Chemical Composition of Abrus precatorius L. Seeds

Aims: A. precatorius seed powder is traditionally used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicine. The objective of present work is to describe the oil, starch, protein, polyphenol and mineral composition of A. precatorius seeds. Methodology: Legumes from A. precatorius were collected, and seeds were manually separated. Dried seeds in powder form were employed for the various analyses: solvent extraction was used for elucidation of the oil percentage value; starch content was determined by the enzymatic method; total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were spectrophotometrically analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride as the color developing reagents, respectively; and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used for the mineral contents assessment. Results: The seed kernel consisted of stored oil (3.2%), protein (92.0%) and starch (4.8%). The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were 24710 and 2520 mg/kg (dw). A remarkably high content of polyphenols was observed in the seed coat and the seed pod. P, S and (mainly) K nutrients were hyper-accumulated in the seed kernel. The seeds showed a glass transition at -21°C, two endothermic peaks at 109°C (dehydration and protein unfolding) and at 209°C, and a calorific value (~406 kcal/100 g dw) that exceeded those of Pisum sativum L., Lens culinaris Medik. and other common pulses. Conclusions: The seed kernel from A. precatorius was mainly composed of stored protein, with low oil and starch contents. High contents of polyphenols, K, Mg, Ca and Fe were found in the seeds. Heavy metals were below the safety limits established for human consumption.

Methanolic extract of Abrus precatorius promotes breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell death by inducing cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 and upregulating Bax

Objective: To determine the anti-proliferative activity of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius) leaf extracts and their effect on cell death. Methods: A. precatorius leaves were extracted successively with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol by Soxhlet extraction. Aqueous extract was prepared by decoction at 50 ℃. Extracts of A. precatorius leaves were used to treat selected cancer and normal cell lines for 72 h. Furthermore, 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine cell viability. Analysis of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis assay and apoptosis protein expressions were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Methanolic extract of A. precatorius leaves showed the lowest IC50 on MDA-MB-231 cells at (26.40±5.40) μg/mL. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that cell arrest occurred at G0/G1 phase and the apoptosis assay showed the occurrence of early apoptosis at 48 h in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with methanolic extract of A. precatorius leaves. Methanolic extract of A. precatorius leaves induced apoptosis by upregulation of Bax, p53 and caspase-3 and downregulation of Bcl-2. Conclusions: Methanolic extract of A. precatorius leaves promotes MDA-MB-231 cell death by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis possibly via the mitochondrial-related pathway.

Methanolic extract of Abrus precatorius promotes breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell death by inducing cell cycle arrest at G

Objective: To determine the anti-proliferative activity of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius) leaf extracts and their effect on cell death. Methods: A. precatorius leaves were extracted successively with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol by Soxhlet extraction. Aqueous extract was prepared by decoction at 50 C. Extracts of A. precatorius leaves were used to treat selected cancer and normal cell lines for 72 h. Furthermore, 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine cell viability. Analysis of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis assay and apoptosis protein expressions were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Methanolic extract of A. precatorius leaves showed the lowest IC

Ameliorative Properties of the Chloroform Stem Bark Extract of Abrus precatorius against Gentamicin-induced Renal Damage in Rats

