In vivo hypoglycemic effect of methanolic fruit extract of Momordica charantia L

Background

Momordica charantia L. is a medicinal plant commonly used in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Objectives

We investigated the blood glucose lowering effect of the methanolic fruit extract of the Ugandan variety of M. charantia L. in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats.

Methods

500g of M. charantia powder were macerated in methanol and the extract administered to two groups of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The first group received 125mg/kg, the second 375mg/kg and a third group 7mg/kg of metformin. A fourth group received 1ml normal saline. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured at 0.5,1,2,3,5,8 and 12 hours and compared using one-way ANOVA.

Results

There was an initial rise in FBG for 1 hour after administration of extracts followed by steep reductions. Significant reduction in FBG occurred at 2 hours for 125mg/kg of extract (−3.2%, 313±25.9 to 303±25.0mg/dL, p = 0.049), 375mg/kg of extract (−3.9%, 356±19.7 to 342±20.3mg/dL, p = 0.001), and metformin (−2.6%, 344±21.7 to 335±21.1mg/dL, p = 0.003) when compared to normal saline. The maximum percentage reduction in FBG by both extracts occurred between 3 and 12 hours post dose.

Conclusions

The methanolic fruit extract of M. charantia exhibits dose dependent hypoglycaemic activity in vivo.     

Evaluation of Three Medicinal Plant Extracts Against Plasmodium Falciparum and Selected Microganisms

Background

A great revival of scientific interests in drug discovery has been witnessed in recent years from medicinal plants for health maintenance. The aim of this work was to investigate three Nigerian medicinal plants collected in Nigeria for their in vitro antiplasmodial and antimicrobial activities.

Materials and Methods

Extracts obtained from parts of Persea americana, Jatropha podagrica and Picralima nitida and their fractions were evaluated for in vitro antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activity.

Result

The methanol extract of P. nitida demonstrated activity against chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum clones with IC₅₀ values of 6.3 and 6.0 µg/mL, respectively. Methanol and chloroform extracts of P. americana seed showed antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans IC₅₀ less than 8 and 8.211 µg/mL respectively. Finally, the petroleum ether extract of P. americana had activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with an IC₅₀ value of 8.7 µg/mL.

Conclusion

The study revealed the antibacterial and antiplasmodial activities of the plants extracts at the tested concentrations.     

Antioxidant Activity In Vitro and Hepatoprotective Effect of Phlomis Maximowiczii In Vivo

Background

A number of medicinal plants and there compounds played a major role in the treatment of hepatic disorders. They were widely used for the treatment of these disorders, and oxidant stress injury was one of the liver injury mechanisms. The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and the hepatoprotective effect of each extracts of Phlomis maximowiczii.

Materials and Methods

The antioxidant activity was assayed by the methods of ABTS, FRAP and DPPH in vitro. Hepatoprotective effect of P. maximowiczii extracts was examined using carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice.

Results

P. maximowiczii n-butanol (PMBU) extract, ABTS (IC₅₀=18.96 µg/mL), DPPH (IC₅₀=25.15 µg/mL), and FRAP (RACT₅₀=2775.6±144.18 µmol/g), showed higher scavenging capacity than that of P. maximowiczii ethyl acetate (PMEA). The n-butanol extract could significantly reduce the level of GPT, GOT and MDA (P<0.05, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively) and increase the level of SOD (P<0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

The antioxidant activity of n-butanol extract in vitro was related with the level of MDA and SOD in vivo, and hepatoprotective effect of n-butanol extract also had relationship with its antioxidant activity in vivo.     

Antidiarrheal Mechanism and Ionic Profile of Carpolobia Lutea Ethanolic Stem-Bark Extract in Rats

Background

The stem-bark extract of Carpolobia lutea (Polygalaceae), used in ethno-medicine as anti-diarrhea was pharmacologically evaluated. This was the first report of assessment of the ethanolic stem extract (ESE), of C. lutea as anti-diarrhoeal agent in rats. The anti-diarrhoeal effects, acute toxicity and ionic profile are investigated and reported.

