The in vitro pharmacological activities of 12 South African Hermannia species

Hermannia species are widely used in traditional medicine in southern Africa, however no extensive study has been conducted on this genus. The acetone extracts of 12 indigenous Hermannia species (flowers, stems and leaves combined) were evaluated for various pharmacological activities. All investigated species displayed promising antimicrobial activity, with Hermannia saccifera being the most active against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC=19.5 microg/ml), Bacillus cereus (MIC=19.5 microg/ml) and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC=125 microg/ml). Time-kill studies on H. saccifera against S. aureus indicated bacteriostatic activity at 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0%, and a concentration of 7.5% achieved complete bactericidal activity after 4h. Ten of the 12 species indicated good free radical scavenging activity, with H. cuneifolia demonstrating the most promising activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH():IC(50)=10.26 microg/ml) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(+)/TEAC: IC(50)=10.32 microg/ml) assays. In addition, all species exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity in the 5-lipoxygenase assay with the exception of H. cuneifolia (IC(50)=15.32 microg/ml). Overall, the selected species were low in cytotoxicity, except for H. saccifera and H. trifurca. Several Hermannia species indicated promising in vitro biological activity which relate to their traditional use in treating a number of disease states.     

Phytochemistry and in vitro pharmacological activities of South African Vitex (Verbenaceae) species

Aim of the study

The in vitro phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of the non-volatile extracts of five South African Vitex species (Verbenaceae); V. obovata ssp. obovata, V. obovata ssp. wilmsii, V. pooara, V. rehmannii and V. zeyheri were investigated in order to validate their traditional use to treat a wide range of ailments such as malaria, wounds, skin diseases and body pains.

Material and Methods

The antimicrobial activity was assessed using the minimum inhibitory concentration assay. Through bioactivity-guided fractionation, the fraction responsible for the antimicrobial activity was determined. The toxicity profile, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the tetrazolium cellular viability, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 5-lipoxygenase assays respectively. The antimalarial activity of the extracts and isolated compound from V. rehmannii was also investigated on the chloroquine-resistant Gambian FCR-3 strain of Plasmodium falciparum using the tritiated hypoxanthine incorporation assay.

Results

Mostly good antimicrobial inhibition was evident against Grampositive bacteria (0.02–8.00 mg/ml) and lower activity against the Gramnegative bacteria and the yeast (0.50–8.00 mg/ml). The fraction responsible for antimicrobial activity of V. rehmannii was purified to give a labdane diterpene as an inseparable epimeric mixture of 12S,16S/R-dihydroxy-ent-labda-7,13-dien-15,16-olide. Cirsimaritin was also isolated and identified from V. rehmannii. All the species, apart from V. zeyheri, exhibited scavenging activity (IC50: 22.14 ± 1.74 to 33.06 ± 1.68 μg/ml) in the anti-oxidant assay. None of the species displayed any anti-inflammatory activity at 100 μg/ml. All the extracts and the labdane diterpene exhibited good antimalarial activity, with the labdane diterpene being the most active (IC50: 2.39 ± 0.64 μg/ml). The test extracts were shown to be highly toxic, displaying safety index values ranging from 0.53 to 2.59.

Conclusion

Of all the pharmacological investigations, the antimalarial and antimicrobial activity exhibited greatest activity and may provide a scientific basis for the ethnomedical use of Vitex species.     

South African Salvia species: a review of biological activities and phytochemistry

The genus Salvia (sage) belongs to the Lamiaceae and encompasses 900 species worldwide of which ca. 26 indigenous species are found in southern Africa. Salvia is the largest genus in this family and constitutes almost one quarter of the Lamiaceae. In South Africa, the majority of Salvia species are distributed predominantly in the Cape region. Salvia species are used in many parts of the world to treat various conditions. Many sages, if not all, form an integral part of traditional healing in South Africa particularly in regions where they occur in abundance. Several species are used to treat microbial infections, cancer, malaria, inflammation, loss of memory and to disinfect homes after sickness. Despite the extensive traditional use and the general interest in phytoconstituents of Salvia it remains ironic that research on the South African counterparts has until recently been neglected. The review aims to collate recent research results on the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of indigenous species. Bio-active compounds with antiplasmodial and antibacterial activities have been isolated and structurally elucidated from Salvia chamelaegnea, Salvia radula and Salvia verbenaca. The essential oil composition of Salvia showed the dominance of monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing monoterpenes and oxygen- containing sesquiterpenes. Salvia runcinata is identified as an alternative source of natural alpha-bisabolol. Many pharmacological activities are summarised (anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, analgesic, antipyretic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive) as a first attempt to provide scientific support for past and present local traditional uses.     

The in vitro biological activity of selected South African Commiphora species

Ten South African Commiphora (Burseraceae) species were investigated to validate their use in traditional healing rites. The leaf and stem extracts of each species were analysed for the anti-oxidant (ABTS and DPPH assays), antimicrobial (MIC and death kinetic assays), anti-inflammatory (5-LOX assay), anticancer (SRB assay) properties, as well as the cytotoxic effects (tetrazolium-based assay). The best anti-oxidant activity (ABTS assay) was observed for the stem extracts of Commiphora tenuipetiolata IC(50)=5.10 microg/ml), Commiphora neglecta (IC(50)=7.28 microg/ml) and Commiphora mollis (IC(50)=8.82 microg/ml). Extracts generally exhibited poor anti-oxidant activity in the DPPH assay, with the exception of Commiphora schimperi (stem), Commiphora neglecta (stem), Commiphora tenuipetiolata (stem and leaf), and Commiphora edulis (stem), with IC(50) values ranging between 7.31 and 10.81 microg/ml. The stem extracts exhibited moderate to good 5-LOX inhibitory activity with Commiphora pyracanthoides (stem) displaying the greatest inhibitory effect (IC(50)=27.86+/-4.45 microg/ml). For the antimicrobial (MIC) assay, a greater selectivity was exhibited by the extracts against the Gram-positive bacteria (0.01-8.00 mg/ml) and the yeasts (0.25-8.00 mg/ml) than against the Gram-negative bacteria (1.00-8.00 mg/ml). Using death kinetic studies (time-kill studies), the rate at which Commiphora marlothii (stem) kills Staphylococcus aureus over a 24h period was determined. Mostly, a concentration-dependent antibacterial activity was observed beginning after ca. 30 min. All concentrations exhibited antibacterial activity, with complete bactericidal effect achieved by the 24(th) hour. The most active Commiphora species against the HT-29 cells (SRB anticancer assay) were Commiphora glandulosa (leaf and stem) and Commiphora marlothii (leaf). The MCF-7 cells (SRB anticancer assay) exhibited the highest sensitivity to indigenous Commiphora species, with Commiphora edulis (leaf and stem), Commiphora glandulosa (leaf and stem), Commiphora marlothii (leaf), Commiphora pyracanthoides (leaf and stem), Commiphora schimperi (stem), and Commiphora viminea (stem) all possessing a percentage inhibition greater than 80% at 100 microg/ml. Commiphora glandulosa (leaf and stem) and Commiphora pyracanthoides (leaf and stem) were the two most active species against the SF-268 cells (SRB anticancer assay), with IC(50) values ranging between 68.55+/-2.01 and 71.45+/-1.24 microg/ml. The majority of the Commiphora extracts were largely non-cytotoxic against Graham human kidney epithelial cells when investigated in the MTT assay.     

Cyclooxygenase inhibiting and anti-bacterial activities of South African Erythrina species

Aqueous, ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of the bark and leaves of five South African Erythrina species Erythrina caffra, Erythrina humeana, Erythrina latissima, Erythrina lysistemon and Erythrina zeyheri were screened for prostaglandin synthesis-inhibitory and anti-bacterial activity. The bark generally displayed higher activity than the leaves in both bioassays. The highest cyclooxygenase inhibiting activity and anti-bacterial activity was recorded for the ethanol and ethyl acetate bark extracts of E. caffra, E. latissima and E. lysistemon. An anti-bacterial compound, 4',5,7-trihydroxy-6-prenylisoflavone, was isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation from bark of E. lysistemon.     

Antifungal activities of six South African Terminalia species (Combretaceae)

A serial microplate dilution method developed for bacteria was modified slightly and gave good results with several fungi. The antifungal activity of acetone, hexane, dichloromethane and methanol leaf extracts of six Terminalia species (Terminalia prunioides, Terminalia brachystemma, Terminalia sericea, Terminalia gazensis, Terminalia mollis and Terminalia sambesiaca) were tested against five fungal animal pathogens (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Microsporum canis and Sporothrix schenkii). Methanol extracted the highest quantity, but the acetone extracts had the highest antifungal activity. Some of the extracts had antioxidant activity. Most of the antifungal extracts had MIC values of c. 0.08 mg/ml, some were with MIC values as low as 0.02 mg/ml. Microsporum canis was the most susceptible microorganism and Terminalia sericea extracts were the most active against nearly all microorganisms tested.     

The pharmacological effects of Salvia species on the central nervous system

Salvia is an important genus consisting of about 900 species in the family Lamiaceae. Some species of Salvia have been cultivated world wide for use in folk medicine and for culinary purposes. The dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, for example, has been used extensively for the treatment of coronary and cerebrovascular disease, sleep disorders, hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis, chronic renal failure, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, carbuncles and ulcers. S. officinalis, S. leriifolia, S. haematodes, S. triloba and S. divinorum are other species with important pharmacological effects. In this review, the pharmacological effects of Salvia species on the central nervous system will be reviewed. These include sedative and hypnotic, hallucinogenic, skeletal muscle relaxant, analgesic, memory enhancing, anticonvulsant, neuroprotective and antiparkinsonian activity, as well as the inhibition of ethanol and morphine withdrawal syndrome.     

僵蚕的化学成分及药理活性研究

僵蚕是一味常用中药,具有较高的药用价值。临床上多用于治疗风热头痛,目赤,咽痛,风疹瘙痒,惊痫抽搐。僵蚕生品不宜入药,炮制方法多采用麸炒,包括蜜炙麸炒,姜炙麸炒等。僵蚕主要活性成分包括蛋白质,脂肪,草酸铵,少量微量元素。僵蚕具有抗凝、抗血栓、抑菌、抗惊厥、抗癌、催眠等药效。     

The pharmacological activities of Compound Salvia Plebeia Granules on treating urinary tract infection

Aim of the study

Compound Salvia Plebeia Granules (CSPG) had been used for treating urinary tract infection (UTI) for more than 20 years in Drum Tower hospital, but there were lack of sufficient pharmacology studies. The aim of this study was to testify the effects of CSPG on UTI, namely to prove its diuretic, antiblastic, antipyretic and antidynous activities.

Materials and methods

This study evaluated the diuretic effect of CSPG on water load Sprague–Dawley (SD) male rats by the method of metabolic cage, and then analysed the contents of Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ in urine. The antiblastic activity of CSPG was testified by various kinds of strains in vitro. The antipyretic effect was evaluated by carrageenan-induced fever model in mice. Antidynous activity was demonstrated by the method of acetic acid-induced writhing.

Results

Intragastric (i.g.) administration of CSPG (20–40 g/kg) (equivalent to crude herb) produced a dose-related diuretic effect on water load mice and promoted excreting of Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻ in urine. In addition, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CSPG on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were separately 0.25 g/ml and 0.5 g/ml. Moreover, i.g. the doses of CSPG ranging from 25.2 to 50.4 g/kg showed significantly antipyretic effect on carrageenan-induced fever in mice. CSPG (12.6–50.4 g/kg) can also produce dose-related antidynous effects on acetic acid-induced writhing in mice.

Conclusions

The results described the integrity report of pharmacological studies of CSPG and indicated that it had significantly diuretic, antiblastic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antidynous activities which support its folk medicine use on UTI.     

刺山柑的化学成分、药理活性与临床应用研究进展

对刺山柑的化学成分、药理活性和临床应用的研究进展进行综述。刺山柑中的化学成分主要为糖和苷类、黄酮类、生物碱类、萜类和挥发油、脂肪酸类以及甾体类等。刺山柑具有广泛的药理作用，包括抗炎止痛、抗真菌作用、保肝作用、降血糖作用、降高血脂作用、抗氧化作用、抗凝血作用、兴奋平滑肌作用、抗应激反应、改善记忆等。国内临床上主要用于痛风和风湿性关节炎、皮肤病等的治疗，应用前景广阔。     

Ervatamia coronaria: chemical constituents and some pharmacological activities

A new bisindole alkaloid, 19,20-dihydroervahanine A was isolated from the stems of Ervatamia coronaria grown in Brazil, together with five known alkaloids: coronaridine, heyneanine, voacristine, voacamine, descarbomethoxyvoacamine and five phenolic acids: vanillic, gentisic, syringic, 4-hydroxybenzoic and salicylic acid. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts, when administered p.o. or i.p. to rats 1 h before subplantar injection of carrageenin had a significant anti-inflammatory effect. The alcoholic extract also had an analgesic effect and increased the pentobarbital induced sleeping time.     

远志属药用植物化学成分和生物活性研究进展

主要介绍近年来远志属药用植物化学成分及药理作用的研究概况，便于对其进一步的开发和利用。     

In vitro biological activity and essential oil composition of four indigenous South African Helichrysum species

Helichrysum species are used widely to treat various medical conditions. In this study, the anti-microbial, anti-oxidant (DPPH assay) and anti-inflammatory activity (5-lipoxygenase assay) of Helichrysum dasyanthum, Helichrysum felinum, Helichrysum excisum and Helichrysum petiolare were investigated. The essential oil compositions of these species were determined. The acetone and methanol extracts as well as the essential oils exhibited activity against Gram-positive bacteria, while both the methanol and acetone extracts of all four species were active in the anti-oxidant assay. The essential oils, on the other hand, displayed activity in the 5-lipoxygenase assay, which was used as an indication of anti-inflammatory activity. Two extracts exhibited promising activity in the anti-microbial assay, the acetone extract of Helichrysum dasyanthum with a MIC value of 15.63 microg/ml and the methanol extract of Helichrysum excisum with a MIC value of 62.5 microg/ml. The acetone extract of Helichrysum dasyanthum was the most active free radical scavenger in the DPPH assay (IC(50) of 9.53 microg/ml) while values for the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oils ranged between 25 and 32 microg/ml. The essential oil compositions of three species (Helichrysum dasyanthum, Helichrysum excisum and Helichrysum petiolare) were dominated by the presence of monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene. In the oil of Helichrysum felinum, monoterpenes were largely absent. Its profile consisted of a variety of sesquiterpenes in low concentrations with beta-caryophyllene dominating.     

Antimicrobial activity of South African Podocarpus species

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Several species of Podocarpus (Podocarpaceae) are utilized in treating ailments across the world. In Africa, four species are used traditionally in both animal and human health. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of Podocarpus species against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six solvents of varying polarity were used for extraction. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the microdilution bioassay and for antifungal activity, the microdilution bioassay and (M27-P) broth dilution were used. RESULTS: All species exhibited antimicrobial activity with MIC values of less than 1mg/ml. Inhibition against Gram-positive bacteria was stronger with an MIC value of 98mug/ml while for Gram-negative bacteria, the highest inhibition was against Klebsiella pneumoniae with an MIC value of 0.33mg/ml. All species exhibited strong antifungal activity with the best MIC being 30mug/ml after 48h. CONCLUSIONS: All four species exhibited strong inhibition against all tested microbials, based on Aligiannis et al. [Aligiannis, N., Kalpotzakis, E., Mitaku, S., Chinou, I.B., 2001. Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of two Origanum species. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 40, 4168-4170] classification they can be classified as strong inhibitors.     

桃仁化学成分与药理活性研究进展

桃仁又名桃核仁,含有多种营养成分和生物活性物质,既是益智食品,也是传统的活血化瘀中药,并且临床疗效显著.目前对桃仁的化学成分和药理活性研究不够深入,已经分得脂肪酸、蛋白质、甾醇及其糖苷类、黄酮类、酚酸类等化合物,证明其具有抗凝血、抗血栓、预防肝纤维化和增强免疫力等药理作用.综述了近年来对桃仁的化学成分与药理活性研究进展,为进一步研究和临床应用提供依据.     

In vitro antimicrobial synergism within plant extract combinations from three South African medicinal bulbs

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Tulbaghia violacea, Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Merwilla plumbea are used in South African traditional medicine for the treatment of some infectious diseases and other ailments.

Aim of the study

The study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial efficacies of independent and various within-plant extract combinations of three medicinal bulbs to understand the possible pharmacological interactions.

Materials and methods

Bulb and leaf extracts of the three medicinal plants, independently and in combinations, were comparatively assessed for antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans using the microdilution method. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FIC) for two extract combinations were determined.

Results

At least one extract combination in each plant sample demonstrated good antimicrobial activity against all the test organisms. The efficacies of the various extract combinations in each plant sample varied, with the strongest synergistic effect exhibited by the proportional extract yield combination of PE and DCM extracts in Merwilla plumbea bulb sample against Staphylococcus aureus (FIC index of 0.1). Most extract combinations demonstrated either a synergistic, additive or indifferent interaction effect against the test bacteria with only a few exhibiting antagonistic effects.

Conclusion

The observed antimicrobial efficacy and synergistic interactions indicate the beneficial aspects of combination chemotherapy of medicinal plant extracts in the treatment of infectious diseases.     

重楼化学成分和药理作用研究进展

重楼主产于我国云南省，具有重要的药用价值。其主要化学成分为甾体皂苷，并含有β-蜕皮激素、多糖、黄酮苷及氨基酸；具有较强的生理和药理活性，包括抗肿瘤、止血止痛、抑菌消炎、免疫调节等作用，广泛应用于临床。现归纳近年来重楼化学成分、药理作用和临床应用等研究成果，指出重楼良好的开发前景，特别是作为抗肿瘤药和妇女用药，值得进一步的开发研究。     

黄槿化学成分和药理活性研究进展

黄槿为《全国中草药汇编》收载的两种半红树植物之一,具有清热解毒的功效,在海南黎族聚集地区作为药物使用.有关黄槿的化学成分研究起始于20世纪60年代,至今从中分离得到了大量的三萜、黄酮、倍半萜和酰胺类化合物,其中木栓烷型三萜和高度氧化的倍半萜类成分是该药用植物的特征性成分.药理研究主要集中在抗炎、抗肿瘤和抗氧化活性.现就该植物的化学成分和药理活性研究进展进行综述,为其进一步开发提供科学依据.     

紫草化学成分与药理活性研究进展

该文全面综述了1966年以来紫草的化学成分和药理活性进展,紫草的化学成分主要为萘醌类、单萜苯酚及苯醌类、酚酸及其盐类、生物碱类、脂肪族及酯类化合物,其药理活性主要有抑菌、抗炎、抗病毒、保肝、抗氧化抗肿瘤和免疫调节作用等,该文为紫草的深入研究和开发利用提供依据。     

大吴风草化学成分与药理活性研究进展

大吴风草为药食两用植物,长期的民间和地方用药均显示该植物具有重要的药用价值。大吴风草的化学成分主要为挥发油、萜类(倍半萜、二萜、三萜)、酚类、生物碱类、甾体类以及脂肪酸类等;并具有广泛的药理作用,包括抗肿瘤、抗炎、对黄疸型肝炎的治疗作用以及杀螨除虫作用。对国内外有关大吴风草的文献资料进行系统的整理,着重对其基源、化学成分和药理作用的研究进展进行综述。