Aims: This study seeks to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of chloroform stem bark extract of Abrus precatorius in a murine model of gentamicin-induced renal damage.Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups; A being the normal control group and given normal saline. B as the toxicant group was given Gentamicin (GM) at 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for six days; C received chloroform extract of Abrus precatorius at 100 mg/kg administered orally three days prior and concurrently with gentamicin for six days, D received 200 mg/kg of the extract and was administered orally for three days prior and concurrently with gentamicin for six days and E received gentamicin administered intraperitoneally for six days followed by administration of 200 mg/kg chloroform extract of Abrus precatorius for three days. Body and organ weight were determined. Serum and kidney homogenate were obtained. Creatinine, urea, Xanthine oxidase, Myeloperoxidase and Nitric oxide were assayed for in the serum. Advanced oxidative protein product, Protein carbonyl, Malondialdehyde, Hydrogen peroxide, Superoxide dismutase, Reduced Glutathione, Glutathione-S-transferase, Glutathione peroxidase, Protein thiol, Non-protein thiol were assayed for in the renal homogenate. Histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry using Bcl2, CRP and NFKB were done to check for structural changes and protein expressions respectively.Results: Markers of oxidative stress and inflammation were significantly increased in the toxicant group, but a significant reduction of these markers in the extract treated groups at pre and post treatment periods. Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant level in the toxicant group were significantly depleted, whereas the levels of these enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels were significantly elevated in a dose dependent manner in the extract treated groups. Histopathology revealed tubular necrosis, areas of inflammation, glomerular atrophy, and congestion in the toxicant group. These were ameliorated in the extract treated groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed decreased expression of Bcl2 and increase protein expression of CRP and NFKB in the toxicant group; however, the reverse was seen in the extract treated groups.Conclusions: From these results, it can be concluded that the chloroform extract of Abrus precatorius stem bark has nephroprotective properties.

Evaluation of phytochemical properties and in-vitro antibacterial activity of the aqueous extracts of leaf, seed and root of Abrus precatorius Linn. against Salmonella and Shigella

Objective: To investigate the phytochemical components of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius) and the in-vitro susceptibility of Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysen-teriae to the aqueous extracts of A. precatorius leaf, seed and root. Methods: The leaf, seed and root of A. precatorius were collected and homogenized separately after drying at 40 °C for seven days in hot-air oven. The aqueous extracts of each of the parts were prepared and subjected to phytochemical screening. Dilutions of 400, 300, 200, 100 mg/mL, of each of the extracts were used for broth dilution in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination against clinical isolates of Sal-monella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae, while 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 mg/mL dilutions were used for the agar diffusion test and 100μg/mL and 10μg/mL of gentamycin were used as controls for broth dilution in MIC determination and agar diffusion test, respectively. Results: Qualitative study reveals that tannin, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpe-noids, steroids and phenols were present in all of the plant parts. The leaf has the highest quantities of tannin and phenol. The root generally showed the lowest quantity of all the compounds. The pathogens were susceptible to aqueous extracts of the leaf, stem and root of A. precatorius at 50 mg/mL. At concentrations of 40, 30 and 20 mg/mL, all the aqueous extracts of A. precatorius showed variation in MIC, but produced no minimum bactericide effect upon subculture. There were variations in diameter of zone of inhibition against the organisms at lower concentrations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that A. precatorius is a valuable source of phyto-chemicals with promising antibacterial activity. Considering this bioactivity, A. precatorius could be probed further for toxicity, and to obtain some novel antibacterial molecules.

Evaluation of phytochemical properties and in-vitro antibacterial activity of the aqueous extracts of leaf, seed and root of Abrus precatorius Linn. against Salmonella and Shigella

Objective To investigate the phytochemical components of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius) and the in-vitro susceptibility of Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae to the aqueous extracts of A. precatorius leaf, seed and root. Methods The leaf, seed and root of A. precatorius were collected and homogenized separately after drying at 40 °C for seven days in hot-air oven. The aqueous extracts of each of the parts were prepared and subjected to phytochemical screening. Dilutions of 400, 300, 200, 100 mg/mL, of each of the extracts were used for broth dilution in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination against clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae, while 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 mg/mL dilutions were used for the agar diffusion test and 100 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL of gentamycin were used as controls for broth dilution in MIC determination and agar diffusion test, respectively. Results Qualitative study reveals that tannin, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and phenols were present in all of the plant parts. The leaf has the highest quantities of tannin and phenol. The root generally showed the lowest quantity of all the compounds. The pathogens were susceptible to aqueous extracts of the leaf, stem and root of A. precatorius at 50 mg/mL. At concentrations of 40, 30 and 20 mg/mL, all the aqueous extracts of A. precatorius showed variation in MIC, but produced no minimum bactericide effect upon subculture. There were variations in diameter of zone of inhibition against the organisms at lower concentrations. Conclusions These findings suggest that A. precatorius is a valuable source of phytochemicals with promising antibacterial activity. Considering this bioactivity, A. precatorius could be probed further for toxicity, and to obtain some novel antibacterial molecules.

In vitro Antiplasmodial, Antitrypanosomal, Antileishmanial and Cytotoxic Activities of Various Fractions of Abrus precatorius Leaf.

Background: Infectious diseases are the worst problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The Nupe ethnic group from Nigeria has been using the leaves of Abrus precatorius for treatment of malaria and various forms of cancers. However studies have shown that the plant has antimicrobial and anti-cancer activities. In this study the crude methanolic extract, methanolic, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane fractions of Abrus precatorius leaf were tested In vitro against chloroquine and pyrimethamine resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovoni and rat skeletal myoblasts (L-6 cells). Methods: The leaf ingredients were extracted and separated via methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform and n-hexane solvents using column chromatography. In vitro activity against erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum was determined by a modified [3H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assay. In vitro activities against T. brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi and L. donovoni and cytotoxicity against L6 cells line were assayed. Regression analysis was adopted for computation of the 50% inhibitory concentrations. The antiprotozoan activity of the extracts was qualified as active when IC50 value was less than 50 g/ml. The extract that showed selectivity index higher than 3.29 was considered to have potential for safer therapy. Results: n-hexane fraction showed the best antiplasmodial activity with inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 12.1 g/ml followed by chloroform fraction (23.0 g/ml), crude methanolic extract (30.4 g/ml) and ethyl acetate fraction (45.9 g/ml) with selectivity index of 3.66, 1.90, 2.18 and 3.29 respectively. Chloroform fraction showed the best activity against T. brucei rhodesiense with IC50 value of 17.9 g/ml and selectivity index of 2.44 and followed by n-hexane fraction with IC50 (34.5 g/ml) and selectivity index of 1.28. Conclusion: Since leaf extract has significant antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal and antileshmanial activities in vitro, bioassay guided isolation of the active principles can be done with a view to discovering novel drugs for the treatment of malaria, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Detoxification of Abrus precatorius L seeds by Ayurvedic Shodhana process and anti‑inflammatory potential of the detoxified extract.

Background: Abrus precatorius seeds traditionally used for the treatment of sciatica and alopecia contains the toxic protein, abrin, a Type II Ribosome Inactivating Protein. Ayurveda recommends the use of Abrus seeds after the Shodhana process (detoxification). Objective: The current study was aimed at performing the Shodhana process, swedana (boiling) of Abrus precatorius seeds using water as a medium and to evaluate the anti‑inflammatory potential of seed extract post detoxification. Materials and Methods: Non‑detoxified and detoxified extracts were prepared and subsequently subjected to various in vitro and in vivo assays. In hemagglutination assay, the non‑detoxified extract shows higher agglutination of RBCs than detoxified extract indicating riddance of toxic hemagglutinating proteins by Shodhana. This was confirmed by the SDSPAGE analysis of detoxified extract revealing the absence of abrin band in detoxified extract when compared to non‑detoxified extract. Results: The cytotoxicity assay in HeLa cell line expresses a higher reduction in growth percentage of the cells with non‑detoxified extract as compared to detoxified extract indicating successful detoxification. Brine shrimp lethality test indicated the reduction in toxicity index of detoxified extract as compared to non‑detoxified extract. Further, the whole body apoptosis assay in zebrafish revealed that percentage of viable cells were greater for detoxified extract than non‑detoxified extract. The anti‑inflammatory studies using carrageenan induced paw edema model in rats was carried out on the extracts with doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, per oral, where the detoxified extract exhibited significant inhibition of rat paw edema at both the doses comparable to that of Diclofenac sodium. Conclusion: Absence of toxicity and the retention of the anti‑inflammatory activity of detoxified Abrus seed extract confirmed that the Swedana process is effective in carrying out the detoxification without affecting its therapeutic potential.

