Gastroprotective effect of Dodonaea viscosa on various experimental ulcer models

AIM OF THE STUDY: Dodonaea viscosa Linn. (Sapindaceae) is used as a medicinal herb by the tribes of Shola forest regions of Western Ghats. It is used for headaches, backaches, stomach pain, piles and simple ulcers. The present study was performed to evaluate the gastroprotective effect and acute toxicity of this plant in various experimental models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies were performed in two different models (ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric ulcer) in wistar rats. Gastric protection was evaluated by measuring the ulcer index, gastric glutathione assay, alkaline phosphate assay and histopathological studies. Gastric secretion studies were done by pyloric ligation experiment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Water and ethanol extract (500 mg/kg body weight) showed moderate activity compared to hexane extract. Hexane extract of Dodonaea viscosa dose dependently inhibited ethanol induced gastric lesions, causing 90% protection at 500 mg/kg, 81% protection at 250 mg/kg, and 70% protection at 125 mg/kg and it also dose dependently inhibited indomethacin induced gastric lesions, causing 92% protection at 500 mg/kg, 77% protection at 250 mg/kg, and 52% protection at 125 mg/kg. The various degrees of inhibition were statistically significant (p相似文献   

Further studies on the antihepatotoxic activity of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Linn

Phyllanthus maderaspatensis (whole plant extracts) was evaluated for its antihepatotoxic and choleretic activities in rats. The plant extracts (200 mg/kg, n-hexane, ethyl alcohol or water) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from the serum marker enzymes. The water and ethyl alcohol extracts showed moderate activity compared to the n-hexane extract, which showed activity at a dose as low as 1.5 mg/kg. The antihepatotoxicity of the hexane extract was found to be better than silymarin, a standard hepatoprotective herbal drug. The effect of n-hexane extract was found to be concentration-dependent. This extract also exhibited choleretic activity in normal rats, and in vitro hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.     

Pharmacological evaluation of the anxiolytic and sedative effects of Tilia americana L. var. mexicana in mice

The anxiolytic and sedative effects of Tilia americana L. var. mexicana (Schltdl.) Hardin inflorescence extracts and its acute toxicity were tested. Sodium pentobarbital (SP)-induced hypnosis potentiation (SPP), as well as ambulatory activity and anti-anxiety response in three different experimental models were evaluated with hexane and methanol extracts in mice. In order to determine the proper timing of assessments and to identify the most active extract, a 100mg/kg dosage of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts were tested on SPP after 15, 30 and 60min of the administration. Then a dose-response curve was made for the hexane (10-1000mg/kg) and methanol (10-300mg/kg) extracts in all experimental models. Both extracts produced a significant and dose-dependent lengthening in the time of SP, with the methanol extract being more potent than the hexane extract at 60min after administration. Moreover, a significant and dose-dependent attenuation in the anxiety-response in the plus-maze test and exploratory cylinder activity, but also a diminution in the ambulatory activity and in the head dipping response were observed resembling the response to diazepam. Acute toxicity was observed with less dose of methanol extract (LD(50)=375mg/kg) in comparison to the hexane extract (LD(50)>2900mg/kg). Results of the present study shows that Tilia americana var. mexicana possesses depressant activity on the CNS similar to the better-studied species of European Tilia and reinforces its use as anxiolytic and sedative in traditional medicine.     

A pharmacological evaluation of Baphia nitida Lodd (Leguminosae) ethanolic extract on rats and mice

Fresh leaves of Baphia nitida supplied by a herbalist were extracted, screened phytochemically and then subjected to various pharmacological tests. The phytochemical tests showed the presence of saponin, flavonoid glycosides and true tannins. In the dose range used, no acute toxicity was observed for the ethanolic extract. The extract showed a dose dependent antinociceptive (analgesic) activity in mice with the analgesic activity of 500 mg/kg extract being comparable to that of 300 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid. The extract demonstrated an antidiarrhoeal effect by protecting rats against castor oil induced diarrhoea. This was also dose related but less than the protection afforded by sodium salicylate. The extract did not demonstrate any appreciable anticonvulsant effect against strychnine-induced convulsion in rats.     

