Antimalarial activity of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in S. Tomé and Príncipe islands

The present study investigates the antimalarial activity of 13 medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in S. Tomé and Príncipe (STP) islands in the Gulf of Guinea, aiming at identifying the most effective plants for further research. Fieldwork was carried out with the collaboration of 37 traditional healers from both islands, during an ethnobotanical study, which was conducted from 1993 to 1999. Our results indicate that the traditional healers in STP use several medicinal plants against fever and/or 'malaria' which reveal strong antiparasitic activity in vitro: four of the plant extracts have evident antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum, with IC(50) values <10 microg/ml, and also revealed hepatic schizontocidal activity (<5-35 microg/ml). In vivo, the extracts caused partial reduction of Plasmodium berghei parasitaemia in mice.     

A comparative study on medicinal plants used in Akha's traditional medicine in China and Thailand,cultural coherence or ecological divergence?

AIM OF THE STUDY: The survey aims to study the effect of geographic separation of ethnic groups on local knowledge of medicinal plants used by Akha people in Thailand and China, who were separated 100-120 years ago, to see how different the two geographically distinct but culturally similar groups were in this respect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Interviewing 10 villagers in each of five Akha villages, three in Thailand and two in China, about which plants they used and how they used them. RESULTS: A total of 95 medicinal plants registered in the five villages only 16 were shared between China and Thailand. Otherwise the use patterns were quite similar with respect to which plant families and plant growth forms were used and also in terms of in which habitats the Akha found their medicinal plants. CONCLUSIONS: The moving to a different site has forced the Akha to find a new set of species, but that when using these new species they have maintained other traditions relating to medicinal plants.     

Effect of plants used in Mexico to treat gastrointestinal disorders on charcoal–gum acacia-induced hyperperistalsis in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

A total of 28 plant extracts, belonging to 26 different plant species are commonly used in Traditional Mexican Medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the effect of medicinal plant extracts on induced hyperperistalsis in rats.

Materials and methods

Charcoal meal test was used in this study. Extracts were tested at a dose of 300 mg/kg.

Results

From all the plant extracts tested, only Geranium mexicanum (roots) showed 100% of inhibition. The extracts of Artemisia absinthium, Matricaria recutita, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Lygodium venustum, Chenopodium ambrosoides (green variety), Aloysia triphylla, Artemisia ludoviciana, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon, and Cocos nucifera showed moderate inhibitory activity with values ranging from 30 to 57%. Their activities were greater than that of or equal to loperamide (34% of inhibition at doses of 10 mg/kg) drug used as control. The remaining plants exhibited marginal or null inhibitory effect on hyperpropulsive movement of the small intestine.

Conclusions

The results obtained in this study give some scientific support to the popular use of 23 of the plants tested for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea in Mexican traditional medicine. However, roots of Geranium mexicanum should be used in herbal medicine with care to avoid toxicity.     

Traditional medicine in north Côte-d'Ivoire: screening of 50 medicinal plants for antibacterial activity

Sixty-seven crude ethanol extracts from 50 plants (31 families), which are used in North C?te-d'Ivoire as traditional remedies for bacterial diseases, were screened for in vitro activity against Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes and Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. Thirty-one extracts showed antibacterial activity only on Gram positive bacteria. Of these, 10 extracts from 10 plant species had a promising level of activity against bacteria including strains resistant to antibiotics such as aminosides, penicillin M, macrolides, lincosamide and streptrogramin B. The most active was Erythrina senegalensis DC (Fabaceae) followed by Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.) J.H. Kirkbr. & Wiersema (Caesalpinaceae), Waltheria lanceolata R. Br. ex Mast. (Sterculiaceae), Uapaca togoensis Pax. (Euphorbiaceae), Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae), Khaya senegalensis (Ders.) A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Lannea acida A. Rich. (Anacardiaceae), Cissus populnea Guill. & Perr. (Vitaceae), Keetia hispida (Benth.) Bridson (Rubiaceae) and Ficus thonningii (Miq.) A. Rich. (Moraceae). This is the first report of the antibacterial potency of these 10 plant species on a range of bacteria. The results provided evidence that some of the studied plants might indeed be potential sources of new antibacterial agents, also against some antibiotic-resistant strains.     

