Effect of different extracts of Centella asiatica on cognition and markers of oxidative stress in rats.

Centella asiatica, a plant mentioned in Indian literature has been described to possess CNS effects such as stimulatory-nervine tonic, rejuvenant, sedative, tranquilizer and intelligence promoting property. In the present study aqueous, methanolic and chloroform extracts of C. asiatica were investigated for their effect on cognitive functions in rats. Male Wistar rats of 200-250 g were used to study the effect on learning and memory by using shuttle box, step through, step down and elevated plus maze paradigms. Only the aqueous extract of whole plant (200 mg/kg for 14 days) showed an improvement in learning and memory in both shuttle box and step through paradigms. Therefore, further experiments were conducted with aqueous extract using 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg doses in different paradigms of learning and memory. All doses of aqueous extract increased the number of avoidances in shuttle box and prolonged the step through latency in step through apparatus in a dose dependent manner, while only two doses 200 and 300 mg/kg of aqueous extract showed significant increase in the step down latency in step down apparatus and transfer latency (TL) in elevated plus maze. Among doses of aqueous extract tested on oxidative stress parameters, only 200 and 300 mg/kg showed a significant decrease in the brain levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) with simultaneous significant increase in levels of glutathione. There was a significant increase in the levels of catalase at the 300 mg/kg but no significant change in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were observed. The present findings indicate that the aqueous extract of C. asiatica has cognitive enhancing effect and an antioxidant mechanism is involved.     

积雪草总苷对小鼠抑郁行为和脑内氨基酸含量的影响

目的：采用小鼠强迫游泳抑郁症模型，观察积雪草总苷的抗抑作用。方法：昆明种小鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、阳性对照丙咪嗪组和积雪草总苷组，分析药物对小鼠强迫游泳不动时间及脑内氨基酸含量的影响。结果：丙咪嗪组和积雪草总苷低、中、高3个剂量能够显著缩短小鼠强迫游泳不动时间，改善强迫游泳所致小鼠脑内氨基酸含量的失调。结论：积雪草总苷具有抗抑郁活性。     

Beneficial effects of Centella asiatica aqueous extract against arsenic-induced oxidative stress and essential metal status in rats

The efficacy of an aqueous extract of Centella asiatica (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days) was studied in the depletion of arsenic and in the recovery of a few altered biochemical variables in arsenic pre-exposed rats (20 ppm in drinking water for 5 weeks). Exposure to arsenic significantly depleted delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) activity in red blood cells. Significant depletion of ALAD activity, GSH level, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), SOD and catalase (CAT) activities and an increase in TBARS levels in liver tissues was also noted. There was a significant depletion of SOD, CAT and GPx activities in kidneys and an increased TBARS levels in kidney and brain accompanied by increased arsenic concentration in blood and soft tissues. Treatment with aqueous extract of Centella asiatica provided significant protection against ALAD, GSH and TBARS levels, particularly at doses of 200 and 500 mg. Centella asiatica also provided significant recovery in the inhibited liver ALAD and G6PD activities. Arsenic concentration in blood and soft tissues remained uninfluenced after Centella asiatica administration. The present study thus suggests a beneficial effect of Centella asiatica against arsenic-induced oxidative stress but possesses no chelating property.     

Wound-healing activity of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) on chicken embryonic fibroblasts

Wound-healing effect of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) extract was evaluated by comparing with dexpanthenol and titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) on cultured chicken embryonic fibroblasts. Chicken embryonic fibroblasts from fertilized eggs were incubated with the plant extract, dexpanthenol and TECA. Using microscopical methods by staining cells, mitotic ability, morphologic changes and collagen production in the cultured fibroblasts were evaluated as parameters to approach its mechanism of action in wound repair. Findings obtained in the present study indicated that Hypericum perforatum extract exhibited a wound-healing activity whose mechanism of action is similar to that of TECA. Wound-healing activity of Hypericum perforatum extract seems to be mainly due to the increase in the stimulation of fibroblast collagen production and the activation of fibroblast cells in polygonal shape, which plays a role in wound repair by closing damaged area. The findings demonstrated the wound-healing activity of Hypericum perforatum, which has previously been based on ethnomedical data.     