Materials and Methods

The acute toxicity was established using Lock''s method. The anti-diarrhoeal effects were demonstrated using castor oil-induced diarrheal and fluid accumulation and its effect on normal intestinal transit. The mechanism elucidated using yohimbine, isosorbide dinitrate, and diphenoxylate. The elemental and ionic profile of ESE was established using inductively coupled argon-plasma emission spectrometer and potentiometric titration respectively. The finger print of ESE was revealed by Jasco (Tokyo, Japan), HPLC and active compounds by phytochemical screening using standard procedure.

Results

The LD₅₀ obtained is 866.025 mg/kg (i.p). The doses of 43.3, 86.6, and 173.2 mg/kg of ESE showed inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrheal (p<0.05 –0.001). The most abundant cations in the extract are potassium and phosphorus (1.00 ±0.01 and 0.80 ± 0.030 mg/g respectively); while the most abundant anions are phosphate and sulphate (33.50±7.09 and 7.19±3.29 mg/g respectively). The HPLC fingerprint of ESE revealed UV spectra of biomolecules. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of saponins, polyphenols and glycosides.

Conclusion

These investigations indicate presence of bioactive and elemental substances which could play major role in diarrheal management. This investigation justifies the use of stem-bark of C. lutea in illicit gin (akpatashi), among the Effiks in Nigeria as antidiarrheal.     

Bioactivity-Guided Isolation of Anticancer Agents from Bauhinia Kockiana Korth

Background

Flowers of Bauhinia kockiana were investigated for their anticancer properties.

Methods

Gallic acid (1), and methyl gallate (2), were isolated via bioassay-directed isolation, and they exhibited anticancer properties towards several cancer cell lines, examined using MTT cell viability assay. Pyrogallol (3) was examined against the same cancer cell lines to deduce the bioactive functional group of the phenolic compounds.

Results

The results showed that the phenolic compounds could exhibit moderate to weak cytotoxicity towards certain cell lines (GI₅₀ 30 – 86 µM), but were inactive towards DU145 prostate cancer cell (GI₅₀ > 100 µM).

Conclusion

It was observed that pyrogallol moiety was one of the essential functional structures of the phenolic compounds in exhibiting anticancer activity. Also, the carboxyl group of compound 1 was also important in anticancer activity. Examination of the PC-3 cells treated with compound 1 using fluorescence microscopy showed that PC-3 cells were killed by apoptosis.     

Experimental Study on the Optimization of Extraction Process of Garlic Oil and its Antibacterial Effects

Background

Garlic oil which is the main active constituent of garlic has a wide range of pharmacological activities, and a broad antibacterial spectrum. It also has a strong anti-cancer activity, and can significantly inhibit a variety of tumors such as liver cancer, gastric cancer and colon cancer. The objective is to study the extraction process of garlic oil and its antibacterial effects.

Materials and Methods

CO₂ Supercritical extraction was used to investigate the optimal processing conditions for garlic oil extraction; filter paper test and suspension dilution test were applied to determine the bacteriostatic action of garlic oil.

Results

In the CO₂ supercritical extraction experiment, factors influencing the yield of garlic oil were: extraction pressure > extraction temperature > extraction time in descending order. Range analysis showed that the optimal experimental conditions for CO₂ supercritical extraction of garlic oil were extraction pressure of 15 Mpa, temperature of 40 °C, and duration of 1 h. Different concentrations of garlic oil could all inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, suggesting that garlic oil has an antibacterial effect.

Conclusion

The optimal experimental conditions for CO₂ supercritical extraction of garlic oil were: extraction pressure of 15 Mpa, temperature of 40 °C, and duration of 1 h; garlic oil has an antibacterial effect.     

Antihypercholesterolemic activity of ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea in rats

Background

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterised with high level of cholesterol in the blood.

Objectives

The effect of ethanolic extract of Buchholzia coriacea (EEBC) on the lipid profile levels and extent of lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic albino rats was investigated in this study.

Methods

Thirty albino rats were divided into six different groups which consist of group 1 (control), group 2 (hypercholesterolemic rats), group 3 (hypercholesterolemic rats treated with ethanolic extract of EEBC), group 4 (hypercholesterolemic rats treated with questran), group 5 (normal rats treated with EEBC) and group 6 (normal rats treated with questran). The rats were sacrificed at the end of the sixth week and assay conducted for Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), lipid profile and biomarker of oxidative stress.

