The antiulcer activity of Garcinia cambogia extract against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Garcinia cambogia extract is a herbal preparation that has been suggested as useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In the present study this drug was tested for its antiulcerogenic effect. Oral pretreatment with Garcinia cambogia fruit extract (1 g/kg body wt/day) for 5, 10 or 15 days protected the gastric mucosa against the damage induced by indomethacin (20 mg/kg body wt). The volume and acidity of the gastric juice decreased in the pretreated rats. The glycoprotein levels of the gastric contents which were decreased in the untreated rats, maintained near normal levels in the pretreated rats. Protein which was elevated in the gastric juice of untreated rats, showed near normal levels in the pretreated rats. Garcinia cambogia was able to decrease the acidity and to increase the mucosal defence in the gastric areas, thereby justifying its use as an antiulcerogenic agent.     

Dietary Garcinia cambogia does not modify skin properties of mice with or without excessive sucrose intake

The influence of 3.3% Garcinia cambogia extract on the properties of mouse skin with or without 10% sucrose water loading was investigated. Mice (7-week-old) were given free access to a control diet or a diet containing Garcinia cambogia extract. They were also given water alone or both water and sucrose water. Their skin was compared by both biochemical and histological methods. The collagen and triacylglycerol contents were not significantly different among the four groups. Similarly, electron microscopy revealed no differences in the thickness of the dermis layer or the subcutaneous tissue layer. Mice given the diet containing Garcinia cambogia tended to have a reduced total number of adipocytes, but not significantly. These results suggest that Garcinia cambogia supplementation for at least 4 weeks does not induce a negative effect on skin properties in mice irrespective of excessive sucrose intake.     

Attenuation of colitis injury in rats using Garcinia cambogia extract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic enteropathies that probably result from a dysregulated mucosal immune response. These pathologies are characterized by oxidative and nitrosative stress, leukocyte infiltration and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory substances. Current IBD treatment presents limitations in both efficacy and safety that stimulated the search for new active compounds. Garcinia cambogia extract has attracted interest due to its pharmacological properties, including gastroprotective effects. In this study, the antiinflammatory activity of a garcinia extract was assessed in TNBS-induced colitis rats. The results obtained revealed that garcinia administration to colitic rats significantly improved the macroscopic damage and caused substantial reductions in increases in MPO activity, COX-2 and iNOS expression. In addition, garcinia extract treatment was able to reduce PGE(2) and IL-1beta colonic levels. These antiinflammatory actions could be related to a reduction in DNA damage in isolated colonocytes, observed with the comet assay. Finally, garcinia extract caused neither mortality nor toxicity signals after oral administration. As such, the antiinflammatory effects provided by the Garcinia cambogia extract result in an improvement of several parameters analysed in experimental colitis and could provide a source for the search for new antiinflammatory compounds useful in IBD treatment.     

Garcinia extract inhibits lipid droplet accumulation without affecting adipose conversion in 3T3-L1 cells

Garcinia extract was isolated from the fruit of the Garcinia cambogia and was used as a potential antiobesity agent. In week 3 of culture with insulin, the fat cells exhibited more numerous and larger intracytoplasmic lipid droplets (i.e. 30-40 microm(2)). When Garcinia extract and insulin were added simultaneously, the accumulation of lipid droplets was inhibited and the peak droplet area shifted to become smaller (10-20 microm(2)). The activities of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, a marker of adipose differentiation, were not significantly inhibited by the Garcinia extract. These findings suggest that the Garcinia extract inhibits lipid droplet accumulation in fat cells without affecting adipose conversion.     