Screening of Indian medicinal plants for acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity

The cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has provided the rationale for the current pharmaco-therapy of this disease, in an attempt to reduce the cognitive decline caused by cholinergic deficits. Nevertheless, the search for potent and long-acting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors that exert minimal side effects in AD patients is still ongoing. AChE inhibitors are currently the only approved therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; only a limited number of drugs are commercially available. Hydroalcohol extracts of six herbs, Andrographis paniculata, Centella asiatica, Evalvulus alsinoides, Nardostachys jatamansi, Nelumbo nucifera, Myristica fragrans used in Indian systems of medicine, were tested for in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity based on Ellman's method in 96-well microplates using AChE obtained from bovine erythrocytes. The results showed that the hydroalcohol extract from Centella asiatica, Nardostachys jatamansi, Myristica fragrans, Evalvulus alsinoides inhibited 50% of AChE activity at concentrations of 100-150 microg/mL. Andrographis paniculata and Nelumbo nucifera extracts showed a weak inhibition of acetylcholinesterase with IC(50) values of 222.41 +/- 19.87 microg/mL and 185.55 +/- 21.24 microg/mL, respectively. Physostigmine was used as a standard and showed inhibition of acetylcholinesterase with an IC(50) value of 0.076 +/- 0.0042 microg/mL.     

积雪草化学成分和药理作用研究进展及其质量标志物预测分析

积雪草为伞形科植物积雪草的干燥全草，应用历史悠久、药理作用广泛。本文通过查询相关文献对积雪草的化学成分、药理作用进行综述分析，并结合中药Q-Marker概念，从传统药性、传统药效、化学成分可测性、不同复方配伍中表达组分等角度对积雪草Q-Marker进行预测，发现积雪草具有促进创伤愈合及抑制瘢痕增生、抗阿尔茨海默病、改善肾肺损伤及关节炎等活性，主要含有三萜皂苷类、黄酮类、挥发油类及多炔烯烃类等成分，主要活性物质为三萜皂苷类成分，建议将积雪草苷、积雪草酸、羟基积雪草苷、羟基积雪草酸和积雪草苷B等三萜皂苷类，芦丁、槲皮素、山柰酚、黄芩素、木犀草素等黄酮类化合物及挥发油类成分作为积雪草Q-Marker的主要选择，有利于完善积雪草质量评价标准并建立科学全面的专属质量控制体系，为积雪草临床用药及其资源的开发利用提供理论依据。     

4种中药体外抗结核分枝杆菌H37RV的研究

目的研究中药夏枯草、积雪草、筋骨草和青蒿素的体外抗结核分枝杆菌H37RV的活性。方法采用改良罗氏固体培养基试管培养法进行活性检测。结果夏枯草醇提物抗结核效果明显;积雪草苷片、筋骨草及青蒿素均无效。结论夏枯草醇提物抗结核菌效果优于水提物;积雪草醇提物有微弱抑制结核杆菌活性,但其有效成分可能不是积雪草苷;青蒿素及二氢青蒿素无抑制结核分枝杆菌的活性。     

HPLC-ELSD测定积雪草提取物中积雪草苷的含量

目的：用HPLC-ELSD测定积雪草提取中积雪草苷的含量。方法：色谱柱为HiQ siL KYA-C18分析柱,流动相为乙腈-水,梯度洗脱；漂移管温度105 ℃；载气流速2.9 L·min^-1。结果：积雪草苷在0.35～7.0 μg呈良好线性关系；积雪草提取物中积雪草苷的回收率为94.9％(RSD 1.7%)。结论：该方法简便、准确、分离效果好,无干扰,可用于积雪草提取物中积雪草苷的质量评价。     

RE-HPLC测定积雪草中积雪草甙、羟基积雪草甙的含量

目的测定不同产地的中药积雪草甙和羟基积雪草甙的含量.方法采有RE-HPLC法进行测定.结果不同产地的积雪草中积雪草甙和羟基积雪草甙的含量有很大差异.结论方法简便,准确灵敏.     

积雪草总苷对实验性抑郁症大鼠血清皮质酮和单胺类神经递质的影响

目的:探讨积雪草总苷抗抑郁症可能的作用机制.方法:采用荧光法检测积雪草总苷对实验性抑郁症大鼠血清皮质酮的影响;HPLC-ECD法检测积雪总苷对大鼠皮质、海马和下丘脑单胺类神经递质含量的影响.结果:积雪草总苷降低抑郁症大鼠的血清皮质酮水平,增加脑内5-HT,NE和DA及其代谢产物的含量.结论:积雪草总苷的抗抑郁活性与改善下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴功能和增加胺神经递质的水平有关.     

民族药积雪草的生药学鉴定

目的 对民族药积雪草进行系统的生药学鉴定,为其鉴别提供科学依据.方法 用原植物、性状、显微鉴定方法 .结果 通过原植物、性状鉴别、显微鉴别能够很好地鉴定原植物.结论 所建方法 简便易操作,可作为该民族药材定性鉴别.     