Results

The serum and liver total cholesterol and LDL - cholesterol levels as well as lipid peroxidation in the EEBC-treated hypercholesterolemic rats were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) when compared with the untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. The activities of AST and ALT in EEBC - treated hypercholesterolemic rats were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the control.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Buchholzia coriacea seeds contain potent antihypercholesterolemic agent which may find clinical application in ameliorating hypercholesterolemia and its attendant complications.     

Antibacterial agents from the leaves of Crinum purpurascens herb (Amaryllidaceae)

Background

Typhoid fevers and urogenital infections continue to be serious health problems in developing countries. In our search for therapeutic agents from natural sources with potential for the treatment of typhoid fevers and urogenital infections, extract and compounds were obtained from Crinum purpurascens and tested.

Methods

Two alkaloids (4,5-ethano-9,10-methylenedioxy-7-phenanthridone or hippadine (1) and 4,5-ethano-9-hydroxy-10-methoxy-7-phenanthridone or pratorimine (2)) and one steroid (â-D-glucopyranoside of sitosterol (3)) were isolated from the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (1:1) leaf extract of Crinum purpurascens and screened for antibacterial activity using both agar diffusion and broth dilution techniques.

Results

For the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH extract, the MIC values obtained were 3 mg/ml (against P. aeruginosa), 4 mg/ml (against E. coli, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus) and 6 mg/ml (against S. typhi and S. paratyphi B), whereas the MBC values varied between 7 and 12 mg/ml. For compound 1, the MIC values varied between 200 and 250 µg/ml, whereas the MBC value was 300 µg/ml against all the bacteria strains used. Compound 2 did not show any antimicrobial activity against these bacteria strains. For compound 3, the MIC values varied between 250 and 300 µg/ml, whereas the MBC values were 300 µg/ml (against S. typhi and S. paratyphi B) and > 300 µg/ml (against the other bacteria strains).

Conclusion

These data suggest that C. purpurascens leaf extract contains antibacterial agents which could be used in the treatment of typhoid fevers and urogenital infections.     

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Has a Potential Therapeutic Role for Diabetic Nephropathy

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on diabetic nephropathy.

Materials and Methods

We measured amounts of urinary albumin excretion (UAE) after administrating ATRA to Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. In order to understand the mechanism of action for ATRA, we administrated ATRA to examine its inhibitory action on the production of transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), protein kinase C (PKC), and reactive oxidative stress (ROS) in cultured rat mesangial cells (RMCs).

Results

After 16 weeks of treatment, UAE was lower in the ATRA-treated OLETF rats than in the non-treated OLETF rats (0.07±0.03 mg/mgCr vs. 0.17±0.15 mg/mgCr, p<0.01). After incubation of RMCs in media containing 30 or 5 mM of glucose, treatment with ATRA showed time- and dose-dependent decreases in TGF-β₁ levels and ROS. Moreover, ATRA treatment showed a dose-dependent decrease in PKC expression.

Conclusion

ATRA treatment suppressed UAE and TGF-β₁ synthesis, which was mediated by significant reductions in PKC activity and ROS production. Our results suggest that ATRA has a potential therapeutic role for diabetic nephropathy.     

Hepatoprotective Effect of Cymbopogon Citratus Aqueous Extract Against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Liver Injury in Male Rats

Background

Cymbopogon citratus (Poaceae) a tropical perennial herb plant that is widely cultivated to be eaten either fresh with food or dried in tea or soft drink has been reported to possess a number of medicinal and aromatic properties. This study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of C. citratus aqueous extract against liver injury induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), in male rats.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-five rats were randomly divided into five different groups of five animals in each group; (1) Control. (2) Received H₂O₂ (0.5%) with drinking water. (3), and (4) received H₂O₂ and C. citratus (100 mg·kg⁻¹ b wt), vitamin C (250 mg·kg⁻¹ b wt) respectively. (5), was given C. citratus alone. The treatments were administered for 30 days. Blood samples were collected and serum was used for biochemical assay including liver enzymes activities, total protein, total bilirubin and malonaldehyde, glutathione in serum and liver homogenates. Liver was excised and routinely processed for histological examinations.

Results

C. citratus attenuated liver damage due to H₂O₂ administration as indicated by the significant reduction (p<0.05), in the elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, TB, and MDA in serum and liver homogenates; increase in TP and GSH levels in serum and liver homogenates; and improvement of liver histo-pathological changes. These effects of the extract were similar to that of vitamin C which used as antioxidant reference.

