Perfil de seguridad de Alpinia calcarata Roscoe usada en medicina tradicional en Sri Lanka

El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar si los rizomas de Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Familia: Zingiberaceae) tienen algún efecto tóxico en las ratas. Se utilizaron ratas Wistar como modelo experimental y administrado por vía oral de extracto de agua caliente (EAC) y el extracto de etanol caliente (EEC) de A. rizomas calcarata a una dosis de 1500 mg / kg, respectivamente, durante 42 días consecutivos. La administración de la EAC o EEC a las ratas no produjo ningún efecto crónico tóxico como se desprende de sus efectos sobre la (a) función hepática (b) la función renal, (c) los parámetros hematológicos, como conteo de los glóbulos rojos (GR), conteo de glóbulos blancos celular (GB) y hemoglobina (Hb), (d) morfología externa y el peso húmedo de los órganos seleccionados. Además, el EAC y el EEC no parecen mediar efectos inaceptables en la ingesta de alimentos y agua, porcentaje de aumento de peso, la consistencia de las heces y el color de la orina. En conclusión, los resultados de este estudio han revelado que los extractos EAC y la EEC de A. calcarata en las dosis utilizadas no producen graves efectos secundarios tóxicos en ratas

Evaluation of the toxic potential of standardized extracts (hot water extract and cold ethanolic extract) of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. aerial parts

Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. Es una de las plantas comunmente utilizadas en el sistema de medicina tradicional de Sri Lanka, en la preparación de formulaciones para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades. Debido a que los efectos tóxicos de T. cucumerina no se conocen, los objetivos de este estudio fueron: (a) estandarizar los extractos obtenidos con agua caliente (EAC) y con etanol frío (EEF), y (b) evaluar la toxicidad de ambos extractos. Ambos extractos fueron estandarizados por obtención de sus densitogramas y huella digital con HPLC. Adicionalmente se determinaron parámetros fisicoquímicos, tales como: cenizas totales, cenizas solubles en agua y cenizas solubles en ácido. La administración de EAC y EEF a ratones no mostró efectos tóxicos agudos ni crónicos. Las funciones renales, hepáticas, estudios hematológicos y de fertilidad en machos y hembras fueron normales. Se concluye que los extractos estandarizados de T. cucumerina, a las dosis ensayadas no producen ningún efecto tóxico.Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. is one of the medicinal plants that is often used in Sri Lankan traditional systems of medicine for the preparation of formulations to treat a variety of disease conditions. However, the toxic effects of T. cucumerina are not known. The aims of the present study were to (a) standardize hot water (HWE) and cold ethanolic (CEE) extracts of T. cucumerina aerial parts, and (b) evaluate toxic potential of the plant extracts. Both extracts were standardized by developing their densitograms and HPLC fingerprints and determination of physico – chemical parameters such as total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash. Administration of the HWE or CEE to mice did not result in acute or chronic toxic effects as evident from their effects on (a) liver and kidney functions and (c) hematological parameters and (d) fertility of male or female mice.In conclusion, the results of this study have revealed that standardized extracts of T. cucumerina at the doses tested do not produce any serious toxic side effects

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa as a potential candidate for treatment of diabetes mellitus: A review

Introduction: Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa is an important medicinal plant, commonly known as Bael which is belonged to family Rutaceae. It is widely distributed in Asian countries. According to the literature, various chemical constituents and pharmacological effects have been reported for this plant. In Ayurvedic and traditional medicinal systems, different parts of A. marmelos are used for diabetes mellitus. In the present review, an attempt was made to summarize the in vivo and in vitro studies and clinical trials conducted to evaluate or validate the anti-diabetic activity and toxicity of A. marmelos. Methods: PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Directory of open access journals (DOAJ), EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched using the keywords Aegle marmelos and diabetes. Results: Anti-diabetic potential, clinical applications of different parts of A. marmelos and possible toxic effects have been revealed in A. marmelos extract. Conclusion: Aegle marmelos can be used as a potential candidate for diabetes mellitus

