is a common practice in its preparation. The bark of Kingiodendron pinnatum (Roxb. ex DC.) Harms, morphologically similar to S. asoca (Asoka) is a widely used substitute. The present study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological effectiveness of K. pinnatum as an alternative for S. asoca in Asokarishta by determining the inhibitory effect of estrogen induced uterus endometrial thickening in immature female rats. Arishta was prepared using S. asoca and with the substitute, K. pinnatum as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia. Uterus endometrial thickening was induced by the administration of estradiol (20 μg/kg b. wt, i.p) to 8-day-old rats for 5 alternate days. On day 16, following estradiol administration, the serum estrogen level was found elevated to 156.5 ± 8 pg/ml from the normal value 32.4 ± 5 pg/ml and consequently increased the thickness of uterus endometrium from 16.7 ± 1.4 to 75.2 ± 15.3 μm. Upon oral administration of 400 μl/kg b. wt Asokarishta (ASA) and Arishta made with K. pinnatum (AKP), the thickening was reduced to 42.5 ± 12.7 and 47.1 ± 10.5 μm and the estrogen level diminished to 102.6 ± 10 and 97.3 ± 8 pg/ml, respectively. Arishta also reduced the chronic/acute inflammations in mice and improved the antioxidant status of rats. No toxic symptom was observed in the animals by the treatment of Arishta. The study supports the use of K. pinnatum as an alternative to S. asoca in Asokarishta and gives a scientific validation for Asokarishta in gynecological ailments

Apoptosis Induction Of Centella Asiatica On Human Breast Cancer Cells

The present study evaluated the ability of methanolic extract of Centella asiatica (Linn) Urban (Umbelliferae) to induce apoptosis in different cancer cell lines. MCF-7 cells emerged as the most sensitive cell line for in vitro growth inhibitory activity. C. asiatica extract induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as indicated by nuclear condensation, increased annexin staining, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and induction of DNA breaks identified by TUNEL reactivity. It is possible that the use of C. asiatica extract as a component in herbal medicines could be justifiable