In vitro cytotoxic effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of medicinal plants on Ehrlich’s Ascites Carcinoma (EAC)

Context and Purpose: Cancer continues to represent the largest cause of mortality in the world and claims over 6 million lives each year. An extremely promising strategy for cancer prevention today is chemoprevention, which is defined as the use of synthetic or natural agents (alone or in combination) to block the development of cancer in human beings. Plants, vegetables, herbs and spices used in folk and traditional medicine have been accepted currently as one of the main sources of cancer chemopreventive drug discovery Main findings: Hydroalcoholic extracts of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Emblica officinalis, Caesalpinia crista, Cajanus cajan, and Tinospora cordifolia are found to be variably and selectively cytotoxic to normal and EAC cells. Brief Summary: Hydroalcoholic extracts of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica, Emblica officinalis, Caesalpinia crista, Cajanus cajan, and Tinospora cordifolia which have been found to be possible natural antioxidant are evaluated for their selective cytotoxic effect on murine tumor cell Ehrlich’s Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) and normal spleenocyte cell. The extracts were subjected to cytotoxicity test by the tetrazolium cell proliferation reagent (WST-1) assay in vitro. The results showed that the plant extracts were invariably non toxic for the normal spleenocyte cell, whereas they showed toxicity for EAC cells in different degree. The cell cycle analysis for the EAC cells treated with the extracts of the aforesaid plants showed a variable, yet dose-dependent increasing percentage of apoptosis. Potential Implications: The results signify that the plants which have antioxidant property may function as cytotoxic agent for cancer cell

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Spondias pinnata

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many diseases are associated with oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Current research is directed towards finding naturally-occurring antioxidants of plant origin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant activities of <it>Spondias pinnata </it>stem bark extract.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 70% methanol extract of <it>Spondias pinnata </it>stem bark was studied <it>in vitro </it>for total antioxidant activity, for scavenging of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen and hypochlorous acid, and for iron chelating capacity, reducing power, and phenolic and flavonoid contents.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The extract showed total antioxidant activity with a trolox equivalent antioxidant concentration (TEAC) value of 0.78 ± 0.02. The IC₅₀values for scavenging of free radicals were 112.18 ± 3.27 μg/ml, 13.46 ± 0.66 μg/ml and 24.48 ± 2.31 μg/ml for hydroxyl, superoxide and nitric oxide, respectively. The IC₅₀for hydrogen peroxide scavenging was 44.74 ± 25.61 mg/ml. For the peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen and hypochlorous acid scavenging activities the IC₅₀values were 716.32 ± 32.25 μg/ml, 58.07 ± 5.36 μg/ml and 127.99 ± 6.26 μg/ml, respectively. The extract was found to be a potent iron chelator with IC₅₀= 66.54 ± 0.84 μg/ml. The reducing power was increased with increasing amounts of extract. The plant extract (100 mg) yielded 91.47 ± 0.004 mg/ml gallic acid-equivalent phenolic content and 350.5 ± 0.004 mg/ml quercetin-equivalent flavonoid content.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study provides evidence that a 70% methanol extract of <it>Spondias pinnata </it>stem bark is a potential source of natural antioxidants.</p

Assessment of the Antioxidant and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Activity of Methanolic Extract of Caesalpinia crista Leaf

“Oxidative stress” is initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are responsible for majority of the diseases. However, antioxidants with ROS scavenging ability may have great relevance in the prevention of oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken, using a 70% methanolic extract of Caesalpinia crista leaves, to examine different in vitro tests in diversified fields including total antioxidant activity, scavenging activities for various ROS, iron chelating activity and phenolic and flavonoid contents. Total antioxidant activity was evaluated as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity value of 0.546 ± 0.014. The extract was investigated for different ROS scavenging activities and IC50 values were found to be 0.44 ± 0.1 mg/ml, 24.9 ± 0.98 μg/ml, 33.72 ± 0.85 μg/ml, 61.13 ± 3.24 μg/mL and 170.51 ± 4.68 μg/mL for hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen and hypochlorous acid, respectively; however, no significant results were obtained in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite anion. The extract was found to be a potent iron chelator with IC50 = 279.85 ± 4.72 μg/mL. The plant extract (100 mg) yielded 50.23 ± 0.003 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent phenolic content and 106.83 ± 0.0003 mg/mL quercetin equivalent flavonoid content. In the in vivo experiments, the extract treatment showed significant increase in the level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione. In a word, it may be concluded that 70% methanol extract of C. crista leaves acts as an antioxidant and ROS scavenger; which may be due to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds

Antioxidant and iron chelating potential of Pongammia pinnata and its role in preventing free radical induced oxidative damage in plasmid DNA

Context: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radical-mediated reactions are involved in degenerative or pathological processes. Antioxidants are believed to play an important role in preventing chronic diseases by reducing the oxidative damage to cellular components caused by ROS. Objective: In the present study, Pongamia pinnata leaf (PPL), seed (PPS), and flower (PPF) were investigated for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH method, scavenging activities for different free radicals such as hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, hypochlorous acid, the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in mice brain homogenate, reducing power, iron chelating and protection of DNA damage caused by free radicals. Results: PPL showed the best antioxidant activity compared to both PPS and PPF. The extract of PPL possessed most potent activity compared to other extracts in scavenging assay for singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical and nitric oxide radical. PPF exhibited strongest inhibitory activity against hypochlorous acid and peroxynitrite anion among these three extracts. PPL was the best amongst three to inhibit lipid peroxidation and Fe2+-ferrozine complex formation. PPL was also found effective in protecting plasmid DNA nicking at lower concentration while both PPS and PPF did the same at higher concentration. PPL presented highest content of phenolics and flavonoids among these three extracts. Conclusion: The present results show that Pongammia pinnta acts as an antioxidant, iron chelator and protector of oxidative DNA damage

Comparative assessment of the antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging potential of different parts of Nerium indicum

Context: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause damage to cellular components. Antioxidant compounds scavenge or neutralize the ROS and thus have significant role in human health. Aims: The present study 70% methanol extracts of Nerium indicum leaf, stem and root were evaluated for in vitro total antioxidant, radical scavenging activity along with phenolic and flavonoid contents. Methods and Material: The extracts were examined for the scavenging activity of hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen, hypochlorous acid, superoxide, peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide. The extracts were also tested for their potential as an iron chelating agent, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and total reducing potential. Results: The present study indicates that the total antioxidant, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical and singlet oxygen scavenging potential is in the order of stem&gt;root&gt;leaf. The hydroxyl radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and hypochlorous acid scavenging activity is in the order leaf&gt;stem&gt;root, whereas superoxide scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay is root&gt;leaf&gt;stem. Miscellaneous results were obtained in the scavenging of other radicals by the extracts, viz., leaf&gt;root&gt;stem for peroxynitrite and iron chelation activity, root&gt;stem&gt;leaf for reducing power and stem&gt;leaf&gt;root for nitric oxide inhibition. The phenolic and flavonoid content is in the following order root&gt;stem&gt;leaf and leaf&gt;stem&gt;root respectively. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the leaf, stem and root extracts of N. indicum are effective free radical scavenger and might be used as a natural source of potent antioxidant

Comparative assessment of the antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging potential of different parts of Nerium indicum

Context: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause damage to cellular components. Antioxidant compounds scavenge or neutralize the ROS and thus have significant role in human health. Aims: The present study 70% methanol extracts of Nerium indicum leaf, stem and root were evaluated for in vitro total antioxidant, radical scavenging activity along with phenolic and flavonoid contents. Methods and Material: The extracts were examined for the scavenging activity of hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen, hypochlorous acid, superoxide, peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide. The extracts were also tested for their potential as an iron chelating agent, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and total reducing potential. Results: The present study indicates that the total antioxidant, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical and singlet oxygen scavenging potential is in the order of stem&gt;root&gt;leaf. The hydroxyl radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and hypochlorous acid scavenging activity is in the order leaf&gt;stem&gt;root, whereas superoxide scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay is root&gt;leaf&gt;stem. Miscellaneous results were obtained in the scavenging of other radicals by the extracts, viz., leaf&gt;root&gt;stem for peroxynitrite and iron chelation activity, root&gt;stem&gt;leaf for reducing power and stem&gt;leaf&gt;root for nitric oxide inhibition. The phenolic and flavonoid content is in the following order root&gt;stem&gt;leaf and leaf&gt;stem&gt;root respectively. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the leaf, stem and root extracts of N. indicum are effective free radical scavenger and might be used as a natural source of potent antioxidant

