Investigations of the phytochemical content of Sceletium tortuosum following the preparation of "Kougoed" by fermentation of plant material

Aim of the study

Sceletium plant species that contain alkaloids are claimed to have mood elevation and anti-anxiety properties, especially after the plant material has been fermented. The fermented preparation is locally known as “kougoed” or “channa” and has been emphasized and advertised for its increased potency when incorporated in commercial products. The aim of the study was to investigate quantitative and qualitative changes in alkaloidal content following fermentation of plant samples carried out under controlled conditions and also on pure mesembrine hydrochloride (MHCl).

Materials and methods

Samples were prepared from the aerial parts of Sceletium tortuosum. Studies were also conducted on mesembrine hydrochloride (MHCl) in aqueous and methanolic solutions under similar conditions of exposure to sunlight as well as under ambient and elevated temperature (40 ± 2 °C). Quantitative and qualitative changes in alkaloidal content were monitored by HPLC and LC–MS, respectively.

Results and Conclusions

The initial fermentation study showed transformation of mesembrine to Δ⁷mesembrenone, where the content of the former decreased from a concentration of 1.33% to 0.05% whilst the latter increased from below its limit of quantitation (LoQ) to 0.11% on the 10th day. The experiments on pure MHCl revealed similar transformations in aqueous solutions whereas no change was seen in methanolic solutions. Sunlight and aqueous conditions appear necessary to facilitate the transformation, which was confirmed by the absence of such a transformation when solutions of MHCl were kept in the dark.     

The effects of Sceletium tortuosum in an in vivo model of psychological stress

Aim of the study

Sceletium, and especially Sceletium tortuosum, is traditionally used as masticator and thought to have a sedative effect which may be beneficial to reduce symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. The current study evaluated the scientific merit of these anecdotal claims in an in vivo model of psychological stress.

Materials and methods

Male Wistar rats were administered either placebo, 5 or 20 mg/kg/day of Sceletium tortuosum extract for 17 days by daily oral gavage. 50% of rats were exposed to repeated restraint stress lasting 1 h for the last 3 days of treatment. Rat behavioral changes in response to stress were assessed using the elevated plus maze on the last day of restraint, immediately after the restraint session. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last restraint exposure and whole blood collected.

Results

Behavior indicated a limited effect of lower dose Sceletium to decrease restraint stress-induced self-soothing behavior, as well as to decrease stress-induced corticosterone levels. However, increased IL-1β levels argue against the claim that the plant may act as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, while this result combined with increased levels of C-reactive protein and prostaglandin E₂ suggest intolerance to the treatment. Decreased IL-2 and increased IL-10 levels in response to Sceletium treatment suggest a suppressive effect on T helper 1 immune function.

Conclusions

Although data indicates a limited positive effect of Sceletium on restraint-induced anxiety, numerous side-effects were evident. More research is required to derive an optimal therapeutic dose.     

Essential oil of Perilla frutescens-induced change in hippocampal expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in chronic unpredictable mild stress in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Perilla frutescens (Perilla leaf), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been used for centuries to treat various conditions including depression. A previous study of the authors demonstrated that essential oil of Perilla frutescens (EOPF) attenuated the depressive-like behavior in mice.

Aim of the study

This study was undertaken to explore the dynamic change of behaviors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and improved by EOPF.

Materials and methods

Four separate CUMS experimental groups (1-week, 2-week, 3-week and 4-week treatment) were treated with EOPF (3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, p.o.) or fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, p.o.), followed by sucrose preference, locomotor activity, immobility and hippocampal BDNF measurement.

Results

EOPF, as well as fluoxetine, restored the CUMS-induced decreased sucrose preference and increased immobility time, without affecting body weight gain and locomotor activity. Furthermore, CUMS (3 or 4-week) produced a reduction in both BDNF mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus, which were ameliorated by EOPF (4-week) and fluoxetine (3 or 4-week) treatment.

Conclusion

These results presented here show that BDNF is expressed depending on length of CUMS procedure and EOPF administration. And this study might contribute to the underlying reason for the slow onset of antidepressant activity in clinic.     

The effect of Salvia divinorum and Mitragyna speciosa extracts,fraction and major constituents on place aversion and place preference in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Consumer use of botanicals has increased despite, in many instances, the paucity of research demonstrating efficacy or identifying liabilities. This research employed the place preference/aversion paradigm to characterize the psychoactive properties of Salvia divinorum extract (10, 30, 100 mg/kg), salvinorin A (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 mg/kg), Mitragyna speciosa MeOH extract (50, 100, 300 mg/kg), Mitragyna speciosa alkaloid-enriched fraction (12.5, 25, 75 mg/kg) and mitragynine (5, 10, 30 mg/kg) in rats.

Material and methods

Following apparatus habituation and baseline preference scores, male Sprague-Dawley rats were given eight counter-balanced drug versus vehicle conditioning trials followed by a preference test conducted under drug-free states. S(+)-amphetamine (1 mg/kg) served as the positive control (in Exp. 2) and haloperidol (0.8, 1.0 mg/kg) served as the negative control in both studies.

Results

Rats displayed place aversion to both Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A that exceeded that of haloperidol. Rats showed place preference to mitragynine that was similar to that of S(+)-amphetamine. This CPP effect was much less pronounced with the Mitragyna speciosa extract and its fraction.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that both botanicals possess liabilities, albeit somewhat different, that warrant caution in their use.     

Hypericum grandifolium Choisy: A species native to Macaronesian Region with antidepressant effect

Aim of the study

Various species of Hypericum genus have been used in the Canary Islands as sedative, diuretic, vermifuge, wound healing, antihysteric and antidepressant agent. Studies have shown that methanol extract of Hypericum grandifolium Choisy is active in tetrabenazine-induced ptosis and forced swimming tests. In the current study, the aqueous, butanol and chloroform fractions obtained from the methanol extract as well as three sub-fractions derived from the chloroform fraction were evaluated for their central nervous effects in mice, particularly their antidepressant activity.

Materials and methods

The central nervous effect of different fractions and sub-fractions of Hypericum grandifolium was evaluated in mice using various behavioural models including locomotor and muscle relaxant activity, forced swimming test, effect on normal body temperature, barbiturate-induced sleep, tetrabenazine-induced syndrome and 5-hydroxytryptohan-induced head twitches and syndrome.

Results

We found that the butanol and chloroform fractions and all sub-fractions showed an antidepressant effect in the forced swimming test, the chloroform fraction being the most active. They produced no effects or only a slight depression of locomotor activity. Chloroform fraction significantly increased the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, produced a slight but significant hypothermia and antagonized tetrabenazine-induced ptosis, whereas the butanol fraction produced a slight potentiation of 5-HTP-induced head twitches and syndrome.

Conclusions

The present results, together with previous pharmacological and phytochemical data, indicated that Hypericum grandifolium possess antidepressant-like effects in mice and that different constituents, such as the flavonoids and the benzophenone derivatives, could be responsible at least in part for the antidepressant effects observed for this species.     

Pharmacological actions of the South African medicinal and functional food plant Sceletium tortuosum and its principal alkaloids

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The South African plant Sceletium tortuosum has been known for centuries for a variety of traditional uses, and, more recently, as a possible source of anti-anxiety or anti-depressant effects. A standardised extract Zembrin^® was used to test for pharmacological activities that might be relevant to the ethnopharmacological uses, and three of the main alkaloids were also tested.

Materials and methods

A standardised ethanolic extract was prepared from dried plant material, along with the purified alkaloids mesembrine, mesembrenone and mesembrenol. These were tested on a panel of receptors, enzymes and other drug targets, and for cytotoxic effects on mammalian cells.

Results

The extract was a potent blocker in 5-HT transporter binding assays (IC₅₀ 4.3 μg/ml) and had powerful inhibitory effects on phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) (IC₅₀ 8.5 μg/ml), but not other phosphodiesterases. There were no cytotoxic effects. Mesembrine was the most active alkaloid against the 5-HT transporter (K_i 1.4 nM), while mesembrenone was active against the 5-HT transporter and PDE4 (IC₅₀'s < 1 μM).

Conclusions

The activity of the Sceletium tortuosum extract on the 5-HT transporter and PDE4 may explain the clinical effects of preparations made from this plant. The activities relate to the presence of alkaloids, particularly mesembrine and mesembrenone.     

