ABSTRACT
The herbal family Cucurbitaceae are rich in nutrients as well as compounds of medicinal interest viz. taxols and microtubule inhibitors, particularly against cancer. Here, we evaluated the cytotoxic, antimitotic, and antiproliferative properties of n-hexane and petroleum ether seed extracts of pumpkin Cucurbita pepo L. (CP), Muskmelon Cucumis melo L. (CM) and cucumber Cucumis sativus L. (CS). The cytotoxic activity was determined using brine shrimp lethality bioassay, antimitotic activity was determined using Allium cepa root growth inhibition test and Vigna radiata (green gram) germination test, and antiproliferative activity was determined by cell viability assay using yeast model on the extracts. The extracts showed positive concentration dependent cytotoxicity towards brine shrimp. The LC50 values for n-hexane extracts of CP, CM and CS were 750, 250 and 500 µg/mL, respectively, and for petroleum ether extracts, the LC50 values were 500, 500 and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. Good root growth inhibition of Allium cepa was observed for both the extracts of CP, CM and CS with the efficient concentration (EC50) values 500, 500, 250 ppm and 500, 250, 500 ppm, respectively. Antimitotic activity of extracts showed significant inhibition of imbibition morphologically. Percentage of inhibition for n-hexane extracts of CP, CM, CS were 119.9, 121.7, 108.7% and that for petroleum ether extracts of CP, CM, CS were 58, 58.41, 61.28%, respectively. Antiproliferative assay using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) model showed good concentration-dependent inhibition of yeast cell growth. The percentage of cell inhibition for n-hexane extract of CP (1, 2, 3 mg/mL) was 75, 82.7 and 95.6%, respectively. For CM, it was 75.8, 84.3 and 97.6% while that for CS, it was 72.9, 81.7 and 92.5%, respectively. The percentage of cell inhibition for petroleum ether extract of CP (1, 2, 3 mg/mL) was 70.5, 76.4 and 90.1%, respectively. For CM, it was 72.3, 78.8 and 91.9% while that for CS, it was 72.7, 82.1 and 93.1, respectively. The results have demonstrated significant cytotoxic, antimitotic and antiproliferative activity of the seed extracts of Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis melo and Cucumis sativus.
ABSTRACT
Background: The current research was undertaken on dried fruits of Capparis moonii to screen its potential for immunomodulatory and cancer indications with identification of phytoconstituents by chromatographic techniques.Methods: Methanolic (MECN), hydro-methanolic (HMECN) and aqueous extracts (AQCN) of Capparis moonii were subjected to high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after studying the total phenolic and flavonoid content by using rutin and gallic acid as standards respectively as well as undertaking powder characteristics and preliminary phytochemical screening. Immunomodulatory activities covered were hemagglutination antibody titre and delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction with the aid of sheep red blood cells (0.5×109) as antigens. The extracts were studied for antioxidant potential. Anticancer prospects were focusing on in vitro cell lines screening (MCF 7 and HCT 15) by Sulforhodamine B assay method and potato disc assay.Results: The total phenolic and flavonoid content of MECM, HMECM and AQCM fruits extracts were found to be 0.20, 0.11 and 0.47 mg of gallic acid/g and 78.3, 18.8 and 64.4 mg of rutin/g respectively. Rutin and quercetin were confirmed by HPTLC and HPLC showing well resolved peaks. IC50 values in antioxidant studies were found to be significant with all the extracts. Significant immunomodulatory effect was noticed at 200mg/kg in both models (high antibody titre levels and decrease paw volume after 48 h). Unsatisfactory results were observed with selected cell lines and disc assay.Conclusions: Thus, selected fruits may probably have immunomodulatory potential due to presence of flavonols (rutin and quercetin).
ABSTRACT
Carissa congesta and Benincasa hispida are well-known medicinally important plants associated with diabetes, inflammation, protozal infections and cancer. Here, we emphasized up on the immunomodulatory potential of these plants as the source of lupeol, β-sitosterol and ursolic acid. Petroleum ether extracts of C. congesta roots and B. hispida seeds were subjected to acute toxicity studies. They were screened for its immunomodulatory prospective in rats by Haemagglutination Antibody (HA) titre and Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) response using Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBCs of-0.5×109) as antigens. Carbon Clearance test (Phagocytic Index) was estimated by Indian ink suspension. Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis model interpretation was done by paw edema, kene joint erosion (transverse section), body weights, arthritic index and biochemical levels (RBC, WBC and Hb levels). Both the extracts were found to be therapeutically safe up to 5000 mg/kg. Dosage of 100 mg/kg was not satisfactory; and 500 and 250 mg/kg showed significant immunostimmulation (HA Titre) and immunosuppression (DTH response, 48 h). Benincasa hispida seed and Carissa congesta root extracts showed phagocytic Index of 0.0163±0.003, 0.0145±0.003 and 0.0183±0.003, 0.0176±0.003 at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. CFA model revealed that the B. hispida seed and C. congesta root extracts decreased paw volume, knee joint erosion, increased body weights and biochemical parameters with an arthritic index of 1.31±0.12, 1.44±0.15 and 1. 16±0.09, 1.36±0.13 at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg, respectively. The results were interpreted by One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett test. Extracts showed relevance as promising immunostimulators as compared to control.
ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major contributors to the global burden of chronic diseases. In India CVD is projected to be the largest cause of death and disability by 2020. Hypertension is the commonest CVD affecting at least 20% of adult population. It is one of the major chronic diseases resulting in high mortality and morbidity in today’s world. The prevalence of CVD in the state of Kerala was found in the cross section of the society by the research group in an earlier study on prevalence of hypertension. A plethora of new drugs are now available and the quality of life for these patients has considerably improved. In the present investigation, the prescribing attitude of various physicians was reviewed carefully. The available medical records and the prescriptions of the Cardiology unit were reviewed to study the prescribing pattern and drug therapy for CVD. The various aspects studied were; the diagnosis and preliminary investigations conducted for the patients, Mean Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), the investigation reports of lipid profiles, Mean Total Cholesterol and Mean HDL Cholesterol levels, advises made with regard to other investigations like ECG, TMT, Echo etc and type of drugs prescribed including cases of combination therapy in first visit and subsequent revisits. Prevalence of diabetes was also studied in CVD patients. The prescribing pattern for hypertension reveals that single drug therapy was mostly preferred. The most commonly preferred and prescribed drugs (MCPP) were Amlodipine, Atenolol, and Losartan Potassium etc. However combination therapy (CT) was also observed. The most commonly preferred and prescribed combinations were Atenolol+Amlodipine, Enalapril+Hydrochlorothiazide, Frusemide+Spironolactone. The various classes of drugs include ACE inhibitors, Beta-Blockers, Nitrates, and Diuretics etc. Aspirin was prescribed for 40 to 50% of patients. Despite the proven benefits of Aspirin therapy in the primary and secondary prevention of CVD, the prescribing pattern still remains little suboptimal. The Biochemical investigation reports of the lipid profile reveal that a considerable number of patients were found to have dislipidemia. Statins and Fibrates were mostly prescribed for lowering low density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and improving High density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The study reveals that there is a considerable extent of CVD risk factors in the studied cross section of the community.
ABSTRACT
Comparative antioxidant studies were carried out for methanolic extract of Cassia auriculata flowers, leaves and roots for proving its utility in inflammation and healing mechanism. The methanolic extracts were screened for antioxidant activity by nitric oxide radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation inhibition and DPPH methods at different concentrations. Throughout the studies flowers extract showed marked antioxidant activity compared to leaves and roots extract. The antioxidant activity of the flower flowers extract may be due to stabilization of plasma membrane, thereby lowering the elevated levels of serum lysosomal enzymes. The antioxidant activity was found to be concentration dependent and may be attributed to the presence of high flavanoids and bioflavonoids content in the flowers of Cassia auriculata.
ABSTRACT
The present investigation was intended to evaluate the toxicity of the methanolic leaf extract of a traditionally used plant Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng. Plant material was analysed for various pharmacognostical parameters as per WHO guidelines procedure i.e., foreign matter, microscopical sections, loss on drying, water and alcoholic extractive values, Total ash, acid soluble ash, heavy metals, phytochemical analysis and toxicity studies. Acute & Sub acute toxicity of the methanolic extract was evaluated in albino mice (Female) after ingestions of the extract during one day (Acute model) and during 28days (sub acute model).The studies on sub acute toxicity reveals that no mortalities or evidence of adverse effects have been observed in Albino mice following acute oral administration at the highest dose of 2000mg/kg crude extracts of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng. Similarly, in sub-acute toxicity study methanolic extract 200,400 mg/kg body wt of Plectranthus amboinicus did not cause any changes in hematological and biochemical parameters. Studies on histopathological examination of vital organs showed normal architecture suggesting no morphological disturbances. Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour) Spreng can be considered as safe as it did not cause either any lethality or adverse changes in the general behavior in mice.
ABSTRACT
Glycomics is the study that deals with the structures and functions of carbohydrates. The discovery Of novel and increasing number of numerous biological roles of carbohydrates , glycomics has explored the field of carbohydrate vaccines. Glycoconjugate vaccines in which the cell surface carbohydrate from a microorganism is covalently attached to a carrier protein are proving to be highly effective in generating protective immune responses to prevent a wide range of diseases. The carbohydrate based agents – glycoproteins and polysaccharides can be difficult to isolate from natural sources and the natural isolates can have heterogeneity and contamination. So, the alternative would be to identify antigenic carbohydrates and then synthesize them in the laboratory. Novel chemical and enzymatic oligosaccharide techniques are making it possible to envision a new generation of carbohydrate based vaccines. Carbohydrate vaccines have leading roles in cancer, haemophilus influenza B, malaria, candidiasis, AIDS etc. The present article focuses on the potential of carbohydrate vaccines, thus paving the way for development in the field of glycomics.