Antioxidant effect of Cytisus scoparius against carbon tetrachloride treated liver injury in rats

The study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of Cytisus scoparius L. (Family: Leguminosae) on CCl(4) (carbon tetrachloride) treated oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. CCl(4) injection induced oxidative stress by a significant rise in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminases (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GRD). Pretreatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (250 and 500mg/kg) significantly lowered SGOT, SGPT, LDH and TBARS levels against CCl(4) treated rats. GSH and hepatic enzymes like SOD, CAT, GPx, GRD, and GST were significantly increased by treatment with the plant extract, against CCl(4) treated rats. The activity of extract at the dose of 500mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (25mg/kg). Based on these results, it was observed that Cytisus scoparius extract protects liver from oxidative stress induced by CCl(4) in rats and thus helps in evaluation of the traditional claim on this plant.     

Evaluation of antiasthmatic activity of Clitoria ternatea L. roots

Aim of study

Clitoria ternatea L. (Family: Fabaceae) is being used in traditional medicine for the treatment of severe bronchitis and asthma. So the aim of study was to evaluate antiasthmatic activity of ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea roots.

Materials and methods

In the present study ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea root (ECTR) was evaluated for preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity studies and antiasthmatic activity using milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia in mice, egg albumin induced mast cell degranulations in rats and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at doses (100-150 mg/kg ip).

Results

The results of present investigation showed that the LD₅₀ of ECTR is more than 1300 mg/kg. ECTR significantly decreases milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia, protects egg albumin induced degranulations of mast cells in mice and inhibits area of blue dye leakage in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at (100-150 mg/kg, i.p.). Phytochemical studies observed the presence of steroids, saponin, flavonoids, and glycosides.

Conclusion

The present investigation concludes that the antiasthmatic activity of ECTR may be due to the presence of flavonoids or saponins.     

Evaluation of hepatoprotective effect of Pistacia lentiscus,Phillyrea latifolia and Nicotiana glauca

The hepatoprotective effect of the boiled and non-boiled aqueous extracts of Pistacia lentiscus, Phillyrea latifolia, and Nicotiana glauca, that are alleged to be effective in the treatment of jaundice in Jordanian folk medicine, was evaluated in vivo using carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) intoxicated rats as an experimental model. Plant extracts were administrated orally at a dose of 4 ml/kg body weight, containing various amounts of solid matter. Only total serum bilirubin level was reduced by treatment with non-boiled aqueous extract of N. glauca leaves, while the boiled and non-boiled aqueous extracts of the N. glauca flowers were non effective. Bilirubin level and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were both reduced upon treatment with boiled aqueous extract of P. latifolia without reducing the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Aqueous extract of P. lentiscus (both boiled and non-boiled) showed marked antihepatotoxic activity against CCl(4) by reducing the activity of the three enzymes and the level of bilirubin. The effect of the non-boiled aqueous extract was more pronounced than that of the boiled extract.     

Antihepatotoxic activity of Rosmarinus tomentosus in a model of acute hepatic damage induced by thioacetamide

R. tomentosus is a vegetal species closely related to the culinary rosemary (R. officinalis), a plant reported to contain antihepatotoxic agents. A dried ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Rosmarinus tomentosus (Lamiaceae) and its major fraction separated by column chromatography (fraction F19) were evaluated for antihepatotoxic activity in rats with acute liver damage induced by a single oral dose of thioacetamide. Silymarin was used as a reference antihepatotoxic substance. Pre-treatment with R. tomentosus ethanol extract, fraction F19 or silymarin significantly reduced the impact of thioacetamide toxicity on plasma protein and urea levels as well as on plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities compared with thioacetamide-treated animals (group T). Pre-treatment with R. tomentosus ethanol extract significantly reduced the impact of thioacetamide damage on alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities compared with group T. Silymarin administration significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities compared with group T. Fraction F19 administration reduced only alkaline phosphatase activity compared with group T. According to these data, R. tomentosus extract shows promising antihepatotoxic activity, suggesting the need to isolate the chemical principles responsible for this activity and to study this activity in a model of thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis.     

Evaluation of the anti-asthmatic property of Asystasia gangetica leaf extracts

The leaf of Asystasia gangetica T. Adams (Acanthaceae) is used in many parts of Nigeria for the management of asthma. This study was aimed at investigating the anti-asthmatic property of hexane, ethylacetate, and methanol extracts of the leaves of Asystasia gangetica, obtained by successive sohxlet extraction. The results indicated that the extracts did not exhibit contractile or relaxant activity in isolated tissue preparations; however, they inhibited the contraction evoked by spasmogens; the IC(50) were calculated, where possible. The extracts relaxed histamine-precontracted tracheal strips in the following degree of potency-ethylacetate extract>hexane extract=methanol extract. The extracts also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in the order of magnitude-methanol extract>hexane extract>ethylacetate extract. Acute toxicity test estimated an i.p. LD(50) of 2150 mg/kg in mice for methanol extract while phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, tannins, steroidal aglycones, saponins, flavonoids, reducing sugars, and triterpenoids, with the methanol extract having the highest number of constituents. The study justified the use of the leaf of Asystasia gangetica in the management of asthma in Nigerian folk medicine.     

Immunostimulant effects of Capparis zeylanica Linn. leaves

The present study was undertaken to explore the immunomodulatory activity of ethanolic and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica Linn. (family: Capparidaceae) leaves on neutrophil adhesion test, humoral response to sheep red blood cells, delayed-type hypersensitivity, phagocytic activity and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Pre-treatment of water extract (300 mg/kg, oral) of Capparis zeylanica evoked a significant increase in neutrophil adhesion to nylon fibres. The augmentation of humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells by ethanolic and water extracts (150-300 mg/kg) is evidenced by increase in antibody titres in mice. A dose-related increase in both primary and secondary antibody titre was observed. Oral administration of ethanolic and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica leaves, at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg in mice, dose dependently potentiated the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by sheep red blood cells. Immunomodulatory activity was also assessed by serological and haematological tests. Capparis zeylanica extracts prevented myelosuppression in mice treated with cyclophosphamide drug. The study comprised the acute toxicity and preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol and water extracts.     

Protective effect of Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in rats

The hepatoprotective potential of Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. was evaluated in male Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in preventive and curative models. Toxic control and n-hexane extract-treated rats received a single dose of CCl4 (150 microL/100g, 1:1 in corn oil). Pre-treated rats were given n-hexane extracts at 200 and 100 mg/kg dose 48, 24 and 2 h prior to CCl4 administration. In post-treatment groups, rats were treated with n-hexane extract at a dose of 200 and 100 mg/kg, 2, 24 and 48 h after CCl4 intoxication. Rats pre-treated with Lygodium flexuosum remarkably prevented the elevation of serum AST, ALT, LDH and liver lipid peroxides in CCl4-treated rats. Rats treated with the extract after the establishment of CCl4 induced liver injury showed significant (p < or = 0.05) protection of liver as evidenced from normal AST, ALT, LDH and MDA levels. Hepatic glutathione levels were significantly (p < or = 0.05) increased by the treatment with the extracts in both the experimental groups. Histopathological changes induced by CCl4 were also significantly (p < or = 0.05) reduced by the extract treatment in preventive and curative groups. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponins, triterpenes, sterols and bitter principles in Lygodium flexuosumn-hexane extract which could be responsible for the possible hepatoprotective action.     

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity of the seed acetone extract of Ferula gummosa Boiss. against seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole and electroconvulsive shock in mice

Ferula gummosa Boiss. (Apiaceae) which has been used as an antiepileptic remedy in Iranian traditional medicine was evaluated for anticonvulsant activity against experimental seizures. The seed acetone extract of F. gummosa protected mice against tonic convulsions induced by maximal electroshock (the median effective dose [ED(50)]=198.3 mg/kg) and especially by pentylenetetrazole (ED(50)=55 mg/kg). Neurotoxicity (sedation and motor impairment) of the extract was assessed by the rotarod test and the median toxic dose (TD(50)) value of 375.8 mg/kg was obtained. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of terpenoids and alkaloids in the extract. The acceptable acute toxicity of the extract recommends further studies to determine the mechanism(s) and compound(s) involved in the anticonvulsant activity.     