In vitro anti-breast cancer activity of ethanolic extract of Wrightia tomentosa: role of pro-apoptotic effects of oleanolic acid and urosolic acid

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (PM) is an Ayurvedic traditional medicine well known for its antidiabetic potential.

Aim

To fractionate the antidiabetic constituent(s) of the aqueous of extract of PM hardwood (PME).

Materials and methods

Bio-assay methods including, insulin secretion from mouse pancreas and glucose uptake by mouse skeletal muscle, were used to determine and fractionate the antidiabetic activity of PME. Results obtained from the in vitro experiments were then verified by examining the effect of PME on glucose clearance in normoglycemic, non-diabetic sheep in vivo.

Results

Exposure of mouse pancreatic and muscle tissues to PME stimulated the insulin secretion and glucose uptake, respectively, in a concentration-dependent manner. PME-mediated muscle glucose uptake was not potentiated in the presence of insulin indicating that PME acts via pathways which are utilized by insulin. Bio-assay-guided fractionation of PME yielded a high molecular weight fraction which had potent antidiabetic properties in vitro, and in in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings, we believe for the first time, provide novel insights for the antidiabetic constituents of PM and demonstrate that a high molecular weight constituent(s) of PM has potent insulinotrophic and insulin-like properties.     

Neuropharmacological in vivo effects and phytochemical profile of the extract from the aerial parts of Heteropterys brachiata (L.) DC. (Malpighiaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Heteropterys brachiata is a plant species that has been used in traditional Mexican medicine for the treatment of nervous disorders.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant and sedative effects produced by the methanolic extract of Heteropterys brachiata (HbMeOH) in ICR mice. Additionally, we determine the acute toxicity profiles of the extract and the presence of its main constituents.

Material and methods

The neuropharmacological effects of the extract were evaluated using a variety of models, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM), the forced swimming test (FST), the pentobarbital potentiation test (PTBt), pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures test (PTZt), and the open field test (OFT). HPLC was employed for obtention of phytochemical profile.

Results

HbMeOH produced a significant antidepressant effect in FST at 500 and 750 mg/kg doses, while doses from 500 to 1500 mg/kg exhibited a clear dose-dependent anxiolytic activity in EPM. A dose of 500 mg/kg showed a significant anticonvulsant activity in PTZt and an absence of sedation effects in PTBt. The main compounds of HbMeOH were chlorogenic acid and chlorogenic acid methyl ester, as well as less abundant terpene-type compounds. Furthermore, the extract was either safe with no deaths in mice treated orally with 2000 mg/kg.

Conclusions

HbMeOH extract which contains mainly hydroxycinnamic acids and triterpene-type compounds, possesses antidepressant, anxiolytic and anticonvulsive properties and can be considered safe or of low toxicity when orally administrated. These findings lend pharmacological justification to the traditional use of Heteropterys brachiata in the treatment of nervous disorders.     

Bioevaluation of Anisomeles indica extracts and their inhibitory effects on Helicobacter pylori-mediated inflammation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Helicobacter pylori is associated with the majority of gastric disorders and the antibiotic resistant rates have increased annually worldwide. Anisomeles indica and its constituent, ovatodiolide (OVT), were shown to have bactericide activity against Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to manufacture extracts containing the effective constituent, OVT, and evaluate their bactericidal function and the inhibition of inflammatory responses to Helicobacter pylori infection.

Materials and methods

Various concentrations of ethanol for extraction of Anisomeles indica were performed and the content of OVT was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The anti-bacterial activity of Anisomeles indica ethanol extracts and the constituent OVT were determined. Additional experiments were performed to investigate the Anisomeles indica ethanol extracts and OVT to inhibit the Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation of both gastric epithelial cells and macrophages.

Results

Amongst the extracts tested, 50% and 95% ethanol extracts contained large amount of OVT and showed potent anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. An in vitro Helicobacter pylori-infection model revealed that 95% ethanol extract attenuated Helicobacter pylori-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity and interleukin (IL)-8 secretion of gastric epithelial cells. In addition, 95% ethanol extract significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), as well as production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) by macrophages.

Conclusions

This study reveals that Anisomeles indica ethanol extracts containing OVT may be a potent and economic therapeutic agent for Helicobacter pylori infection and attenuation of Helicobacter pylori-mediated inflammation.     

Bioguided isolation of myricetin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside with antinociceptive activity from the aerial part of Davilla elliptica St.-Hil

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Davilla elliptica St.-Hil. (Dilleniaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Brazil to treat inflammatory processes, to relieve pain, as diuretic, gastro- and hepatoprotective agents.

Aim of the study

To undertake the fractionation of the ethanolic extract from Davilla elliptica leaves guided by an antinociceptive assay.

Materials and methods

The antinociceptive activity was evaluated through the formalin test in mice. Extract fractionation was performed by percolation through silica gel and partition between immiscible solvents, followed by successive column chromatography over Sephadex LH-20 and preparative RP-HPLC. Structure elucidation of the isolated compound was accomplished by spectroscopic data.

Results

The EtOAc and MeOH fractions derived from the crude extract reduced significantly the licking time in the late phase of the formalin test. The bioguided fractionation of the MeOH fraction resulted in the isolation of myricetin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside, which produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by formalin (ID₅₀=0.26 mg/kg; p.o.).

Conclusions

These results point out that myricetin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside contributes for the antinociceptive effect of Davilla elliptica extract, a constituent considerably more potent than diclofenac, employed as reference drug.     

Potential behavioral and pro-oxidant effects of Petiveria alliacea L. extract in adult rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Petiveria alliacea (Phytolaccaceae) is a perennial shrub indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest and tropical areas of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. In folk medicine, Petiveria alliacea has a broad range of therapeutic properties; however, it is also associated with toxic effects.

Aim of the study

The present study evaluated the putative effects of Petiveria alliacea on the central nervous system, including locomotor activity, anxiety, depression-like behavior, and memory, and oxidative stress.

Materials and methods

Two-month-old male and female Wistar rats (n=7–10 rats/group) were administered with 900 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extracts of Petiveria alliacea L. The behavioral assays included open-field, forced swimming, and elevated T-maze tests. The oxidative stress levels were measured in rat blood samples after behavioral assays and methemoglobin levels were measured in vitro.

Results

Consistent with previous reports, Petiveria alliacea increased locomotor activity. It also exerted previously unreported anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in behavioral tests. In the oxidative stress assays, the Petiveria alliacea extract decreased Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity levels and increased methemoglobin levels, which was related to the toxic effects.

Conclusions

The Petiveria alliacea extract exerted motor stimulatory and anxiolytic effects in the OF test, antidepressant effects in the FS test, and elicited memory improvement in ETM. Furthermore, the Petiveria alliacea extract also exerted pro-oxidant effects in vitro and in vivo, inhibiting the antioxidant status and increasing MetHb levels in human plasma, respectively.     

Anticonvulsant activity of Benkara malabarica (Linn.) root extract: In vitro and in vivo investigation

Aim of the study

To systematically investigate the anticonvulsant activity of methanol extract of Benkara malabarica roots and to provide a biochemical basis elucidating its mode of action.

Methods

The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of Benkara malabarica extract was determined. The anticonvulsant activity of the extract was assessed in strychnine-induced and isoniazide-induced convulsion models; phenytoin (20 mg/kg) and diazepam (1 mg/kg) were used as standards, respectively. Percentage protection provided by the drug was accounted as decrease in the number of convulsions within 8 h of observation. Mechanism of action was studied by performing GABA transaminase (GABA-T) assay, isolated from rat brain. Active constituent was isolated and characterized from the plant extract.

Results

The median lethal dose (LD50) of Benkara malabarica was found to be more than 500 mg/kg. It demonstrated 30% and 35% protection against strychnine-induced convulsions and 60% and 80% protection against isoniazide-induced convulsions, at doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Enzyme assay results revealed that Benkara malabarica extract possesses GABA-T inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.721 mg/ml). Scopoletin which was identified as the major constituent of the extract was found to be an inhibitor of GABA-T (IC50 = 10.57 μM).

Conclusions

The anticonvulsant activity of the plant extract is predominantly GABA mediated and may be due to the action of scopoletin alone or is a result of synergy of different compounds in the extract in which scopoletin is the major constituent.     

