Comparative Study of Hypolipidemic Profile of Resinoids of Commiphora mukul/Commiphora wightii from Different Geographical Locations

The antihyperlipidemic activity of resinoids of guggul (Commiphora mukul/Commiphora wightii), belonging to family Burseraceae (Genus: Commiphora), collected from different parts of India (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan), was studied on cholesterol-rich high fat diet-induced model of hyperlipidemia in rats. The resinoids of these exudates were prepared in ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol. The physicochemical characterization of these resinoids was carried out to determine their appearance, %yield, %moisture, %ash, acid value (mg/KOH/g), saponification value (mg/KOH/g), ester value and iodine value (g/g). Antihyperlipidemic study was carried out on all resinoids in high fat diet induced model of hyperlipidemia in Wistar albino rats. The result demonstrated that the resinoids of exudates of Commiphora wightii and Commiphora mukul, collected from Gujarat and extracted in ethyl acetate, and the resinoids of exudates of Commiphora mukul, collected from Madhya Pradesh and extracted in ethyl acetate, possessed significantly higher antihyperlipidemic activity compared with other resinoids, which may be due to regional/geographical variations.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Picrorhiza kurroa (Leaves) Extracts

Picrorhiza kurroa is a well-known herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Although it shows antioxidant, antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, it is most valued for its hepatoprotective effect. The rhizomes are widely used against indigestion problems since ancient times due to improper digestive secretions. Aim of this study was to explore antioxidant study of P. kurroa leaves for a new source of naturally occurring antioxidants. Two pure compounds, luteolin-5-O-glucopyranoside (1) and picein (2) were isolated from butanol extract through column chromatography. Different extracts of P. kurroa leaves (ethanol, ethyl acetate, butanol) were quantified for isolated compound (2) by high-performance liquid chromatography. All the extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for its antioxidant activity using two assays, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay. The linear detection range was 1.56-200 μg/ml for picein. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for picein were 2.34 and 7.81 μg/ml, respectively. Butanol and ethyl acetate extract showed greater antioxidant activity as compare to ethanol extract. Compound 1 and ascorbic acid showed nearly similar antioxidant activity where as 2 showed no activity at standard concentration. The IC₅₀ values for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay for ascorbic acid, compound 1, ethanol extract and its different fractions (ethyl acetate and butanol) were found to be 0.81, 1.04, 67.48, 39.58, 37.12 and 2.59, 4.02, 48.36, 33.24, 29.48 μg, respectively.     

Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activity of Vitex negundo

Reactive oxygen species are implicated in various inflammatory disorders. Vitex negundo is mentioned in Ayurveda as useful in treating arthritic disorders. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory activity of the plant. The total methanol extract of the plant was standardized in terms of total polyphenols. The standardized extract in a dose of 100 mg/kg caused a comparable reduction in edema with that of diclofenac sodium (25 mg/kg) when evaluated for antiinflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method. The extract also exhibited a strong free radical scavenging activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method and caused a significant reduction in the formation of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances when evaluated for its lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. The results strongly suggest that radical quenching may be one of the mechanisms responsible for its antiinflammatory activity.     

Chemical Composition,In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oils of Ocimum Gratissimum,O. Sanctum and their Major Constituents

The essential oils of the flowering aerial parts of two Ocimum species viz., Ocimum gratissimum and O. sanctum were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The principal constituent of O. gratissimum and O. sanctum was eugenol (75.1%) and methyl eugenol (92.4%), comprising 99.3 and 98.9% of the total oils, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of O. gratissimum, O. sanctum and their major compounds eugenol and methyl eugenol were screened by using tube dilution methods. O. gratissimum oil was found highly active against S. marcescens while O. sanctum oil showed significant activity against A. niger and S. faecalis. Methyl eugenol exhibited significant activity against P. aeruginosa while eugenol was effective only against S. aureus. Antioxidant activity of oils, eugenol, and methyl eugenol was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’- azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assays. Essential oil of O. gratissimum showed comparative antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values 23.66±0.55 and 23.91±0.49 μg/ml in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’- azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) models, respectively. Eugenol showed slightly weaker antioxidant activity compared to oil of O. gratissimum, while O. sanctum oil demonstrated very feeble antioxidant activity and methyl eugenol did not show any activity. Eugenol and methyl eugenol would be elite source from O. gratissimum and O. sanctum, respectively, of this region could be consider as a source of natural food antioxidant, preservatives, and as an antiseptic.     

Estimation of Total Phenols and Flavonoids in Extracts of Actaea spicata Roots and Antioxidant Activity Studies

Actaea spicata Linn. (Ranunculaceae) has been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as rheumatism, inflammation, nerve diseases, lumbago, scrofula and chorea, but no systematic phytochemical and pharmacological work has ever been carried out on this potential plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed presence of phenols and flavonoids in A. spicata. Thus, the present investigation was undertaken to estimate total phenols and flavonoids in methanol extract of A. spicata roots, and its ethyl acetate fraction. In vitro antioxidant activity was also evaluated in the methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction using DPPH method. Ethyl acetate fraction was found to contain twice the content of flavonoids and phenols in comparison to methanolic extract, whereas phenolic content in methanol extract was approximately similar to ethyl acetate fraction. A significant antioxidant activity, i.e., mean percentage inhibition of DPPH radical was observed in methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction at the concentration of 10 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml respectively. Finally, it was suggested that polyphenols are responsible for antioxidant activity of A. spicata.     

Cytotoxic and cytostatic activity of erlangerins from Commiphora erlangeriana.

The resin of Commiphora erlangeriana is known to be poisonous to humans and animals and has traditionally been used as an arrow poison. Since recent phytochemical studies on this plant material has identified four major lignans (named, Erlangerins A to D) that closely relate to the structure of podophyllotoxin, it was hypothesised that the well known poisoning effect of the resin could in part be due to direct toxicity to mammalian cells. Hence, the toxicity of Erlangerins was studied by measuring the viability of two human (HeLa and EAhy926) and two murine (L929 and RAW 264.7) cell lines. As assessed by the MTT assay, the effect of Erlangerin C and D closely follow the activity profile of podophyllotoxin: they induced a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in the murine macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) and a cytostatic effect in HeLa, EAhy926 and L929 cells. In contrast, Erlangerins A and B suppressed cell viability at relatively higher concentrations (EC(50) values higher than 3 micro M as compared with nM concentration range for Erlangerins C and D and podophyllotoxin) and their activity appears to be consistent with a cytotoxic mode of action in all cell lines studied. The structure-activity-relationship established from the study is discussed.     

Phytochemical Screening,Proximate Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Dracaena reflexa Lam. Leaves

In the present study, the antioxidant activity of successive leaf extracts of Dracaena reflexa was investigated using the scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. Methanol extract was found potent in both the assays. IC50 values of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay for methanol extract was 0.97 mg/ml and ferric reducing antioxidant power value for the same is 1.19. Phytochemical screening, proximate analysis and total phenolic content were also determined. Qualitative screening for phytochemical showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides and saponins. Highest phenolic content was shown by methanol extract (49.69 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight). Proximate analysis showed moisture content (3.31%), ash content (8.02%), crude fibre (1.31%), crude fat (0.97%), total protein (3.70%), total carbohydrate (86.01) and nutritive value (367.56 kcal/100 g), which would make it a potential nutraceutical. This study suggested that Dracaena reflexa, a potential natural free radical scavenger, which could find use as an antioxidative.     

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Leaves of Curcuma longa L. Kasur Variety

The essential oil from the leaves of Curcuma longa L. Kasur variety grown in Pakistan was extracted by hydro-distillation. Chemical constituents of the essential oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The chromatographic analysis of oil showed 25 constituents, out of which nine chemical constituents were identified. The eucalyptol (10.27%) was the major component of the essential oil. α-pinene (1.50%), β-phellandrene (2.49%), β-pinene (3.57%), limonene (2.73%), 1,3,8-p-menthatriene (1.76%), ascaridole epoxide (1.452%), 2-methylisoborneol (2.92%), 5-isopropyl-6-methyl-hepta-3, dien-2-ol (2.07%) were also present in considerable quantity. The antimicrobial properties of leaves of Curcuma longa were tested by disc diffusion method against various human pathogens, including eight fungal and five bacterial strains. Essential oil showed maximum resistance against Fusarium miniformes MAY 3629 followed by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 whereas; it exhibited least resistance against Fusarium oxysporium ATCC 48122. The results of the antimicrobial assay revealed that essential oil showed significant inhibitory activity against the tested organisms.     