Comparative study of the antioxidant and reactive oxygen species scavenging properties in the extracts of the fruits of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and Emblica officinalis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in several diseases, and hence natural antioxidants have significant importance in human health. The present study was carried out to evaluate the <it>in vitro </it>antioxidant and reactive oxygen species scavenging activities of <it>Terminalia chebula</it>, <it>Terminalia belerica </it>and <it>Emblica officinalis </it>fruit extracts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The 70% methanol extracts were studied for <it>in vitro </it>total antioxidant activity along with phenolic and flavonoid contents and reducing power. Scavenging ability of the extracts for radicals like DPPH, hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, hypochlorous acid were also performed to determine the potential of the extracts.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ability of the extracts of the fruits in exhibiting their antioxative properties follow the order <it>T. chebula </it>><it>E. officinalis </it>><it>T. belerica</it>. The same order is followed in their flavonoid content, whereas in case of phenolic content it becomes <it>E. officinalis </it>><it>T. belerica </it>><it>T. chebula</it>. In the studies of free radicals' scavenging, where the activities of the plant extracts were inversely proportional to their IC₅₀values, <it>T. chebula </it>and <it>E. officinalis </it>were found to be taking leading role with the orders of <it>T. chebula </it>><it>E. officinalis </it>><it>T. belerica </it>for superoxide and nitric oxide, and <it>E. officinalis </it>><it>T. belerica </it>><it>T. chebula </it>for DPPH and peroxynitrite radicals. Miscellaneous results were observed in the scavenging of other radicals by the plant extracts, viz., <it>T. chebula </it>><it>T. belerica </it>><it>E. officinalis </it>for hydroxyl, <it>T. belerica </it>><it>T. chebula </it>><it>E. officinalis </it>for singlet oxygen and <it>T. belerica </it>><it>E. officinalis </it>><it>T. chebula </it>for hypochlorous acid. In a whole, the studied fruit extracts showed quite good efficacy in their antioxidant and radical scavenging abilities, compared to the standards.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The evidences as can be concluded from the study of the 70% methanol extract of the fruits of <it>Terminalia chebula</it>, <it>Terminalia belerica </it>and <it>Emblica officinalis</it>, imposes the fact that they might be useful as potent sources of natural antioxidant.</p

Characterization of the Phage-Specific Transfer RNA Molecules Coded by Cholera Phage $149

Aminoacylation of tRNA isolated from choleraphage +149-infected cells with individual 3H-lebeled L-amino acids followed by hybridization with phage DNA revealed that the phage encodes tRNAs specific for arginine, proline, glycine, isoleucine, serine, valine, tyrosine, histidine, lysine, leucine, tryptophan, and aspartic acid. Aminoacylation of phagecoded tRNAs isolated from phage DNA-RNA hybrids also confirmed this observation except for tryptophan

Spondias pinnata stem bark extract lessens iron overloaded liver toxicity due to hemosiderosis in Swiss albino mice

The present study was designed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of 70% methanol extract of Spondias pinnata (SPME) on iron overload induced liver injury. Iron overload was induced by intraperitoneal administration of iron-dextran into mice and resulting liver damage was manifested by significant rise in serum enzyme markers (ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin) and reduction in liver antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GST and GSH). Hepatic iron, serum ferritin, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and hydroxyproline contents were measured in response to the oral administration of SPME of different doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight). In order to determine the efficiency as iron chelating drug, the release of iron from ferritin by SPME was further studied. Enhanced levels of antioxidant enzymes were detected in SPME treated mice. SPME produced a dose dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, liver fibrosis; and levels of serum enzyme markers and ferritin were also reduced dose dependently. The liver iron content was also found to be less in SPME treated group compared to control group. The reductive release of ferritin iron was augmented significantly after dose dependent addition of SPME. The ameliorating effect of SPME on damaged liver was furthermore supported by the histopathological studies that showed improved histological appearances. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate the hepatoprotective efficiency of SPME in iron intoxicated mice, and hence possibly useful as iron chelating drug for iron overload diseases