Effects of South African traditional medicine in animal models for depression

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The four South African medicinal plants Agapanthus campanulatus (AC), Boophone distica (BD), Mondia whitei (MW) and Xysmalobium undulatum (XU) are used in traditional medicine to treat depression.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extracts of the plants in models for depression.

Materials and methods

The extracts were screened for affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the [³H]-citalopram-binding assay. The inhibitory potency of the extracts towards the SERT, the noradrenalin transporter (NAT) and the dopamine transporter (DAT) were determined in a functional uptake inhibition assay. Antidepressant-like effects of the extracts were investigated using the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swim test in both rats (rFST) and mice (mFST).

Results

All four plants showed affinity for SERT in the binding assay. AC and BD showed functional inhibition of SERT, NAT and DAT, MW affected SERT while XU showed no effect. BD showed significant effect in the TST and in the mFST/rFST, AC showed significant effect in mFST, MW showed significant effect in the rFST and XU showed significant effect in the mFST.

Conclusion

In this study we have demonstrated the antidepressant activity of four South African medicinal plants in vitro and in vivo, supporting their rational use in traditional medicine.     

Ethanol extracts from Hemerocallis citrina attenuate the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Hemerocallis citrina, a traditional herbal medicine, has been used for the improvement of behavioral and emotional status in Eastern-Asia countries. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that ethanol extracts from Hemerocallis citrina (HCE) enhanced monoamines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in depression-like model of rodents.

Materials and methods

The present study extends earlier works on the role of anti-inflammation in regulating the antidepressant-like actions of HCE in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Frontal cortex and hippocampal proinflammatory cytokines levels and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity were measured after 4-week HCE treatment in the CUMS an control rats.

Results

Chronic administration of HCE reversed the decreased sucrose preference in sucrose preference test. In addition, we also found that HCE inhibited interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression, as well as IDO activity in frontal cortex and hippocampus, which were increased in rats exposed to CUMS.

Conclusions

Combining with our previous studies, our present finding suggests that the anti-inflammatory property of HCE might play a crucial role in its antidepressant-like effect through, at least in part, the restoration or improvement of monoaminergic and neurotrophin systems.     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of swertiamarin from Enicostemma axillare against d-galactosamine induced acute liver damage in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The whole plant of Enicostemma axillare Raynal (Family: Gentianaceae) is used in variety of diseases in traditional Indian system of medicine including hepatic ailments.

Aim of the study

Swertiamarin isolated from Enicostemma axillare Raynal was evaluated for antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity.

Materials and methods

Swertiamarin was isolated from successive ethyl acetate extract of the plant Enicostemma axillare belongs to the family Gentianaceae. The concentration of swertiamarin was determined by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of swertiamarin (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) was carried out against d-Galactosamine (d-GalN) (200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally i.p.) induced liver injury in rats.

Results

Swertiamarin a secoiridoid glycoside was found to contain a major constituent of the extract. d-GalN caused significant hepatotoxicity by alteration of several hepatic parameters. It also caused significant lipid peroxidation and reduced the levels of antioxidant defense mechanisms. The treatment with swertiamarin at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight when administered orally for 8 days prior to d-GalN caused a significant restoration of all the altered biochemical parameters due to d-GalN towards the normal, indicating the potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective nature of swertiamarin.

Conclusions

Swertiamarin isolated from Enicostemma axillare possesses significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties against d-GalN induced hepatotoxicity given at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight orally for 8 days, which might be due to its in vitro antioxidant activity.     

Antidepressant activity of Litsea glaucescens essential oil: Identification of β-pinene and linalool as active principles

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Litsea glaucescens (Lauraceae) has been used in Mexican Traditional Medicine to relieve illness related to central nervous system, such as epilepsy, fright and sadness. In this study, L. glaucescens essential oil properties on central nervous system were evaluated in mice using different behavioral tests.

Materials and methods

The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Identification of major compounds was also carried out by comparison with authentic samples. The psychopharmacological profile of L. glaucescens essential oil, and some its major compounds, were evaluated in mice using several experimental models: forced swimming test (FST: Antidepressant-like activity), open field test (OFT: Spontaneous locomotor activity), elevated plus-maze (EPM: Anxiolytic-like activity), exploratory cylinder (ECT: Sedative-like activity), rotarod (motor coordination) and traction performance (myo-relaxant effect) the essential oil and active principles was administered intraperitoneally.

