15 research outputs found
Preclinical evaluation of antihyperglycemic activity of Clerodendron infortunatum leaf against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
© The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Introduction: Clerodendron infortunatum Linn. (Verbenaceae), commonly known as Bhant in Hindi, is a small shrub occurring throughout the plains of India, which is traditionally used for several medicinal purposes. The aim of the present stud
Inhibition of NO2, PGE2, TNF-α, and iNOS EXpression by Shorea robusta L.: An Ethnomedicine Used for Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity
This paper is an attempt to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and the possible mechanism of action of tender leaf extracts of Shorea robusta, traditionally used in ailments related to inflammation. The acetic-acid-induced writhing and tail flick tests were carried out for analgesic activity, while the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-and dextran- induced paw edema and cotton-pellet-induced granuloma model. The acetic-acid-induced vascular permeability, erythrocyte membrane stabilization, release of proinflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2), and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukins-1β and -6) from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytic cell lines were assessed to understand the mechanism of action. The results revealed that both aqueous and methanol extract (400 mg/kg) caused significant reduction of writhing and tail flick, paw edema, granuloma tissue formation (P < 0.01), vascular permeability, and membrane stabilization. Interestingly, the aqueous extract at 40 μg/mL significantly inhibited the production of NO and release of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Chemically the extract contains flavonoids and triterpenes and toxicity study showed that the extract is safe. Thus, our study validated the scientific rationale of ethnomedicinal use of S. robusta and unveils its mechanism of action. However, chronic toxicological studies with active constituents are needed before its use
Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) King & H. Rob. Standardized leaf extract as an antidiabetic agent for type 2 diabetes: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation
Type 2 diabetes has become one of the major health concerns of the 21st century, marked by hyperglycemia or glycosuria, and is associated with the development of several secondary health complications. Due to the fact that chemically synthesized drugs lead to several inevitable side effects, new antidiabetic medications from plants have gained substantial attention. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic capacity of the Ageratina adenophora hydroalcoholic (AAHY) extract in streptozotocin–nicotinamide (STZ–NA)-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats. The rats were segregated randomly into five groups with six rats each. Group I was normal control, and the other four groups were STZ–NA-induced. Group II was designated diabetic control, and group III, IV, and V received metformin (150 mg/kg b.w.) and AAHY extract (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose, serum biochemicals, liver and kidney antioxidant parameters, and pancreatic histopathology were observed after the experimental design. The study concludes that the AAHY extract has a significant blood glucose lowering capacity on normoglycemic (87.01 ± 0.54 to 57.21 ± 0.31), diabetic (324 ± 2.94 to 93 ± 2.04), and oral glucose-loaded (117.75 ± 3.35 to 92.75 ± 2.09) Wistar albino rats. The in vitro studies show that the AAHY extract has α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities which can restore the altered blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin, body weight, and serum enzymes such as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total protein, urea, and creatinine levels close to the normal range in the treated STZ–NA-induced diabetic rats. The evaluation of these serum biochemicals is crucial for monitoring the diabetic condition. The AAHY extract has significantly enhanced tissue antioxidant parameters, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and lipid peroxidation, close to normal levels. The presence of high-quantity chlorogenic (6.47% w/w) and caffeic (3.28% w/w) acids as some of the major phytoconstituents may contribute to the improvement of insulin resistance and oxidative stress. The study provides scientific support for the utilization of A. adenophora to treat type 2 diabetes in the STZ–NA-induced diabetic rat model. Although the preventive role of the AAHY extract in treating Wistar albino rat models against type 2 diabetes mellitus is undeniable, further elaborative research is required for efficacy and safety assessment in human beings
Anti-leishmanial and Anti-cancer Activities of a Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Isolated from the Leaves of Terminalia arjuna Combretaceae
Purpose: Terminalia arjuna Roxb (Combretaceae) is commonly known as
Arjjhan and Arjun in Bengal, India. The anti-leishmanial and anticancer
activities of a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from its leaves were
evaluated. Methods: Dried and crushed leaves of Terminalia arjuna were
de-fatted with petroleum ether (40 - 60°C) and extracted with
methanol. The extract was subjected to column chromatography and column
fractions were monitored on TLC plates developed in a suitable solvent
system. Structures of the isolated pure compounds were elucidated by
infra-red spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic
resonance spectroscopy. One of the compounds was screened for
anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani
, and anti-cancer activity on K562 leukaemic cell line. Results: A
pentacyclic triterpenoid, characterized as
3ß-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (together with ß-
D-glucoside) and designated ursolic acid, was successfully isolated.
The structure was determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. In
vitro anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania
donovani (strain AG 83) and anti-cancer activity on K562 leukaemic cell
line were shown by the isolated ursolic acid. Conclusion: The methanol
extract of the leaves of Terminalia arjuna led to the isolation of a
pentacyclic triterpenoid, ursolic acid. This compound demonstrated in
vitro anti-leishmanial and anti-cancer activities
Study on developmental toxicity and behavioral safety of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Streblus asper </i>Lour. bark on Zebrafish embryos
255-259Streblus
asper Lour. is a medicinal plant commonly found in Asia and traditionally used for a wide range of diseases.
Therefore, evaluation of toxicological parameter is essential for future
reference studies. In our present study methanol extract of S. asper bark (MESA) was evaluated for its developmental
toxicity and behavioral safety on Zebrafish embryos up to 72 h post
fertilization (hpf). This report provides the first examination of observable
MESA effect on zebrafish embryos.
Present study reveals the increase of heart rate directly proportional to the
increase of MESA dosage with slight oedema of heart muscle at higher dose, and
precautions must be taken for further use by pregnant women
Apoptogenic effects of β-sitosterol glucoside from <i>Castanopsis indica</i> leaves
<div><p>β-Sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) is a natural biologically active substance isolated from the <i>Castanopsis indica</i> leaves. This study explored the apoptogenic mechanistic studies of BSSG against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) treated mice through morphological study, comet assay, flow cytometry (FACS) and Western blotting assay method. AO/EB staining and FACS analysis showed that BSSG possessed apoptosis induction activities on EAC cells. Dose dependent induction of DNA damage was observed after BSSG treatment. Increase the expression of apoptotic protein p53 and p21 in EAC, multiple downstream factors contributing to apoptosis pathway. The increase of caspase-9 and caspase-3 activities revealed that caspase was a key mediator of the apoptotic pathway induced by BSSG, and up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 resulted in the decrease of Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Owing to the combination of significant antitumour activity by inducing apoptosis, BSSG holds the promise of being an interesting chemo-preventive agent active in cancer therapy.</p></div
Antitumor potential of <i style="">Castanopsis indica</i> (Roxb. ex Lindl.) A. DC. leaf extract against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma cell
359-365Methanol extract of C.
indica (MECI) leaves showed direct cytotoxicity on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell in
a dose dependant manner and there was significant decrease in the tumor volume,
viable cell count, tumor weight and elevated the life span of EAC tumor bearing
mice. Hematological profile and biochemical estimations were
significantly restored to normal levels in MECI treated as compared to
EAC control mice. MECI treatment significantly modulated the tissue
antioxidant assay parameters as compared to the EAC control mice. The results revealed
that MECI possesses significant dose dependent antitumor potential which may be
due to its cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties