Antienterobacterial activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root extract

The antienterobacterial activity of the chloroform and methanol extracts of Hemidesmus indicus root was demonstrated using a variety of methods and different enterobacterial strains. Although the constituents were similar in the chloroform extract (CHI) and the fatty substance separated (ME1) from the methanol extract (MHI), ME1 was found to be more effective than CHI as evident from the disc diffusion method. ME1 was found to be more active than MHI, followed by CHI. This may be due to the inefficient diffusion of CHI into the medium. In a modified agar well diffusion and swab method the activity of the extract against different strains was observed in a single plate. The extracts inhibited growth in a dose dependent manner; both MHI and CHI were most effective against S. flexneri, least effective against S. dysenterie and moderately effective against the other strains. The presence of antimicrobial trace elements such as copper and zinc, along with other active constituents may contribute to the antienterobacterial activity of Hemidesmus indicus root.     

Antinociceptive activity of alcoholic extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. in mice

The ethanolic extract of roots of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. (family: Asclepiadaceae) was investigated for possible antinociceptive effect in mice. Three models were used to study the effects of extracts on nociception, which was induced, by acetic acid (Writhing test), formalin (Paw licking test) and hot plate test in mice. Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. extract was administered in the dose range of 25, 50 and 100mg/kg orally 1h prior to pain induction. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of triterpenes, flavonoids, pregnane glycosides and steroids. Oral administration of Hemidesmus indicus extract revealed dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in all the models for antinociception and it blocked both the neurogenic and inflammatory pain and the nociceptive activity was comparable with the reference drug. The results indicate that alcoholic extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. possesses a significant antinociceptive activity. The activity can be related with the significant phytochemicals such as triterpenes, flavonoids, and sterols reported in the root extract.     

The Bioactive and Therapeutic Potential of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) Root

The root of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br., commonly known as Indian Sarsaparilla, is used traditionally to treat a wide variety of illnesses including rheumatism, leprosy, impotence, urinary tract and skin infections. The anticancer, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, renoprotective, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties of H. indicus have been investigated in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. Among these, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity was well documented. This review details the phytochemistry and therapeutic applications of H. indicus root. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biochemical studies on the anti-ulcerogenic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. var. indicus

Roots of Hemidesmus indicus var. indicus are used for various ailments in Indian traditional medicines. The present study evaluated the antiulcerogenic property of aqueous ethanolic extracts of the roots in animal models. Modified pyloric ligated (Shay) rat model and aspirin-induced ulcerogenesis in pylorus ligated rat models were used for this study and analysed for gastric volume, ulcer score, pH, free and total acidity and sodium and potassium ion output. Bio-chemical estimations like total proteins, total hexoses, hexosamine, fucose, sialic acid and pepsin were also made. Ulcer score was calculated for cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer model. Roots collected during flowering season were found to be more effective than that collected during vegetative seasons.     

Protective effect of Hemidesmus indicus L. R. Br. against bromobenzene-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in rat kidney

Hemidesmus indicus (HI) is used in ancient Indian traditional herbal medicine to treat hepatic and renal disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of HI aqueous extract against bromobenzene induced mitochondrial dysfunction in rat kidneys. Rats were administered bromobenzene with or without prior administration of HI or vitamin E. At the end of the experiment animals were sacrificed and kidneys were obtained to study mitochondrial function, oxidative stress parameters and histopathology. Administration of bromobenzene caused significant changes like: decrease in the mitochondrial respiration and P/O ratios, increase in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, and decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) in mitochondria with significant histopathological changes in the kidney. Prior administration of HI extract showed a significant protection against bromobenzene induced changes in the kidney and this effect is attributed to the antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of the HI. The protection was much better with HI compared to vitamin E.     

Enhancement in the absorption of water and electrolytes from rat intestine by Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root (water extract)

Hemidesmus indicus root in the form of suspension in water (10 mg/ml) containing 15.5 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl and 12 mM glucose, when injected into the ligated jejunal sac (1 ml/sac) of rat, increased the absorption of water, Na(+) and K(+) (but not glucose) from the sac. This bioactivity was present in the water extract (5 or 10 mg/sac) of the root and not in the hexane extract. In contrast, the ethanol extract decreased the absorption of water and electrolytes from the jejunal sac. The effect of water extract was not affected by heat at 100 degrees C for 30 min. Intraperitoneal administration of the water extract (50 to 200 mg/kg) was devoid of any significant effect on the jejunal absorption. Neither the root suspension nor the water extract (125-500 mg/kg) showed any significant anti-ulcer and diuretic activities in rats. The intestinal motility was also not influenced by the root (water extract) when tested in mice. The present study indicates that H. indicus root powder or its water extract can be incorporated in oral rehydrating salt solution (ORS) for increasing its anti-diarrhoeal efficacy.     

Protective role of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root extract against Salmonella typhimurium-induced cytotoxicity in Int 407 cell line

The present investigation deals with the effect of the chloroform fraction composed of sterols and fatty acids isolated from Hemidesmus indicus root extract (CHI) on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium)-induced cytotoxicity in a human intestinal epithelial cell line (Int 407). The optimum dose was fixed as 100 microg/mL for CHI against S. typhimurium, which was quite safe for Int 407 cells as the CD(50) concentration (50% cell death) of CHI was determined to be 500 microg/mL in the Int 407 cell line. CHI-treated S. typhimurium were 10-fold less cytotoxic and 40% less adherent to host cells than wild-type. Treatment of CHI significantly abrogated the invasion ability to 10- to 15-fold in S. typhimurium. The cells infected with CHI-treated S. typhimurium had a comparable viability to uninfected cells in the epithelial cell detachment assay. Immunofluorescence showed the CHI-treated bacteria were unhealthy and shrunken rods in comparison with the wild-type bacteria; those were firmly attached and invaded to deceased and hypertrophoid Int 407 cells. Transmission electron micrographs of Int 407 cells infected with wild bacteria showed a coat of adherent and invaded bacteria completely occupying the cytoplasm with characteristic Salmonella-containing vacuoles (SCV). Both necrotic and apoptotic type of cell death were observed in cells infected with wild-type bacteria, whereas most of the cells infected with treated bacteria were normal in morphology and a few had invaded bacteria, but the typical proliferated SCV was not observed in cells infected with CHI-treated S. typhimurium. In summary, the sterols and fatty acids present in CHI may be capable of taming S. typhimurium by suppressing its cytotoxic activity in an intestinal epithelial cell line.     

Glycosides derived from Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root inhibit adherence of Salmonella typhimurium to host cells: receptor mimicry

For centuries, indigenous plants have been used against enteritis but their molecular targets and mode of action remain obscure. The present study was carried out to elucidate the protective and therapeutic role, if any, of glycosides from Hemidesmus indicus against S. typhimurium-induced pathogenesis. Studies were carried out in a human intestinal cell line (Int 407) and a murine macrophage cell line (P388D1) in order to evaluate its potency in local as well as systemic infections. The inhibitory role of the glycosides present in Hemidesmus indicus root extract (GHI) were tested by pre-coating the cells (both Int 407 and P388D1) with GHI prior to infection, and by neutralizing the wild-type bacteria with GHI before cell infection. In both cases, GHI protected the host cells from the cytotoxic effects of the wild S. typhimurium. This suggests that the biologically significant sugars (hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid etc) present in GHI might be mimicking host cell receptor saccharides and thereby blocking the bacterial ligands from binding to the host cells. Int 407 cells infected with wild-type bacteria had a diffused adherence pattern after 4 h incubation, but this typical character was not observed in cells infected with GHI-treated bacteria and the cells were normal in appearance at 4 h. After 18 h cells infected with wild-type bacteria were hypertrophoid with a disintegrated membrane and wrapped in a bacterial coat, whereas cells infected with treated bacteria had comparatively less morphological changes and few defective shrunken rods adhered locally. This suggests that the glycosides can change the adherence pattern of S. typhimurium from diffused to local. Treated bacteria had less adherence and invasion capability in Int 407 as well as P388D1 cells. The results show the decreased ability of adherence of GHI-treated S. typhimurium was due to a loss of surface hydrophobicity. A nonspecific binding between S. typhimurium and the glycosides was confirmed using ELISA. In summary, the glycosides of H. indicus root inhibited S. typhimurium induced pathogenesis nonspecifically, by reducing bacterial surface hydrophobicity and perhaps also by mimicking host cell receptors, thereby blocking its attachment to host cell and further pathological effects.     

In vitro antioxidant activity of Anthriscus cerefolium L. (Hoffm.) extracts

Standardised aqueous extracts of chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium L. Hoffm.) (Apiacae) were investigated for antioxidant effect. Numerous in vitro test methods were used to determine whether the extracts, from different vegetative parts (root, herb) had H-donor, metal binding, reductive, free radical scavenging and membrane protective activity. Apiin was used as a reference material. The herb extract showed better activity in all experiments than the root extract. The present results underline that the wateric chervil extracts have antioxidant and anti-lipoperoxidant activity.     

Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation and Antiradical Effects of Decoction,Hydroalcoholic Extract,and Principal Constituents of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br.

Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus R. Br.) is widely used in Indian traditional medicine. In the present work, we explored the effects of decoction, traditional Ayurvedic preparation, and hydroalcoholic extract, a phytocomplex more traditionally studied and commercialized as food supplement in western medicine, from the roots as possible source of chemicals with new functional potential linked to their nutritional uses. The antiproliferative and antioxidant properties were assayed. To test antiproliferative affects, different cancer cell lines, growing both as monolayers (CaCo2, MCF‐7, A549, K562, MDA‐MB‐231, Jurkat, HepG2, and LoVo) and in suspension (K562 and Jurkat) were used. The decoction showed strong activity on HepG2 cells, while the hydroalcoholic extracts were active on HepG2, LoVo, MCF‐7, K562, and Jurkat cell lines. Weak inhibition of cancer cell proliferation was observed for the principal constituents of the preparations: 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzaldehyde, 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzoic acid, and 3‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzaldehyde that were tested alone. The antiradical activity was tested with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)diammonium salt tests and inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Interesting result has also been obtained for hydroalcoholic extract regarding genoprotective potential (58.79% of inhibition at 37.5 µg/mL). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiinflammatory activity of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br

The antiinflammatory activity of an extract from the leaves of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br., used as a traditional remedy for different types of inflammation, was investigated using experimental models of acute inflammation. Topical application of the extract inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema and ear oedema induced in rats by arachidonic acid or ethyl phenylpropiolate. In vitro prostaglandin formation was inhibited by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner, with a potency equal to that of aspirin but considerably less than that of indomethacin. This study shows that Ipomoea pes-caprae has a significant antiinflammatory activity, probably due to a reduction of prostaglandin and leukotriene formation. Thus, in addition to earlier results, this work further supports the use of Ipomoea pes-caprae as an antiinflammatory agent in traditional medicine.     

Daboia russellii and Naja kaouthia venom neutralization by lupeol acetate isolated from the root extract of Indian sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus R.Br

The present study reports the isolation and purification of lupeol acetate from the methanolic root extract of Indian medicinal plant Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. (family: Asclepiadaceae) which could neutralize venom induced action of Daboia russellii and Naja kaouthia on experimental animals. Lupeol acetate could significantly neutralize lethality, haemorrhage, defibrinogenation, edema, PLA(2) activity induced by Daboia russellii venom. It also neutralized Naja kaouthia venom induced lethality, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and respiratory changes in experimental animals. Lupeol acetate potentiated the protection by snake venom antiserum action against Daboia russellii venom induced lethality in male albino mice. Venom induced changes in lipid peroxidation and super oxide dismutase activity was antagonized by lupeol acetate. Snake venom neutralization by lupeol acetate and its possible mechanism of action has been discussed.     

Radiation protection of DNA and membrane in vitro by extract of Hemidesmus indicus

Radioprotective effect of H. indicus root extract on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes and plasmid DNA was examined. Hemidesmus indicus (HI) root extract was found to protect microsomal membranes as evident from reduction in lipid peroxidation values. The extract could also protect DNA from radiation induced strand breaks.     

苍耳七提取物的体外抗氧化活性研究(英文)

目的:了解苍耳七不同提取物中总黄酮含量、抗氧化活性及黄酮含量与抗氧化活性之间的相关性。方法:用三种不同有机溶剂依次对苍耳七 50 %乙醇提取物进行萃取,分别得到氯仿提取物(CE)、乙酸乙酯提取物(EAE)、正丁醇提取物(BE)和水相提取物(WE)。总黄酮含量采用 NaNO2- Al (NO3)3-NaOH 显色法测定。抗氧化活性采用羟基自由基清除试验、超氧自由基清除试验、DPPH 自由基清除试验、还原力测定和金属离子螯合试验进行综合评价,以 BHT(2, 6-二叔丁基对甲酚)为参考物质。结果:EAE 的黄酮含量最高,其次分别为 BE, WE 和 CE。WE 和 BE 的抗氧化活性强于 CE 和 EAE. 每种提取物的抗氧化活性都显示出浓度依赖性和黄酮含量的相关性。结论:苍耳七提取物可以被用作天然抗氧剂。     

Evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity of Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang)

An extract of Mangifera indica L. (Vimang) was tested in vitro for its antioxidant activity using commonly accepted assays. It showed a powerful scavenger activity of hydroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid and acted as an iron chelator. The extract also showed a significant inhibitory effect on the peroxidation of rat-brain phospholipid and inhibited DNA damage by bleomycin or copper-phenanthroline systems.     

不同炮制方法对手掌参抗疲劳和抗氧化活性的影响

目的:探讨不同炮制方法对手掌参抗疲劳和抗氧化活性的影响。方法:利用羊奶炮制法、冷浸炮制法和蜜制炮制法来制备手掌参样品。通过小鼠的游泳实验和吊网实验来考察三种炮制品不同剂量的抗疲劳作用。利用药物对DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基的清除作用来考察三种炮制品不同浓度的抗氧化活性。结果:与空白对照组相比,服用三种炮制品不同剂量的小鼠,其游泳时间和悬网时间均明显延长,且呈现出剂量依赖性。服用三种炮制品不同浓度的小鼠,其对DPPH自由基和ABTS自由基均有清除作用,且呈现出浓度依赖性。同时无论是延长作用还是清除作用,其作用效果均稍有不同,顺序为羊奶炮制品大于蜜制炮制品大于冷浸炮制品。除了冷浸泡制品以外,羊奶泡制品和蜜制炮制品的作用效果与空白对照组比均具有显著的差异。结论:手掌参有良好的抗疲劳和抗氧化活性,且羊奶炮制法可以很好的保留手掌参的药效成分。     

复方丹参的体外抗氧化活性研究

目的探讨复方丹参的体外抗氧化活性。方法采用DPPH自由基、超氧阴离子、羟基自由基、鳌合亚铁离子和还原力、过氧化氢的反应体系,检测了复方丹参的体外抗氧化活性,并与维生素C进行比较。结果复方丹参和维生素C消除DPPH自由基的EC50分别是41.0μg/mL和8.2μg/mL;复方丹参消除超氧阴离子自由基的EC50是1.39 m g/mL;复方丹参和维生素C抑制羟基自由基产生的EC50分别是1.73 m g/mL和0.58 m g/mL;在实验体系中,未检测到复方丹参螯合亚铁离子的能力;复方丹参和维生素C的还原能力的EC50分别是0.42 m g/mL和0.08 m g/mL。在实验最高质量浓度100μg/mL时,复方丹参和维生素C对过氧化氢的清除率分别为36%和94%。结论复方丹参具有较强还原力,能清除DPPH和超氧阴离子自由基的作用,并抑制羟基自由基的产生。复方丹参的多方面抗氧化活性可能是在治疗心血管疾病效果显著的原因之一。     

旋花苗的生药学研究

目的:对旋花苗进行生药学研究,为临床应用和开发利用提供参考资料。方法:采用性状鉴定和显微鉴定。结果:旋花苗茎横切面的皮层和髓部薄壁细胞发达,维管束类型为双韧型维管束。叶横切面栅栏组织由2列短柱状细胞组成,主脉维管束也是双韧型维管束。粉末中导管和纤维较多,气孔为平轴式。结论:旋花苗的这些生药学特征可用于鉴别该生药。     

In vitro antioxidant properties of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench

The choleretic, hepatoprotective and detoxifying activities of the inflorescence of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench (everlasting, immortelle: Asteraceae-Helichrysi flos syn. Stoechados flos) have been known for a long time from herbal medicine in Hungary. Antioxidant properties of its main phenolics, flavonoids, are supposed to be responsible for these effects. The aim of this study is to verify the antioxidant properties of the lyophilized water extracts from inflorescences, and to define the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in Helichrysi flos water extracts as well as in lyophilized water extracts. The hydrogen-donating ability and the reducing power property of the lyophilizates were determined spectrophotometrically; their OH&z.rad; scavenging activity was measured, in the H(2)O(2)/OH&z.rad;-luminol-microperoxidase system, by a chemiluminometric method. Results were compared with the activity of the flavonoid silibinin, the main agent of the well-known milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.).