Anti-ulcerogenic effect of Momordica charantia L. fruits on various ulcer models in rats

The mature fruits of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) are used externally for the rapid healing of wounds and internally for the treatment of peptic ulcers in Turkish folk medicine. For the evaluation of the latter activity, ethanol-induced ulcerogenesis model in rats was employed. The olive oil extract of the material as well as dried-powdered fruits in filtered honey showed significant and dose-dependent anti-ulcerogenic activity against this model. A potent and dose-dependent inhibitory activity was also observed by the administration of ethanol extract of the fruits. For the bioassay-guided fractionation, the material was first extracted with hexane and then by ethanol and both extracts were found active against the same ulcer model. Furthermore, ethanol extract of the fruits showed significant activity against HCl-EtOH induced ulcerogenesis in indomethacin-pretreated rats and diethyldithiocarbamate-induced ulcer models.     

In vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of the crude extract and fractions from Rosa canina L. fruits

The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Rosa canina L. (Rosaceae) fruits and the fractions prepared from the latter were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in several in vivo experimental models. The ethanolic extract was shown to possess significant inhibitory activity against inflammatory models (i.e., carrageenan-induced and PGE(1)-induced hind paw edema models, as well as on acetic acid-induced increase in a capillary permeability model) and on a pain model based on the inhibition of p-benzoquinone-induced writhing in mice. Hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, n-butanol and the remaining water fractions were obtained through bioassay-guided fractionation. Ethylacetate and n-butanol fractions displayed potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities at a dose of 919 mg/kg without inducing acute toxicity. Further attempts to isolate and define the active constituent(s) were inconclusive, possibly due to the synergistic interaction of components in the extract.     

The evaluation of the therapeutic effect of tao-shang-tsao on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate and carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in rats

The hepatoprotective effects of Tao-shang-tsao, Ixeris laevigata Sch.-Bip. var. oldhami Kitam., were studied on cholestatic hepatitis induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 100 mg/10 ml/kg, in olive oil, i.p.) and acute hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride (20% CCl4/olive oil, 1.5 ml/kg, i.p.) in rats by post-treatment with the crude methanolic extracts of I. laevigata (0.3, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg) orally in the therapeutic model. Hepatoprotective activity was monitored by estimating the serum transaminases concentrations and histopathological changes in the livers of experimental rats. It was found that the I. laevigata extract significantly decreased the acute elevation of serum transaminases by biochemical examination. According to pathohistological studies in the liver of experimental rats, the crude I. laevigata extract ameliorates the central necrosis, fatty change or proliferation of bile duct epithelium focal necrosis caused by ANIT or CCl4-induced hepatitis rats.     

Evaluation of the antihepatotoxic activity of the biflavonoids of Garcinia kola seed

Seeds of Garcinia kola enjoy a folk reputation in Africa as a poison antidote. Their antihepatotoxic properties have been evaluated using four experimental toxins, namely carbon tetrachloride, galactosamine, alpha-amanitin and phalloidin. Kolaviron, a fraction of the defatted ethanol extract, and two biflavones of Garcinia kola seeds (GB1 and GB2) significantly modified the action of all these hepatotoxins. At 100 mg/kg orally, the test substances reduced thiopental-induced sleep in CCl4-poisoned rats. The microsomal enzyme levels in the serum of mice poisoned with phalloidin were significantly protected by treatment with Garcinia extractives. The probable mechanism of the antihepatotoxic action is briefly discussed.     

Hepatoprotective effect of the extract and isocytisoside from Aquilegia vulgaris

The hepatoprotective effect of the ethanol extract (AvEE) and the main fl avonoid compound 4'-methoxy-5,7-dihydroxy fl avone 6-C-beta-glucopyranoside (isocytisoside, ISOC) from the leaves and stems of Aquilegia vulgaris L. were studied using the CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity test.The acute toxicity test in mice showed that AvEE can be classi fi ed as nontoxic since a dose of 3000 mg/ kg did not cause mortality.The barbiturate-induced sleeping time prolonged by CCl(4) administration to mice was signi fi cantly reduced after AvEE treatment proving the protective effect of the extract on microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes.AvEE and ISOC administered to rats 48 h, 24 h and 2 h before, and 6 h after CCl(4) intoxication caused a signi fi cant decrease in the CCl(4)-induced elevation of hepatic enzymes activity in serum, i.e. sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), glutamate oxaloacetate and glutamate pyruvate transaminases (GOT, GPT).Both substances induced CCl(4)-diminished erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) preliminarily enhanced by CCl(4).The hepatoprotective properties of AvEE and ISOC were con fi rmed by pathomorphological examination of the liver.     

Anti-diabetes and hypoglycaemic properties of Hemionitis arifolia (Burm.) Moore in rats

Hemionitis arifolia, a folklore anti-diabetes fern, was evaluated for its hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic properties using rats. Glucose lowering effect and anti-diabetes activity were studied using glucose tolerance test in normal rats and alloxan diabetic rats, respectively. When different extracts were tested, the ethanol and, to some extent, the water extracts were found to lower the levels of blood glucose in glucose fed rats. The ethanol extract showed optimum activity at 200 mg/kg. The extract exhibited only marginal hypoglycaemic activity in overnight fasted normal rats and it was devoid of conspicuous toxic symptoms in sub-acute toxicity evaluation in mice. When the alcohol extract was fractionated by sequential solvent extraction, the activity was found in ethyl acetate fraction (50 mg/kg). This fraction containing steroids and coumarins showed anti-diabetes activity in alloxan diabetic rats as judged from serum glucose levels, liver glycogen content and body weight. This fraction is an attractive material for further research vis-à-vis drug development.     

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. leaves in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The leaves of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. have been utilized traditionally for the cure of diabetes.

Aim of the study

The present study was aimed to assess the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of T. asiatica leaves in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

The phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, HPLC analysis, acute toxicity study and oral glucose tolerance test were carried out. Glucose lowering effect of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of T. asiatica leaves was studied in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic and antioxidant activities were studied for the ethyl acetate extract. The effects of extracts on blood glucose, body weight, plasma insulin, total protein, liver glycogen, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were analyzed.

Results

T. asiatica leaves ethyl acetate extract (TALEe) showed highly significant blood glucose lowering effect. Phytochemical evaluation of TALEe showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, cumarins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of TALEe was 126 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g extract. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of flindersine and ulopterol. Acute toxicity study of TALEe revealed no death or toxicity. The oral glucose tolerance test showed lowered area under curve (AUC_glucose) values in TALEe treated rats. After treatment with TALEe (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 28 days there was a significant decrease in blood glucose, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and significant increase in body weight, total protein, serum insulin and liver glycogen levels in treated diabetic rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx were reversed to near normal in treated diabetic rats. Histopathology of pancreas in TALEe treated groups showed regeneration of β-cells.

Conclusion

The results of the experiments showed that TALEe exerted significant antidiabetic and antioxidant effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats justifying its traditional use.     

Antitumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bersama engleriana (Melianthaceae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as the phytochemical composition and the acute toxicity of the methanolic extracts from the roots (BER), stem bark (BEB), leaves (BEL) and wood (BEW) of Bersama engleriana. The crown gall tumor and DPPH radical scavenging assays were used to detect respectively the antitumoral and oxidant activities. Agar diffusion and liquid dilution were used for antimicrobial tests and the phytochemical assays were conducted according to Harbone methods. The single-dose oral toxicity test was performed in accordance with the OPPTS 870.1100 and OECD 401 guidelines. The phytochemical tests indicated the presence of flavonoids, phenols, triterpenes and anthraquinones in all extracts. Pronounced tumor reducing activity was observed with the extracts from the roots (69.32%) and leaves (65.42%). The DPPH scavenging activity showed that the extract from the leaves was the most active with 93.71% inhibition rate at the 1000 microg/ml. The results of antimicrobial activity showed that all tested extracts were active against all tested microbial species, including Gram-positive, and negative bacteria, the two Candida species and mycobacteria. The MIC values obtained ranged from 9.76 to 156.25 microg/ml. Under the conditions of the studied toxicity, all extracts were found to be non-toxic. The overall results of this study indicates that the extracts from the roots, stem bark, leaves and wood have interesting antioxidant properties and represent a potential source of medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer.