Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of the extracts from the inflorescence of Chrysanthemum indicum Linné

Chrysanthemum indicum Linné (CI) has a long history for the treatment of inflammation, hypertension and respiratory diseases in China. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of the inflorescence or bud of CI extracts. The ethanol extract of CI (CIEE) was fractionated to a petroleum ether soluble fraction (CIPF), an ethyl acetate soluble fraction (CIEF), a butanol soluble fraction (CIBF) and a water soluble fraction (CIWF) successively. CIBF (150 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a significant inhibition on the auricle edema in mice. CIBF (150, 300 mg/kg, p.o.) not only significantly increased the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction induced by 2,4-dinitro-fluorobenzene (DNFB) but also significantly enhanced antibody generation by splenic cells of mice and IgG and IgM levels in mice sera in response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced mice. Furthermore, CIBF (150, 300 mg/kg, p.o.) obviously potentiated the function of the mononuclear phagocytic system in CP-induced mice. The above results reveal that CIBF possesses anti-inflammatory, humoral and cellular immunomodulatory and mononuclear phagocytic activities, probably due to the presence of flavonoids.     

Synergistic effect of methanol extract of Abies webbiana leaves on sleeping time induced by standard sedatives in mice and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts in rats

During the determination of LD50 values of extracts of Abies webbiana, it was observed that the methanol extract (MEAW) produces sedation of animals. This led to investigation of the effect of MEAW on sleeping time in mice. When various doses of the methanol extract (100, 150, and 200 mg/kg body weight) were administered alone, no hypnotic activity was observed. However, these exhibited significant synergistic effects (P < 0.001) at those dose levels in mice when administered prior to the administration of standard sedatives (pentobarbitone sodium: 50 mg/kg and diazepam: 6 mg/kg, respectively). In addition anti-inflammatory effects of methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether extracts of Abies webbiana leaves in rats were performed to assess scientific validity of the medicinal claim of Indian folk medicine. The effects of leaf extracts (methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether) against inflammation were studied by carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. The methanol extract (400 mg/kg p.o.) of leaves of Abies webbiana showed the best significant anti-inflammatory activity as compared to that of diclofenac sodium (150 mg/kg p.o.). The LD50 values of methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether extracts were found to be 986, 1387, and > 3200 mg/kg, respectively. Thus, the therapeutic index of methanol extract may be favorable to open a new vista on combination therapy of hypnotics and may also against inflammation.     

Antidepressant properties of some Hypericum canariense L. and Hypericum glandulosum Ait. extracts in the forced swimming test in mice

It has been shown in a previous work that the methanol extract obtained from the aerial part in blossom of Hypericum canariense L. and Hypericum glandulosum Ait. was active in the tetrabenazine and forced swimming test. In the present study, the central nervous effect of the aqueous, butanol and chloroform fractions obtained from the methanol extracts of these Hypericum species was investigated in mice, particularly in animal models of depression. It was found that the immobility time in the forced swimming test was significantly reduced by the butanol and chloroform fraction of both species assayed, producing no effects or only a slight depression on spontaneous motor activity when assessed in a photocell activity meter. In this regard, the efficacy of the chloroform extract from Hypericum glandulosum Ait. (500 mg/kg p.o.) in the forced swimming test was comparable to that of the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine (50 mg/kg p.o.). In addition, the Hypericum glandulosum chloroform fraction was also effective in antagonizing the ptosis induced by tetrabenazine. Moreover, Hypericum canariense butanol fraction and Hypericum glandulosum chloroform fraction produced a slight but significant hypothermia. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the butanol and chloroform fractions from Hypericum canariense and Hypericum glandulosum possess antidepressant-like effects in mice, providing further support for the traditional use of these plants in the Canary Islands folk medicine against central nervous disorders.     

Hydroalcohol extract and fractions of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl: effects on spontaneous motor activity and elevated plus-maze behaviour

The present study aimed to investigate the anxiolytic effects of four fractions of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl. The aerial parts of the plant were extracted with petroleum ether (PF), ethyl acetate (EF), butanol (BF) and water (AF) and tested for spontaneous motor activity and elevated plus-maze (EPM) behaviour in mice. The hydroalcohol extract (HE) and different fractions of S. lavandulifolia were administered intraperitoneally to male Syrian mice, at various doses, 30 min before the behavioural evaluation. The HE of S. lavandulifolia (at 50 mg/kg) increased the percentage of time spent (39%) and the percentage of arm entries in the open arms (53%). The HE (50 mg/kg), PF (25 and 50 mg/kg), EF (25 and 50 mg/kg) and AF (50 mg/kg) of S. lavandulifolia significantly increased the percentage of time spent and the percentage of arm entries in the open arms. The BF up to a dose of 50 mg/kg had no significant effects on any of the measured parameters in the EPM. The spontaneous locomotor activity was significantly decreased in animals injected with each plant fractions, compared with that of saline. The EF and AF showed the least and the most reduction in the activity, respectively. The anxiolytic effects of EF, PF and AF could be related to their content of flavonoids, phenylpropanoids or terpenoids.     

Antihepatotoxic activity of Swertia chirata on paracetamol and galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The extracts of Swertia chirata were evaluated for antihepatotoxic activity using paracetamol and galactosamine models. The methanol extract of the whole plant was found active at a dose of 100 mg/kg i.p. On fractionating this extract into chloroform soluble and butanol soluble fractions, the activity was retained in the chloroform soluble fraction which was most active at a dose level of 25 mg/kg i.p. with overall protection of 81% and 78% against paracetamol and galactosamine, respectively. The butanol soluble fraction, rich in bitter secoiridoids, was devoid of significant activity. The protective effect observed against these two hepatotoxins which are different in their mechanisms of inducing hepatotoxicity, suggests broader and non-specific protection of the liver against these two toxins by non-bitter components of Swertia chirata.     

鹿衔草不同极性部位对成骨细胞增殖的影响

目的:筛选鹿衔草促进成骨细胞增殖的有效部位。方法:用鹿衔草不同极性部位干预人成骨肉瘤MG63细胞,采用MTT法检测筛选鹿衔草石油醚部位、氯仿部位、乙酸乙酯部位和正丁醇部位等4种不同极性部位中能促进MG63细胞增殖的有效部位,在此基础上采用流式细胞术检测有效部位干预对MG63细胞周期的影响。结果:与空白对照组相比,鹿衔草氯仿部位和正丁醇部位能明显促进MG63细胞增殖(P0.05或P0.01),而石油醚部位、乙酸乙酯部位无明显促进MG63细胞增殖的作用(P0.05);鹿衔草氯仿部位和正丁醇部位明显降低MG63细胞G0/G1期细胞分数(P0.01),提高增殖指数(P0.01)。结论:鹿衔草氯仿部位和正丁醇部位能推进体外培养成骨细胞细胞周期,从而促进成骨细胞增殖。     

Appraisal of anti-inflammatory potential of the clubmoss, Lycopodium clavatum L

Studies on four extracts prepared with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol as well as the alkaloid fraction from the aerial parts of Lycopodium clavatum L. of Turkish origin using acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability assessment in mice revealed that only the chloroform extract and the alkaloid fraction displayed marked anti-inflammatory effect at a dose of 500mg/kg having percentage of inhibition 24.3 and 32.1, respectively, as compared to indomethacin, which exhibited 44.6% of inhibition at 10mg/kg dose. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the alkaloid fraction of Lycopodium clavatum revealed that the alkaloidal-type of compounds might possibly be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract, which supports the folk medicinal utilization of the plant. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrophotometric analysis of the active alkaloid fraction revealed that lycopodine (84.5%) is the major component.     

Anxiolytic effect of Rubus brasilensis in rats and mice

The aim of the present work was to investigate if infuse and ethanolic extracts (aqueous, butanolic and wax fractions) of Rubus brasiliensis Martius (Rosaceae) induce anxiolytic effect. The extracts were administered to male Wistar rats and Swiss mice per oral route, at 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, 30 min before the behavioral evaluation in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Both infuse and wax ethanolic fraction at the dosage 150 mg/kg, vo, increased the number and the percentage of open arm entries of rats and mice. The aqueous and butanolic fractions, obtained from ethanolic extract, failed to induce anxiolytic effect. The treatment of mice with flumazenil (Ro 15–1788), 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/kg, i.p., 15-min before the administration of infuse or wax fraction, 150 mg/kg, vo, blocked the infuse or wax fraction-induced anxiolytic effect. The LD₅₀ for the wax fraction was 1000 mg/kg. In conclusion, the infuse and wax ethanolic fraction of R. brasiliensis present anxiolytic effect in rats and mice. In addition, it is suggested that the anxiolytic effect may be attributed at least to one liposoluble principle with low acute toxicity which may be acting as an agonist on GABA_A-benzodiazepine receptor complex.     

地肤子对小鼠胃排空的抑制作用

目的：观察地肤子及其代用品醇提物对小鼠胃排空的影响，研究地肤子抑制胃排空的有效部位及其作用机制。方法：小鼠灌胃给予酚红溶液，30min后处死，以比色法测定胃中酚红残留量，计算胃排空百分率。结果：地肤子和扫帚菜醇提物100，300mg／kg显著抑制小鼠胃排空，两者作用强度相近，藜及小藜醇提物无明显作用；地肤子的正丁醇部位及乙酸乙酯部位50mg／kg抑制小鼠胃排空，水相无明显作用。石油醚相50mg／kg则促进胃排空；乙醇、利血平及吲哚美辛预处理减弱地肤子正丁醇部位的作用，而阿托品预处理则增强其作用。结论：地肤子醇提物抑制小鼠胃排空，代用品扫帚菜的作用与其相近，地肤子的主要有效成分可能为皂苷，其作用与中枢神经系统、儿茶酚胺、内源性前列腺素及胆碱能神经系统有关。     

Appraisal of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential of extract and fractions from the leaves of Torreya grandis Fort Ex. Lindl

Torreya grandis (Taxaceae) was studied for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. Leaves were extracted with 80% ethanol at 80 °C for 3 h and fractionated with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate and n-butanol. The aqueous ethanolic extract (aq.EE), ethylacetate fraction (EaF) and butanol fraction (BtF) at the doses of (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.g.) body weight were used for study. Evaluation of antinociceptive activity was carried out by acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin-induced paw licking time in the first and second phases of mice. The paw edema induced by formalin- and xylene-induced ear edema were used to assess anti-inflammatory activity. It was found that Torreya grandis extract and fractions at the doses of (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.g.) were significantly attenuated the writhing responses induced by acetic acid and second phase of pain response induced by subplantar injection of formalin in mice. In addition, these extract and fractions inhibiting the formaldehyde-induced arthritis as well as xylene-induces edema prolifically. From acute oral toxicity studies no mortality was pragmatic even at highest dose (2500 mg/kg, i.g.). Furthermore, our phytochemical studies indicated that the aq. ethanolic extract of leaves contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins. The results provide justification for the folkloric uses of Torreya grandis in the treatment of analgesic and inflammatory-based diseases across the China.     

Gastroprotective effect of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum Maton. fruits in rats

Cardamom, the fruits of Elettaria cardamomum Maton. (Zingiberaceae) commonly known as "Heel khurd" is used in Unani system of medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders. A crude methanolic extract (TM), essential oil (EO), petroleum ether soluble (PS) and insoluble (PI) fractions of methanolic extract, were studied in rats at doses of 100-500, 12.5-50, 12.5-150 and 450 mg/kg, respectively for their ability to inhibit the gastric lesions induced by aspirin, ethanol and pylorous ligature. In addition their effects on wall mucus and gastric acid output were recorded. All fractions (TM, EO, PS, PI) significantly inhibited gastric lesions induced by ethanol and aspirin but not those induced by pylorus ligation. TM proved to be active reducing lesions by about 70% in the EtOH-induced ulcer model at 500 mg/kg. The PS fraction reduced the lesions by 50% at 50 and 100mg/kg (no dose response was observed) with similar effect than the PI fraction at 450 mg/kg. In the aspirin-induced gastric ulcer, the best gastroprotective effect was found in the PS fraction, which inhibited lesions by nearly 100% at 12.5mg/kg. In our experimental conditions, the PS extract at doses >or=12.5mg/kg proved to be more active than ranitidine at 50mg/kg.     

Screening for the antidepressant activity of some species of Hypericum from South Brazil

The crude methanol extracts of three species of the genus Hypericum (H. brasiliense, H. caprifoliatum and H. myrianthum) native to South Brazil were evaluated for the antidepressant activity according to the forced swimming test, a classical animal model for antidepressant drug screening. Among the species studied, only H. caprifoliatum showed activity. Thus, this plant was fractionated with solvents in increasing polarity (petroleum ether; petroleum ether: chloroform (1:1); chloroform and methanol). The petroleum ether fraction was the only one which demonstrated antidepressant activity at a dose of 270 mg/kg/day (i.p.). The chemical analyses showed that this fraction is rich in phenolic compounds, mainly of the phloroglucinol type.     

