Evaluation of Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn. for anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities

Objective:

To evaluate the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Sw. for anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities.

Materials and Methods:

Anti-inflammatory action of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. pulcherrima (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) (CPE and CPA) were evaluated by cotton pellet granuloma models. Pylorus ligation and aspirin induced ulcer models were employed for evaluating antiulcer activity for both the extracts. Ulcerogenic potential of CP was also evaluated.

Result:

The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of C. pulcherrima significantly decreased (P<0.01) the granuloma tissue development. CPE and CPA at both the doses exhibited significant (P<0.01) antiulcer activity by decreasing the ulcer score in both the ulcer models and it was not ulcerogenic.

Conclusion:

The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of C. pulcherrima (CPE and CPA) possess significant anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities.     

苦石莲微量元素含量及溶出率研究

目的探讨苦石莲中微量元素的含量及溶出率。方法采用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定苦石莲消化和水煎两种不同处理方法下K、Ca、Mg、Mn、Fe、Zn、Cu等七种元素的含量及溶出率。结果苦石莲含有丰富的营养元素,钾含量为12054.67μg.g-1,含量较高。各元素含量顺序依次为K〉Ca〉Mg〉Fe〉Mn〉Zn〉Cu,种皮中钙、铁、锰含量明显高于子叶,镁、锌、铜的含量低于子叶;溶出率大小顺序为K〉Zn〉Cu〉Fe〉Ca〉Mg〉Mn,溶出率在4.43%59.54%之间。结论苦石莲中微量元素的溶出率高低主要取决于元素在药材中的存在形态。苦石莲破碎后入煎,各元素的溶出率都不高,采用煎煮后吞服的方法可减少这些微量元素的浪费。     

Galactomannan from Caesalpinia spinosa induces phenotypic and functional maturation of human dendritic cells

Plant polysaccharides present an interesting potential as immunomodulators, particularly in the induction of antitumoral responses, principally because of their molecular complexity and low in vivo toxicity. Activation of dendritic cells (DCs) could improve antitumoral responses usually diminished in cancer patients, and natural adjuvants provide a possibility of inducing this activation. Herein, we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of a neutral plant polysaccharide Galactomannan on human monocyte-derived DCs (MDDC). MDDCs were stimulated with Galactomannan (GLM) from Caesalpinia spinosa and both phenotypic and functional activities were assessed by flow cytometry and real-time PCR. The phagocytic ability of MDDCs was determined by using E-coli pHrodo particles and induction of T-lymphocyte allostimulation was determined after T-cell staining with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE). In MDDCs, purified Galactomannan induced phenotypic maturation revealed by increased expression of CD83, CD86, CD206, and HLA-DR. Functional experiments showed the loss of particulate antigen uptake in Galactomannan-stimulated DCs and increased alloantigen presentation capacity. Finally, Galactomannan increased protein and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, and TNF-α. These data reveal that Galactomannan obtained from Caesalpinia spinosa promotes effective activation of MDDCs. This adjuvant-like activity may have therapeutic applications in clinical settings where immune responses need boosting.     

Screening of Caesalpinia bonduc leaves for antipsoriatic activity

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Leaves of Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. (Caesalpiniaceae) have been used by traditional Siddha healer of Malabar region for psoriasis treatment.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the Caesalpinia bonduc decoction (CBD), Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHA) for antipsoriatic activity.

Materials and methods

Mouse tail test for psoriasis was used for the evaluation of antipsoriatic activity. Extracts were tested at a dose of 500 mg/kg b.w. and fractions at 250 mg/kg b.w. in Swiss albino mice. Parameters studied in the mouse tail test were changes in epidermal thickness and percentage orthokeratotic values. In vitro antiproliferant assay on HaCaT cell lines and in vitro lipoxygenase inhibition were also carried out.

Results

Butanol fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHAB) and water fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHAW) produced significant orthokeratosis (p < 0.001). In relative epidermal thickness, a significant (p < 0.05) reduction with respect to control was observed in groups treated with retinoic acid, CBD, butanol fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc decoction (CBDB), water fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc hydroalcoholic extract (CBHAW). Maximum antiproliferant activity was shown by CBHA (IC₅₀, 77.5 ± 12.7 μg/ml). In lipoxygenase inhibition assay, water fraction of Caesalpinia bonduc decoction (CBDW) showed maximum activity with an IC₅₀ value of 164.71 ± 4.57 μg/ml.

Conclusions

Among all the tested samples only CBHAW showed good activity in the mouse tail test, antiproliferant activity in HaCaT cells and lipoxygenase inhibition assay. Other extracts and fractions showed varying degrees of activity. The present study supports the traditional use of Caesalpinia bonduc leaves for psoriasis treatment.     

苏木的化学成分研究

目的 研究苏木Caesalpinia sappan的化学成分。方法 采用硅胶、葡聚糖凝胶Sephadex LH-20柱色谱、半制备液相色谱等方法分离纯化,通过理化性质、波谱数据及与对照品共薄层色谱鉴定化合物结构。结果 从苏木心材95%乙醇提取物的石油醚萃取部位分离并鉴定了11个化合物,分别为1-羟基-7-甲氧基呫吨酮（1）、2-羟基呫吨酮（2）、1, 5-二羟基呫吨酮（3）、1, 7-二羟基呫吨酮（4）、大黄酚（5）、木栓酮（6）、熊果酸（7）、β-谷甾醇棕榈酸酯（8）、麦角甾烷-4, 6, 8(14), 22 (23)-四烯-3-酮（9）、豆甾醇（10）、β-谷甾醇（11）。结论 除化合物10、11外,其余均为首次从该植物中分离得到,其中化合物1～5为首次从云实属植物中分离得到,同时也是该属植物中首次分得的呫吨酮和蒽醌类化合物。     

苏木乙酸乙酯部位的化学成分研究

从苏木(Caesalpinia sappan L.)提取物的乙酸乙酯萃取部位分离出15个化合物,通过波谱方法和理化性质考察分别鉴定为菜油甾醇(1),原苏木素A(2),胡萝卜苷(3),β-谷甾醇(4),熊果酸(5),齐墩果酸(6),缠结素(7),丁香树脂酚(8),3,4,5-三甲氧基苯酚(9),丁香醛(10),松柏醛(11),香草酸(12),4-羟基-3,5-二甲氧基苯甲酸(13),3,8,9-trihydroxy-6H-ben-zo[c]chromen-6-one(14),苏木酮A(15)。化合物5～7,9～13为首次从苏木植物中分离得到。     

Anthelmintic activity of Chenopodium album (L) and Caesalpinia crista (L) against trichostrongylid nematodes of sheep

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was carried out to determine the anthelmintic activity of Caesalpinia crista (L.) (Fabaceae) seed kernel and Chenopodium album (L.) (Chenopodiaceae) whole plant in order to justify their traditional use in veterinary medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro anthelmintic activity of crude aqueous methanolic extract (AME) of both the plants was determined using mature Haemonchus contortus and their eggs in adult motility assay and egg hatch test, respectively. In vivo anthelmintic activity was evaluated in sheep naturally infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes by administering crude powder (CP) and AME in increasing doses (1.0-3.0 g/kg). RESULTS: Both plants exhibited dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic effects by causing mortality of worms and inhibition of egg hatching. Caesalpinia crista (LC50=0.134 mg/mL) was found to be more potent than Chenopodium album (LC50=0.449 mg/mL) in egg hatch test. In vivo, maximum reduction in eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces was recorded as 93.9 and 82.2% with Caesalpinia crista and Chenopodium album AME at 3.0 g/kg on day 13 and 5 post-treatment, respectively. Levamisole (7.5 mg/kg), a standard anthelmintic agent, showed 95.1-95.6% reduction in EPG. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that both Caesalpinia crista and Chenopodium album possess anthelmintic activity in vitro and in vivo, thus, justifying their use in the traditional medicine system of Pakistan.