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of antioxidant activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina aerial parts

The present study was conducted to determine whether aerial parts of Trichosanthes cucumerina extracts can exert significant antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of a hot water extract (HWE) and a cold ethanolic extract (CEE) of T. cucumerina aerial parts was evaluated by assessing its (a) radical scavenging ability and prevention effect of lipid peroxidation in vitro, and (b) effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, in vivo. In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, TBARS and carotene-linoleic acid assays) clearly demonstrated the antioxidant potential of HWE and CEE. Moreover, HWE increased SOD: by 91.2% and GPX by 104.4% while CEE increased SOD: by 115.5% and GPX by 96.4%) in CCl4-induced rats. Treatments with HWE and CEE prevented the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products by 30.5% and 33.8%, respectively, in liver tissues compared to the rats exposed only to CCl4. In conclusion, the present investigation demonstrates for the first time that components in T. cucumerina aerial parts can exert significant antioxidant activity in vivo and in vitro

Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Pogostemon heyneanus Benth: A review

162-173A renewed interest in using nature-originated medicines can be seen throughout the world due to their benefits when compared to synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs in the aspect of increasing the quality of life of human beings. Pogostemon heyneanus Benth is a prominent and well-known medicinal plant in Asian countries that is recommended with high value in traditional medicinal practices, Ayurvedic treatments and folkloric use. It is also known as 'Indian patchouli' and 'Java patchouli'. P. heyneanus is pharmacologically and economically important due to its essential oil and is used in perfumery industries as well. The consistency of the presence of a wide range of phytochemical constituents such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins enables activities like cytotoxic and anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, gastroprotective, etc. Essential oil of P. heyneanus is comprised of α–pinene, β-pinene, limonene, β-pachoulin, seychellene, β-caryophyllene, α–guaiene, nerolidol and patchouli alcohol. Moreover, P. heyneanus is a unique cause having acetophenone as its main component which was not reported in the essential oils of other Pogostemon species. The scope of the present review was to gather scientific information on P. heyneanus in terms of habitat and distribution, traditional uses and ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and medicinal activities (cytotoxic and anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and gastroprotective), which were published before 31st July 2022

Ethnopharmacological Use and Biological Activities of Tragia involucrata L.

Plants have been utilized as medicines to treat various ailments since ancient times. Formulations made by plant materials have been used in traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine and remain widespread in both developing and developed countries. In developing countries, traditional medicines are widely practiced due to its accessibility and affordability, while in developed countries, complementary and alternative medicine are widely popular due to the adverse effects of chemical drugs. Tragia involucrata Linn. (family: Euphorbiaceae) is a highly used medicinal plant used in both Sri Lankan and Indian traditional medical systems. Since this plant is a weed, it is being extensively destroyed due to the lack of knowledge regarding the medicinal value of this plant. Hence, the objective of this study was to collect data on the medicinal value of this plant by correlating its scientifically validated biological activities with its ethnopharmacological uses. An attempt was made to gather as much information available regarding the ethnopharmacological uses and scientifically validated biological activities of Tragia involucrata through authentic traditional texts, scientific journals, and other authentic texts regarding medicinal plants. Thus, the review provides an insight to the capability of Tragia involucrata to be used as a monoherbal formulation for diseases pertaining to multiple systems of the body. With all the scientifically validated biological activities and the ethnopharmacological uses, Tragia involucrata may qualify as a potent candidate to be developed into a phytomedicine to be utilized as both a preventive and as a therapeutic agent

The gastroprotective effect of ethyl acetate fraction of hot water extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn and its underlying mechanisms