Effective separation and analysis of E- and Z-guggulsterones in Commiphora mukul resin, guggulipid and their pharmaceutical product by high performance thin-layer chromatography-densitometric method

A high performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous determination of the hypolipidemic agents, E- and Z-isomers of guggulsterone in Commiphora mukul resin, guggulipid (ethyl acetate extract of resin), and its pharmaceutical formulation, was developed. The developed system was efficient enough to separate both isomers from their conger, 17,20-dihydroguggulsterone (3). HPTLC glass plates, pre-coated with silica gel 60F-254, were used as a stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of toluene:acetone (9.3:0.7, v/v) which gave well resolved spots for E- and Z-guggulsterones (R_f: 0.52 ± 0.01, and 0.67 ± 0.01, respectively) following double development of chromatoplate with the same mobile phase under unsaturated conditions. The analyte stability towards the developed chromatographic procedure was also investigated by two-dimensional (2D) HPTLC analysis. 17,20-Dihydroguggulsterone (3) was identified by the electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) analysis.     

蜡梅不同部位精油化学成分分析及其体外抑菌活性研究

目的 研究蜡梅Chimonanthus praecox（Linn.）Link根、叶、果皮中精油的化学组成及其抑菌活性。方法 采用气相色谱-质谱联用（GC-MS）技术对水蒸气蒸馏法提取的蜡梅根、叶、果皮精油进行成分分析,并分别采用肉汤二倍稀释法和菌丝生长法测试蜡梅不同部位精油对细菌和病原真菌的抑制活性。结果 鉴定了蜡梅根精油中的37种成分、蜡梅叶精油中的48种成分、蜡梅果皮精油中的38种成分,蜡酶不同部位精油中具有相同的化合物15种,分别占各部位精油总量的84.05%,36.83%,64.46%。抑菌实验结果表明蜡梅不同部位精油对受试菌均有不同强度的抑制作用。结论 蜡梅根精油对革兰氏阳性菌和病原真菌具有较强的抑菌活性,抑菌谱较广,且该精油含有多种生物活性成分,具有较高的药用价值及开发前景。     

Assessment of Bioautography and Spot Screening of TLC of Green Tea (Camellia) Plant Extracts as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Agents

This study was carried out as a prerequisite to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Camellia varieties. The crude extracts of six different plants of green tea Camellia assamica and Camellia sinensis were tested against three Gram-positive and four Gram-negative bacteria using agar disk diffusion method at 50 mg/ml concentration. 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and diphenyl-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium free radical scavenging methods were performed to evaluate the antioxidant potential. Phytochemical constituents and trace metals were detected through thin layer chromatography and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer, respectively. The maximum inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus was recorded by dimethyl sulphoxide extracts of green tea varieties. The measured zone of inhibition of dimethyl sulphoxide extracts by Qimen was (10.00±0.0 mm), Japanese (10.00±0.0 mm), Turkish (10.00±0.0 mm), Indonesian (8.33±1.0 mm), P3 clone (10.00±0.0 mm) and Sri Lankan (10.00±0.0 mm). Maximum scavenging potential activity was found with ethanol, methanol and dimethyl sulphoxide extracts. Spot screening of TLC-developed plates indicated that the presence of active biological compounds such as flavonoids, proteins, phenols, alkaloids and glycosides also exhibited strong activity against tested bacterial strains. This study reveals the potential biological activities of Camellia assamica and Camellia sinensis having massive phytochemical constituents and trace elements.     

Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils from Palmarosa, Evening Primrose, Lavender and Tuberose

Essential oils extracted from flower petals of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini), evening primrose (Primula rosea), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and tuberose (Polianthus tuberosa) were tested for their antibacterial activities against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Different concentrations of each essential oil ranging from 10-100% were tested. Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were found susceptible to the studied flower essential oils. With increase in concentration of essential oil, increase in zone of inhibition was observed thus dose-dependent response was clear for each essential oil. Essential oil extracted from Cymbopogon martini showed the highest activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria among the tested essential oils.     