Conclusion

C. citratus could effectively ameliorate H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and prevent liver injury in male rats.     

Effects of Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy on Refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children

Purpose

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia in children. The clinical course is typically self-limited and benign; however, rare cases of severe pneumonia can develop despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. We studied the effects of methylprednisolone pulse therapy on severe refractory M. pneumoniae pneumonia in children.

Methods

The clinical effects of methylprednisolone therapy were evaluated retrospectively in 12 children with severe refractory M. pneumoniae pneumonia, which was diagnosed serologically. All patients developed respiratory distress, high fever, and initial lobar pneumonic consolidation based on radiological findings. All clinical symptoms deteriorated despite appropriate antibiotic therapy. Thus, children were treated with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in addition to antibiotics.

Results

The average febrile period before admission was 4.9±1.7 days, and fever persisted in all children until steroid administration. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy (30 mg/kg) was given 5.4±2.5 days after admission. After methylprednisolone pulse therapy, clinical symptoms improved in all patients without adverse events. The fever subsided 0-2 h after initiation of corticosteroid therapy. The abnormal radiological findings resolved within 2.6±1.3 days, and the high C-reactive protein levels (6.7±5.9 mg/dL) on admission decreased to 1.3±1.7 mg/dL within 3.0±1.1 days after starting corticosteroid therapy.

Conclusions

Three-day methylprednisolone pulse therapy could be applied to treatment of refractory M. pneumoniae pneumonia despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and appeared to be efficacious and well-tolerated.     

The Antibacterial Activity of Traditionally Used Salvadora Persica L. (Miswak) and Commiphora Gileadensis (Palsam) in Saudi Arabia

Background

Nowadays there is a need to find naturally occurring substances from plants with antimicrobial activity as an alternative to available used antibiotics.

Materials and Methods

Salvadora persica (miswak) and Commiphora gileadensis were collected, dried and extracted with either methanol or warm water and the obtained extracts were assessed for their antibacterial activity against 5 different genera of bacteria using agar well diffusion method. The tested bacteria included some human pathogens.

Results

The obtained extracts exhibited considerable inhibitory effects against all the tested bacteria with various degrees of growth inhibition. It was shown that methanol extract was more effective compared to water extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the methanol extracts ranged from 50–100 °g/ml. No toxicity was found using Artimia salina as test organism and no antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma.

Conclusion

S. persica and C. gileadensis showed moderate to high inhibitory activity on pathogenic bacteria with no toxicity and can be used traditionally as alternative medicine     

Expectorant and Antitussive Effect of Hedera helix and Rhizoma coptidis Extracts Mixture

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the additive effect of the Hedera helix (HH) and Rhizoma coptidis (RC) extracts mixture on antitussive and expectorant activities in animals.

Materials and Methods

The expectorant assay was performed with phenol red secretion in mice trachea. Mice or guinea pigs were randomly divided into groups of 8 each, including negative and positive control groups. After gastric administration of the test extracts in mice, 2.5% phenol red solution (0.2 mL) was intraperitoneally injected. Trachea was dissected and optical density of tracheal secretion was measured. After gastric administration of the test extracts in guinea pigs, the antitussive activities were assessed using a citric acid-induced cough measurement.

Results

The extracts of HH and RC significantly increased tracheal secretion and inhibited cough. The mixture of HH and RC extracts in a 1:1 concentration at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed a more potent effect on phenol red secretion (25.25±3.14) and cough inhibition (61.25±5.36) than the individual use of each extracts [phenol red secretion; HH 13.39±4.22 (p=0.000), RC 20.78±2.50 (p=0.010), cough inhibition; HH 9.89±4.14 (p=0.010), RC 30.25±7.69 (p=0.000)]. A 3:1 ratio mixture of HH to RC demonstrated an optimal expectorant effect (p<0.001), and this mixture showed expectorant and antitussive effects in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for antitussive and expectorant effect of a 3:1 mixture of HH and RC, which may be a useful therapeutic option for respiratory diseases.     

Antigen presenting cells may be able to distinguish between normal and radiated Schistosoma japonicum cercaria: an in vitro observation

Objective

To observe the discrepancies of responses induced by Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) normal cercaria antigen (NCA) and ultraviolet (UV) -radiation-attenuated cercaria antigen (UVACA) in an in vitro system.