Antibacterial screening of some Peruvian medicinal plants used in Callería District

Nine ethanol extracts of Brunfelsia grandiflora (Solanaceae), Caesalpinia spinosa (Caesalpiniaceae), Dracontium loretense (Araceae), Equisetum giganteum (Equisetaceae), Maytenus macrocarpa (Celastraceae), Phyllanthus amarus (Euphorbiaceae), Piper aduncum (Piperaceae), Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae), and Uncaria tomentosa (Rubiaceae), medicinal plants traditionally used in Calleria District for treating conditions likely to be associated with microorganisms, were screened for antimicrobial activity against nine bacterial strains using the broth microdilution method. Among the plants tested, Phyllanthus amarus and Terminalia catappa showed the most promising antibacterial properties, inhibiting all of the strains tested with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.25 to 16 mg/ml. The extract from aerial part of Piper aduncum was significantly more active against Gram-positive (MICs ranging from 1 to 2 mg/ml) than against Gram-negative bacteria (MICs > 16 mg/ml).     

Zebrafish——Useful model for pharmacodynamics and toxicity screening of traditional Chinese medicine

斑马鱼是一种用于生长发育和遗传研究的重要模式生物,过去10余年来,被广泛应用于环境毒物的监测,已经被用于环境中许多化学物质如有害重金属、农药以及卤代芳香烃化合物等致癌物的累积效应和毒性研究。近年来,该模型越来越多地应用于药物筛选和毒理学研究。斑马鱼具有活体、高通量的优点,尤其适用于中药混合物的药效和毒性筛选,在中药新药研究领域具有较广的应用前景。     

In vivo and in vitro antidiabetic effect of Cistus laurifolius L. and detection of major phenolic compounds by UPLC–TOF-MS analysis

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In Turkish folk medicine, various parts of Cistus laurifolius L. are used to treat gastric ulcer and various types of pains. Additionally the tea prepared from the leaves is used to decrease symptoms of diabetes.

Materials and methods

In the present study, the hypoglycemic effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Cistus laurifolius were investigated in normal, glucose loaded hyperglycemic and streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. α-Glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme inhibitory effects were determined to evaluate the mechanism of action. Total phenolic content of the extracts were determined by using Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (UPLC–TOF-MS) was used to detect the major phenolic compounds in the extract.

Results

Results indicated that blood glucose levels of the STZ-induced diabetic rats were decreased by ethanol extract at of 250 and 500 mg/kg doses as compared to control group (16%–34%). In glucose loaded animals, extracts have shown a weak hypoglycemic effect (11%–20%). Additionally, the ethanol extract of Cistus laurifolius is found to be a potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, possibly due to several polyphenolic compounds present within the extract. Twelve major flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, naringenin, quercitrin and their derivatives), gallic, ellagic and chlorogenic acid in chromatographic fingerprint were analyzed by the on-line UPLC–TOF-MS system.

Conclusions

Due to having inhibitory effect on blood glucose level and carbohydrate digesting enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), Cistus laurifolius leaves might be beneficial for diabetic patients.     

Ethnobotany and antibacterial activity of some plants used in traditional medicine of Zapotitlán de las Salinas,Puebla (México)

The village of Zapotitlán de las Salinas is situated in the Valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Puebla, Mexico. Plant species used by the local inhabitants to treat gastrointestinal diseases were identified using ethnobotanical, ethnographic and taxonomic methods. Out of 119 interviews, 44 plant species were registered, of which the following are the most frequently used (listed in descending order): Lippia graveolens H.B. et K. (Verbenaceae), Lantana achyranthifolia Desf. (Verbenaceae), Turnera diffusa (Willd.) ex Schult. (Turneraceae), Lippia oaxacana Rob. et Greenm. (Verbenaceae), Gymnolaena oaxacana (Greenm.) Rydb. (Asteraceae), Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. et Schult. (Boraginaceae), Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) and Acalypha hederacea Torrey (Euphorbiaceae). From these plants, hexane, chloroform and ethanol extracts were prepared in order to assess their antibacterial activity against 14 bacterial strains causing the most common gastrointestinal diseases in Mexican population. All hexane extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. There is a correlation between the frequency of mention (of plant use) and the antibacterial activity. In conclusion, the knowledge of plants most frequently used for gastrointestinal infections in Zapotitlán de las Salinas is supported by scientific rationale.     

Which extractant should be used for the screening and isolation of antimicrobial components from plants?

Freeze dried and finely ground leaves of two plants with known antimicrobial activity, Anthocleista grandiflora and Combretum erythrophyllum were extracted with acetone, ethanol, methanol, methylenedichloride, methanol/chloroform/water and water at a 1 to 10 ratio in each case. The quantity and diversity of compounds extracted, number of inhibitors extracted, rate of extraction, toxicity in a bioassay, ease of removal of solvent and biological hazard were evaluated for each extractant. An arbitrary scoring system was developed to evaluate the above parameters for the different extractants. Acetone gave the best results with these plants with an arbitrary value of 102 followed by methanol/chloroform/water (81), methylene dichloride (79), methanol (71), ethanol (58) and water (47). Four five minute sequential extractions of very finely ground A. grandiflora shaking at a high rate extracted 97% of the total antimicrobial activity.     

The effects of Tabernaemontana divaricata root extract on amyloid β-peptide 25–35 peptides induced cognitive deficits in mice

Ethnophamacological relevance

Tabernaemontana divaricata (TD), a Thai medicinal herb, has been widely used as an analgesic, sedative, or a cough syrup. Moreover, it has been used in traditional rejuvenation remedies as for preventing forgetfulness and improving the memory.

Aim of study

The present study aimed to determine the effect of TD on Aβ25–35 peptides induced cognitive deficits and acetylcholinesterase activity in mice.

Materials and methods

Mice were pretreated with TDE (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days and then received i.c.v. injection of Aβ25–35 peptides. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM) and step-down avoidance test. The Ellman's colorimetric method was used to investigate the levels of cortical and hippocampal AChE activity.

Results

Aβ25–35 peptides induced the memory impairment and the increased levels of cortical and hippocampal AChE activity. The consumption of TDE significantly improved the memory impairment and attenuated the brain levels of AChE activity induced by Aβ25–35 peptides.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that subchronic administration of TDE might prevent the Aβ25–35 peptides induced memory deficits by decreasing the AChE activity level. Therefore TDE could potentially be one of nootropic supplements for those elderly people suffering from dementia such as the AD patients.     

Effect of bioactive peptide of Carapax Trionycis on TGF-β1-induced intracellular events in hepatic stellate cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In traditional Chinese medicines for hepatic fibrosis therapy, Carapax Trionycis is used usually as an indispensable component and has a long history of medical use in China. Previous studies have demonstrated that extracts of Carapax Trionycis were able to protect liver against fibrosis in CCl₄ animal models.

Aim of the study

The purpose of this study is to verify the inhibitory effect and the underlying mechanisms of Carapax Trionycis extract peptide (CTEP) on activated hepatic stellate cells which play a central role in liver fibrogenesis.

Materials and methods

Hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β₁ were applied to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effect of CTEP in vitro. MTS assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting were then used to further investigate the molecular mechanisms.

Results

The results show that the contents of collagen I, collagen III and TIMP-1 were significantly inhibited and the level of collagen I, collagen III, p-Smad 3, TIMP-1 and α-SMA proteins decreased significantly in a concentration-dependence manner after treatment with CTEP. Interestingly, the level of Smad 3 protein was not different significantly.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that CTEP efficiently inhibits cultured HSC-T₆ cell activation and proliferation via the TGF-β₁/Smad pathway as well as by the elimination of the extracellular matrix.     

