ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the pharmacological potential of Argemone mexicana in treating constipation and emesis by using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: The spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum fragments loaded in a tissue organ bath. The response was recorded with an isotonic transducer attached with Power Lab Data Acquisition System. The laxative and antiemetic activities were assessed in BALB-c mice and poultry chicks challenged with carbamylcholine and copper sulphate stimulated emesis, respectively. Results: The total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of the extract were (267.75 ± 5.77) mg GAE/g and (73.86 ± 6.01) mg QE/g, respectively. Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmogenic effect on isolated rabbit jejunum segments with an EC50 value of 0.016 mg/mL, which was blocked by atropine (0.3 μM). Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmolytic effect in atropine treated jejunum fragments with an EC50 value of 2.185 mg/mL. Furthermore, Argemone mexicana extract relaxed potassium (80 mM)-induced contractions (EC50: 9.07 mg/mL), similar to a standard drug verapamil. The calcium channel blocker activity was confirmed by a rightward shift of concentration-response curve of calcium in the presence of Argemone mexicana extract (1-5 mg/mL) and verapamil (0.1-1 μM). In addition, the extract increased the distance travelled by a charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract and exhibited antiemetic effect on copper sulphate induced emesis in chicks. Conclusions: Argemone mexicana shows cholinergic agonist and calcium channel blocker activities, as well as antiemetic effect. It may be used as a potential agent for treating gastrointestinal disorders.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the pharmacological potential of Argemone mexicana in treating constipation and emesis by using in vitro and in vivo models.Methods: The spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum fragments loaded in a tissue organ bath. The response was recorded with an isotonic transducer attached with Power Lab Data Acquisition System. The laxative and antiemetic activities were assessed in BALB-c mice and poultry chicks challenged with carbamylcholine and copper sulphate stimulated emesis, respectively. Results: The total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of the extract were (267.75 ± 5.77) mg GAE/g and (73.86 ± 6.01) mg QE/g, respectively. Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmogenic effect on isolated rabbit jejunum segments with an EC50 value of 0.016 mg/mL, which was blocked by atropine (0.3 μM). Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmolytic effect in atropine treated jejunum fragments with an EC50 value of 2.185 mg/mL. Furthermore, Argemone mexicana extract relaxed potassium (80 mM)-induced contractions (EC50: 9.07 mg/mL), similar to a standard drug verapamil. The calcium channel blocker activity was confirmed by a rightward shift of concentration-response curve of calcium in the presence of Argemone mexicana extract (1-5 mg/mL) and verapamil (0.1-1 μM). In addition, the extract increased the distance travelled by a charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract and exhibited antiemetic effect on copper sulphate induced emesis in chicks. Conclusions: Argemone mexicana shows cholinergic agonist and calcium channel blocker activities, as well as antiemetic effect. It may be used as a potential agent for treating gastrointestinal disorders.
ABSTRACT
Recently, the plant polysaccharides have attracted attention due to their important bioactivities. The literature hasshown several pharmacological activities of Argemone mexicana extracts and its components but very few dataon its polysaccharides. The current study aimed to evaluate the safety of polysaccharides from A. mexicana. Fivepolysaccharides [High molecular weight (polysaccharide fraction) of the water extract from Argemone mexicana 1( HMAm1), HMAm2, HMAm3, HMAmA1, and HMAmA2] were fractionated from A. mexicana aerial parts by usingaccelerated solvent extractor procedure followed by ion exchange chromatography of the water decoction extract.The safety assay was carried out using Drosophila melanogaster exposed to the polysaccharides at 12.5 and 25 µg/ml for 72 hours against a negative control (1% DMSO). After the exposure period, the survival rate and the locomotorcapacity of flies were determined. At the end of 72 hours of treatment, all polysaccharide fractions at both dosespresented a survival percent of more than 94%. In addition, these polysaccharide fractions affected very little thelocomotor performance of the flies. At both doses, HMAm2 presented the highest safety for the flies, while HMAm3was the least. These findings revealed that polysaccharides from A. mexicana are nontoxic.