Methods

S. japonicum cercariae were collected and UVACA and NCA were prepared. Mouse macrophage model cells (RAW 264.7) were treated with medium, NCA (40 µg/mL) or UVACA (40 µg/mL) in the presence or absence of recombinant mouse interferon gamma (rmIFN-γ; 4 ng/mL) for 48 h. Cell surface staining and flow cytometry were used to assess the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)γ; 4 ng/mL) for 48 h. Cell surface staining and flow cytometry were used to assess the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II expression, and data were expressed as mean fluorescence intensities (MFI). Interleukin (IL) -10, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) in cell culture supernatant were evaluated by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

NCA significantly suppressed IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression on RAW 264.7 cells. In the presence of IFN-γ, NCA significantly promoted IL-6, IL-10 and PGE₂ secretion from RAW 264.7 cells. In the presence of IFN-γ, UVACA significantly promoted IL-10 but not IL-6 and PGE₂ secretion from RAW 264.7 cells and showed no effect on IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression. Compared with UVACA, NCA significantly suppressed IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression and significantly promoted IL-6, PGE₂ and IL-10 secretion from RAW 264.7 cells.

Conclusion

RAW 264.7 cells respond differently to NCA and UVACA. NCA can significantly suppress IFN-γ-induced MHC II expression and significantly promote IL-6, IL-10 and PGE₂ secretion from RAW 264.7 cells compared with UVACA.     

Protopine Inhibits Heterotypic Cell Adhesion in MDA-MB-231 Cells Through Down-Regulation of Multi-Adhesive Factors

Background

A Chinese herb Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang that showed anticancer and anti-angiogenesis effects in our previous studies was presented for further studies. In the present study, we studied the anticancer proliferation and adhesion effects of five alkaloids which were isolated from Corydalis yanhusuo.

Materials and Methods

MTT dose response curves, cell migration assay, cell invasion assay, as well as three types of cell adhesive assay were performed on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The mechanism of the compounds on inhibiting heterotypic cell adhesion were further explored by determining the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), αv-integrin, β₁-integrin and β₅-integrin by western blotting assay.

Results

In five tested alkaloids, only protopine exhibited anti-adhesive and anti-invasion effects in MDA-MB-231 cells, which contributed to the anti-metastasis effect of Corydalis yanhusuo. The results showed that after treatment with protopine for 90 min, the expression of EGFR, ICAM-1, αv-integrin, β₁-integrin and β₅-integrin were remarkably reduced.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that protopine seems to inhibit the heterotypic cell adhesion between MDA-MB-231 cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells by changing the expression of adhesive factors.     

Lack of Association of the APOE ε4 Allele with the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Study Objectives:

Reports on the association of polymorphisms in the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (APOE)—a vital macromolecule in cholesterol metabolism—with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have provided conflicting results. Our objective was to meta-analytically synthesize the existing evidence for the association of the APOE ε4 allele with the risk of OSA.

Design:

Random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression

Setting:

Genetic epidemiological studies reporting the association of APOE ε4 allele with OSA susceptibility.

Patients or Participants:

Synthesis of APOE ε4 allele data from 6,508 subjects including 1,901 cases of OSA and 4,607 controls.

Interventions:

None

Measurements and Results:

Eight studies were included in the random effects meta-analysis; the summary effect size measured as odds ratio (OR) for association of the APOE ε4 allele with the risk of OSA was found to be 1.13 (95% confidence interval 0.86–1.47). There was a statistically significant heterogeneity (I² = 72%, P = 0.001) across study results that was not explained by the mean age, proportion of males, or the proportion possessing the APOE ε4 allele or when grouped based on the geographic location of the study.

Conclusions:

The hypothesis that the APOE ε4 allele may be causally associated with OSA cannot be supported on the basis of published literature.

Citation:

Thakre TP; Mamtani MR; Kulkarni H. Lack of association of the APOE ε4 allele with the risk of obstructive sleep apnea: meta-analysis and meta-regression. SLEEP 2009;32(11):1507-1511.     

Pigmentation and Dermal Conservative Effects of the Astonishing Algae Sargassum Polycystum and Padina Tenuis on Guinea Pigs,Human Epidermal Melanocytes (HEM) and Chang Cells

Background

The preference for a fairer skin-tone has become a common trend among both men and women around the world. In this study, seaweeds Sargassum polycystum and Padina tenuis were investigated for their in vitro and in vivo potentials in working as skin whitening agents. Seaweed has been used as a revolutionary skin repairing agent in both traditional and modern preparations. The high antioxidant content is one of the prime reasons for its potent action. It has been employed in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. For centuries, most medical practitioners in the Asian cultures have known seaweed as an organic source of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 and antioxidants. The present objective of the study was to evaluate the potent dermal protective effect of the two seaweeds Sargassum polycystum and Padina tenuis on human cell lines and guinea pigs.

Material and Methods

Seaweeds were extracted with ethanol and further fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate and water. The extracts were tested for mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity, cytotoxicity in human epidermal melanocyte (HEM), and Chang cells. Extracts with potent melanocytotoxicity were formulated into cosmetic cream and tested on guinea pigs in dermal irritation tests and de-pigmentation assessments.

Results

Both Sargassum polycystum and Padina tenuis seaweeds showed significant inhibitory effect on mushroom tyrosinase in the concentration tested. SPEt showed most potent cytotoxicity on HEM (IC₅₀ of 36µg/ml), followed by SPHF (65µg/ml), and PTHF (78.5µg/ml). SPHF and SPEt reduced melanin content in skin of guinea pigs when assessed histologically.

Conclusion

SPEt, SPHF and PTHF were able to inhibit HEM proliferation in vitro, with SPHF being most potent and did not cause any dermal irritation in guinea pigs. The results obtained indicate that SPHF is a promising pharmacological or cosmetic agent.     

Studies on the Anti-Inflammatory,Analgesic and Antipyrexic Activities of Betulinic Acid Derived from Tetracera Potatoria

Background

The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of betulinic acid (BA) was investigated in this study. The triterpene was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Tetracera potatoria and its structure was verified by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The bioactivity of this compound was assessed using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats and carrageenan-induced pulmonary oedema in mice for the anti-inflammatory activity, while acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice and zymosan-induced fever in rats were used for analgesic test.

Materials and Methods

Rats and mice were randomly divided into groups of five animals. For each experiment, betulinic acid at 10, 20 or 40mg/kg b.w was administered intraperitoneally to the first three groups respectively. The fourth group was administered with indomethacin (10mg/kg) or acetylsalicylic acid (150mg/kg), while the fifth group was administered with distilled water (10ml/kg). Data obtained were expressed as mean±S.E.M and significant differences were determined at p<0.05.

Results

BA significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema by 11.0%, 45.7%, 68.6% or pulmonary oedema by 25.6, 29.2 and 45.13% dose dependently. 40 mg/kg of BA inhibited paw oedema by 68.6% comparably to acetylsalicylic acid (71.4%) or indomethacin (51.33%) respectively. Abdominal writhing was also significantly (p<0.05) reduced to 17.20 writhes by BA (40mg/kg) comparable to Indomethacin (16.3writhes). Fever was inhibited by BA most significantly by 3hours post-injection of zymosan (1.00, 1.45, 0.00°C) and this inhibitory effect was higher than that observed for acetylsalicylic acid (0.30°C).

Conclusion

Betulinic acid derived from Tetracera potatoria exhibited potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic or antipyrexic activity which is comparable to indomethacin or acetylsalicyclic acid.     

Study on the Antibacterial Activity of Bergenia Purpurascens Extract

Background

Bergenia purpurascens has tonic, haemostatic and anti-tussive actions. Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities of Bergenia purpurascens have not been reported so far. The objective of this paper is to provide experimental basis for the clinical application of Bergenia purpurascens through the pharmacodynamic study on its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects.

Methods

Experimental models of xylene-induced ear edema in mice, cotton pellet granuloma in rats, and acetic acid-induced peritoneal capillary permeability in mice were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Bergenia purpurascens; bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of Bergenia purpurascens extract on Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and β-lactamase positive Staphylococcus aureus (ESBLs-SA), were observed in vitro.

Results

The results show that Bergenia purpurascens extract could markedly inhibit xylene-induced mouse ear edema, cotton pellet granulation tissue hyperplasia, and increased capillary permeability. Bergenia purpurascens extract has an inhibitory effect on SA, MRSA and ESBLs-SA.

Conclusion

We conclude that Bergenia purpurascens extract has certain anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects.