Solution and Colour Stability of the Bark Extract of Bridelia ferruginea Benth

A solvent system consisting of water: propylene glycol: ethanol (2:2:1) was found suitable for diluting the ethanol bark extract and for reconstituting the freeze-dried extract of Bridelia ferruginea Benth for preparation of a gargle formulation. Such solutions remained clear when subjected to high storage temperatures and eight freeze-thaw cycles. The wine colour of Bridelia bark extract solution darkened on storage. Darkening was accelerated by heat while light had minimal effect. Inclusion of certain antioxidants—sodium metabisulphite, ascorbic acid and citric acid, reduced the colour change. Heating the freeze-dried extract at 115°C for 4 h and at 130°C for at least 1 h arrested the colour change. When lime juice was added to the solution of the heated powder, the colour of the resulting solution became unstable implicating a pH effect on colour stability. The colour of bottle and use of carton for storage had no appreciable effect on colour stability.     

Coagulation of milk as an index of astringency of the bark extract of Bridelia ferruginea benth and lime juice for the formulation of a traditional gargle ‘Ogun Efu’

The extent of the coagulation of milk by the ethanolic extract of bark of Bridelia ferruginea and lime juice has been used to determine the effective concentrations of these two major astringent ingredients of a traditionally prepared herbal gargle ‘Ogun Efu’. Optimal concentrations of the bark extract and lime juice, respectively, were required to give maximum coagulate heights. Combinations of the bark extract with lime juice resulted in a synergistic effect on the coagulate heights obtained. The concentrations of Bridelia bark extract and lime juice (when combined) that gave the highest coagulate height were used as the basis for the laboratory formulation of the gargle. The coagulate heights obtained with the laboratory formulated products, compared with those obtained with the traditionally prepared products, indicate that the milk coagulation test method for the determination of the effective concentrations of the two ingredients is dependable.     

桑叶提取物对MSG肥胖大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响

[目的]研究桑叶提取物改善L-谷氨酸钠诱导的MSG大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响。[方法]选取桑叶中总多糖、总黄酮和总生物碱提取物作为受试药物。复制MSG大鼠模型,随机分为模型对照组、罗格列酮组、非诺贝特组、桑叶总多糖高、低剂量组,桑叶总黄酮高、低剂量组,桑叶总生物碱高、低剂量组;另选健康SD大鼠作为正常对照组。连续给药8周,实验期间进行蔗糖耐量和胰岛素耐量实验。给药8周后腹主动脉取血,检测空腹葡萄糖和血清胰岛素含量,并计算胰岛素敏感指数。[结果]桑叶提取物各给药组对MSG大鼠空腹血糖和血清胰岛素有明显的抑制作用,并具有一定的改善糖耐量和胰岛素耐量,升高胰岛素敏感指数的作用。[结论]桑叶总多糖、总黄酮和总生物碱能够明显改善MSG大鼠胰岛素抵抗,为桑叶改善糖尿病前期糖脂代谢异常的药效基础提供实验依据。     

土蜜树叶化学成分的研究

目的 研究土蜜树Bridelia tomentosa叶的化学成分.方法 运用硅胶柱色谱进行分离纯化,通过理化性质和波谱分析鉴定结构.结果 从土蜜树叶中分离得到了7个化合物,分别鉴定为小麦黄素(1),cappariloside A(2),表木栓醇(3),木栓酮(4),异柽柳素(5),β-谷甾醇(6),豆甾醇(7).结论 首次从该植物中分离得到化合物1和2.     

Studies on Bridelia ferruginea Leaves (1). Stability and Hypoglycaemic Actions of the Leaf Extract Tablets

The flavonoid content of 187.5 mg of Bridelia ferruginea leaf extract was calculated to be approximately 0.015% based on rutin. There was no significant difference ( p =0.05) in the mean values of flavonoids for the tabletted and untabletted extract. The moisture adsorption of the crude drug tablets was of Vander Waals type. The tablets showed a very long shelf life of about 96 years. A 25 mg/kg of B. ferruginea tablet lowered the blood glucose level of normal healthy rabbits by about 40%.     

Antibacterial activity of Harungana madagascariensis leaf extracts

Aqueous extracts of the leaf of Harungana madagascariensis were analysed phytochemically and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against strains of Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Glycosides, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids were detected in the plant material. B. subtilis, E. coli and S. typhi, but not Ps. aeruginosa, showed susceptibility at MICs of 2.0 and 15.6 mg/mL; and MBCs of 2.0-3.9 mg/mL and 15.6-31.3 mg/mL, respectively, for the cold and hot extracts. Staph. aureus showed susceptibility only to the hot extract. Concentrations of 2.5-10.0 mg/mL of the cold extract killed over 7 log(10) of the test bacterial population within 30-60 min of exposure. The hot extract needed higher concentrations and longer treatment to achieve similar levels of bacterial cell killing. The results provide a rationalization for the traditional use of H. madagascariensis leaf extracts for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.     

Biological Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Bridelia grandis Stem Bark on Normal and Neoplastic Human Cells: An In Vitro Preliminary Evaluation

The aim of the work is to investigate the effects of Bridelia grandis (Pierre ex Hutch) stem bark water extract on human HeLa cancer cells and normal monocytes treated in vitro, evaluating the morphological modifications with light and electron microscopy. The phytocomplex obtained from B. grandis caused a significant decrease in the mitotic index of both HeLa cancer cells and normal monocytes. In addition, a reduction of the typical aneuploid‐polyploid pattern has been observed in HeLa cells after treatment. Various alterations at fine structural level, both in neoplastic (HeLa cells) and normal (monocytes) cells have been observed. In particular, electron‐dense cells containing condensed mitochondria, autophagic vacuoles and dense spherical cytoplasmic inclusions have been observed. The results show that B. grandis water extracts have an antiproliferative effect on human cells, with a different effect on neoplastic and normal cells. The antiproliferative effect is accompanied by the appearance of various subcellular alterations. The morphological alterations observed are likely to represent the condition of ‘dark cell’ as a possible preliminary phase towards the autophagic and/or apoptotic cell death. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Daniellia oliveri stem bark and leaf extracts on rat skeletal muscle.

The stem bark and leaves of Daniellia oliveri were screened phytochemically and the effects of their respective methanol extracts on the skeletal muscle of rats were investigated using the isolated phrenic nerve hemidiaphragm muscle preparation. Both were found to contain tannins, cardiac and saponin glycosides. In addition, the bark, but not leaves, contained cyanogenetic glycosides. The methanol extracts were found to possess neuromuscular blocking properties. The leaf extract appeared to act primarily by inhibiting the influx of extracellular Ca(2+) principally by inhibiting K(+) channels. The inhibitory action of the bark extract appeared to be mediated by interference with transmitter release and an action on multiple sites.     

Effects of extracts of seed and leaf of Piper guineense on skeletal muscle activity in rat and frog

The pharmacological effects of leaf and seed extracts of Piper guineense were investigated on phrenic nerve hemidiaphragm activity following electrical stimulation in vitro. The Leaf and seed extracts (10 micrograms-1 mg/mL) and (50-800 micrograms/mL) respectively produced biphasic effects consisting of an initial enhancement followed by secondary transient or prolonged depression of twitch tension in response to electrical stimulation of both muscle and nerve. These effects were similar to that of decamethonium (2-800 mg/mL). An increased concentration of extracellular Ca2+ in vitro reversed the twitch contraction inhibited by the leaf and seed extracts in a dose related pattern following electrical stimulation. It is concluded that the leaf and seed extracts of Piper guineense possess among other pharmacological properties, a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking action.     

Effects of extracts of Portulaca oleracea on skeletal muscle in vitro

Extracts of Portulaca oleracea inhibited twitch tension due to direct (MS) and indirect electrical stimulation via the phrenic nerve (NS) of the rat hemidiaphragm muscle. The rank order of potency was dialysable extract greater than or equal to methanol extract greater than diethylether extract, although all exhibited equal efficacy. The non-dialysable extract did not inhibit twitch tension due to MS or NS. The dialysable, methanol and diethylether extracts inhibited tetanus tension, and attenuated the area under the K+- and caffeine-induced contracture. The contracture induced by nicotinic agonists and K+ on the rectus abdominis muscle was significantly inhibited by these extracts.     

Isolation of a neuromuscular junctional blocking agent from Cleistanthus collinus plant leaf extract

A potent neuromuscular junctional blocking agent was isolated from chloroform extracts of poisonous Cleistanthus collinus leaf by a combined chromatographic—cholinesterase inhibition technique. An amorphous yellowish green extract was eluted from paper or micro thin layer chromatographic plates. This compound caused a 93% fade on nerve evoked muscle tension and a 95% decrement in nerve evoked muscle action potentials and least change in muscle evoked muscle action potentials and tension in a rat phrenic nerve—diaphragm preparation, suggesting the presence of a potent pharmacologically active ingredient causing neuromuscular blockade which is irreversible.     

Effects of leaf and root extracts of Nauclea latifolia on purinergic neurotransmission in the rat bladder

The leaf and root parts or their combination of Nauclea latifolia were separately extracted and their pharmacological effects on purinergic transmission in the bladder investigated. The leaf extract was very potent in potentiating purinergic neurotransmission by potentiating ATP induced contractions. These actions were more pronounced than the depression of potassium chloride evoked contraction of the bladder. The root extract depressed purinergic contraction of the bladder by a direct depressant action on the bladder smooth muscle since it did not modify ATP induced contractions. The leaf and root extracts antagonized each other when combined together. It is concluded that the leaf and root extracts of N. latifolia possess interesting pharmacological actions on the bladder.     

草乌叶抗炎作用的研究

[目的]探讨草乌叶的抗炎作用.[方法]草乌叶用乙醇制成浸膏后分别用氯仿和正丁醇萃取,然后采用小鼠耳壳肿胀实验和棉球肉芽肿实验观察两种萃取物的抗炎作用.[结果]草乌叶正丁醇和氯仿萃取物分别以50、100、150/(kg·d)剂量灌胃,能明显抑制二甲苯所致小鼠耳廓肿胀(P<0.01),抑制棉球所致小鼠肉芽肿形成(P<0.01或P<0.05).[结论]草乌叶正丁醇和氯仿萃取物均具有抗炎作用.     

Effects of the aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark on carrageenan-induced oedema and granuloma tissue formation in rats and mice.

The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats and mice, and the cotton pellet granuloma method. The extract at doses ranging from 10 to 80 mg/kg p.o. significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, with an ID50 value of 36 mg/kg. However, a low activity was produced in the mouse paw oedema. The extract also suppressed the granulomatous tissue formation of chronic inflammation. B. ferruginea therefore proved to be effective in both the acute and chronic phases of the inflammatory process.     

枇杷叶对小鼠的止咳、祛痰作用

目的　研究枇杷叶的药理功能。方法　 80只小鼠分别给予灌胃与腹腔注射枇杷叶水及生理盐水 ,观察和记录浓氨水致咳小鼠的咳嗽潜伏期和 2min内的咳嗽次数 ,用分光光度计测定酚红排泌量。结果　枇杷叶能推迟小鼠对浓氨水刺激的咳嗽潜伏期及减少咳嗽次数 ,增加小鼠支气管酚红的排泌量。结论　枇杷叶能止咳、祛痰 ,且成年枇杷叶比幼年枇杷叶止咳、祛痰效果更佳     

Antiinflammatory activity and effects on isolated smooth muscle of extracts from different Teucrium species

The present study analyses the antiinflammatory effects and the action on in vitro motility of methanol and dichloromethanol extracts and stems of four Teucrium species (T. flavum, T. cartaginenses, T. buxifolium and T. pumillum). The antiinflammatory activity was tested in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. T. flavum methanol (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and dichloromethanol (138 mg/kg, i.p.) extracts showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect through the 24 h experimental period and reduced the E_max induced by histamine and serotonin in vitro on guinea-pig ileum and rat uterus respectively. These extracts did not modify the contractile effects induced by acetylcholine on rat duodenum and noradrenaline on rat vas deferens. The methanol extracts of T. pumillum (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and T. buxifolium (26 mg/kg, i.p.) exhibited significant antiinflammatory effects only in the acute phase of the oedema (2 h) without affecting the chronic phase (24 h). In guinea-pig ileum, rat uterus and rat vas deferens, the methanol extract of T. pumillum reduced the maximal effect induced by histamine, serotonin and noradrenaline, respectively, whereas the methanol extract of T. buxifolium lacked any effect on the contractile activity induced by various agonists in vitro. When tested for antiinflammatory activity the methanol (200 mg/kg, i.p.) and dichloromethanol (200 mg/kg, i.p.) extracts of T. cartaginenses did not modify the oedematous response induced by carrageenan administration.     

Effects of Sclerocarya birrea (A. rich) hochst (anacardiaceae) leaf extracts on calcium signalling in cultured rat skeletal muscle cells.

Sclerocarya birrea is a plant used widely to treat many diseases in Burkina Faso, although no scientific data has been reported about its mechanism of action. In the present study the effects of its leaf extracts were investigated on calcium signalling in rat cultured skeletal muscle cells. The results show that the different extracts (crude decoction, aqueous, ethanolic and chloroformic extracts) have significant antagonistic effect on caffeine-induced calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Crude decoction is the most active followed by ethanolic, aqueous and chloroformic extracts in dose-dependent manner and can partly justify the use of the plant in traditional medicine.     

Diuretic and antidiuretic diuretic of the leaf extracts of Vernonia cinerea (Less) (Fam. Compositae)

The diuretic and anti-diuretic potency of the leaf extracts of Vernonia cinerea was studied in albino rats. The chloroform extract of the leaf induced significant diuresis, while the methanol and aqueous extracts induced significant antidiuresis in rats. In both cases, the observed effects on urine volume and electrolyte excretion were dose dependent. The trend was a significant increase (in the case of diuresis) in natriuretic and kaliuretic activity and a significant decrease (in the case of antidiuresis) in natriuresis and kaliuresis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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。