Results

The essential oil showed antidepressant-like activity at doses of 100 and 300 mg/Kg. The monoterpenes β-pinene and linalool were identified as the two main active principles of the essential oil, and showed antidepressant-like and sedative-like activity. Eucalyptol, limonene and α-pinene they did not show antidepressant-like activity, and were not further tested.

Conclusions

L. glaucescens essential oil showed antidepressant activity, β-pinene and linalool were identified as its active principles. These results support the use of L. glaucescens in Mexican Traditional Medicine for the treatment of sadness.     

Antimicrobial activity of the extracts of Craniotome furcata (Lamiaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Craniotome furcata (Link.) O. Kuntze (Lamiaceae) is used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of cuts and wounds indicating antimicrobial activity.

Aim of the study

To validate the traditional medicinal claim, in vitro antimicrobial activity of the extracts was screened against eleven human pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Materials and methods

The ethyl acetate (CE) and n-butanol (CB) extracts of the aerial parts of Craniotome furcata were tested against four Gram-positive bacteria, four Gram-negative bacteria and three fungi species. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the tube-dilution method.

Results

The CE and CB extracts showed antimicrobial activity against all of the tested microorganisms, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 0.41–4.58 mg/ml.

Conclusions

The tested microbes Micrococcus flavus and Escherichia coli were highly susceptible to extract CE and antimicrobial activity of CB is comparable to that of extract CE against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus faecalis while it is better than that of extract CE, against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Both the extracts were found less susceptible against tested fungi.     

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchcock

Ethnopharmacological relevance

An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine.

Aim of study

Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Materials and methods

Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice.

Results

Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID₅₀ (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112 μg/cm² (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183 μg/cm² (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID₅₀ of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93 μg/cm².

Conclusions

Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.     

Antidepressant effect of Shudihuang on mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress

Aim of the study

Depression is a severe mood disorder. It was treated with Shudihuang, the steamed roots of Rehmannia glutinota Libosch. (SRG), in traditional Chinese medicine. The present paper was designed to verify its antidepressant effect.

Materials and methods

A mouse model of depression was established though unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Low and high doses of SRG were administered orally. Fur state, body and organ weight, and gastric ulcers were examined. Locomotion was assayed in open field test. Liver antioxidant indexes were measured spectrophotometrically.

Results

Fur state, body and organ weight were found to be insensitive to UCMS. The locomotion reduced by UCMS was restored by low dose of SRG (2.5 g/kg BW) but not by high dose (5 g/kg BW). UCMS resulted in aggravated gastric ulceration, elevated liver malondialdehyde, together with reduced total antioxidant capability, glutathione content, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. The alterations were improved by SRG in a dose-dependent manner. The differences in the activity of glutathione peroxidase were statistically nonsignificant among groups. Clomipramine the positive drug was similar to SRG especially in antioxidation.

Conclusion

SRG is of therapeutic value for depression-like disorders, and antioxidation may be one of the mechanisms underlying its antidepressant action.     

Phytochemical investigation and medicinal evaluation of fixed oil of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits (Balantiaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Balanites aegyptiaca (Balantiaceae), mainly the fruit, is used by traditional healers and herbalists for treating many diseases in Africa and Asia.

Aim of the study

Investigation of fixed oil composition of fruits and evaluation of its biological activity.

Materials and methods

Oil content was identified using GC and GC/MS. In vitro examination of the oil biological activity (including cytotoxicity, antimutagenicity, antiparasitic, antiviral and antimicrobial activities) was performed.

Results

The oil contained 54.53% unsaturated fatty acids and 1.14% sterols. The oil exhibited anticancer activity against lung, liver and brain human carcinoma cell lines. It also had antimutagenic activity against Fasciola gigantica induced mutagenicity besides anthelmintic activity against hepatic worms (Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola gigantica). Preliminary screening showed that the oil had antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus. It also had antimicrobial activity against selected strains of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and Candida.

Conclusion

The results showed remarkable biological activity of Balanites aegyptiaca fixed oil and proved its importance as natural bioactive source.