Antioxidant Studies on Ethanol Extracts from Two Selected Genera of Indian Lamiaceae

The present work is targeted to evaluate antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts from the leaves of Plectranthus mollis and Salvia officinalis belonging to family Lamiaceae using nitric oxide scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and lipid peroxidation methods. The results of the study indicate that the leaf extracts of both the plants possess in vitro antioxidant activity. The higher amount of flavanoids and phenolic compounds may correspond to their greater antioxidant activity.     

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Alpinia officinarum

Alpinia officinarum is a rhizome belonging to the family zingeberaeceae. Hydro alcoholic extract by hot and cold maceration and methanol extract by percolation process Qualitative phytochemical analysis of extract of Alpinia officinarum rhizome showed a majority of the compound including tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. Hydroalcoholic extract prepared by hot maceration process was found to contain more phenol and flavonol and it was measured as 50.1 mg/g and 54.02 mg/g, respectively. All the three extracts showed moderate to potent antimicrobial activity against the Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureas, Pseudomonas auroginosa, Escherichia coli. None of the extracts showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. All the three extracts showed a concentration dependent radical scavenging activity by inhibiting diphenylpicrylhydrazyl free radical at the same time hydroalcoholic extract prepared by hot maceration process showed better reducing and total antioxidant activity.     

The Effect of Polyphenols Isolated from Cynanchi wilfordii Radix with Anti-inflammatory,Antioxidant, and Anti-bacterial Activity

Recently, Cynanchi wilfordii Radix has gained wide use in Asian countries as a functional food effective for relieving fatigue, osteoporosis, and constipation, particularly in menopausal disorders. However, its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities have not been explored in detail to date. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties of the Cynanchi wilfordii Radix extracts obtained with water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone were compared. All 4 polyphenol-containing extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The ethanol extract was found to elicit the most potent reduction of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) levels, as well as inhibit the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a concentration-dependent manner. The evaluation of antioxidant activity also revealed the ethanol extract to have the highest free radical scavenging activity, measured as 85.3±0.4%, which is equivalent to 99.9% of the activity of α -tocopherol. In the assessment of anti-bacterial activity, only ethanol extract was found to inhibit the growth of the Bacillus species Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. These results show that polyphenols of Cynanchi wilfordii Radix have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties that can be exploited and further improved for use as a supplementary functional food, in cosmetics, and for pharmaceutical purposes.     

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activity of Dunaliella salina in Paracetamol-induced Acute Toxicity in Rats

Paracetamol has a reasonable safety profile when taken in therapeutic doses. However, it could induce hepatotoxicity and even more severe fatal acute hepatic damage when taken in an overdose. The green alga, Dunaliella salina was investigated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats. Male albino Wistar rats overdosed with paracetamol showed liver damage and oxidative stress as indicated by significantly (P<0.05) increased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin, malondialdehyde, cholesterol and nitric oxide. At the same time, there were decreased activities of serum superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity compared with the control group. Treatment with D. salina methanol extract at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight or silymarin could significantly (P<0.05) decrease the liver damage marker enzymes, total and direct bilirubin, malondialdehyde, cholesterol and nitric oxide levels and increase the activities of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity in serum when compared with paracetamol intoxicated group. Liver histopathology also showed that D. salina reduced the centrilobular necrosis, congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration evoked by paracetamol overdose. These results suggest that D. salina exhibits a potent hepatoprotective effect on paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats, which may be due to both the increase of antioxidant enzymes activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation.     

Antibacterial Potential Assessment of Jasmine Essential Oil Against E. Coli

The antibacterial activity of Jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.) flower hydro steam distilled essential oil, synthetic blends and six major individual components was assessed against Escherichia coli (MTCC-443) strain. The activity was bactericidal. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by tube dilution technique, and the Minimum inhibitory concentration ranged between 1.9-31.25 μl/ml. Phenolcoefficient of the oil, synthetic blends and components varied between 0.6-1.7. The activity of the chemicals was possibly due to the inhibition of cell membrane synthesis.     

雪荔组方挥发油成分分析及体外抑菌活性研究

目的 研究雪荔组方中挥发油的化学成分及其抗菌活性。方法 采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取雪荔组方中的挥发油,用GC-MS进行成分分析,面积归一化法测定各成分的质量分数;并采用微量肉汤稀释法测定挥发油的抑菌活性。结果 水蒸气蒸馏法提取的挥发油共鉴定出43种成分,占挥发油总成分的85.21%,其中主要含棕榈酸(30.46%),匙桉醇(15.70%),1,2,3,4,4a,7-六氢-1,6-二甲基-4-异丙基萘(6.71%),氧化石竹烯(6.13%),2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚(5.93%)等。挥发油在体外对金黄色葡萄球菌、白色念珠菌、绿脓杆菌、大肠杆菌、奇异变形杆菌均有一定的抑菌作用。结论 雪荔组方挥发油具有多种活性成分,有一定的抑菌活性,为进一步合理开发组方提供了科学依据。     

Development and Validation of RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Picroside I,Plumbagin, and Z-guggulsterone in Tablet Formulation

The aim of the present work was to develop and validate a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous estimation of picroside I, plumbagin, and Z-guggulsterone in a polyherbal formulation containing Picrorhiza kurroa, Plumbago zeylanica, and Commiphora wightii extracts. The analysis was performed on a C18 column using the mobile phase consisting of solvent A (acetonitrile) and solvent B (0.1% orthophosphoric acid in water) with the following gradient: 0-12 min, 25% A; 12-17 min, 25-80% A; 17-32 min, 80% A; and 32-37 min, 80-25% A at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Ultraviolet detection was at 255 nm. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity, specificity, and sensitivity as per the norms of the International Conference on Harmonization. From the validation study, it was found that the method is specific, accurate, precise, reliable, and reproducible. Good linear correlation coefficients (r²>0.900) were obtained for calibration plots in the ranges tested. Limits of detection were 2.700, 0.090 and 0.099 μg/ml and limits of quantification were 9.003, 0.310, and 0.330 μg/ml for picroside I, plumbagin, and Z-guggulsterone, respectively. Intra and interday relative standard deviation (RSD) of retention times and peak areas was less than 3.0%. Recovery was found to be 100.21% for picroside I, 102.5% for plumbagin, and 103.84% for Z-guggulsterone. The established method was appropriate and the three markers were well resolved, enabling efficient quantitative analysis of picroside I, plumbagin and Z-guggulsterone. The method is a rapid and cost-effective quality control tool for routine quantitative analysis of picroside I, plumbagin, and Z-guggulsterone in tablet dosage form.     

Essential Oil Composition of Valeriana Jatamansi Jones from Himalayan Regions of India

Valeriana jatamansi Jones germplasm collected from sub-temperate Himalayan region of Uttarakhand and North-East state of Meghalaya, India was evaluated under identical conditions at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Bhowali, India, to study germplasm diversity based on essential oil composition. Twenty one compounds were identified in V. jatamansi root oil by GC and GC-MS. The major compounds identified were patchouli alcohol (0.4-63.7%), maaliol (2.9-53.8%), seychellene (4.1-27.4%), calarene/ß-gurjunene (3.0-20.8%), α-santalene (0.6-12.0%). Other compounds present were bornyl acetate (0.6-1.5%), α-guaiene (0.7-2.3%), α-bulnesene/δ-guaiene (0.7-6.3%), 7-epi-α-selinene (0.4-1.4%), kessane (2.1-3.3%), spathulenol (0.7-3.4%), viridiflorol (0.9-7.1%), α-patchoulene (0.8-6.6%), ß-patchoulene (0.4-0.8%). Two superior chemotypes identified in V. jatamansi oil from Uttarakhand were: patchouli alcohol rich (IC573221, 63.7%) and maaliol rich (IC573222, 53.8%; IC589096, 51.7%), while accession from north-east was patchouli alcohol rich chemotype (IC574522, 57.2%). These superior chemotypes with higher amounts of patchouli alcohol and maaliol could be used for promoting cultivation as well as for meeting need of pharmaceutical industries.