ABSTRACT
Background: Epidemic dropsy is food born disease. The etiological agent responsible for epidemic dropsy is sanguinarine and found in seeds of argemone mexicana. Epidemic dropsy has been reported from time to time in various parts of India. This outbreak of epidemic dropsy was reported in Panchmahal district of Gujarat in 2012. Aims & Objective: (1) To identify etiological agent, source of outbreak and mode of transmission; (2) To propose control measures based on the outbreak investigation. Material and Methods: A community based cross section study in Dholkhakhara village was carried out by rapid response team (RRT) of medical college Vadodara. Data was collected through (1) In-depth interview of cases. (2) Case records from government and private health facilities provided health services to dropsy cases. (3) A house to house survey of Dholkhakhara village. Results: Attack rate of epidemic dropsy was 9.12 per 1000 population. Highest attack rate was 19.46 per 1000 population in 11-20 years of age group. Case fatality rate was 7.69%. Conclusion: It was sudden onset; common source outbreak of epidemic dropsy. Cause of outbreak was ingestion of contaminated mustard oil with poppy seeds (argemone mexicana).
ABSTRACT
The Papaveraceae, informally known as the poppy family, are an ethnopharmacologically important family of 44 genera and approximately 760 species of flowering plants. The present work offers a review addressing the detailed chemistry and pharmacology of Argemone mexicana L. regarded as one of the most significant plant species in traditional system of medicine. The plant is used in different parts of the world for the treatment of several ailments including tumors, warts, skin diseases, inflammations, rheumatism, jaundice, leprosy, microbial infections, and malaria. Interestingly, the plant is the source of a diverse kind of chemical constituents although alkaloids are mostly abundant. Beyond pharmaceutical efficacies, certain plant parts also show toxic effects as well. Hence, an up-to-date information on the chemical and pharmacological knowledge on this plant may be helpful to guide researchers anticipating to undertake further investigations in these directions. The present review covers literature up to 2012 and enlists 111 references.
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Background & objectives: Conventional insecticides are generally used as larvicides to control Culex quinquefasciatus, vector of lymphatic filariasis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the larvicidal activity of some potential larvicidal plants leaf extracts against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae. Methods: The toxic effects of petroleum ether leaf extracts of plants viz., Argemone mexicana (Mexican prickly poppy), Clausena dentata (Dentate), Cipadessa baccifera (Rana bili), Dodonaea angustifolia (Hop bush) and Melia dubia (Pride of India) were evaluated under laboratory conditions in individual and in combination against 3rd - 4th instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Results: The results indicated that among the selected plants, A. mexicana showed maximum larvicidal activity with an LC50 value of 48.89 ppm. Its toxicity was enhanced when the extract was mixed (1:1) with that of C. dentata as the LC50 value became 28.60 ppm indicating synergistic action of A. mexicana. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results showed high larvicidal potential in A. mexicana leaf extract, and it also showed additive effect when mixed with C. dentata extract.
Subject(s)
Animals , Clausena/chemistry , Culex/drug effects , Culex/parasitology , Elephantiasis, Filarial/parasitology , Elephantiasis, Filarial/prevention & control , Elephantiasis, Filarial/transmission , Insect Vectors/drug effects , Insect Vectors/parasitology , Larva/drug effects , Larva/parasitology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves/chemistryABSTRACT
In the present study methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Argemone mexicana whole plant (Papaveraceae) were tested orally in swiss albino mice at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w. for CNS related activities. Papaveraceae family is known to have CNS depressant activity, so A. mexicana was evaluated for CNS activities. Significant central and peripheral nociceptive activity was observed for both extracts. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extract have also showed significant decrease in motor activity and fall off time of animals on rotating rod, along with sedative effect by potentiating phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time. In the acute toxicity study, both extracts was found to be safe upto 2500 mg/kg b.w. These results suggested that methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Argemone mexicana show analgesic, anxiolytic and sedative effects.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The plant Argemone mexicana is traditionally used as diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal agent, and has wound-healing property. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of A. mexicana aerial part of the plant (methanolic and aqueous extract p.o.) on duodenal ulceration. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on the duodenal ulceration model by using cysteamine hydrochloride. Ranitidine (20 mg/kg) was used as standard drug. Results: Both the extracts of the plant A. mexicana produced a significant activity in cysteamine-induced duodenal ulceration. The aqueous extract at the dose-dependent manner showed the potent activity than methanolic extract. Conclusion: The plant A. mexicana Linn. Increased healing of gastric ulceration and prevented the development of experimentally induced duodenal ulceration in rats.