ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extracts from fruits and leaves of Capparis spinosa. For hepatoprotective activity, liver injury was induced in male Wistar mice by administration of CCl4 (1 ml / kg of CCl4 30% in olive oil,), while C. spinosa leaf extract (CSLE) and fruit extract (CSFE) were administered orally to the experimental animals. Haematoxylin and Eosin based histology was performed to evaluate the histological changes in the liver. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation assay and membrane stabilization inhibitory activity at different concentrations. The methanol extracts showing effective in vitro anti-inflammatory activity were also tested for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice model. At a dose of 400 mg / kg, both extracts showed significant reduction of edema in the early and late phases of acute inflammation with a maximal effect at 6 hours after induction of the inflammation. Also and at the concentration of 400 µg / ml, the CSFE and CSLE exhibited significant protection of erythrocyte membrane against the lysis induced by heat (35.4% and 28.4%, respectively) and induced hypotonicity (58.9% and 72.8%, respectively). They also showed a significant protective effect, with a maximum percent of inhibition of the denaturation of albumin of 61.78% and 61.12%, respectively. Moreover, both extracts showed significant hepatoprotective activity that was evident by enzymatic examination and histopathological study. These findings proved that CSFE and CSLE have an anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, although slightly better for the leaf extract.
ABSTRACT
Resumen La tripanosomiasis americana es una enfermedad potencialmente letal causada por el protozoario hemoflagelado Trypanosoma cruzi. Esta enfermedad desatendida afecta entre 6 a 7 millones de personas en el mundo. Actualmente existen solo dos medicamentos para tratar la enfermedad, benznidazol y nifurtimox, ambos efectivos si se administran en la fase aguda, aunque su actividad disminuye en la fase crónica, también induce efectos secundarios significativos. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la actividad tripanosomicida de los extractos metanólicos de Hematoxilum brasiletto, Marrubium vulgare, Schinus molle, and Cympongon citratus contra T. cruzi epimastigotes, seguido de la separación cromatográfica e identificación de los compuestos activos del mejor candidato por medio de reacciones químicas coloridas y también, determinar su efecto citotóxico en cultivos de linfocitos humanos y Artemia salina. El extracto de H. brasiletto presentó la mejor actividad anti-T. cruzi con una concentración inhibitoria (CI) de 543 µg/mL; seguida en orden descendiente por M. vulgare (CI50 = 647 µg/mL), S. molle (CI = 827 µg/mL)y finalmente, C. citratus (CI = 1 210 µg/ mL). La fracción cromatográfica Fr22 de H. brasiletto presentó la mejor efectividad tripanosomicida (CI = 0.238 mg/ mL) que las otras fracciones o el extracto completo, además no presentaron efecto citotóxico contra linfocitos o A. salina. Los compuestos activos fueron identificados como taninos, quinonas, flavonoides y sesquiterpenlactonas. En conclusión, fueron identificados los compuestos activos contra T. cruzi en H. brasiletto los cuales no tuvieron efecto citotóxico. De acuerdo a nuestros resultados, el extracto de H. brasiletto podría ser usado como tratamiento alternativo para la enfermedad de Chagas, sin embargo, se necesitan estudios adicionales para probar su actividad y dosis en un modelo murino con la completa identificación de los compuestos activos, sobre los cual se está investigando.
Abstract American trypanosomiasis is a potentially lethal disease caused by the hemoflagellate protozoanTrypanosoma cruzi. This neglected disease affects from 6 to 7 million people worldwide. Currently there are only two medicines to treat this disease: beznidazol and nifurtimox, both effective if they are administrated in the acute phase of infection, although their effectiveness fades away in the chronic phase; it also induces significant side effects. The aim of this study is to screen the trypanocidal activity of methanolic extracts from Hematoxilum brasiletto, Marrubium vulgare, Schinus molle, and Cympongon citratus,against T. cruzi epimastigotes, followed by the chromatographic separation, and identification of active compounds of the best candidate by colored chemical reactions; furthermore, it was also determined their cytotoxic effect in human lymphocytes and the brine shrimp Artemia salina. The extract of H. brasiletto showed the highest anti-T. cruzi activity with a inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 543 µg/mL; in descending order, it was followed by M. vulgare (IC50 = 647 µg/mL), S. molle (IC = 827 µg/mL) and finally, C. citratus (IC = 1 210 µg/mL). The chromatographic fraction Fr22 from H. brasiletto showed the best anti-T. cruzi effectivity (IC50 = 0.238 mg/mL), when compared to the other fraction or the whole extract, with no cytotoxic effect against human lymphocytes or A. salina. The active compounds were identified as tannins, quinones, flavonoids and sesquiterpenlactones. In conclusion, active compounds against T. cruzi were identified for the first time in H. brasiletto, with non-cytotoxic effects. The H. brasiletto extract, according to our results, could be used as an alternative treatment for the Chagas disease; however, additional studies will be necessary to test their activity and doses in a murine model, with the complete identification of the active compounds, on which we are investigating.
ABSTRACT
In order to assess the antibacterial activities of methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts (MLE and ALE) as well as that of methanolic berry extract (MBE) of Lantana camara Linn, we screened each for antibacterial effects against 14 bacterial isolates using agar-well diffusion method at concentration of 25mg/ml with streptomycin as control antibacterial. Data obtained were analyzed with ANOVA and t-test using SPSS 15.0 for Windows. The MLE is comparable to streptomycin in antibacterial activity as they both showed antibacterial activity against 13 (92.86%) bacterial isolates with inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 12mm-20mm. The ALE and MBE however, showed inhibitory activities against 3 (21.43%, IZD 10mm- 11mm) and 7 (42.86%, IZD 11mm-17mm) bacterial isolates respectively. Flavonoids, saponin and alkaloids were present in the three extracts while phlobatannin, cardiac glycoside and steroid were absent. Terpenoids and tannin were only present in the MBE and MLE respectively. Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc were observed in the leaf and berry of Lantana camara. Iron, copper and manganese were present in trace amount with lead (Pb) totally absent. Though the three extracts showed antibacterial effects against the isolates, the MLE was the most effective. The phytochemical analysis revealed that Lantana camara has compounds with antibacterial activities and can possibly be used as alternative therapy to infections caused by the sensitive study bacteria.
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Introducción: Ulomoides dermestoides es un escarabajo usado en medicina tradicional oriental. En Centroamérica y América del Sur los escarabajos se consumen vivos en casos de asma y artritis reumatoide; sin embargo, pocos estudios científicos confirman esta terapia. Objetivo: evaluar la capacidad antioxidante de extractos metánolicos del cuerpo entero de U. dermestoides. Métodos: los extractos fueron obtenidos mediante extracción discontinua con MeOH 48 % y 96 %. La capacidad antioxidante se determinó por el método ORAC y el ensayo de reducción del radical 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo (DPPH). Resultados: todos los extractos mostraron capacidad antioxidante, pero el extracto obtenido con MeOH 48 % y 48 h de extracción (UD4848) mostró mayor actividad: ORAC= 3,65±0,5 equivalentes trolox, reducción DPPH30min= 81,7 % y CI50 del DPPH30min= 23 µg/mL. Los principales componentes del extracto UD4848 fueron: ácidos grasos saturados e insaturados, n-pentadecanol y 4-etil-resorcinol. Conclusiones: la actividad antioxidante de extractos metanólicos de U. dermestoides puede explicar su utilidad in medicina popular.
Introduction: Ulomoides dermestoides is a beetle used in traditional Oriental medicine. In Central and South America beetles are eaten alive as a treatment for asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, but few scientific studies validate this therapy. Objective: evaluate the antioxidant capacity of whole-body methanolic extracts of U. dermestoides. Methods: extracts were obtained by discontinuous extraction with 48 % and 96 % MeOH. Antioxidant capacity was determined by the ORAC method and the 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical reduction assay. Results: all extracts showed antioxidant capacity, but the extract obtained with 48 % MeOH and 48 h extraction time (UD4848) exhibited higher activity: ORAC= 3.65±0.5 trolox equivalents, reduction DPPH30min= 81.7 % and IC50 of DPPH30min= 23 µg/mL. The main components in extract UD4848 were saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, n-pentadecanol and 4-ethyl resorcinol. Conclusions: the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of U. dermestoides may explain its use in folk medicine.
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Objective: To evaluate the role of seasons on the phytochemical properties of Azolla microphylla.Methods:Dried and powdered leaves (50g) were extracted with 300 ml of methanol using soxhlet extractor for 16 h at a temperature not exceeding the boiling point of the solvent. Standard methods have been used to screen the phytochemical constituents. Conclusions: From the observations it can be concluded that the plant extracts show the presence of several bioactive compounds which could be exploited further.
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Aims: To investigate the effects of methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus seed (MECLS) on experimentally induced benign prostate hyperplasia. Study design: Animal model of experimentally induced prostatic hyperplasia. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ikenne Campus, Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria, between May 2010 and August 2010. Methodology: Twenty adult male Wistar rats weighing about 135-180g were randomly divided into four groups of five animals each. Group I, Normal control (NC) was given corn oil as placebo 1g/Kg BW; Group II, Hormone treated control (HTC), Groups III, and IV hormone and extract treated (HTEC), received continuous dosage of 300μg and 80μg of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) respectively on alternate days for three weeks subcutaneously in the inguinal region while the extract treated received an additional 2g/Kg BW (low dose) and 4g/Kg BW (high dose) of extract orally for 4 weeks after the successful induction of prostate enlargement. Immediately after induction some animals were randomly selected and sacrificed for gross inspection of prostate enlargement and sperm count evaluation, these procedures were repeated again after four weeks of extract treatment. Portion of the prostate were taken and processed routinely for paraffin embedding and stained with H&E. Results: Hormone treatment did not affect the body weight of the animals; however it caused a significant decrease in the weight of the testes and rendered all the rats azoospermia. In addition, treatment with extracts caused a significant decrease in the enlarged prostate, seminal vesicle and testes sizes in a dose related manner (P<0.05) compared to the hormone treated control. Histological examination of prostate revealed that the methanolic extract caused significant changes in its histo-architecture. There was an increase in the fibromuscular layer, decrease in prostatic acini size, shrinkage of epithelium, and no infolding of the epithelium into the lumen, rather, it appeared flat compared to the very distinct columnar epithelium of the hormone treated control and conspicuousness of the acini. The extracts further caused a dose dependent reduction in the prostates weight. PSA level was significantly lowered in both HTEC at low and high doses (P<0.05) in dose dependent manner. Conclusion: Administration of MECLS for one month reduced the prostate size significantly (P< 0.05), both at high and low dose, but could not restore the initial size of shrunken testes and severe oligospermia caused by the hormones. The histological studies clearly establish MECLS as a potential candidate in management of androgen dependent conditions like benign prostate hyperplasia.
ABSTRACT
Con el fin de validar los hallazgos obtenidos previamente en estudios etnofarmacológicos, se evaluaron los efectos en el hemograma de ratas hembras Wistar de los extractos acuoso y metanólico de las hojas de Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd y Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson, luego de su administración por vía oral durante 10 días consecutivos. Excepto para el recuento de eosinófilos con el extracto acuoso de P. rugosus, no hubo ningún cambio estadísticamente significativo en los demás valores del hemograma tras la administración de extractos acuoso y metanólico. El número de eosinófilos disminuyó a niveles con significancia estadística (p=0,03) cuando se compara el grupo que recibió el extracto acuoso con el grupo control. La administración de los extractos de Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson, no indujo cambios en los diferentes parámetros del hemograma que tuvieran significancia estadística.
In order to validate previous findings in ethnopharmacological studies, the effects on the hemogram of Wistar female rats after the oral administration of aqueous and methanolic extracts from Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd and Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson leaves were evaluated for 10 days. Except for the eosinophils count with the aqueous extract of Phenax rugosus (Poir.) Wedd, no significant changes in the hemogram were observed after the administration of aqueous and methanolic extracts. The absolute number of eosinophils diminished to statistically significant levels (p=0.03) when comparing the group that received the aqueous extract and the control group. The administration of both extracts from Tabebuia chrysantha G. Nicholson does not induce significant changes in the hemogram.
Subject(s)
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor , Tabebuia , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>There are several reports of cellular-aging-dependent alterations in the antioxidant capacity of human fibroblasts. Fibroblasts show slower the growth rate at late passages (referred to hereafter as old cells) than at early passages (referred to hereafter as young cells). Antioxidants may control cellular growth by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methanolic extracts from broad beans (MEBB) contain phenolic compounds and have ROS-scavenging activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of MEBB on cellular growth and antioxidant levels in normal human lung fibroblasts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To determine cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, catalase activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations, and growth rate, MEBB treatments were performed on young and old cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In young and old cells treated with 120 μg/ml MEBB, the growth rates increased by 28.1 and 15.2%, respectively, compared with controls. The MEBB treatment of young cells caused a 62.5% increase in SOD activity, but the treatment of old cells caused a 39.5% decrease. The catalase activities of the young and old cells treated with MEBB were equal to those of control cells. Young and old cells treated with MEBB were equal to the control cells in terms of GSH-Px activity. The GSH concentrations in the young and old cells treated with 120 μg/ml MEBB increased by 22.1 and 45.9%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These studies elucidated a new cellular growth mechanism whereby human lung fibroblasts modulate intracellular GSH levels via the action of MEBB.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective: There are several reports of cellular-aging-dependent alterations in the antioxidant capacity of human fibroblasts. Fibroblasts show slower the growth rate at late passages (referred to hereafter as old cells) than at early passages (referred to hereafter as young cells). Antioxidants may control cellular growth by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methanolic extracts from broad beans (MEBB) contain phenolic compounds and have ROS-scavenging activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of MEBB on cellular growth and antioxidant levels in normal human lung fibroblasts. Methods: To determine cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, catalase activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations, and growth rate, MEBB treatments were performed on young and old cells. Results: In young and old cells treated with 120 μg/ml MEBB, the growth rates increased by 28.1 and 15.2%, respectively, compared with controls. The MEBB treatment of young cells caused a 62.5% increase in SOD activity, but the treatment of old cells caused a 39.5% decrease. The catalase activities of the young and old cells treated with MEBB were equal to those of control cells. Young and old cells treated with MEBB were equal to the control cells in terms of GSH-Px activity. The GSH concentrations in the young and old cells treated with 120 μg/ml MEBB increased by 22.1 and 45.9%, respectively. Conclusion: These studies elucidated a new cellular growth mechanism whereby human lung fibroblasts modulate intracellular GSH levels via the action of MEBB.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cell Biology , Superoxide DismutaseABSTRACT
Different immunomodulatory activities present in Trichilia glabra (TG) leaf extracts have already been described. Particularly, chloroform-methanol extracts were responsible for an in-vivo anti-inflammatory effect. The effect of such extracts on the infectivity of enveloped and naked viruses were investigated. Methanolic fraction extracts were active against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), while no activity against poliovirus type 3 was observed. VSV was slightly more affected than HSV-1: 2.8 log10 reduction in VSV titer against 2.4 log10reduction in HSV-1 titer when 0.25 mg/ml F2 fraction was tested and a reduction of 2.7 log10in VSV virus titer and of 1.5 log10in HSV-1 virus titer was observed when 0.25 mg/ml F3 fraction was tested. Results obtained in this work suggest a potential pharmaceutical use of TG extract components.
Previamente se han descripto distintas actividades inmunomoduladoras, presentes en extractos de hojas de Trichilia glabra (TG). En particular, se ha demostrado una actividad antiinflamatoria presente en extractos metanólicos. En este trabajo se investigó la actividad virucida de dichos extractos sobre virus envueltos y desnudos. Distintos extractos metanólicos han inactivado en forma moderada los virus herpes simplex tipo 1 (HSV-1) y el virus de la estomatitis vesicular (VSV), mientras no evidenciaron actividad sobre poliovirus tipo 3. VSV resultó algo mas afectado que HSV-1: se observó una reducción en el título viral de 2,8 log10para VSV y de 2,4 log10para HSV-1 cuando se uso una concentración de 0,25 mg/ml de la fracción F2 y una reducción de 2,7 log10para VSV y de 1,5 log 10para HSV-1 cuando se usó una concentración de 0,25 mg/ml de la fracción F3. Los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo, sugieren un potencial uso farmacéutico de los componentes presentes en los extractos de TG.