Network pharmacology unveils spleen-fortifying effect of Codonopsis Radix on different gastric diseases based on theory of ‘‘same treatment for different diseases” in traditional Chinese medicine

Objective: Same treatment for different diseases is a unique treatment strategy under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory.Codonopsis Radix(Codonopsis pilosula,Dangshen in Chinese)with spleen-fortifying effect was employed to understand the strategy of Same treatment for different diseases,based on its common mechanism in the treatment of gastric diseases including gastric ulcer,gastritis and gastric cancer via network pharmacology research.Methods:Network pharmacology research methods were used to analyze the interaction network and potential mechanisms of Dangshen in treating gastric ulcer,gastritis and gastric cancer.The active components and their target proteins of Dangshen were integrated from TCMSP,BATMAN-TCM databases.The targets of gastric ulcer,gastritis and gastric cancer were collected through GeneCards,PubMed,TDD and DisGeNET Database.Through screening,the key components and the key targets of Dangshen in treating gastric ulcer,gastritis and gastric cancer were obtained.After KEGG pathway analysis and GO analysis,the important pathways and biological processes were analyzed.Results:Through data and literature mining,the common and specific pharmaceutical effects and mechanism of Dangshen were summarized in these three gastric lesions.It was shown that Dangshen mainly acted on gastric ulcer,gastritis and gastric cancer through the overall regulation of the PI3K-AkT signaling pathway.With the development of the disease,it will gradually increase the control of inflammation through TNF,NF-κB and other inflammation-related signaling pathways to reduce inflammatory damage.For tumorigenesis,it pays more attention to inhibiting the ErbB signaling pathways to reduce the proliferation and migration of tumor cells.In addition,Dangshen's regulation of HIF-1 signaling pathway may also be beneficial for the treatment of gastric ulcer,gastritis and gastric cancer.Conclusion:Dangshen achieves spleen-fortifying effect on gastric diseases including gastric ulcer,gastritis and gastric cancer through multiple targets in multiple pathways,especially PI3K-AKT pathway and HIF-1 pathway.It could provide a scientific basis for understanding the strategy of Same treatment for different diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.     

The role of herbometallic preparations in traditional medicine – A review on mica drug processing and pharmaceutical applications

Ethnopharmocological relevance

Biotite mica enriched with Fe²⁺ ions are widely used as a major mineral ingredient in traditional pharmaceutical science of alchemy (Rasashastra). Abhrak bhasma (mica ash), a pharmaceutical product containing treated mica, is utilized, for example, in Ayurvedic treatments for ailments such as gastritis, renal disease, skin disease and mainly in rejuvenation formulations. However, the untreated mica minerals may be harmful when used directly, as they carry considerably high amounts of trace-elements that can cause undesirable effects in the human body. In order to remove toxic factors and produce readily absorbable materials having high nutrient capacity, specific thermal and chemical treatments (purification, detoxification, particle size reduction and incineration) are performed during the preparation of Rasashastra. This review evaluates the chemical and pharmacological aspects of mica ash as well as the technological aspects of mica ash production.

Materials and methods

The detailed literature review on the chemistry and scientific basis of mica ash, its preparation techniques, mica alterations and pharmaceutical applications was carried out by using published Ayurvedic text books and research articles, available from Science Direct, on mica minerals, mica ash and their physico-chemical alteration processes and pharmacological applications.

Results

During the purification and detoxification procedures, heating followed by quenching (in ionic medium) influences the structural distortion and the development of stress-induced cracks and spallations of the micaceous plates. Thus, the efficient diffusion of the external medium takes place at successive heating and quenching steps. Acidic organic liquids and animal byproducts can enhance the cation exchange capacity and solubility of mica. Further, these natural compounds facilitate the removal of toxic-elements in the structure. When treated-mica and paddy husks are tied up in a cloth and squeezed, particle size reduction and further detoxification takes place. Leaching out of oxidized iron coatings is accelerated when the mixtures are immersed in acidic media, by which the filtrate is enriched with oxidized iron-silicate particles. These nano-oxide particles are converted into a more favorable oxidation form for human consumption when the herbometallic mixture is incinerated in closed vessels. Recent analytical data reveals that major and minor elements in mica ash are within the limits of pharmacopoeial standards for Ayurvedic formulations. Further, recent studies show that mica ash has hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, anthelminthic and antimicrobial properties.

