In vivo analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory potential in Swiss albino mice and in vitro thrombolytic activity of hydroalcoholic extract from Litsea glutinosaleaves

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro thrombolytic activity, and in vivo analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potentials of different hydrocarbon soluble extracts of Litsea glutinosaleaves for the first time widely used in the folkloric treatments in Bangladesh. This work aimed to create new insights on the fundamental mechanisms of the plant extracts involved in these activities. RESULTS: In thrombolytic activity assay, a significant clot disruption was observed at dose of 1 mg/mL for each of the extracts (volume 100 µL) when compared to the standard drug streptokinase. The n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and crude methanolic extracts showed 32.23 ± 0.26, 37.67 ± 1.31, 43.13 ± 0.85, and 46.78 ± 0.9% clot lysis, respectively, whereas the positive control streptokinase showed 93.35 ± 0.35% disruption at the dose of 30,000 I.U. In hot plate method, the highest pain inhibitory activity was found at a dose of 500 mg/kg of crude extract (15.54 ± 0.37 sec) which differed significantly (P <0.01 and P <0.001) with that of the standard drug ketorolac (16.38 ± 0.27 sec). In acetic acid induced writhing test, the crude methanolic extract showed significant (P <0.01 and P <0.001) analgesic potential at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (45.98 and 56.32% inhibition, respectively), where ketorolac showed 64.36% inhibition. In anti-inflammatory activity test, the crude methanolic extract showed significant (P <0.001) potential at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (1.51 ± 0.04 and 1.47 ± 0.03 mm paw edema, respectively), where ketorolac showed 1.64 ± 0.05 mm edema after 3 h of carrageenan injection. In antipyretic activity assay, the crude extract showed notable reduction in body temperature (32.78 ± 0.46°C) at dose of 500 mg/kg-body weight, when the standard (at dose 150 mg/kg-body weight) exerted 33.32 ± 0.67°C temperature after 3 h of administration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results yield that the crude hydroalcoholic extract has better effects than the other in all trials. In the context, it can be said that the leaves of L. glutinosa possess remarkable pharmacological effects, and justify its traditional use as analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic agent.

Effect of Ethanol Extract of Coccinia grandis Lin leaf on Glucose and Cholesterol Lowering Activity.

Aims: To investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Coccinia grandis Lin (Cucurbitaceae) leaf in glucose and cholesterol lowering activity in animal model. Study Design: Extraction, glucose and cholesterol lowering activity evaluation. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka between June 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: Glucose and cholesterol lowering effect of the ethanol extract of C. grandis leaf was evaluated using the alloxan-induced diabetic rat and compared the activity with diabetic control and antidiabetic drug (Glibenclamide). Ethanol extract (25mg/kg) of C. grandis and Glibenclamide were administered to normal and experimental diabetic rats for the duration of 10 days. Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardenolides and polyprenols in significant amounts. In the alloxan-induced diabetic rat model, C. grandis (25 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) lowered fasting blood glucose levels. C. grandis extract (25 mg/kg) also produced significant (p<0.05) total cholesterol lowering and HDL increasing (p<0.05) effects. Surprisingly, body weight was increased significantly (p<0.05) in the C. grandis treated diabetic group. Conclusion: These results suggest that the ethanol extract of C. grandis leaf possesses significant glucose and cholesterol lowering activity in animal model, thus supporting the usage of the plant in traditional medicine as an anti-diabetic medication.

Phytochemical screenings, thrombolytic activity and antimicrobial properties of the bark extracts of Averrhoa bilimbi.

In this present study, the bark extracts of Averrhoa bilimbi were subjected to the thrombolytic activities were assessed by using human erythrocyte and the results were compared with standard streptokinase (SK). On the other hand, bark extracts of A. bilimbi revealed moderate antibacterial activity against some microorganisms used in the screening. Preliminary phytochemical investigation suggested the presence of flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids.

Antimicrobial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic activityof Cassia senna leaves (family: Fabaceae).

Cassia senna leaves belonging to the family Fabaceae have been investigated for the presence of its secondary metabolites and evaluation of biological activities of the crude extracts with special emphasis to the antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic activity and thrombolytic activity. The antimicrobial activities of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate & methanolic extracts of C. senna leaves were screened against five gram(+) bacteria, eight gram(-) bacteria and three fungi by ‘disc diffusion method’. The methanol extract possesses no antimicrobial activity but chloroform and n-hexane fractions exhibited moderate to less activity against some organisms tested compared with the standard antibiotic Kanamycin. Brine shrimp lethality bio-assay was done using brine shrimp Nauplii and dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent for the methanol extracts of C. senna. The LC50 value (1.5625) of methanol extract of the plant indicated that the cytotoxicity was very significant. The percentages found in thrombolytic tests are 41.46%, 53.22%, 33.33%, 4.08% and standard 92.85%. So, in comparison with standard, C. senna can be further use as mild thrombolytic agent.

Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of the Methanol Extract of Paederia foetida Linn. (Rubiaceae).

The antibacterial activities of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate fractions of methanolic extracts of the whole plants Paederia foetida (family Rubiaceae) were screened against various pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina lutea, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella paratyphi , Salmonella typhi, Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae, Vibrio mimicus, Vibrio parahemolyticus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Sacharomyces cerevacae by ‘disc diffusion method’. The methanol extract of the whole plants possesses no antimicrobial activity but the ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane fractions exhibited moderate to less activity against some organisms tested compared with the standard antibiotic Kanamycin. Brine shrimp lethality bio-assay was done using brine shrimp Nauplii and dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent for the methanol plant extracts of Paederia foetida. The LC50 value of methanol extract of the plant indicated that the cytotoxicity was very significant.