Antitumor activity of polyphenolic extract of Ichnocarpus frutescens

Aim: Phytochemical and dietary antioxidants are known to decrease the risk of many diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In this study polyphenolic extract (PPE) of leaves of Ichnocarpus frutescens was evaluated for antitumor activity in vivo. Materials and Methods: Murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model was used to assess PPE antitumor activity in vivo. PPE cytotoxicity was determined in vitro in U-937 monocytoid leukemia and K-562 erythroleukemia cell lines. PPE also have been assessed for the free radical scavenging activity against superoxide and nitric oxide radicals. Acute oral toxicity was performed by acute toxic classic method. The total phenolics content was quantified by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Results: Results of in vivo study showed a significant decrease in tumor volume, viable tumor cell count and a significant increase of life span in the PPE treated group compared to untreated one: the life span of PPE treated animals increased by 53.41% (50 mg PPE/kg) and 73.95% (100 mg PPE/kg). PPE (5, 10 and 20 µg/mL) effectively inhibits in vitro proliferation of U-937 and K-562 cell lines. PPE exhibited pronounced radical scavenging activity with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 167.46 µg/mL and 158.52 µg/mL against superoxide and nitric oxide radicals, respectively. Conclusion: PPE of Ichnocarpus frutescens possesses strong free radical scavenging activity and anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo.Цель: исследовать противоопухолевую активность экстракта полифенолов (РРЕ) из листьев Ichnocarpus frutescens на модели in vivo. Материалы и методы: для анализа противопухолевой активности РРЕ in vivo использовали модель асцитной карциномы Эрлиха мыши. Цитотоксичность PPE in vitro изучали на клетках моноцитоидной лейкемии линии U-937 и эритроидной лейкемии линии K Также была проанализирована способность PPE к элиминации свободных радикалов. Острую токсичность препарата проверяли классическим методом. Общее содержание фенолов определяли методом Фолина — Чикалто. Результаты: результаты исследования in vivo продемонстрировали значительное уменьшение объема опухоли, количества живых опухолевых клеток и значительное увеличение продолжительности жизни у животных, получавших лечение PPE: продолжительность жизни в группах, получавших 50 и 100 мг РРЕ/кг, повысилась на 53,41% и 73,95% соответственно. PPE в концентрациях 5, 10 и 20 µ/мл инибировал in vitro пролиферацию клеток линий U-937 и K-562. PPE проявил высокую активность к элиминации свободных радикалов с величиной 50 167,46 µг/мл и 158,52 µг/мл по отношению к супероксид-аниону и оксиду азота. Выводы: PPE из Ichnocarpus frutescens обладает высокой противоопухолевой активностью in vitro и in vivo