Modification of gamma ray induced changes in the mouse hepatocytes by Centella asiatica extract: in vivo studies

Ionizing radiation, besides causing direct damage also generates reactive oxygen species that are capable of inducing damage to various organs. Pretreatment with Centella asiatica 1 h prior to irradiation at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg body weight was found to be effective against radiation induced damage in the liver. The number of normal hepatocytes was higher in the Centella asiatica pretreated group in comparison with the irradiated only group. The number of binucleated cells and abnormal hepatocytes was less in comparison with the animals irradiated without Centella asiatica pretreatment.     

复方积雪草对局灶节段性硬化大鼠E-钙粘素表达的影响

目的:观察复方积雪草对局灶节段硬化性(focal segmental glomerulosclerosis,FSGS)模型大鼠E-钙粘素(E-Cadherin,E-cad)表达的影响,探讨其防治肾纤维化的作用及机制。方法:建立局灶节段硬化性FSGS大鼠模型,分为正常组、模型组、复方积雪草组和苯那普利对照组。采用定量PCR和免疫组化法分别测定肾组织E-cad的基因和蛋白的表达。结果:模型组大鼠出现局灶节段性肾小球硬化,肾间质纤维化程度也较为明显,肾组织中的E-cad基因表达和肾小球足细胞、肾小管上皮细胞E-cad蛋白表达均明显降低,经复方积雪草干预后肾组织病变程度减轻,肾小球足细胞、肾小管上皮细胞E-cad基因和蛋白表达均有所升高,疗效与苯那普利相似。结论:复方积雪草可上调FSGS大鼠肾组织E-cad基因和蛋白表达,从而保护肾小球足细胞及抑制肾小管上皮细胞转分化,可能是防治肾纤维化程度的重要机制之一。     

基于ITS2序列的积雪草及其混伪品的分子鉴定

目的：快速准确的鉴别中药积雪草及其混伪品。方法：采用ITS2序列片段,对其进行PCR扩增、测序,运用Codon CodeAligner、MEGA4．1等软件进行序列拼接和分析,构建积雪草及其混伪品的NJ树。应用Koetschan等建立的ITS2数据库及其网站预测ITS2二级结构。结果：积雪草及其混伪品ITS2序列之间存在明显差异,不同积雪草样品在NJ树上独立聚为一支。结论：运用ITS2序列可以准确鉴定积雪草及其伪品。     

AB-8大孔树脂分离纯化积雪草总苷的工艺研究

目的：研究AB-8大孔树脂分离纯化积雪草总苷的工艺条件及技术参数。方法：用高效液相色谱法测定积雪草苷和羟基积雪草苷的含量,考察AB-8大孔树脂对积雪草总苷的吸附及解吸性能。结果：AB-8大孔树脂对积雪草总苷的适宜吸附条件为：药液质量浓度0．2g·mL^-1（相当于生药材）,pH值6～7,流速2BV·h^-1（BV为柱床体积倍数）,洗脱剂用3BV50％乙醇。结论：AB-8大孔树脂吸附积雪草总苷的纯化方法可行,具有较好的应用前景。     

金思维治疗社区轻度认知损害老年患者记忆减退症状的1年随访

目的 :观察中药复方制剂金思维对轻度认知损害老年患者记忆减退的治疗效果。方法 :应用临床痴呆评定表在老年及老年前期人群中筛选出轻度认知损害 (CDR =0.0/0.5分 )患者 75例 ,随机分为中药观察组 (n=30例 )、阳性对照组 (n=30例 )、安慰剂组 (n =15例 )。采用单盲双模拟对照法 ,观察组口服金思维丸 ,4粒 /次 ,3次 /d ,安慰剂 2片 /次 ,3次 /d。阳性对照组口服脑复康片 ,2片 /次 ,3次 /d ,安慰剂 4丸 /次 ,3次 /d。安慰剂组口服安慰剂 4丸 +2片 /次 ,3次 /d。分别在基线点和终末点 (服药 3个月后 )以及随访点 (停药 1年后 )进行神经心理学评价。用MMSE和Bristol最新神经心理学成套量表的记忆部分项目评价记忆状态。结果 :金思维组 3个月后MMSE分值从 27.50±1.68提高到 28.27±1.70 ,1年后降至 26.90±1.90 ,但与安慰剂组 26.33±1.03比较仍有显著性差异 (P<0.05) ,与脑复康组比较无显著性意义。 1年后 ,金思维组词语记忆积分从 68.73±28.74显著性提高到 87.33± 29.78,与安慰剂组比较有非常显著性差异 (P<0.01) ;记忆总分也从 78.2 3±28.98提高到 93.53±35.56 ,明显高于脑复康组 (P<0.05)和安慰剂组 (P<0 .01)。结论 :金思维具有改善和延缓轻度认知损害。     

不同产地积雪草中积雪草苷和羟基积雪草苷含量测定

目的采用高效液相法测定不同产地积雪草药材中积雪草苷和羟基积雪草苷含量。方法采用VP－ODS色谱柱,流动相为乙腈-水梯度洗脱,流速1.0mL＆#183;min-1,检测波长204nm,柱温40℃。结果积雪草苷和羟基积雪草苷的平均回收率分别是99.7%、101.4%,RSD分别是1.68%、1.07%（n=6）。结论不同产地的积雪草中积雪草苷和羟基积雪草苷的含量差别较大,广西柳州和广东湛江所产的积雪草中积雪草苷和羟基积雪草苷含量较高。     

Radioprotection of Swiss albino mouse by Centella asiatica extract

Centella asiatica, has a considerable reputation in the Indian system of medicine. It is a rasayan (general tonic), brain tonic, improves memory and strengthens the CNS. In view of its multifarious uses, the plant extract was tested for its radioprotective properties. A sublethal dose of Co 60 gamma radiation, i.e. 8 Gy was selected for the purpose. Animals were divided into two groups. The whole bodies were irradiated with Co 60 gamma radiation externally, with and without drug extract. The drug extract was given orally at different doses and for different time intervals. The dose that was most effective against radiation was 100 mg/kg body weight. This dose increased the survival time of the mice significantly. Body weight loss of the animals in the drug treated group was significantly less in comparison with the animals that were given radiation only. The causes and mechanism of protection and other aspects need further investigations.     

Study of the antitumor potential of Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae) used in Brazilian folk medicine

AIM OF THE STUDY: Bidens pilosa (L.) (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Brazil for treating conditions that can be related to cancer. Therefore the present study was carried out to evaluate the antitumor activity of extracts obtained from the aerial parts of this plant species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crude hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) (water:alcohol, 6:4) and solvent fractions (chloroform=CHCl3,ethyl acetate=EtOAc, methanol=MeOH) were assessed for cytotoxicity assay by the brine shrimp and hemolytic, MTT and NRU assays. The antiproliferative potential of the crude extract and fractions was investigated in vivo using the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in isogenic Balb/c mice that were administered intraperitoneally 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight per day for nine days beginning 24 h after tumor inoculation. RESULTS: In in vitro cytotoxicity using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell line assay CHCl3 extract proved to be more toxic than the crude HAE with an IC(50) of 97+/-7.2 and 83+/-5.2 microg/mL to NRU and MTT, respectively. Histomorphological evaluations indicated that the treatment with CHCl3 and HAE extracts significantly reduced (P<0.05) body weight, abdominal circumference, tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count, when compared to EAC control group. Furthermore, nonviable tumor cell count increased significantly (P<0.01) only under treatment with CHCl3 or HAE, and this was accompanied by a marked percentage increase in life span (54.2 and 41.7%, respectively). Biochemical assays revealed that CHCl3 and HAE extracts were also able to decrease serum LDH activity (39.5 and 30.6%) and GSH concentration (94.6 and 50.7%) in ascitic fluid, respectively. CONCLUSION: The chloroform fraction showed the best and methanolic the worst antitumor activity.     

Pharmacokinetics of the total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica after single and multiple administrations to healthy volunteers. A new assay for asiatic acid

A new HPLC assay method was used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of asiatic acid after oral administration of the total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in single doses (30 or 60 mg) and after a 7-day treatment (30 or 60 mg twice daily). Twelve healthy volunteers received each treatment following a randomized cross-over design with trials separated by a 3-week interval. The time of peak plasma concentration was not affected by dosage difference or by treatment scheme. Differences in peak plasma concentration and area under the concentration vs. time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24) calculated after 30 or 60 mg administration (single dose) were accounted for by the different dose regimen. However, after chronic treatment with both 30 and 60 mg, peak plasma concentrations, AUC0-24 and half-life were significantly higher than those observed after the corresponding single dose administration. This phenomenon could be explained by a metabolic interaction between asiatic acid and asiaticoside, which is transformed into asiatic acid in vivo.