Ethno botanical and Phytophrmacological potential of Abrus precatorius L.:A review

Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as a single drug or in combination in health care delivery system. Medicinal plants can be important source of previously unknown chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects. Abrus precatorius L. is commonly known as Gunja or Jequirity and abundantly found all throughout the plains of India, from Himalaya down to Southern India and Ceylon. This plant is having medicinal potential to cure various diseases. The roots, leaves and seeds of this plant are used for different medicinal purpose. It principally contains flavonoids, triterpene glycosides, abrin and alkaloids. The plant have been reported for neuromuscular effects, neuro-protective, abortifacient, antiepileptic, anti-viral, anti-malarial, antifertility, nephroprotective, immunomodulator, immunostimulatory properties, anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic effect, etc. As this is a potential medicinal plant, present review reveals chemical constituents of leaf, root and seeds of Abrus precatorius. The plant is considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products.

Ethno botanical and Phytophrmacological potential of Abrus precatorius L.: A review

Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as a single drug or in combination in health care delivery system. Medicinal plants can be important source of previously unknown chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects. Abrus precatorius L. is commonly known as Gunja or Jequirity and abundantly found all throughout the plains of India, from Himalaya down to Southern India and Ceylon. This plant is having medicinal potential to cure various diseases. The roots, leaves and seeds of this plant are used for different medicinal purpose. It principally contains flavonoids, triterpene glycosides, abrin and alkaloids. The plant have been reported for neuromuscular effects, neuro-protective, abortifacient, antiepileptic, anti-viral, anti-malarial, antifertility, nephroprotective, immunomodulator, immunostimulatory properties, anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic effect, etc. As this is a potential medicinal plant, present review reveals chemical constituents of leaf, root and seeds of Abrus precatorius. The plant is considered as a valuable source of unique natural products for development of medicines against various diseases and also for the development of industrial products.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Due to Abrin Toxicity: A Case Report.

Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean) is a common cause of accidental or intentional poisoning in the tropics. The data on exact incidence of abrus poisoning is largely insufficient in our country, due to lack of reporting. The estimated lethal dose for humans is 0.1-1 μg/kg. The toxic component is the protein abrin that causes widespread endothelial damage. Abrin causes a variety of manifestations like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis with erosions, hemolysis, acute renal damage, dyselectrolytemia, hepatotoxicity with elevated liver enzymes and seizures. Apart from the common manifestation of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, patients experiencing mental status perturbations have been identified and documented earlier. There have been previous reports of elevated intracranial tension (ICT) in abrus poisoning, however, the exact cause for this phenomenon had not been elucidated. We herein report a case of intentional A. precatorius poisoning in a young girl that caused cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Effect of petroleum ether and ethanol fractions of seeds of Abrus precatorius on androgenic alopecia

Seeds of Abrus precatorius L., Fabaceae, are commonly used as purgative, emetic, aphrodisiac and in nervous disorder in traditional and folk medicines. In present study petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts of A. precatorius seeds are evaluated for reversal of androgen (testosterone by i.m route) induced alopecia in male albino wistar rats and compared to topical administration of standard antiandrogenic drug finasteride for 21 days. The results were reflected from visual observation and histological study of several skin sections via various parameters as anagen to telogen ratio and follicle density/mm area of skin surface. The animal of group 1 who were treated with only testosterone became alopecic on visual observation. Animals of Group 2, 3 and 4 who were treated with finasteride, petroleum ether and ethanolic extract of seed respectively topically along with testosterone (i.m) did not developed alopecia. To investigate the mechanism of observed activity, in vitro experiments were performed. Inhibition of 5α-reductase activity by extracts and finasteride suggest that they reversed androgen induced alopecia by inhibiting conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (potent androgen responsible for androgenic alopecia). So it may be concluded that petroleum ether and ethanolic extract of A. precatorius seed posses anti androgenic alopecia activity due to inhibition of 5α-reductase enzyme.

Cytoarchitectural variations in the ovary, oviduct and uterus following intra-gastric gavages of Abrus precatorius linn in albino rats / Variaciones citoarquitectónicas en el ovario, oviducto y útero después del gavage intragástrico de Abrus precatorius Linn en Ratas Albinas

In developing countries, herbal medicines have continued to remain significant and readily patronized. Numerous plants have been used historically to reduce fertility and modern scientific research has confirmed antifertility effect in some of the herbs tested. To investigate the effects of Abrus precatorius (AP) on the histology of the ovary, oviduct and uterus of female Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rat. A total of 40, 6­8 week old 4-day cycling female S-D rats were used. They were divided into the treatment, control and reversibility groups. The treatment and reversibility groups were fed oral AP seed extract (50 mg/kg b.w) for 32 days. A fraction of the rats in reversibility group was treated with distilled water for another 32 days. The control group were used to compare events in the other groups. At the end of the experimental durations animals were sacrificed under light chloroform anesthesia. Their ovaries, uteri and oviducts harvested for microscopic studies. Comparing the control histological sections to the treated groups: the ovaries showed decreased size, large follicular distension and extensive stromal necrosis with compromised cellularity. The uterine tubes revealed appreciable mucosal reduction. The uteri exhibited reduction in the layer of endometrial thickness. On the other hand sections in reversal experimental rats were comparable to control. The rats treated with AP seed extract at dose 50 mg/kg b.w induced reversible alterations in ovaries, uterine and uteri in S-D.

En los países en desarrollo, las hierbas medicinales siguen siendo de gran importancia y de fácil utilización. Numerosas plantas se han utilizado históricamente para reducir la fertilidad y la investigación científica moderna ha confirmado el efecto anti-fertilidad en algunas de las hierbas estudiadas. Para investigar los efectos de Abrus precatorius (AP) sobre la histología del ovario, oviducto y útero de ratas Sprague-Dawley (SD), fueron utilizadas un total de 40 ratas SD hembras de 6-8 semanas de edad en el día 4 del ciclo. Se dividieron en grupos de tratamiento, control y reversibilidad. Los grupos de tratamiento y reversibilidad se alimentaron por vía oral con el extracto de semilla de AP (50 mg/kg de peso corporal) durante 32 días. Una fracción de las ratas del grupo de reversibilidad se trató con agua destilada durante otros 32 días. El grupo de control se utilizó para comparar los eventos en los otros grupos. Al finalizar el periodo experimental los animales fueron sacrificados bajo anestesia con cloroformo. Los ovarios, útero y los oviductos fueron procesados para los estudios microscópicos. Al comparar las secciones de control histológico con los grupos tratados, los ovarios mostraron disminución del tamaño, gran distensión folicular y necrosis estromal extensa con celularidad comprometida. Las tubas uterinas revelaron una reducción apreciable de la mucosa. El útero mostró una reducción de grosor en la capa endometrial. Por otra parte, las secciones del grupo de ratas experimentales con reversibilidad fueron comparables a los de control. Las ratas tratadas con extracto de semilla de AP en dosis de 50 mg/kg de peso corporal indujeron alteraciones reversibles en los ovarios, oviductos y úteros en ratas SD.

Experiment on using lectin extracted from seeds of abrus precatorius in identifying some viruses

A study was conducted on biological active element lactin and clean lactin-biotin from Abrus precatorius in Hung Yen province. Result: clean lactin production from abrus precatorius and combination of Lectin (APA)-biotin were used to make ELISA to realize some disease-caused bacteria. Clean lectin (APA) related specific with original sugar β- D- Gal so it is able to realize B. anthracis bacterium and B. Cereus. Lectin (APA) does not connect with S. flexneri, S. sonnei, C.diphteriae and Salmonella bacteria. The findings of trial bring the new research approach in applying lectin in immunology production to contribute in diagnosis accurately bacterium strain cause disease.