ABSTRACT
Objectives: We investigated the effects of methanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (MNAT) 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day post-operative for 6 weeks on ECG, basal mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), heart rate, respiratory rate, vascular reactivity, antioxidant activities of enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, insulin, sodium and potassium in fructose-fed rats. Materials and Methods: A high-fructose-diet (fructose 10%, w/v) ad libitum for 6 weeks was used to induce hypertension in male Wistar rats (150–200 g). Sixty albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into a group of six, each group containing 10 animals. Group I was considered as normal control which received chow pellets and normal drinking water ad libitum for 6 weeks. Group II received fructose (10%) solution instead of normal drinking water for 6 weeks. Group III received fructose (10%) solution instead of drinking water ad libitum and MNAT at a dose of 100 mg/kg post-operative for 6 weeks. Group IV received fructose (10%) solution instead of drinking water ad libitum and MNAT at a dose of 200 mg/kg post-operative for 6 weeks. Group V received fructose (10%) solution instead of drinking water ad libitum and MNAT at a dose of 400 mg/kg post-operative for 6 weeks. Group VI received fructose (10%) solution instead of drinking water ad libitum and enalapril at a dose of 10 mg/kg post-operative for 6 weeks. Physiological parameters, ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure vascular reactivity to various drugs were measured and recorded by the invasive method. The antioxidant activities of enzyme SOD and CAT, levels of TBARS, along with serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, insulin, sodium and potassium were measured. Cumulative concentrationresponse curve (CCRC) of Ang II and acetylcholine (Ach) was recorded. Results: MNAT treatment decreased MABP and altered vascular reactivity to various catecholamines. The activities of SOD and CAT enzymes exhibited a considerable increase and the levels of TBARS in the liver were reduced by MNAT treatment. MNAT has shown decrease in the plasma level of triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin and sodium while increase in plasma adiponectin and potassium levels. The CCRC of Ang II was shifted towards the right by MNAT treatment using an isolated strip of rat ascending colon. MNAT treatment increased the contractile characteristics of the rat ascending colon in the CCRC of ACh as compared to the fructose-treated group. MNAT treatment reduced fructose-induced tissue damage due to the consequence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). MNAT is rich in flavonoids and, therefore, has powerful antioxidant properties. The findings show that by battling oxidative stress caused by fructose (10%) and reducing Ang II activity, MNAT may be able to prevent the development of high blood pressure caused by fructose. Conclusion: MNAT has antihypertensive action and reverses MetS in the fructose-induced hypertensive rat model.
ABSTRACT
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Oleaceae) popularly known as “Parijat” is a plant of great importance in India. It iswidely used in Ayurvedic medicines. Each part of this plant has some medicinal value. It possesses extensivemedicinal uses, viz., antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, sedative effect, laxative, and expectorant, inrheumatism. The present review aims to perform a detailed compilation of work done on this plant mainly asa source of the antioxidant and anticancer agent as well as various pharmacological properties from 1987 totill date. All these activities possessed by plants are due to the presence of multiple phytochemicals which canact as a source of active pharmacological agents. Crude extracts, as well as pure compounds like 4-hydroxyhexahydrobenzofuran-7-one, 6β-hydroxyloganin, and Arbortristoside A from seeds, a polysaccharide fromleaves, and Naringenin from the stem, are reported for its anticancer and antioxidant properties. The need ofthe hour is to provide scientific validation of ethnomedicinal use of this plant. The present study can be usedto highlight the need for research and potential development of natural therapeutic products with lesser sideeffects.
ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants have been used as a source of remedies since ancient times in India. Traditional medicine systems consist of large numbers of plants with medicinal and pharmacological importance and hence represent an invaluable reservoir of new bioactive molecules. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is one of the well known medicinal plants commonly known as night-flowering jasmine. Different parts of this plant are used in Indian systems of medicine for various pharmacological actions and has been used for its hepatoprotective, antiviral and antifungal qualities and used in the treatment of various diseases such as sciatica, chronic fever, rheumatism, and internal worm infections. In an attempt to develop new indigenous drugs against leishmaniasis, we have screened aqueous leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and tested in vitro to assess its potential. The present study deals with the assessment of this plant to establish its antileishmanial activity and mode of action for a potent chemotherapeutic agent against Leishmania pathogen. Aqueous extracts showed 100% inhibition in growth at a concentration of 6mg/ml. However at a lower concentration of 0.9 – 1.8 mg/ml, promastigote growth was inhibited by 60-80% with a IC50 of 0.6mg/ml. The action of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis as a chemotherapeutic agent is found to be mediated through inhibition of superoxide dismutase and simultaneous release of toxic superoxide radical. We propose that Nyctanthes arbor-tristis may be considered as a prospective candidate to establish a better line of therapeutic process against visceral leishmaniasis. The results of this study contribute to the promotion of traditional medicine products and are preliminary for the isolation of new natural molecules for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
ABSTRACT
AIM@#To investigate the in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the methanolic leaf extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (NA).@*METHODS@#The sample was tested using five in vitro antioxidant methods (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine radical scavenging activity (DPPH), hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity (-OH), nitric oxide scavenging activity (NO), superoxide radical-scavenging activity, and total antioxidant activity) to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential of NA and the total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu method). The extract showed good free radical scavenging property which was calculated as an IC50 value.@*RESULTS@#IC50 (Half maximal inhibitory concentration) of the methanolic extract was found to be 57.93 μg·mL(-1) for DPPH, 98.61 μg·mL(-1) for -OH, 91.74 μg·mL(-1) for NO, and 196.07 μg·mL(-1) for superoxide radical scavenging activity. Total antioxidant capacity of the extract was found to be (1198 ± 24.05) mg ascorbic acid for the methanolic extract. Free radical scavenging activity observed in the extracts of NA showed a concentration-dependent reaction. The in vitro scavenging tested for free radicals was reported to be due to high phenolic content in the leaf extract. The leaf extract of NA showed the highest total phenolic content with a value of 78.48 ± 4.2 equivalent mg TAE/g (tannic acid equivalent).@*CONCLUSIONS@#N. arbor-tristis leaf extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging activity. The finding suggests that N. arbor-tristis leaves could be a potential source of natural antioxidant.