Pharmacological evaluation of Potentilla alba L. in mice: adaptogenic and central nervous system effects

Context: Potentilla alba L. (Rosaceae) rhizomes have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and adaptogenic effects and are used for the treatment of diarrhea and intestinal colic. However, the data concerning the adaptogenic and central nervous system activities of P. alba are fragmentary.

Objectives: To determine the effect of oral administration of dried P. alba extract on the swimming endurance, light/dark exploration, and open-field tests for mice.

Materials and methods: The mice were orally administered Rhodiola rosea extract (RR group); dry extract of P. alba at doses of 12, 36, or 72?mg/kg (groups: PA12, PA36, and PA72); or distilled water (control group) for 7 consecutive days.

Results: The swimming times of the RR, PA36, and PA72 groups were significantly longer than those of the control group. The administration of P. alba significantly increased the light time, latency time, and the number of rearings in a dose-dependent manner. In the open-field test, the P. alba extract at a dose of 12?mg/kg produced a significant increase in the frequency of head dipping and the number of squares crossed and a significant decrease in grooming compared with the control treatment.

Conclusion: The current findings demonstrate that P. alba extracts significantly increased swimming endurance time and have anxiolytic-like action with a predominant locomotor component.     

桑叶多糖调节小鼠肠道菌群失调的研究

目的研究桑叶多糖对小鼠肠道菌群失调的调节作用。方法利用盐酸林可霉素诱导小鼠肠道菌群失调。将造模成功的小鼠随机分为桑叶多糖组、乳酶生组、模型组,另设置对照组。桑叶多糖组小鼠ig 6.0 mg/m L桑叶多糖溶液0.6 m L(剂量0.144 mg/g),乳酶生组小鼠ig 5.5 mg/m L乳酶生混悬液0.6 m L(剂量0.132 mg/g)。2次/d,连续给药7 d。模型组、对照组小鼠自行饮水。取小鼠的新鲜粪便,提取肠道菌DNA。16S段DNA序列扩增,变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)法分析。比对各条带及样品,进行聚类分析,对各组小鼠肠道微生物群落结构进行主成分分析。结果 DGGE直观图分析,经过自然恢复、桑叶多糖和乳酶生的作用,小鼠肠道菌群种类有了明显的增加,但与对照组小鼠的肠道菌群比较仍然有差别,并不能完全恢复到原来的水平。聚类分析结果可以看出,与对照组最接近的是乳酶生组,其次是桑叶多糖组,最后是自然恢复组。菌群落结构的主成分分析可以直观地看出,桑叶多糖、乳酶生组小鼠肠道菌群与对照组关系最近,模型组与对照组肠道菌群及其他组肠道菌群的差异明显。结论桑叶多糖对小鼠肠道菌群失调有调节作用。     

Nephro-protective potential of Morus alba,a prospective experimental study on animal models

Context: Morus alba L. (Moraceae) is traditionally used for the treatment of urinary incontinency due its strong diuretic properties.

Objective: The present study explores the renal protective effects of M. alba, due to its free radical scavenging properties, in order to provide experimental evidence for its established use.

Materials and methods: Ethanolic extract (200?mg/kg/d) derived from M. alba fruit was employed in rabbits as a co-therapy (GM-al) with gentamicin (80?mg/kg/d) for a period of 3?weeks. Biochemical kidney functioning parameters, urinary isozymes, and histopathological examination were performed.

Results: The results showed that ethanol extract of Morus alba L. prevented alterations in serum creatinine (4.02?±?0.14, p?<?0.0001), blood urea nitrogen (54.18?±?2.60, p?<?0.0001), and serum uric acid levels (2.34?±?0.12, p?<?0.001). However, a decrease in creatinine clearance and urinary volume was observed in experimental groups. Histopathological examination and urinary enzymes excretion also suggested the protective role of the extract.

Discussion and conclusions: The co-administration of M. alba with gentamicin prevented renal functioning alterations expected with the use of gentamicin alone. Therefore, it can be concluded that M. alba to protect from kidney damage, which may be because of its free radical scavenging and diuretic properties.     

The role of polar phytocomplexes on anticonvulsant effects of leaf extracts of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown chemotypes

Objectives The purpose of the present work was to characterize the pharmacological profile of different L. alba chemotypes and to correlate the obtained data to the presence of chemical constituents detected by phytochemical analysis. Methods Essential oils from each L. alba chemotype (LP1—LP7) were characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and extracted non‐volatile compounds were analysed by HPLC and GC‐MS. The anticonvulsant actions of the extracted compounds were studied in pentylenetetrazole‐induced clonic seizures in mice and their effect on motor coordination was studied using the rota‐rod test in rats. The synaptosomes and synaptic membranes of the rats were examined for the influence of LP3 chemotype extract on GABA uptake and binding experiments. Key findings Behavioural parameters encompassed by the pentylenetetrazole test indicated that 80% ethanolic extracts of LP1, LP3 and LP6 L. alba chemotypes were more effective as anticonvulsant agents. Neurochemical assays using synaptosomes and synaptic membranes showed that L. alba LP3 chemotype 80% ethanolic extract inhibited GABA uptake and GABA binding in a dose‐dependent manner. HPLC analysis showed that LP1, LP3 and LP6 80% ethanolic extracts presented a similar profile of constituents, differing from those seen in LP2, LP4, LP5 and LP7 80% ethanolic extracts, which exhibited no anticonvulsant effect. GC‐MS analysis indicated the occurrence of phenylpropanoids in methanolic fractions obtained from LP1, LP3 and LP6 80% ethanolic extracts and also the accumulation of inositol and flavonoids in hydroalcoholic fractions. Conclusions Our results suggest that the anticonvulsant properties shown by L. alba might be correlated to the presence of a complex of non‐volatile substances (phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and/or inositols), and also to the volatile terpenoids (β‐myrcene, citral, limonene and carvone), which have been previously validated as anticonvulsants.     

Anti-stress effect of ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Morus alba in chronic restraint stress

Context: Restraint stress is a well-known method to induce chronic stress which leads to alterations in various behavioral and biochemical parameters.

Objective: The present work was designed to study anti-stress effects of Morus alba in chronic restraint stress (RS)-induced perturbations in behavioral, biochemical and brain oxidative stress status.

Materials and methods: The stress was produced by restraining the animals inside an adjustable cylindrical plastic tube for 3?h once daily for ten consecutive days. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Morus alba (EASF) 25, 50, 100?mg/kg and diazepam (1?mg/kg) per day was administered 60?min prior to the stress procedure. The behavioral and biochemical parameters such as open field, cognitive dysfunction; leucocytes count; blood glucose and corticosteroid levels were determined. On day 10, the rats were sacrificed and biochemical assessment of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GSH) in whole rat brain were performed.

Results: Chronic restraint stress produced cognitive dysfunction, altered behavioral parameters, increased leucocytes count, SOD, LPO, glucose and corticosterone levels, with concomitant decrease in CAT and GSH activities. Gastric ulceration, adrenal gland and spleen weights were also used as the stress indices. All these RS induced perturbations were attenuated by EASF of Morus alba.

Discussion: The results of the study suggest that in addition to its classically established pharmacological activities, the plant also has immense potential as an anti-stress agent of great therapeutic relevance.

Conclusion: This study indicates the beneficial role of Morus alba for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced disorders.     

Screening of Jordanian Flora for α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity

Thirty-five plant species that belong to different families were tested for α -amylase inhibitory activity. Four of the screened plants exhibited significant (more than 80%) α -amylase inhibitory activity. IC₅₀ values for these plants were estimated based on the dried crude extract and found to be 0.08, 0.13, 0.32, and 0.47 mg/ml, for Osyris alba L. (Santalaceae), Sarcopotarium spinosum L. (Rosaceae), Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra (Hypericaceae) and Arbutus andrachne L. (Ericaceae), respectively. Amylase inhibitory activity was also evaluated in vivo using female rats. Results showed that the tested extracts had a favorable effect on blood glucose level after ingestion of a high dose of sucrose. The most potent extract in controlling the surge of glucose after sucrose ingestion appeared to be O. alba which also exhibited the highest α -amylase inhibitory activity in vitro.     

Effects of Mulberry on The Central Nervous System: A Literature Review

Background Mulberry, including several species belonging to genus Morus, has been widely used as a traditional medicine for a long time. Extracts and active components of mulberry have many positive neurological and biological effects and can become potential candidates in the search for new drugs for neurological disorders.Objectives We aimed to systematically review the medical literature for evidence of mulberry effects on the central nervous system.Methods We conducted a systematic search in nine databases. We included all in vivo studies investigating the effect of mulberry on the central nervous system with no restrictions.Results We finally included 47 articles for quality synthesis. Our findings showed that mulberry and its components possessed an antioxidant effect, showed a reduction in the cerebral infarct volume after stroke. They also improved the cognitive function, learning process, and reduced memory impairment in many animal models. M. alba and its extracts ameliorated Parkinson''s disease-like behaviors, limited the complications of diabetes mellitus on the central nervous system, possessed anti-convulsant, anti-depressive, and anxiolytic effects.Conclusion Mulberry species proved beneficial to many neurological functions in animal models. The active ingredients of each species, especially M. alba, should be deeper studied for screening potential candidates for future treatments.     

Protective effect of Basella alba and Carpolobia alba extracts against maneb-induced male infertility

Context: Male infertility is one of the leading causes of social frustration and marginalization, mainly in the developing world. It is attributed to many factors including exposure to agropesticides such as manganese ethylenebis (dithiocarbamate) (maneb), which is one of the most frequently used fungicides in Cameroon. Previous reports support efficiency of some medicinal plants commonly used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of this disorder.

Objective: The present study was aimed at assessing the protective effect of extracts from selected plant species, namely Basella alba L. (Basellaceae) (MEBa) and Carpolobia alba G. Don (Polygalaceae) (AECa), in alleviating the maneb-induced impairment of male reproductive function in Wistar albino rats.

Materials and methods: The rats were treated with vehicle, plant extract (MEBa or AECa), maneb and maneb plus plant extract, respectively, and their fertility was assessed. Animals were thereafter sacrificed and organs (liver, kidneys and reproductive organs) were dissected out and weighed. Serum androgens together with alanine aminotransferase, liver glutathione and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) were also measured.

Results and discussion: From this study, both plant extracts stimulated testosterone and improved fertility. Administration of MEBa plus maneb prevented fertility reduction by maneb and minimized the inhibitory effect of maneb on testosterone levels. AECa also improved fertility of the maneb-exposed rats, though without restoring testosterone levels, and other investigated parameters remained unaffected by different treatments.

Conclusion: These findings emphasized the beneficial effects of B. alba and C. alba extracts on male fertility, and suggest their protective effect against maneb-induced toxicity in male reproductive function.     

The use of feathers in monitoring bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids in the South African endangered African grass-owl (Tyto capensis)

Few studies have quantified metals in South African species and no published data on residues specifically in South African owl feathers exist. Tyto capensis is listed as vulnerable within South Africa, making it preferable to use a non-invasive technique to determine metal bioaccumulation for this species. Comparisons are made with the cosmopolitan T. alba to determine whether this species could be used as a surrogate. Concentrations of various metals were thus determined in feathers of the two species and compared with liver and muscle samples. Samples were taken from 119 owls collected as road kill along a national road. A comparison of concentrations in feathers revealed similarly higher concentrations of aluminium, antimony, lead, nickel, and strontium, whereas concentrations of chromium, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, titanium and zinc were similarly higher in internal tissues for both species. Metal concentrations of owls were comparable to those reported in literature and below toxic levels, suggesting that these metals were not likely to impact the owls. Further regressions between feathers and corresponding livers were examined to determine if feathers were indicative of internal metal burdens. Significant positive relationships were found for aluminium, copper, lead, nickel and vanadium in T. alba and nickel, manganese and vanadium in T. capensis. Preliminary results support the feasibility of using feathers as non-destructive indicators of environmental contamination in T. capensis although caution needs to be taken when interpreting the results.     

Biologically Active Compounds from the Genus Hibiscus.

Abstract

Since ancient times, Hibiscus. species (Malvaceae) have been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of skin diseases, as an antifertility agent, antiseptic, and carminative. Some compounds isolated from the species, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, are considered responsible for these activities. This review aims to summarize the worldwide reported biological activities and phytoconstituents associated with this genus for the past 40 years.     

Antimutagenic evaluation of traditional medicinal plants from South America Peumus boldus and Cryptocarya alba using Drosophila melanogaster

Peumus boldus Mol. (“Boldo”) and Cryptocarya alba Mol. Looser (“Peumo”) are medicinal shrubs with wide geographical distribution in South America. Their leaves and fruits are commonly used in traditional medicine because they exhibit natural medicinal properties for treatment of liver disorders and rheumatism. However, there are no apparent data regarding potential protective effects on cellular genetic components. In order to examine potential mutagenic and/or antimutagenic effects of these medicinal plants, the Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster) wing-spot test was employed. This assay detects a wide range of mutational events, including point mutations, deletions, certain types of chromosomal aberrations (nondisjunction), and mitotic recombination. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds were carried out using biochemical and high-performance liquid chromatography methodologies. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of P. boldus and C. alba leaf extracts was also analyzed. P. boldus and C. alba extracts did not induce significant mutagenic effects in the D. melanogaster model. However, simultaneous treatment of extracts concurrently with the mutagen ethyl methane sulphonate showed a decrease of mutant spots in somatic cells of D. melanogaster, indicating desmutagenic effects in this in vivo model. Flavonoids and anthocyanins were detected predominantly in the extracts, and these compounds exerted significant antioxidant capacity. The observed antimutagenic effects may be related to the presence of phytochemicals with high antioxidant capacity, such as flavonoids and antohocyanins, in the extracts.     

Assessment of luteolin isolated from Eclipta alba leaves in animal models of epilepsy

Context: Eclipta alba (Linn) Hassk. (Asteraceae) has been reported to be a nerve tonic and has been used to treat epilepsy in folk medicine.

Objective: The present study isolates and characterizes luteolin from E. alba and evaluates its antiepileptic potential in chemically induced acute and chronic models in mice.

Materials and methods: The methanol extract (16.85% w/w) of E. alba leaves was subjected to fractionation for isolation of luteolin. In acute pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model, luteolin (5, 10, 20?mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30?min prior to PTZ injection (100?mg/kg) in Swiss albino mice. Kindling was induced by chronic administration of PTZ (35?mg/kg) on every alternate day (48 days). Luteolin was investigated on the course of kindling development and oxidative stress markers [reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)] in kindled mice.

Results: Single-dose pretreatment with luteolin (10 and 20?mg/kg, i.p.) was found to be effective in an acute PTZ model (100% protection from mortality) and it did not exhibit any effect on motor coordination at the same doses. PTZ-induced kindling was significantly (p?p?p?Discussion and conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that luteolin had an anticonvulsant effect in an acute PTZ model. Luteolin exhibited and inhibitory effect on the course of kindling and associated oxidative stress and hence could be a potential molecule in the treatment of epilepsy.     

Cheminformatics based selection and cytotoxic effects of herbal extracts

Bioinformatics and traditional medicine can be used in discovery and design of novel candidate drugs to efficient cancer chemotherapy. In this study, similarity search tools employed to screen and introduce novel herbs with antitumor property. Several novel herbs have been selected by using logical computational algorithms and assayed on six cancerous cell lines. Complementary assays involved hemolytic and antifungal MIC tests have been performed to determine selectivity and their biocompatibility with RBC of herbal extracts. Final findings may point at selective activity of herbal extracts Rheum ribes, Ficus bengalensis, Morus alba, Musa sapientum, Arnebia decumbens, Citrus limon, Fraxinus excelsior, Rumex acetosella, Arnebia echioides in inducing cytotoxicity on cancerous cell lines. In the present research, in vitro results confirmed predicted findings from our in silico work. Complementary assays including antifungal MIC and hemolytic tests were carried out also to determine selectivity of herbal extracts. Findings resulted from hemolytic test showed that candidate herbal extracts did not induce hemolysis similar to negative control, also antifungal test results indicated that six herbal extracts had antifungal activity in concentration of 250 μg/ml.     

Regio-selective deglycosylation of icariin by cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Morus alba

Biotransformations of icariin (1) by cell suspension cultures of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Morus alba yielded two new metabolites, icaruralins A and B (2 and 3), and one known metabolite, baohuoside I (4). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. This is the first report that the cell suspension cultures of G. uralensis and M. alba possess deglycosylation functionality.     

Betulinic acid decreases expression of bcl-2 and cyclin D1, inhibits proliferation, migration and induces apoptosis in cancer cells

Betulinic acid (BA) is a pentacyclic triterpene found in many plant species, among others in the bark of white birch Betula alba. BA was reported to display a wide range of biological effects, including antiviral, antiparasitic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, and in particular to inhibit growth of cancer cells. The aim of the study was further in vitro characterization of BA anticancer activity. In this study, we demonstrated a remarkable antiproliferative effect of BA in all tested tumor cell cultures including neuroblastoma, rabdomyosarcoma-medulloblastoma, glioma, thyroid, breast, lung and colon carcinoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma, as well as in primary cultures isolated from ovarian carcinoma, cervical carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme. Furthermore, we have shown that BA decreased cancer cell motility and induced apoptotic cell death. We also observed decrease of bcl2 and cyclin D1 genes expression, and increase of bax gene expression after betulinic acid treatment. These findings demonstrate the anticancer potential of betulinic acid and suggest that it may be taken into account as a supportive agent in the treatment of cancers with different tissue origin.     

TOXINS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICINAL AND EDIBLE SEAWEEDS

Toxins associated with medicinal and edible seaweeds are reviewed with an emphasis on chemistry. The red alga Digenea simplex has been used for the treatment of roundworm disease for centuries. Its active principle is kainic acid . The related domoic acid is a constituent of another red alga, Chondria armata, used for the same purpose. These compounds known as kainoids are potent neurotoxins and excitatory amino acids. Kainoids are important tools in neurophysiological research. Domoic acids are also produced by diatoms and were responsible for the shellfish poisonings known as amnesic shellfish poisonings which occurred in Canada in 1987. Caulerpin and Caulerpicin have been described as toxic constituents of edible species of the green algal genus Caulerpa, but evidences in later studies indicate that they have no acute toxicity. Caulerpin, which has a structure related to auxin, promotes plant growth. Caulerpenyne, a toxic constituent of Caulerpa taxifolia and other inedible species, has been evaluated for its ecotoxicological effect in the Mediterranean where C. taxifolia bloomed explosively. Three different classes of compounds have been identified in the poisonings with species in the genus Gracilaria. They are prostaglandin E₂ from G. verrucosa in Japan, aplysiatoxins and related compounds from G. coronopifolia in Hawaii, and polycavernosides from G. tsudai in Guam.     

中药辛夷的生药鉴别

本文报道常用的三种辛夷:望春玉兰Magnolia biondii Pamp.,玉兰M.denudata Desr.,紫花玉兰M.liliflora Desr.以及我国部分地区药用的另外三种辛夷:凹叶木兰M.Sargentiana Rehd.et Wils.武当木兰M.sprengeri Pamp.和西康木兰M.wilsonii(Finet et Ganep.)Rehd.et Wils.的花蕾的生药性状和显微特征,供鉴别药材的参考。     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Egyptian moraceous plants against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and liver damage in rats

Context: In the absence of reliable liver-protective drugs in modern medicine, a large number of medicinal preparations are recommended for treatment of liver disorders.

Objective: The antioxidant, hepatoprotective and kidney protective activities of methanol extracts of Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) leaves and fruits and Morus alba Linn. root barks (Moraceae) are evaluated here.

Materials and methods: Liver and kidney damage were induced in rats by carbon tetrachloride in a subcutaneous dose of 1?mL (40% v/v in corn oil)/kg. The extract was given intraperitoneally at doses of 50?mg/kg (F. carica leaf and M. alba root bark) and 150?mg/kg (F. carica fruit). The activity of the extracts was comparable to that of silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring blood glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde equivalent (MDA). Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated by measuring serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, and total protein. These biochemical observations were supported by histopathological examination of liver sections. Kidney function was evaluated by measuring plasma urea and creatinine.

Results: Methanol extracts of Ficus carica and Morus alba showed potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities; in-depth chromatographic investigation of the most active extract (Ficus carica leaf extract) resulted in identification of umbelliferone, caffeic acid, quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside, and kaempferol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranoside.

Discussion and conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the phenolic constituents of Ficus carica leaf and Morus alba root bark are responsible at least in part for the observed protective effects.     

中药黄耆原植物和生药学的研究 Ⅰ.黄耆的原植物鉴定和本草学考证

作者等調查和鉴定了全国商品黄耆的原植物,主要为黄耆Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.及其变种蒙古黄耆A.membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.var.mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao;次要的来源还有金翼黄耆A.chrysopterus Bge.、塘谷耳黄耆A.tongolensis Ulbr.、茂汶黄耆Astragalus maowenensis Hsiao及多花黄耆A.floridus Benth.商品中称紅耆的主要原植物为多序岩黄耆Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz.此外还发現伪品和类似品的原植物14种。通过本草考証并結合目前商品黄耆的实际情况,认为正品黄耆应該是A.membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.     

Genus Bupleurum: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and modes of action

Objectives Radix Bupleuri represents one of the most successful and widely used herbal drugs in Asia for treatment of many diseases over the past 2000 years. Thorough studies have been carried out on many species of this genus and have generated immense data about the chemical composition and corresponding biological activity of extracts and isolated secondary metabolites. In this work, we review the chemistry and pharmacology of the genus Bupleurum and explore the relationships between the pharmacological effects and the chemical composition of these drugs. Key findings Early studies on the genus Bupleurum had focused only on the traditional uses of the plants in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases. After chemical profiling, several groups of secondary metabolites were characterized with relevant biological activity: triterpene saponins (saikosaponins), lignans, essential oils and polysaccharides. As a result, present interest is now focused on the bioactivity of the isolated triterpene saponins acting as immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory and antiviral agents, as well as on the observed ant‐iulcer activity of the polysaccharides and anti‐proliferative activity of different lignans. Many saikosaponins exhibited very potent anti‐inflammatory, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activities both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions Further investigations and screenings are required to explore other Bupleurum species, to evaluate the clinical safety and possible interactions with other drugs or herbs. Standardization of Bupleuri extracts is crucial for them being integrated into conventional medicine due to large chemical and biological variations between different species and varieties.