Evaluation of the pharmacotherapeutic efficacy of Garcinia cambogia plus Amorphophallus konjac for the treatment of obesity

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main compound of Garcinia cambogia extract, is a competitive blocker of ATP-citrate-lyase, presenting a potential inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis. Glucomannan fibers, abundant in Amorphophallus konjac, seem to reduce the absorption kinetics of dietary fat. Therefore, the aim of this double-blind randomized study was to evaluate the pharmacotherapeutic efficacy of standardized extracts of G. cambogia (52.4% HCA) plus A. konjac (94.9% glucomannan) in the treatment of obesity. Fifty-eight obese subjects (BMI 30.0-39.9 kg/m(2)) were assigned to the placebo group (n = 26) or the treatment group (n = 32); no dietary restrictions were applied. Over a 12-week period, subjects were given daily doses of either Garcinia (2.4 g) plus Konjac (1.5 g) or placebo prior to their main meals (3 times/day). Before the start of treatment, and every 4 weeks thereafter, the following were recorded: height, weight, circumferences and body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), lipid profile and glucose levels. The treatment had no significant effect on anthropometric parameters, REE, triglycerides or glucose levels. However, a significant reduction was observed in total cholesterol (-32.0 +/- 35.1 mg/dL) and LDL-c levels (-28.7 +/- 32.7 mg/dL) in the treated group, the final levels being significantly lower than those of the placebo group (p = 0.008 and p = 0.020, respectively). The results obtained suggest that the treatment had a significant hypocholesterolemic effect, without influencing the anthropometric or calorimetric parameters tested.     

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Garcinia brasiliensis

Aim of the study

In Brazilian folk medicine, the leaves of Garcinia brasiliensis are used to treat tumors, inflammation of the urinary tract and arthritis as well as to relieve pain. Nevertheless, scientific information regarding Garcinia brasiliensis is limited; there are no reports related to its possible anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. This study employed in vivo inflammatory and nociceptive models to evaluate the scientific basis for the traditional use of Garcinia brasiliensis.

Materials and methods

Carrageenan-induced paw edema, peritonitis and fibrovascular tissue growth induced by s.c. cotton pellet implantation were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Garcinia brasiliensis ethanolic extract (GbEE) in rats. Formalin and acetic acid-induced writhing tests were used to investigate the antinociceptive activity in mice.

Results

GbEE at test doses of 30-300 mg/kg p.o. clearly demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by reduced paw edema induced by carrageenan, inhibited leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity, and in the model of chronic inflammation using the cotton pellet-induced fibrovascular tissue growth in rats, the GbEE significantly inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue.The extracts at test doses of 30-300 mg/kg, p.o., clearly demonstrated antinociceptive activity, except for the first phase of the formalin test.

Conclusion

GbEE markedly demonstrated anti-inflammatory action in rats and antinociceptive activity in mice, which supports previous claims of the traditional use of species of the Garcinia genus for inflammation and pain.     

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the extract of gamboge from Garcinia hanburyi Hook f

In Thai folklore medicine, gamboge, the yellow gum-resin secreted from Garcinia hanburyi, is used for infected wound, pain and edema The ethyl acetate extract from Garcinia hanburyi (GH5763) was assessed for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities using experimental animal models. It was found that GH5763 possessed inhibitory activity on acute phase of inflammation as seen in ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced ear edema and carrageenin-induced hind paw edema in rats. However, GH5763 did not elicit any inhibitory effect on arachidonic acid-induced hind paw edema. In subchronic inflammatory model, GH5763 provoked a significant reduction of both transudative and proliferative phase when tested on cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. GH5763 also reduced the alkaline phosphatase activity in serum of rats in this animal model. In the analgesic test, GH5763 elicited inhibitory activity on acetic acid-induced writhing response and on both the early and the late phase of formalin test. Moreover, GH5763 also possessed an excellent antipyretic effect when tested in yeast-induced hyperthermic rats. It is postulated that the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of GH5763 are caused by the inhibition of the prostaglandin biosynthesis.     

Efficacy of Slim339 in reducing body weight of overweight and obese human subjects

A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study has been carried out in order to evaluate the effect of orally self-administered Slim339, a proprietary fixed combination of Garcinia cambogia extract with calcium pantothenate (standardized for the content of hydroxycitric acid and pantothenic acid) and extracts of Matricaria chamomilla, Rosa damascena, Lavandula officinalis and Cananga odorata, on body weight in overweight and obese volunteers. During a 60-day treatment period, the average reduction in body weight for the group receiving Slim339 (n = 30) was 4.67% compared with 0.63% for the placebo group (n = 28) (p < 0.0001). Weight losses of >or=3 kg were recorded for 23 subjects in the treatment group and only one in the placebo group. It is concluded that Slim339 represents a potential therapy for obesity.     

Hepatic,testicular and spermatozoa antioxidant status in rats chronically treated with Garcinia kolaseed

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Garcinia kola seed is commonly used in African Traditional Medicine as a remedy for liver disorders, hepatitis, bronchitis, throat infections as well as an aphrodisiac and fertility enhancing substance. Owing to the abundance of complex mixture of phenolic compounds in Garcinia kola seed, there is a growing safety concern on its long-term use in folklore medicine. The present study evaluated the hepatic, testicular and spermatozoa antioxidant status in rats chronically treated with Garcinia kolaseed.

Materials and methods

Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 10 rats each and were orally administered with Garcinia kola at 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 6consecutive weeks. Clinical observations, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress biomarkers, spermatozoa parameters and histopathological examination of the organs were assessed to monitor treatment-related adverse effects inrats.

Results

Long-term treatment of Garcinia kola had no adverse effect on the spermatozoa characteristics but significantly elevated testosterone concentration when compared to the control group. Improvement of antioxidant systems was accompanied by a significant decrease in malondialdehyde level in the liver, testes and spermatozoa of Garcinia kola-treated rats. Histological observation revealed that chronic administration of Garcinia kola had no effect on the liver and testes at all doses when compared with control.

Conclusion

Garcinia kola seed boosts the antioxidant status and exhibits no adverse effect on the liver, testes and spermatozoa after a long-term oral exposure inrats.     

Evaluation of the antihepatotoxic activity of the biflavonoids of Garcinia kola seed

Seeds of Garcinia kola enjoy a folk reputation in Africa as a poison antidote. Their antihepatotoxic properties have been evaluated using four experimental toxins, namely carbon tetrachloride, galactosamine, alpha-amanitin and phalloidin. Kolaviron, a fraction of the defatted ethanol extract, and two biflavones of Garcinia kola seeds (GB1 and GB2) significantly modified the action of all these hepatotoxins. At 100 mg/kg orally, the test substances reduced thiopental-induced sleep in CCl4-poisoned rats. The microsomal enzyme levels in the serum of mice poisoned with phalloidin were significantly protected by treatment with Garcinia extractives. The probable mechanism of the antihepatotoxic action is briefly discussed.     

Antioxidant activity of flavonoids from Solanum melongena.

Flavonoids isolated from Solanum melongena (brinjal) showed potent antioxidant activity. Concentrations of malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides and conjugated dienes were lowered significantly. The activity of catalase was found to be significantly enhanced in the tissues of normal and cholesterol fed rats administered 1 mg flavonoid from brinjal/100 g BW/day. The concentration of glutathione also showed elevated values in the experimental animals. The elevated levels of glutathione and significantly stimulated activity of catalase may be responsible for the antioxidant effect of these flavonoids.     

Antimicrobial effects of Thai medicinal plants against acne-inducing bacteria

Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis have been recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation in acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate antimicrobial activities of Thai medicinal plants against these etiologic agents of acne vulgaris. Crude extracts were tested for antimicrobial activities by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The results from the disc diffusion method showed that 13 medicinal plants could inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. Among those, Senna alata, Eupatorium odoratum, Garcinia mangostana, and Barleria lupulina had strong inhibitory effects. Based on a broth dilution method, the Garcinia mangostana extract had the greatest antimicrobial effect. The MIC values were the same (0.039 mg/ml) for both bacterial species and the MBC values were 0.039 and 0.156 mg/ml against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively. In bioautography assay, the Garcinia mangostana extract produced strong inhibition zones against Propionibacterium acnes. Antimicrobial activity from fractions of column chromatography revealed one of the active compounds in Garcinia mangostana could be mangostin, a xanthone derivative. Taken together, our data indicated that Garcinia mangostana had a strong inhibitory effect on Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Therefore, this plant would be an interesting topic for further study and possibly for an alternative treatment for acne.     

Comparative study on the efficacy of Garcinia kola in reducing some heavy metal accumulation in liver of Wistar rats

Garcinia kola is regarded as an antidote and anti-hepatotoxic agent. We examined its protection ability against mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the liver. The ground seed was mixed with rat feed (5%, w/w) and fed to rats while Hg (10 ppm), Cd (200 ppm) and Pb (100 ppm) was given in drinking water. Garcinia kola was administered either at the same time with the metals (group 2), a week after exposure to heavy metals (group 3) or given a week before heavy metal exposure (group 4) for six weeks. The heavy metal accumulations in the liver were determined using AAS. Garcinia kola could not reverse the weight reduction in the heavy metal exposed groups although it offers more protection and aid greater elimination of heavy metals from the liver. There was a significant (P < 0.01) increase in protection by Garcinia kola to Cd (72.4%) and Pb (56.2%) accumulation when compared to Hg (40%) at week 2 which was significantly (P < 0.01) decreased at week 4 when compared to week 2. At week 6, the percentage protection to both Hg (64.2%) and Cd (62.2%) were comparable to each other while protection to Pb (49.9%) accumulation was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced. The percentage protection was time-dependent in some groups but treatment during and after the exposure provided a greater protection. Garcinia kola has the highest hepatoproctive effect to Cd followed by Hg and least protection against Pb toxicity in rats and its administration is beneficial in reducing heavy metal accumulation in the liver.     

Pharmacological effects of chronic ingestion of Garcinia kola seeds in the rat

Male rats were chronically fed a diet containing dry powdered seeds of Garcinia kola, at the level of 10% w/w for 6 weeks. The effect of this diet was investigated on gastrointestinal motility, castor oil induced diarrhea, and pentobarbital sleeping times, as well as organ and body weights at the end of 6 weeks. Garcinia kola caused marked inhibition of gastrointestinal motility, protected against castor oil induced diarrhea, prolonged pentobarbital sleeping time, and caused marked retardation of growth but did not affect organ weights compared to pair-fed controls. There is a possibility that the observations may be due to the flavonoids contained in G. kola seeds.     

Protective effects of Garcinia kola seed extract against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The hepatoprotective effect of Garcinia kola seed extract was investigated in rats treated with high doses of paracetamol. The extracts when administered at 100 mg/kg three times a day for five consecutive days reduced paracetamol- (800, 1000, 1200 mg/kg) induced lethality from 50, 90 and 100% to 0, 20 and 40%, respectively. There was a significant reduction in the liver enzymes SGOT and SGPT and histology scores. The hepatoprotective effect of the extract may be due to inhibition of cytochrome P-450 which normally converts paracetamol to the toxic intermediate metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI).     

人面果叶子、根部、果实提取物体外抗氧化活性研究(英文)

目的:评价人面果叶子、根部、果实提取物体外抗氧化活性。方法:采用相应的实验体系测定总酚含量、还原能力、清除自由基能力、抑制DNA损伤作用,从而评价人面不同部位的石油醚提取物、乙酸乙酯提取物、正丁醇提取物、水提取物的抗氧化活性。结果:6个提取物显示抗氧化活性,其中叶子部位乙酸乙酯提取物的抗氧化活性与人工合成抗氧化剂BHT相当。结论:此次研究为从人面果中分离得到天然抗氧化剂提供理论基础。     