Conclusions

Chemical and structural modifications in mica occur during mica-based drug preparation in traditional medicine. Purification steps particularly influence the structural distortion while heating and quenching can form nano-size particles. Carboxylic acids and other organic molecules present in quenching media serve as chemical modifiers of mica. At the same time the toxic elements are leached out from mica to the quenching media through an ion exchange process. Mica ash has been successfully used for treating liver, kidney and skin related ailments in traditional medicine, and mica ash alone or its herbo-metallic formulations have different applications. Further, the recent toxicological and analytical studies validate the traditional uses of mica ash and mica ash bearing products. Further scientific studies are needed to fully establish that mica-based pharmaceuticals are safe and devoid of toxic and long term side effects.     

A UPLC–MS/MS method for in vivo and in vitro pharmacokinetic studies of psoralenoside,isopsoralenoside, psoralen and isopsoralen from Psoralea corylifolia extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The dried fruit of Psoralea corylifolia L. has been used to prevent and treat vitiligo, osteoporosis, arthralgia and asthma in Traditional Chinese Medicine for some 1600 years. Psoralen (P), isopsoralen (IP), psoralenoside (PO) and isopsoralenoside (IPO) are the major coumarins and coumarin-related benzofuran glycosides in Psoraleae Fructus, which have been reported to show estrogen-like activity, osteoblastic proliferation accelerating activity, antitumor effects and antibacterial activity. The first aim of this study is to develop a rapid, sensitive and selective ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) approach for simultaneous determination of PO, IPO, P and IP in rat plasma and samples collected from in vitro incubation experiments. The second aim is to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of PO, IPO, P and IP after oral administration of Psoralea corylifolia extract (PCE) to rats. The third aim is to confirm the biotransformation of PO to P or IPO to IP under gastrointestinal conditions.

Materials and methods

A UPLC–MS/MS method with a C18 column and a mobile phase of methanol-0.1% aqueous formic acid was validated according to the criteria in FDA guidelines about bioanalytical method, which was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior of PO, IPO, P and IP from PCE and the metabolic pathways of PO to P or IPO to IP.

Results

The criteria for establishment of a new UPLC–MS/MS method including selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability were validated. This method was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of PO, IPO, P and IP in biological samples collected from both in vitro incubations and in vivo rat experiments. After oral administration of PCE to rat, pharmacokinetic parameters of these four compounds indicated that in vivo biotransformation may occur between PO and P or IPO and IP. Purified benzofuran glycosides fraction (PBGF), containing only PO and IPO, was orally administered to rats to further confirm the biotransformation of PO to P or IPO to IP under gastrointestinal conditions. An in vitro incubation study elucidated that PO and IPO were metabolized to P and IP by intestinal microflora through de-glucosylation.

Conclusions

This paper developed a rapid, sensitive and selective UPLC–MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of PO, IPO, P and IP from PCE in biological samples, and investigated on their comprehensive in vivo and in vitro pharmacokinetic studies. These obtained results showed that the metabolism by intestinal bacteria plays an important role in pharmacological effects of orally administered PCE.     

Is the use-impact on native caatinga species in Brazil reduced by the high species richness of medicinal plants?

A study of the diversity of uses of medicinal plants and the traditional knowledge associated with the caatinga vegetation was undertaken in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco State, NE Brazil. We tested the utilitarian redundancy model (as an analogy to the ecological redundancy hypothesis) in evaluating the implications of the use of medicinal plants by rural communities to examine whether the presence of numerous species with analogous functions (identical therapeutic applications, for example) would reduce the use-impact on native species in the neighboring caatinga vegetation. Various techniques were used to collect information concerning medicinal plants and their applications from 19 residents considered "local specialists". The vegetation was sampled to determine the abundance of woody plants. Approximately 106 plants that fall into 67 local therapeutic categories were identified. Despite the fact that exotic species compose a significant fraction of the local medicinal flora, the native species represented the greatest percentage of local uses and indications. Amburana cearensis, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Anadenanthera colubrina, Sideroxylon obtusifolium, and Ziziphus joazeiro, for example, are highly sought after plants, and represent key species in terms of conservation and sustainable management. Our model of utilitarian redundancy has important consequences for testing ethnobotanical hypotheses, as well as for indicating strategies for biodiversity conservation.     

The effects of lignan-riched extract of Shisandra chinensis on amyloid-β-induced cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity in the cortex and hippocampus of mouse

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Trucz.) Baill. (Schisandraceae) which have been used as a tonic especially for kidney yin deficiency in Chinese traditional medicine are recently receiving attention for its preventive activity on age-related neurodegenerative diseases. A variety of studies demonstrated the cognitive-enhancing effects of Schisandra chinensis through animal tests and also in clinical trials.

Aim of study

In this study, we attempted to investigate the effects of the lignan-riched extract of Schisandra chinensis fruits (ESP-806) on neurotoxicity and memory impairment induced by Aβ_1–42 injection in mice.

Materials and methods

The fruits of Schisandra chinensis were extracted with the mixture of n-hexane:ethanol (9:1), which is riched with bioactive dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, schizandrin, gomisin N, wuweigisu C. After oral treatment of ESP-806 (100 mg/kg body weight) followed by injection of Aβ_1–42 (2 μg/mouse, i.c.v.), novel object recognition and passive avoidance tests were evaluated. To verify the cognition enhancing effects of ESP-806, we examined the effects of ESP-806 on the activities of β-secretase and acetylcholinesterase, and the contents of Aβ and the reduced glutathione within the cortex and hippocampus of Aβ-injected mice.

Results

Oral treatment of ESP-806 (100 mg/kg body weight) significantly attenuated Aβ_1–42-induced memory impairment evaluated by behavioral tests. Furthermore, the treatment of ESP-806 attenuated the elevation of β-secretase activity accompanying the reduced level of Aβ_1–42 in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain. ESP-806 also significantly inhibited the acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus and increased the content of the reduced glutathione in the cortex and hippocampus of mouse brain.

Conclusions

These data suggested that the extract of Schisandra chinensis fruits riched with dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans may be useful in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.     

A scoping review on traditional medicine for bruxismOA

Objective: To investigate the current evidence on traditional medicine in managing bruxism and its clinical efficacy.Methods: A search was conducted in nine databases to identify potential eligible articles published from the date of inception until August 3, 2022. All clinical studies that used traditional medicine of any type in treating bruxism were eligible for inclusion. Two authors performed data extraction and quality assessments independently. Retrieved data were tabulated and discussed ...     

Effect of Honghua (Flos Carthami) on nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells and α-glucosidase activity

Objective

To study the effects of extracts from Honghua (Flos Carthami) on lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells and the influence of the extracts on yeast α-glucosidase activity. The total flavonoid content of the extracts was also determined.

Methods

Cytotoxicity of the extracts to RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated by the ATPlite™ method. Inhibitory effects of the extracts on NO production were evaluated by Griess assay. Curcumin was used as a positive control. Screening of extracts for potential α-glucosidase inhibitors was done by a fluorometric assay. The assay was based on the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl-a-D-glucopyranoside to form the fluorescent product, 4-methylumbellifer-one. Acarbose was used as a positive control. The total flavonoid content was tested using kaempferol as the standard.

Results

There were significant inhibitory effects on NO production when the extracts were 25-100 μg/mL (P<0.05) and curcumin was 2-4 μg/mL (P< 0.001). The extracts showed an inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase activity at the concentrations of 15.6-125 μg/mL with a half maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration (IC50) of (32.8 ± 5.7) μg/mL, compared with the IC₅₀ of acarbose at (1.8±0.4) μg/mL. There was a significant difference between the two IC₅₀ values (P<0.001). The total content of flavonoids per gram of dried herb was 1.14 mg.

Conclusion

Honghua (Flos Carthami) showed inhibitory effects on NO production in activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and an inhibitory effect on yeast α-glucosidase. There might be a relationship between these pharmacological effects and its flavonoid content.