Postnatal development and reproductive performance of F1 progeny exposed in utero to an ayurvedic contraceptive: Pippaliyadi yoga

The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like activity of an ethanolic extract prepared from the leaves of Apocynum venetum (AV) using the elevated plus maze (EPM) in mice. Male C75BL/6 mice were either treated orally with the AV extract or the positive controls diazepam and buspirone, respectively, 1 h before behavioral evaluation in the EPM. A single treatment of AV extract markedly increased the percentage time spent on and the number of entries into the open arms of the EPM in doses of 30 and 125 mg/kg p.o., respectively. This effect was comparable to that of the benzodiazepine diazepam (1.5 mg/kg p.o.) and the 5-HT_1A agonist buspirone (10 mg/kg p.o.). The effects of AV in 125 mg/kg were effectively antagonized by the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (3 mg/kg i.p.). However, the effects of AV extract could only partially be blocked by the unspecific 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 (0.5 mg/kg i.p.). Neither diazepam and buspirone nor the AV extract produced any overt behavioral change or motor dysfunction in the open field test. These results indicate that AV extract is an effective anxiolytic agent, and suggest that the anxiolytic-like activities of this plant are mainly mediated via the GABAergic system.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of Arnebia euchroma root extracts in rats

The petroleum ether, chloroform, alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Arnebia euchroma roots (500 mg/kg, orally each) were found to exhibit maximal edema inhibition (61.2%, 45%, 27.5% and 60%, respectively) against carrageenin-induced rat-paw edema at 300 min interval. The activity shown by different extracts was comparable to that shown by the reference drug, ibuprofen (50 mg/kg, p.o., 61.6% inhibition, 200 min).     

Central depressant activity of butanol fraction of Securinega virosa root bark in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Securinega virosa is a commonly used medicinal plant in African traditional medicine in the management of epilepsy and mental illness. Previous studies in our laboratory showed that the crude methanol root bark extract of the plant possesses significant behavioral effect in laboratory animals. In an attempt to isolate and characterize the biological principles responsible for the observed activity, this study is aimed at evaluating the central depressant activity of the butanol fraction of the methanol root bark extract of Securinega virosa.

Materials and methods

The medial lethal dose of the butanol fraction was estimated using the method of Lorke. Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted on the butanol fraction using standard protocol. The behavioral effect of the butanol fraction (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) was evaluated using diazepam induced sleep test, hole-board test, beam walking assay, staircase test, open field test and elevated plus maze assay, all in mice.

Results

The median lethal dose of the butanol fraction was estimated to be 1256.9 mg/kg. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, similar to those found in the crude methanol extract. The butanol fraction significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the mean onset of sleep in mice and doubled the mean duration of sleep in mice at the dose of 75 mg/kg. The butanol fraction and diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.01–0.001) reduced the number of head dips in the hole-board test suggesting sedative effect. The sedative effect of the butanol fraction was further corroborated by its significant (P < 0.01–0.001) reduction of the number of step climbed and rearing in the staircase test. The butanol fraction did not significantly increase the time taken to complete the task and number of foot slips in the beam walking assay, suggesting that it does not induce significant motor coordination deficit. Diazepam (2 mg/kg), the standard agent used significantly (P < 0.01) increased the number of foot slips. In the open field test, the butanol fraction significantly reduced the number of square crossed as well as the number of rearing. However, the butanol fraction did not significantly alter the behavior of mice in the elevated plus maze assay, while diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the time spent in the open arm and reduced the number of closed arm entry.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that the butanol fraction of Securinega virosa root bark contains some bioactive principles that are sedative in nature.     

溪黄草抗氧化活性有效部位筛选

目的筛选溪黄草抗氧化活性有效部位。方法采用系统溶剂法将溪黄草乙醇提取物分成石油醚、氯仿、正丁醇及水4个部位,采用体外清除DPPH自由基的方法筛选抗氧化活性部位并进一步研究其抗氧化活性。结果以溪黄草石油醚部位清除DPPH自由基的能力最强,能有效抑制·OH和O-2·的生成以及肝匀浆MDA的产生。结论溪黄草不同提取部位均有一定的抗氧化能力,其中以石油醚部位抗氧化活性最好。     

Gastroprotective effect of a traditional Chinese herbal drug "Baishouwu" on experimental gastric lesions in rats

"Baishouwu" is an appellative name of dried root tubers from three Asclepiadaceae plants: Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight, Cynanchum bungei Decne and Cynoctonum wilfordii Maxim. In order to establish the pharmacological basis for the ethnomedicinal use of Baishouwu in gastric disorders, this study examined the effects of ethanol extracts and fractions from root tubers of Cynanchum auriculatum, Cynanchum bungei and Cynoctonum wilfordii on ethanol-, indomethacin-induced gastric lesions and histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in rats. Plant materials were collected from various areas of China. Oral administration of ethanol extract and chloroform fraction of Cynoctonum wilfordii collected from Changbai Cordillera at doses of 150 and 68 mg/kg, respectively, significantly inhibited the development of ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions and also caused significant decrease of gastric acid secretion after histamine-induced gastric lesion. Oral administrations of ethanol extract and chloroform fraction of Cynanchum auriculatum collected from Binhai at the doses of 300 and 69 mg/kg, respectively, significantly inhibited ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions. This study demonstrates the gastroprotective property of Baishouwu for the first time.     

Anticonvulsive activity of Albizzia lebbeck, Hibiscus rosa sinesis and Butea monosperma in experimental animals

The ethanolic extracts of leaves of Albizzia lebbeck and flowers of Hibiscus rosa sinesis and the petroleum ether extract of flowers of Butea monosperma exhibited anticonvulsant activity. The bioassay guided fractionation indicated that the anticonvulsant activity lies in the methanolic fraction of chloroform soluble part of ethanolic extract of the leaves of A. lebbeck, acetone soluble part of ethanolic extract of H. rosa sinesis flowers and acetone soluble part of petroleum ether extract of B. monosperma flowers. The fractions protected animals from maximum electro shock, electrical kindling and pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions in mice. The fractions also inhibited convulsions induced by lithium-pilocarpine and electrical kindling. However, they failed to protect animals from strychnine-induced convulsions. The fractions antagonised the behavioral effects of D-amphetamine and potentiated the pentobarbitone-induced sleep. The fractions raised brain contents of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin. These fractions were found to be anxiogenic and general depressant of central nervous system.     

The effect of seasonal variation on the antineoplastic activity of Alstonia scholaris R. Br. in HeLa cells

In order to evaluate the seasonal variation as well as cytotoxicity of different fractions of Alstonia scholaris R. Br. (ASE), the HeLa cells were treated with different doses of various fractions of ASE collected in monsoon, winter and summer. The exposure of HeLa cells to different extracts prepared from the stem bark collected in monsoon, winter and summer seasons resulted in a dose dependent increase in the cell killing effect of ASE and the highest cell killing effect was observed for the extract prepared from the summer collections. Similarly, treatment of HeLa cells with different doses of various fractions of the Alstonia scholaris extract viz. residue (ASERS), steroidal (ASEST), chloroform (ASECH), petroleum ether (ASEPE), diethyl ether (ASEDE), ethyl acetate (ASEEA), n-butanol (ASENB), aqueous (ASEAQ) and echitamine chloride (ECL) also resulted in a dose dependent decline in the cell viability, where the greatest cytotoxic effect was observed for residue (ASERS), followed by the whole extract (ASE) and chloroform (ASECH) fraction, while the least activity was observed for the steroidal (ASEST) fraction. The cytotoxicity declined ASERS > ASE > ASECH >ECL > ASEEA > ASEDE > ASEPE > ASENB > ASEAQ > ASEST in order. Our study demonstrates that the extract prepared from the summer collection, and the fractions containing the alkaloids were highly effective in cell killing. The extract of ASE was more powerful than the active principle echitamine present in ASE.     

Antispermatogenic effect of chromatographic fractions isolated from petroleum ether extract of Mentha arvensis leaf in the albino mouse

The antifertility activity of column chromatographically isolated fractions (petroleum ether:benzene 1:1 v/v and chloroform:methanol 1:1 v/v) of a petroleum ether extract of Mentha arvensis leaf were evaluated in the male albino mouse. Administration of the fractions for 20 days at a dose of 1.0 mg/mouse/alternate day reduced the wet weights of genital organs and induced infertility in the male mouse without loss of libido as evaluated by sterile matings with normal proestrus females. Absence of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymes as a consequence of spermatogenic arrest is considered contributory to the antifertility effect. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.