In vitro antioxidant activity of Vetiveria zizanioides root extract

Free radicals induce numerous diseases by lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. It has been reported that some of the extracts from plants possess antioxidant properties capable of scavenging free radicals in vivo. Vetiveria zizanioides belonging to the family Gramineae, is a densely tufted grass which is widely used as a traditional plant for aromatherapy, to relieve stress, anxiety, nervous tension and insomnia. In this regard, the roots of V. zizanioides was extracted with ethanol and used for the evaluation of various in vitro antioxidant activities such as reducing power ability, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, deoxyribose degradation assay, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolics and total flavonoid composition. The various antioxidant activities were compared with suitable antioxidants such as butyl hydroxy toluene, ascorbic acid, quercetin, alpha tocopherol, pyrocatechol and curcumin respectively. The generation of free radicals O2-, H2O2, OH and NO were effectively scavenged by the ethanolic extract of V.zizanioides. In all these methods, the extract showed strong antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The results obtained in the present study clearly indicates that V. zizanioides scavenges free radicals, ameliorating damage imposed by oxidative stress in different disease conditions and serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant. The study provides a proof for the ethnomedical claims and reported biological activities. The plant has, therefore, very good therapeutic and antioxidant potential

In vitro antioxidant activity of Vetiveria zizanioides root extract

Free radicals induce numerous diseases by lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. It has been reported that some of the extracts from plants possess antioxidant properties capable of scavenging free radicals in vivo. Vetiveria zizanioides belonging to the family Gramineae, is a densely tufted grass which is widely used as a traditional plant for aromatherapy, to relieve stress, anxiety, nervous tension and insomnia. In this regard, the roots of V. zizanioides was extracted with ethanol and used for the evaluation of various in vitro antioxidant activities such as reducing power ability, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, deoxyribose degradation assay, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolics and total flavonoid composition. The various antioxidant activities were compared with suitable antioxidants such as butyl hydroxy toluene, ascorbic acid, quercetin, alpha tocopherol, pyrocatechol and curcumin respectively. The generation of free radicals O2·, H2O2, OH and N O· were effectively scavenged by the ethanolic extract of V. zizanioides. In all these methods, the extract showed strong antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The results obtained in the present study clearly indicates that V. zizanioides scavenges free radicals, ameliorating damage imposed by oxidative stress in different disease conditions and serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant. The study provides a proof for the ethnomedical claims and reported biological activities. The plant has, therefore, very good therapeutic and antioxidant potential

Discovery of potential cholesterol esterase inhibitors using in silico docking studies

New drug discovery is considered broadly in terms of two kinds of investigational activities such as exploration and exploitation. This study deals with the evaluation of the cholesterol esterase inhibitory activity of flavonoids apigenin, biochanin, curcumin, diosmetin, epipervilline, glycitein, okanin, rhamnazin and tangeritin using in silico docking studies. In silico docking studies were carried out using AutoDock 4.2, based on the Lamarckian genetic algorithm principle. The results showed that all the selected flavonoids showed binding energy ranging between -7.08 kcal/mol to -5.64 kcal/mol when compared with that of the standard compound gallic acid (-4.11 kcal/mol). Intermolecular energy (-9.13 kcal/mol to -7.09 kcal/mol) and inhibition constant (6.48 µM to 73.18 µM) of the ligands also coincide with the binding energy. All the selected flavonoids contributed cholesterol esterase inhibitory activity, these molecular docking analyses could lead to the further develop-ment of potent cholesterol esterase inhibitors for the treatment of obesity

Antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Chrysopogon aucheri (Boiss.) Stapf

Introduction:Chrysopogon aucheri is a species native to the South of Iran. It is used for the treatment of some oxidative-based disorders

Computational drug design of potential α-amylase inhibitors using some commercially available flavonoids

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the α-amylase inhibitory activity of flavonoids using in silico docking studies. In this perspective, flavonoids like biochanin, chrysin, hesperitin, morin, tricin and vitexycarpin were selected. Acarbose, a known α-amylase inhibitor was used as the standard. In silico docking studies were carried out using AutoDock 4.2, based on the Lamarckian genetic algorithm principle. The results showed that all the selected flavonoids showed binding energy ranging between -7.20 kcal/mol to -6.21 kcal/mol when compared with that of the standard (-2.94 kcal/mol). Inhibition constant (5.31 µM to 27.89 µM) and intermolecular energy (-8.99 kcal/mol to -7.41 kcal/mol) of the flavonoids also coincide with the binding energy. The α-amylase inhibitory activity of the selected flavonoids was in order of tricin > hesperitin > vitexycarpin > chrysin > morin > biochanin. These molecular docking analyses could lead to the further development of potent α-amylase inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes

Docking studies: In silico phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity of commercially available flavonoids

The objective of the current study is to evaluate the phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity of flavonoids using in silico docking studies. In silico docking studies were carried out using AutoDock 4.2, based on the Lamarckian genetic algorithm principle. The results showed that all the selected flavonoids showed binding energy ranging between -7.50 kcal/mol to -6.61 kcal/mol when compared with that of the standard  (-4.77 kcal/mol). Inhibition constant (3.17 µM to 14.36 µM) and intermolecular energy (-9.29 kcal/mol to -8.70 kcal/mol) of the ligands also coincide with the binding energy. All the selected flavonoids contributed better phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity because of its structural parameters. Benzopyran ring in the flavonoids are majorly contributed its activity. These molecular docking analyses could lead to the further development of potent phosphodiesterase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

Discovery of potential cyclooxygenase inhibitors using in silico docking studies

This study deals with the evaluation of the cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of flavonoids (tangeritin, morin, rhamnetin, theaflavin, pachypodol, eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, aromadedrin, okanin) using in silico docking studies. In silico docking studies were carried out using AutoDock 4.2. Three important parameters like binding energy, inhibition constant and intermolecular energy were determined. The results showed that all the selected flavonoids showed binding energy ranging between -8.77 kcalmol-1 to -6.10 kcalmol-1 when compared with that of the standard (-8.30 kcalmol-1). Intermolecular energy (-10.56 kcalmol-1 to -7.89 kcalmol-1) and inhibition constant (373.91 nM to 34.03 µM) of the ligands also coincide with the binding energy. All the selected flavonoids contributed cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity because of its structural parameters. These molecular docking analyses could lead to the further development of potent cyclooxygenase inhibitors.  

Protective effect of the leaves of Vitex negundo against ethanol-induced cerebral oxidative stress in rats

The present study investigated the effect of the various fractions of hydromethanolic extract of the leaves of Vitex negundo (Verbenaceae) against ethanol-induced cerebral oxidative stress in rats. Cerebral oxidative stress was induced by the administration of 20% ethanol (5 ml/100gbw) for a period of 28 days. The petroleum ether (PEF), chloroform (CF), ethylacetate (EAF) and residual (RF) fractions at a dose of 200 mg/kgbw orally were simultaneously administered with ethanol for 28 days. α-tocopherol at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally was used as the standard. Administration of ethanol resulted in a significant elevation in serum biochemical parameters like aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid, triglycerides and lipoprotein levels. In addition there was a significant (P<0.01) elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid hydroperoxide (LH) levels and a significant (P<0.01) reduction in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the brain tissue. Histopathological examination of the brain tissue of the ethanol treated animals showed marked gliosis. Simultaneous administration of the fractions prevented the enzymatic leakage and elevation of serum uric acid, triglycerides and lipoprotein levels. All the fractions (except the residual fraction) prevented the rise in lipid peroxidation and enhanced the antioxidant enzymes. Further, histopathological examination revealed that the fractions of V. negundo offered a significant protection against ethanol toxicity in rat brain. The activity exhibited by the chloroform fraction is comparable to that of the standard. The present study reveals that the leaf of V. negundo has protective action on the brain, which could be attributed to its antioxidant potential