Abstract Background Antacids, anticholinergic drugs, histamine H2- receptor antagonists and irreversible proton pump inhibitors have been used for the treatment of gastric ulcers. However, prolonged use of these drugs may lead to series of adverse effects such as diarrhea, headache, rash, hypertension, muscular and joint pain. Therefore, there is an urgent need of more effective and safer treatments with fewer side effects. The aim of the present study was to scientifically evaluate the gastroprotective activity of fractions of the hot water extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn (Family: Cucurbitaceae) aerial parts with a view to identifying the fraction with the best gastroprotective activity and the possible mechanism/s by which this fraction exert gastroprotection. Methods Gastroprotective activity of hexane fraction (HF), ethyl acetate fraction (EF), butanol fraction (BF) and aqueous fraction (AF) were evaluated by the assessment of ability to reduce the ulcer index in ethanol-induced rat model and the mode of action by which the most active fraction mediating gastroprotection. Results EF showed the maximum gastroprotection effect followed by BF and AF. EF (75 mg/kg) exhibited significantly higher gastroprotection compared to the reference drugs. Further investigations with two lower doses of EF confirmed that EF can mediated a significant and dose dependent gastroprotection. The rats treated with the EF showed significant reduction in free acidity (45%), total acidity (by 48%) in the gastric juice, increased the amount of mucus produced by the rat gastro mucosa and potent antihistamine activity (by 25.6%). EF was also rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Conclusion Gastroprotective mechanism of EF is possibly involves inhibition of acidity, elevation in mucus content, inhibition of histamine and antioxidant mechanisms

Purification, Detoxification, and Incineration Methods of Minerals and Metals in Traditional Medicine Formulations of Sri Lanka

Background. Herbo-mineral therapies are very popular in traditional medical systems and formulations consisting of specific minerals or metals or mixture of both and mixed with organic components derived from plants. Purification/detoxification or incineration procedures play an important role to detoxify these and metals and minerals. Objective. In the present review, an attempt was made to gather herbo-mineral formulations which are used commonly in traditional medicinal systems in Sri Lanka and recapitulate the purification/detoxification or incineration techniques. Method. Commonly used herbo-mineral formulations are collected from a text book of Vatikaaprakarana. However, the purification/detoxification and incineration techniques for all minerals/metals are not mentioned in Vatikaaprakarana, and these techniques were collected from journal articles published between 1st January 2000 and 1st June 2020 through searching PubMed (US National Library of Medicine, USA), Science Direct (RELX Group, Netherlands), and Semantic Scholar (Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, USA). Results. Ten herbo-mineral formulations were selected, and purification/detoxification or incineration techniques were described in brief for copper sulphate, aluminum sulfate, borex powder, sulphur, sodium chloride, cinnabar, arsenicals, realgar, orpiment, ammonium chloride, magnesium silicate, zinc, and mercury. Conclusion. The review has demonstrated different types of purification/detoxification or incineration techniques of minerals used in herbo-mineral preparations. In addition, there is an urgent need for comprehensive survey or evaluation to check whether purification/detoxification or incineration techniques of metals/minerals are practiced properly in the country

Standardization of spray-dried powder of Piper betle hot water extract

The leaves of Piper betle Linn. (Family: Piperaceae) possess several bioactivities and are used in the Traditional Medical systems of Sri Lanka. The present investigation was carried out to standardize the spray-dried powder of P. betle by (a) determination of physicochemical parameters, presence or absence of heavy metals, and microbial contamination; (b) screening for phytochemicals; and (c) development of High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint and densitogram. The percentages of moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, and ethanol extractable matter of spray-dried powder of P. betle were 2.2-2.5, 6.8-7.0, 0.003-0.005, 4.1-4.3, and 15.8-16.2, respectively. The concentrations of all the tested heavy metals were below the WHO acceptable limits and bacterial species, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa were not present in the P. betle spray-dried powder. Phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids steroids, and alkaloids were found to be present in the spray-dried powder of P. betle and HPLC fingerprint and densitogram clearly demonstrated the proportional differences of these chemical constituents. In conclusion, the results obtained from this study can be used to standardize the spray-dried powder of P. betle