桑叶总黄酮对糖尿病大鼠抗氧化作用

目的观察桑叶总黄酮对糖尿病大鼠的降糖作用及其对抗氧化酶活性的影响。方法糖尿病大鼠灌胃给桑叶总黄酮,测定给药前后血糖,血浆和肝脾组织SOD、GSH-Px水平。结果桑叶总黄酮使糖尿病大鼠血糖降低;给药前后血浆SOD由(476.3±131.0)mIU/L升至(705.6±41.0)mIU/L,P<0.001,给药后与糖尿病模型组大鼠相比,肝、脾组织SOD分别为(32.0±3.4)mIU/g对(26.0±4.3)mIU/g,P<0.05,(246.0±12.7)mIU/g对(167.5±13.4)mIU/g,P<0.001,肝、脾组织GSH-Px分别为(52.6±7.1)IU/mg对(28.1±5.9)IU/mg,P<0.001,(195.4±27.2)IU/mg对(41.2±3.0)IU/mg,P<0.001,血浆GSH-Px变化不明显。结论桑叶总黄酮有显著的降糖作用,机制可能为提高抗氧化酶活性。     

人参根中黄酮类化合物提取及其抗氧化性研究

目的 提取人参根总黄酮并研究其体内外抗氧化活性.方法 采用乙醇回流和聚酰胺富集法提取人参根总黄酮;通过DPPH法、Fenton法和大鼠饲喂实验研究人参根总黄酮的抗氧化能力.结果 当人参根总黄酮质量浓度为0.5 mg/mL以上时,对DPPH自由基的清除率超过80％;0.6 mg/mL时,对羟自由基清除率可达70.8％;80～120mg/(kg · d)持续饲喂5周能使大鼠脑SOD活性提高17.97％以上.结论 人参根总黄酮在体外对DPPH自由基和羟自由基具有较强清除作用,体内对SD大鼠脑组织中SOD活性亦有增强作用.     

Benzopyran, biphenyl, and tetraoxygenated xanthone derivatives from the twigs of Garcinia nigrolineata

One new benzopyran, nigrolineabenzopyran A (1), two new biphenyls, nigrolineabiphenyls A and B (2, 3), and four new tetraoxygenated xanthones, nigrolineaxanthones T-W (4-7), were isolated from the crude methanol extract of the twigs of Garcinia nigrolineata along with 11 known xanthones. The xanthones isolated from the twigs as well as those from the stem bark were evaluated for antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Nigrolineaxanthone F, latisxanthone D, and brasilixanthone showed significant activity, with an equal MIC value of 2 microg/mL.     

Antidiabetic effect of total flavonoids from Sanguis draxonis in type 2 diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Sanguis draxonis (SD) is a kind of red resin obtained from the wood of Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. C. Chen (Dracaena cochinchinensis). It is a Chinese traditional herb that is prescribed for the handling of diabetic disorders, which is also supported by an array of scientific studies published in recent years. Although chemical constituents of this plant material have also been previously evaluated ( 33 and 37), it still remains poorly understood which constituent is the major contributor to its antidiabetic activities. Moreover, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying antidiabetic activities of SD. Flavonoids exist at a high level in SD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of total flavonoids from SD (SDF) in type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats.

Materials and methods

T2DM rats were induced by 4 weeks high-fat diet and a singular injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg). Then T2DM rats were treated with SDF for 21 days, using normal saline as the negative control. For comparison, a standard antidiabetic drug, metformin (200 mg/kg), was used as a positive control. Three weeks later, relative biochemical indexes were determined and histopathological examinations were performed to assess the antidiabetic activities of SDF.

Results

SDF not only exhibited a significant hypoglycemic activity, but also alleviated dyslipidemia, tissue steatosis, and oxidative stress associated with T2DM. Moreover, considerable pancreatic islet protecting effects could be observed after SDF treatment. Further investigations revealed a potential anti-inflammation activity of SDF by determining serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates both hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of SDF in T2DM rats, suggesting that flavonoids are the major active ingredients accounting for the antidiabetic activity of SD. Alleviating chronic inflammation responses and protecting pancreatic islets are possible mechanisms involved in the antidiabetic activity of SDF.