Antimicrobial and phytotoxic screening of various fractions of Sonchus asper

Sonchus asper is used in the treatment of many diseases ethnopharmacologically in Pakistan. In the present manuscript we demonstrate the antimicrobial and phytotoxic effects of various fractions of S.asper. Six (6) different bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are used in the screening of extract as well as 4 strains of fungi are characterized. Raddish root inhibition assay was used for phytotoxic screening. Methanolic fraction of S. asper showed best activities in all of assays, in inhibition of microbes and phytotoxic activities. The potency of these activities is due to the presence of bioactive flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds

Phytotoxic characterization of various fractions of Launaea procumbens

Allelopathic screening of various fractions of Launaea procumbens, collected from Wah Cantt (Punjab) Pakistan, was conceded to identify potent allelopathic fraction for future phytochemical analyses. For this purpose, radish root inhibition method was used to test allelopathic potential. Two different concentrations of 100 ppm and 1000 ppm of Launaea procumbens were used in this study. Methanolic and ethyl acetate fraction potently inhibited root and radical growth; comparative to other fractions, it might be due to the presence of bioactive allelochemicals. Based on this screening, both of these fractions were recommended for future bioassay guided isolation of allelochemicals.Key words: Launaea procumbens, radish seeds, root inhibition, Launaea procumbens methanolic fraction

Hepatoprotective effects of methanol extract of Carissa opaca leaves on CCl4-induced damage in rat

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Carissa opaca </it>(Apocynaceae) leaves possess antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effects, and so may provide a possible therapeutic alternative in hepatic disorders. The effect produced by methanolic extract of <it>Carissa opaca </it>leaves (MCL) was investigated on CCl₄-induced liver damages in rat.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>30 rats were divided into five groups of six animals of each, having free access to food and water <it>ad libitum</it>. Group I (control) was given olive oil and DMSO, while group II, III and IV were injected intraperitoneally with CCl₄(0.5 ml/kg) as a 20% (v/v) solution in olive oil twice a week for 8 weeks. Animals of group II received only CCl₄. Rats of group III were given MCL intragastrically at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw while that of group IV received silymarin at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw twice a week for 8 weeks. However, animals of group V received MCL only at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw twice a week for 8 weeks. The activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) were determined in serum. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSR) and quinone reductase (QR) activity was measured in liver homogenates. Lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS), glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration was also assessed in liver homogenates. Phytochemicals in MCL were determined through qualitative and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hepatotoxicity induced with CCl₄was evidenced by significant increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and H₂O₂level, serum activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and γ-GT. Level of GSH determined in liver was significantly reduced, as were the activities of antioxidant enzymes; CAT, POD, SOD, GSH-Px, GSR, GST and QR. On cirrhotic animals treated with CCl₄, histological studies showed centrilobular necrosis and infiltration of lymphocytes. MCL (200 mg/kg bw) and silymarin (50 mg/kg bw) co-treatment prevented all the changes observed with CCl₄-treated rats. The phytochemical analysis of MCL indicated the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phlobatannins, terpenoids, coumarins, anthraquinones, and cardiac glycosides. Isoquercetin, hyperoside, vitexin, myricetin and kaempherol was determined in MCL.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that MCL has a significant protective effect against CCl₄induced hepatotoxicity in rat, which may be due to its antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties.</p

Evaluation of phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of various solvent extracts of Sonchus asper (L.) Hill

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Sonchus asper </it>(SA) is traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments associated with liver, lungs and kidneys. This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of nonpolar (hexane, SAHE; ethyl acetate, SAEE and chloroform, SACE) and polar (methanol, SAME) crude extracts of the whole plant.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To achieve these goals, several parameters including free-radical (DPPH^•, ABTS^•+, H₂O₂and ^•OH) scavenging, iron chelating activity, scavenging of superoxide radicals, total flavonoids and total phenolic content (TPC) were examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The SA extracts presented a remarkable capacity to scavenge all the tested reactive species with IC₅₀values being found at the μg ⁄ ml level. The SAME was shown to have the highest TPCs while lowest IC₅₀values for the DPPH^•, ABTS^•+radical scavenging capacities and iron chelating scavenging efficiency, moreover, SAME had best activities in scavenging of superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide as well as potently scavenged the hydroxyl radicals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest the potential of <it>S. asper </it>as a medicine against free-radical-associated oxidative damage.</p

Antibacterial activity of some selected medicinal plants of Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Screening of the ethnobotenical plants is a pre-requisite to evaluate their therapeutic potential and it can lead to the isolation of new bioactive compounds.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The crude extracts and fractions of six medicinal important plants (<it>Arisaema flavum</it>, <it>Debregeasia salicifolia</it>, <it>Carissa opaca</it>, <it>Pistacia integerrima</it>, <it>Aesculus indica</it>, and <it>Toona ciliata</it>) were tested against three Gram positive and two Gram negative ATCC bacterial species using the agar well diffusion method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The crude extract of <it>P. integerrima </it>and <it>A. indica </it>were active against all tested bacterial strains (12-23 mm zone of inhibition). Other four plant's crude extracts (<it>Arisaema flavum</it>, <it>Debregeasia salicifolia</it>, <it>Carissa opaca</it>, and <it>Toona ciliata</it>) were active against different bacterial strains. The crude extracts showed varying level of bactericidal activity. The aqueous fractions of <it>A. indica </it>and <it>P. integerrima </it>crude extract showed maximum activity (19.66 and 16 mm, respectively) against <it>B. subtilis</it>, while the chloroform fractions of <it>T. ciliata </it>and <it>D. salicifolia </it>presented good antibacterial activities (13-17 mm zone of inhibition) against all the bacterial cultures tested.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The methanol fraction of <it>Pistacia integerrima</it>, chloroform fractions of <it>Debregeasia salicifolia </it>&<it>Toona ciliata </it>and aqueous fraction of <it>Aesculus indica </it>are suitable candidates for the development of novel antibacterial compounds.</p

Inhibition of human breast and colorectal cancer cells by Viburnum foetens L. extracts in vitro

Objective: To investigate efficacy of Viburnum foetens (V. foetens) extracts against different cancer lines. Methods: The crude extract and fractions of V. foetens are evaluated against MDA MB-468 and Caco-2 cancer cell lines by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assays. These extracts are also tested against breast carcinoma and human colon adenocarcinoma through NRU (neutral red uptake) assay. Results: The crude extract inhibited the cancerous cell growth in a dose dependent manner. From the MTT assay it is obvious that the ethylacetate fraction significantly inhibited the growth of Caco-2 (93.44%) cell. Similarly, the methanol and ethylacetate fractions shows 99% and 96% inhibition of MCF-7 and Caco-2 cell lines by NRU assay. Furthermore, the ethylacetate fraction also exhibited momentous inhibition of MDA MB-468 cells in both assays. Other fractions i.e. chloroform, hexane also inhibited cancer cell proliferation at a significant level. Natural products exhibited significant activity against multiple cancerous cells. Conclusions: In this framework, we can speculate that the present study will be helpful in the identification and isolation of novel anticancer drug compounds from the crude extract (i.e., methanol and ethyl acetate fractions) of V. foetens. © 2013 Asian Pacific Tropical Medicine Press

Using multiple microscopic techniques for the comparative systematic of Spergula fallax and Spergula arvensis (Caryophyllaceae)

In this study, comparative morphology, foliar anatomy and palynology of Spergula fallax and Spergula arvensis (Caryophyllaceae) were studied using multiple microscopic techniques. Genus Spergula includes worldwide five species, while in Flora of Pakistan the genus has two species. In this research, the comparative morphological, anatomical, and palynological characters of the two Pakistani Spergula species were studied. We examined some distinguishing morphological features, in both species, such as plant size, habitat, leaf morphological characters, inflorescences, flowers outer whorls, sepals and petals, and flowers number. These characters species were studied analyzing their comparative systematic significant. The foliar anatomical features also provided distinctive characters as the epidermal cell shape, the wall of the epidermal cell, lobes per cell. The differences in quantitative characters were also examined. The palynological characters showed difference in echini arrangement, echini density, and numbers of pore. Quantitative characters were variations in size of polar, equatorial, exine thickness, pore length, and width and P/E ratio. The multiple microscopic techniques provided sufficient evidence about the systematics of the genus Spergula. Based on morphological, anatomical, and palynological characters, analytical keys were developed for the identification and distinction of the species S. fallax and S. arvensis

Pollen morphology of subfamily Caryophylloideae (Caryophyllaceae) and its taxonomic significance

The Pollen morphology of subfamily Caryophylloideae (Caryophyllaceae) from different phytogeographical region of Pakistan has been evaluated. In this research, 16 species belong to 6 genera of subfamily Caryophylloideae have been studied using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for both qualitative and quantitative characters. Different palyno-morphological features were observed including; pollen ornamentation, pore ornamentation, echini arrangement, echinidensity, number of pori, size of polar and equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, exine thickness, and size of pore were studied. The palyno-morphological characters of subfamily Caryophylloideae have taxonomically significant in identification and delimitation of species. Two pollen types, i.e., subspheroidal (15 species) and prolate (one species Vaccaria hispanica) were observed. Microechinate-punctate and microechinate-perforate pollen ornamentation were examined. Two pollen types of pori, i.e., prominent (5 species) and sunken (11 species) ornamentation have been reported. Three types of echini arrangement have been reported irregular, regular and rather regular, while three type of echinidensity (i.e., medium, dense and sparse) were observed. Pori numbers were found different in different species range from 5 in Silene apetala to 19-35 in Silene vulgaris. Based on different palyno-morphological characters, taxonomic key was develop for quick and accurate identification. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS software for average, minimum, maximum, and standard error