In vitro evaluation of anti-acetylcholinesterase and free radical scavenging potential of leaf extracts of some selected medicinal plants

Objective: To evaluate the phytochemical present in various solvent extracts from leaves of Ocimum sanctum (L.), Swertia chirayita (L.), Butea monosperma (Lam.) and Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) as well as antioxidant and anticholinergic activities employing different in vitro models. Methods: Total phenol content of diethyl ether, chloroform and methanolic extracts obtained from leaves of different medicinal plants was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau's spectrophotometric method. Moreover, antioxidant and anticholinergic studies were conducted by four different in vitro methods which included diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbezoline-6-sulphonic acid), reducing activity by ferrous reduced antioxidant power and anti-acetylcholinesterase assay, in order to ensure pharmacological potential of the plants. Results: The methanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum showed the highest total phenol content which was (21.13±1.04) GAE/g DW and antioxidant activities compared to other plants with the IC

Biological, chemical and pharmacological aspects of Madhuca longifolia

Madhuca longifolia (M. longifolia) is also known as Mahua belonging to the family sapoteace family. M. longifolia is used in traditional and folklore system of medicine widely across India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka for its various pharmacological properties as in snake bites and in diabetes. Phytochemicals studies documented the different bioactive constituents, namely, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes and saponins. The pharmacological studies proved that it possess wide range of biological activities such as antiulcer, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. The toxicity studies reveal its non-toxic effect even at larger doses. Thus M. longifolia can be considered as a therapeutic agent for specific diseases. Scientific investigation on various isolated bioactive components and its efficacy on diseases proved the future usefulness of different species of Madhuca. This review summarizes the phytochemical, pharmacological, medicinal and non-medicinal uses of M. longifolia. Further exploration on M. longifolia for its therapeutic potential is however required for depth traditional knowledge.

Influence of Musa sapientum L. on pharmacokinetic of metformin in diabetic gastroparesis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Musa sapientum L. (MS) bark juice in diabetic gastroparesis and its effect on pharmacokinetic of metformin (MET).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetes was induced in rats by administering alloxan (120 mg/kg) saline solution and maintained for 8 week. All the 18 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n =6 in each group): normal control, diabetic control and MS bark juice. Assessment of diabetes was done by glucose oxidase-peroxidase method on the 3rd day of alloxan administration. The effects of MS bark juice (100 mL/kg) on gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, contractility of fundus and pylorus as well as gastric acid secretion in chronic diabetic rats were observed after 8 weeks of alloxan administration. The effect of MS bark juice on the pharmacokinetic of orally administered single dose of MET (350 mg/kg) was evaluated on the 57th day of protocol. Any drugs that may reduce the blood glucose level or influence the fibrinolytic system were not used in this study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The MS bark juice significantly reduced the blood glucose level in the diabetic rats (P<0.01). There was significant decrease in the pylorus motility and increase in the gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, contractility of fundus, gastric acid secretion in the MS bark juice treated group (P<0.01). There was significant decrease in the time at which drug at a maximum concentration, half life of drug and increase in the maximum concentration of drug in the plasma of MET in MS bark juice treated group as compared to diabetic control group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MS bark juice effectively manages diabetic gastroparesis and thereby improves the bioavailabilty of MET when administered with MS bark juice.</p>

Evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial potentials of Ixora coccinea root extract

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the wound healing and antimicrobial activity of root extracts of Ixora coccinea (I. coccinea).@*METHODS@#To investigate the wound healing efficacy of root extract of I. coccinea Linn, five groups of animals were divided each containing six animals. Two wound models including incision and excision wound models were used in this study. The parameters studied were tensile strength on incision wound model and in terms of wound contraction for excision wound model were compared with standard Nitrofurazone (NFZ) ointment (0.2% w/w). Six extracts (ethanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of I. coccinea were screened for in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different bacterial strains viz, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilius, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger were compared with the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol for antibacterial and griseofulvin for antifungal screening. The serial dilution and cup (or) well plate methods were used for the antimicrobial study and MIC was determined.@*RESULTS@#The ethanolic extract showed significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity when compared to standard drug NFZ with respect to normal control group. Amongst all, ethanolic extract showed highly significant antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains used in this study when compared to standard. The aqueous extract showed moderate significant inhibition against all bacterial strains when compared to standard. All the extracts were shown negligible activity against the fungal strains used in this study.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The ethanolic root extract of I. coccinea showed pronounced wound healing and antibacterial activity. The probable reason to heal the wound was that the external application of the extract prevented the microbes to invade through the wound thus the protection of wound occurs against the infection of the various organisms.

Evaluation of antiulcer activity of the methanolic extract of the flowers of pterospermum acerifolium [L] willd

In respect of the traditional uses of medicinal plants in the treatment of various ulcerative lesions; it was revealed that the flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium [L] Willd. were extensively used in folklore medicine to treat ulcerative lesions, tumors, diabetes and inflammation. So far our knowledge is concerned; the flowers were not yet scientifically evaluated for their antiulcer activity. The present study was carried out with the methanolic extract of the flowers to evaluate its antiulcer activity on aspirin and pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesion in Wistar albino rats. Methanolic extracts of flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium were suspended in 2%v/v of Tween 80, lOOmg/kg and 150mg/kg of methanolic extracts were administered orally to rats of different groups. Ranitidine at the dose level of 20 mg/kg was used as a standard for both aspirin [150 mg/kg, p.o.]-induced and pylorus ligated gastric ulcer models. The gastric content was collected and the volume was measured. The ulcerative index was determined by examining the inner lining of each stomach and was supplemented by the observation of histopathological changes such as congestion, corrosion, hemorrhage and necrosis. The results showed that the methanolic extract of flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium significantly [P<0.001] reduced the total volume of gastric juice, free and total acidity of gastric secretion when compared with the standard group [Ranitidine]. There was also a significant [P<0.001] reduction in ulcer index as compared to the control group