Ethnobotany of the Monpa ethnic group at Arunachal Pradesh, India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The present paper documents the uses of plants in traditional herbal medicine for human and veterinary ailments, and those used for dietary supplements, religious purpose, local beverage, and plants used to poison fish and wild animals. Traditional botanical medicine is the primary mode of healthcare for most of the rural population in Arunachal Pradesh.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Field research was conducted between April 2006 and March 2009 with randomly selected 124 key informants using semi-structured questionnaire. The data obtained was analyzed through informant consensus factor (F_IC) to determine the homogeneity of informant's knowledge on medicinal plants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We documented 50 plants species belonging to 29 families used for treating 22 human and 4 veterinary ailments. Of the medicinal plants reported, the most common growth form was herbs (40%) followed by shrubs, trees, and climbers. Leaves were most frequently used plant parts. The consensus analysis revealed that the dermatological ailments have the highest F_IC(0.56) and the gastro-intestinal diseases have F_IC(0.43). F_ICvalues indicated that there was high agreement in the use of plants in dermatological and gastro-intestinal ailments category among the users. <it>Gymnocladus assamicus </it>is a critically rare and endangered species used as disinfectant for cleaning wounds and parasites like leeches and lice on livestocks. Two plant species (<it>Illicium griffithii </it>and <it>Rubia cordifolia</it>) are commonly used for traditional dyeing of clothes and food items. Some of the edible plants recorded in this study were known for their treatment against high blood pressure (<it>Clerodendron colebrookianum</it>), diabetes mellitus (<it>Momordica charantia</it>), and intestinal parasitic worms like round and tape worms (<it>Lindera neesiana</it>, <it>Solanum etiopicum</it>, and <it>Solanum indicum</it>). The Monpas of Arunachal Pradesh have traditionally been using <it>Daphne papyracea </it>for preparing hand-made paper for painting and writing religious scripts in Buddhist monasteries. Three plant species (<it>Derris scandens</it>, <it>Aesculus assamica</it>, and <it>Polygonum hydropiper</it>) were frequently used to poison fish during the month of June-July every year and the underground tuber of <it>Aconitum ferrox </it>is widely used in arrow poisoning to kill ferocious animals like bear, wild pigs, gaur and deer. The most frequently cited plant species; <it>Buddleja asiatica </it>and <it>Hedyotis scandens </it>were used as common growth supplements during the preparation of fermentation starter cultures.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The traditional pharmacopoeia of the Monpa ethnic group incorporates a myriad of diverse botanical flora. Traditional knowledge of the remedies is passed down through oral traditions without any written document. This traditional knowledge is however, currently threatened mainly due to acculturation and deforestation due to continuing traditional shifting cultivation. This study reveals that the rural populations in Arunachal Pradesh have a rich knowledge of forest-based natural resources and consumption of wild edible plants is still an integral part of their socio-cultural life. Findings of this documentation study can be used as an ethnopharmacological basis for selecting plants for future phytochemical and pharmaceutical studies.</p

Bioactive components from Gynandropsis gynandra leaves for antinociceptive activity

Gynandropsis gynandra Linn. (Capparadiaceae) leaves are used in the treatment of pain traditionally. In order to evaluate its scientific validity, leaves were extracted successively to produce various extracts. These extracts were screened for antinociceptive activity using hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice at the dose of 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Aqueous extract was found most active in both the tests. Further it was fractionated into four major fractions and were screened by the same tests at the dose of 25 mg/kg, i.p. Results showed that AQI fraction is most active and may responsible for the antinociceptive action. GC-MS analysis of AQI fraction showed that it is a mixture of benzene acetic acid ethyl ester, octaneoic acid, dodecanal, and cholest-4-en-26-al, 3-oxo-, cyclic 26-(ethylene acetate).Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Bioactive components from Gynandropsis gynandra leaves for antinociceptive activity

Gynandropsis gynandra Linn. (Capparadiaceae) leaves are used in the treatment of pain traditionally. In order to evaluate its scientific validity, leaves were extracted successively to produce various extracts. These extracts were screened for antinociceptive activity using hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice at the dose of 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Aqueous extract was found most active in both the tests. Further it was fractionated into four major fractions and were screened by the same tests at the dose of 25 mg/kg, i.p. Results showed that AQI fraction is most active and may responsible for the antinociceptive action. GC-MS analysis of AQI fraction showed that it is a mixture of benzene acetic acid ethyl ester, octaneoic acid, dodecanal, and cholest-4-en-26-al, 3-oxo-, cyclic 26-(ethylene acetate).Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Antiasthmatic activity of Nyctanthes arbortristis leaves

Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. (Oleaceae) is one of the well known medicinal plants. It is commonly known as "Night Jasmine". As traditionally the plant is used in the treatment of asthma and cough it was our objective to study its antiasthmatic potential using suitable models. Various extracts of the plant were screened for antihistaminic activity by studying the effect of the extracts on clonidine and haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice. Antiallergic effect was studied by checking effect of the extracts on milk-induced leukocytosis and eosinophilia. Mast cell stabilization by the extracts was studied in mice. Results showed that petroleum ether extract had better antihistaminic, antiallergic and mast cell stabilization property than other extracts. β-sitosterol was identified from the petroleum ether extract having antiasthmatic activity, so we can say that the antiasthmatic activity of N. arbortristis leaves is may be due to presence of β-sitosterol.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire