Efecto hipoglicemiante de los extractos de Tabebuia obscura (tahuari oscuro) sobre ratas con diabetes mellitus experimental / Hypoglycemic effect of tabebuia obscura's extract (tahuari oscuro) in a rat model of diabetes mellitus

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto del extracto acuoso liofilizado de Tabebuia obscura (Bureau & Schumann) Sandwith (tahuari oscuro) en los valores de glicemia en ratas con diabetes inducida experimentalmente. Materiales y métodos: Se indujo diabetes experimental con aloxano a 24 ratas macho Holtzman, las cuales fueron distribuidas en cuatro grupos de seis ratas cada uno. El Grupo I recibió 3 mL de agua destilada (control); el Grupo II: glibenclamide 10 mg/kg (control positivo); el Grupo III: Tabebuia obscura 100 mg/kg, y el Grupo IV: Tabebuia obscura 200 mg/kg. Se determinó la glicemia antes y después de la inducción con aloxano. Luego, se evaluó a la 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h y 24 h después de administrar las intervenciones. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en los promedios, y se encontró correlación lineal en los valores de glicemia de los grupos II, III y IV. El grupo III y el grupo II tuvieron desempeños similares (p=0,456) en lograr disminuir la glicemia; con un coeiciente de correlación intraclase de 0,70. Conclusiones: El extracto acuoso lioilizado de Tabebuia obscura en dosis de 100 mg/kg tiene un efecto hipoglicemiante similar a la glibeclamide a 10 mg/kg en ratas Holtzman macho con diabetes experimental inducida por aloxano.

Estudo fitoquímico e avaliação in vitro da atividade anti-Trypanosoma cruzi cepa Y de Pilocarpus spicatus St. Hil. (Rutaceae) / Phytochemical study and in vitro evaluation of the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain activity of Pilocarpus spicatus A. St. Hil.

A investigação química da espécie Pilocarpus spicatus, popularmente conhecida como jaborandi e usada na medicina tradicional para doenças como estomatite, febre, bronquite e psoríase, teve por objetivo o isolamento e/ou identificação de substâncias ativas e a avaliação da atividade antiparasitária dos extratos frente às formas epimastigotas de Trypanosoma cruzi. O estudo resultou na identificação de nove substâncias, tais como: tridecanona, 2-heptadecanona, espatulenol, aromadendreno, β-cariofileno, ácido 3α-hidroxitirucala-7,24-dien-21-óico, (+)-isoangenomalina, episesamina e sesamina. As estr uturas dos compostos foram elucidadas por análises espectroscópicas e comparação com dados da literatura. Os extratos hexânico e metanólico de folhas e raízes foram testados in vitro contra o Trypanosoma cruzi cepa Y e apresentaram atividade tripanomicida.

The chemical investigation of the species Pilocarpus spicatus - popularly known as jaborandi and used in traditional medicine for diseases, such as stomatitis, fever, bronchitis and psoriasis - aimed to isolate and / or identify the active substances and evaluate the antiparasitic activity of the extracts against the Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote forms. The study resulted in the identification of nine substances, such as tridecanone, 2-heptadecanone, spathulenol, aromadendrene, β-caryophyllene, 3α-hydroxytirucalla-7,24-dien-21-oic acid, (+)-isoangenomaline, episesamin and sesamin. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. The hexane and methanol extracts from leaves and roots were tested in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain and showed trypanocidal activity.

Control del vector del dengue utilizando fracciones etéreas de dos plantas (Asteraceae) como larvicidas / Dengue vector control using ether fractions from two plants (Asteraceae) as larvicide

Objetivo Evaluar la actividad larvicida de dos fracciones etéreas de Heli opsisoppositifolia (L.) Drucey Jaegeria hirta (Lag.) Less en larvas de Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) de 3-4 ínstar, en el municipio de Armenia, Quindio. Métodos Se realizó la colecta y análisis fitoquímico preliminar de dos especies vegetales, H. oppositifolia y J. hirta. Fueron preparadas fracciones etéreas de las dos especies. Con estas fracciones, fueron evaluadas 11 concentraciones para determinar las concentraciones letales CL50, CL90 y CL95 después de 24 y 48h. Con los resultados de las CL50,CL90 y CL95, se simuló y construyó un modelo que describe la dinámica población-concentración letal. Resultados La marcha fitoquímica preliminar permitió caracterizar en H. oppositifolia y J. hirta la presencia de: Taninos, flavonoides, quinonas, glicósidos cardiotónicos, esteroles, lactonas, terpenos, coumarinas y alcaloides. Las CL, 48 después para J. hirta (CL5024 CL9070 y CL9593 ppm) fueron menores que H. oppositifolia (CL5039, CL9077y CL9594 ppm). El ANOVA factorial confirmó esta tendencia, J. hirta (66 %, F=18.5, p<0.05) y H. oppositifolia (34 %, F=18.5, p<0.05). La simulación matemática sugiere que la aplicación cada 15 días de la CL50, y cada 30 días de las CL90 y CL95 de cualquiera de las dos especies, tienen la misma respuesta que la utilización de las CL90 y CL95 cada 30 días o la CL50 cada 15 días. Conclusión Ambas especies poseen efecto larvicida. Sin embargo, J. hirta se mostró más promisoria como futuro bioinsecticida para el control de estados inmaduros de Ae. aegypti.(AU)

Objective Evaluating the larvicidal activity of two ether factions from Asteraceae (the aster, daisy or sunflower family, i.e. Heli opsisoppositifolia (L.) Druce (oxeye, sunflower-like) and Jaegeria hirta (Lag.) Less (weed-like)) on Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) final third instar or initial fourth instar larvae near the town of Armenia in the Quindío Department in Colombia. Methods H. oppositifolia and J. hirta plants were collected and submitted to phytochemical analysis. Ether fractions were prepared form both species to assess 11 concentrations for determining LC50, LC90 and LC95 lethal concentrations after 24 and 48h. The LC50, LC90 and LC95 results were used to create a mathematical model for describing lethal population-concentration dynamics. Results Phytochemical analysis identified tannins, flavonoids, quinones, cardiac glycosides, sterols, lactones, terpenes, courmarins and alkaloids in H. oppositifolia and J. hirta. LC after 48h regarding J. hirta (LC50 24, LC90 70 and LC95 93ppm) was lower than those for H. oppositifolia (LC50 39, LC90 77 and LC95 94 ppm). A factorial ANOVA test confirmed this trend: 66 %, F=18.5 and p<0.05 for J. hirta and 34 %, F=18.5 and p<0.05 for H. oppositifolia. The mathematical simulation model suggested that using LC50 every 15 days and LC90 and LC95 every 30 days from either of these species led to the same response compared to using LC90 and LC95 every 30 days or LC50 every 15 days. Conclusion Both species had a larvicidal effect. However, J. Hirta turned out to be more promising as an eventual bioinsecticide for controlling A. Aegypti immature states.(AU)

Sustancias fitoquimicas: su relación con el riesgo de desarrllar tumores salivales, mamarios y prostásticos / Phytochemicals: its relationship to the risk of desarrllar salivary tumors, breast and prostásticos

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La ingesta de sustancias fitoquímicas ha sido investigada con relación a la tumorigénesis, pero los resultados son aún controvertidos. El cáncer es un problema sanitario internacional. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar la asociación entre el consumo de sustancias fitoquímicas y el riesgo de desarrrollar tumores slivales, mamarios y prostáticos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El esetudio fue de tipo caso -control y participaron 393 personas de ambos sexos, de 15 a 80 años, distribuidos en 127 casos confirmados histológicamente -47 con tumores salivales (TGS), 40 mamarios (TGM), 40 prostáticos (TGP)-y 266 controles pareados por sexo y edad (+5 años), provenientes de los hospitales Privado y Córdoba de la ciudad de Córdoba, y el Sanatorio Adventista de la Plata de la Ciudad de Villa Libertador General San Martín, Entre Riíos, Argentina, durante los años 2004-2009. Luego del consentimiento informado, aprobado por los Comité Institucionales de Ëtica en Investigación en Salud hospitalarios, se completó: historia clínica, cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo alimentario cuali-cuantitativo validado (CFC) y sobre factores de riesgo no nutricionales, referidos a cinco años previos.

[Investigation of the best method for extraction of phenolic compounds from echinaceae purpurea L. [moench]]

Echinacea spp. Have been used in traditional medicine for many years. Recently, many investigations have been done on this plant and they showed that the plant is an immunostimulant agent. The plant contains different components such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds and isobutylamides. Phenolics are one of the most important agents in immunostimulant effects of the plant; therefore, determination of a method for the best extraction of these compounds from the plant is important. In this research, the effects of solvent, extraction procedure, plant particle size and plant: solvent ratio on extraction of phenolic compounds of Echinacea purpurea [L.] Moench have been investigated. Different polar and non-polar solvents from hexane to acidic water were used in order to determine the best solvent for phenolics extraction. Moreover, the methods of maceration, sonification, perculation, digestion and continuous extraction [by use of soxhelet apparatus], different particle sizes of the plant powder and various plant: solvent ratios were examined as well. The results showed that the best method for extraction of phenolics is methanol: water 80:20 as solvent, method of digestion [2h, 50[degree sign] C], particle size of 300 micro m for the plant powder and plant :solvent ratio of 1:200. It can be concluded that in order to efficient extraction of phenolic compounds from Echinacea purpurea aerial parts, special condition should be considered

Byrsonima crassa Niedenzu (IK): antimicrobial activity and chemical study

The methanolic extract of leaves from Byrsonima crassa, a Brazilian medicinal plant, was analyzed by CC and HPLC. Four constituents were isolated and identified as quercetin, methyl gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin-3-O-(2-galloyl)-a-L-arabinopyranoside. The methanolic and hydromethanolic extract, as well as fractions, were evaluated regarding their possible antimicrobial activity using in vitro methods. Results showed that both extracts and fractions exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against all tested strains

Antibacterial and antifungal investigation of the root extracts of Croton sparciflorus

The present study was undertaken to find out the antibacterial and antifungal effects of crude organic extracts obtained from root of Croton sparciflorus. The crude organic extract was prepared from shade dried root of Croton sparciflorus by using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and alcohol 90%. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested on selected gram positive and gram negative bacteria and fungi. The chloroform, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and alcohol extracts showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa while chloroform extract showed activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. These extracts did not show any inhibitory activity against Candida albicans

Antimicrobial activity of Leaf extracts of Carissa carandas L.

Phytochemical investigations and antimicrobial activity studies for the leaf extracts of Carissa carandas Linn, were carried out. Four solvents i.e. Petroleum ether [60-80°C], Benzene [79-81°C], Chloroform [50.5-61.5°C], and Methanol were used for extraction of active principles from the dried powdered leaf material. The phytochemical tests of extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phenolic compounds, tannins and saponins. The antimicrobial screening was done with two Gram [-] ve [Escherichia coli NCIM 2065, Proteus vulgaris NCIM 2027] and two Gram [+] ve [Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 2079, Bacillus subtilis NCIM 2063] bacteria as test micro-organisms. Zones of inhibition produced by these extracts were measured as criteria to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. These zones of inhibition were compared with the standard antibiotic [Ciprofloxacin 30 mcg/ml] under similar conditions. The activity index of antimicrobial activity was calculated by comparing the effect of leaf extract with the effect induced by the standard antibiotic. Among the four micro-organisms tested, Staphylococcus aureus is the only organism found to be sensitive for all the leaf extracts. Benzene extract produced profound antibacterial activity and methanolic extract produced least antibacterial activity when compared with other leaf extracts

Studies on the antiulcer activity of Mirabilis jalapa Linn

The antiulcer activity of the aerial parts of Mirabilis jalapa Linn. [fam. Nyctaginaceae] was studied on albino rats. The antiulcer activity of the chloroform extract, ethanolic extract and aqueous extract was evaluated by using pyloric ligation models and alcohol induced ulceration model. All the test samples revealed significant antiulcer activity. The order of decreasing ulcer score was found to be aqueous extract < ethanol extract < chloroform extract in all performed models. The results indicate that the aerial parts of Mirabilis jalapa are endowed with potential antiulcer activity

Formulation and standardisation of Aegle marmelos suspension

Aegle marmelos suspension was prepared by using the leaf powder of Aegle marmelos. Before making the formulation, the leafy drug was authentified by suitable methods like physical, microscopical and chemical methods to confirm the standards. Thus subjected Aegle marmelos leaf powder was formulated as suspension with the help of suitable suspending agent and vehicle, and it was pharmacologically evaluated for anti-diabetic action. The prepared suspension significantly reduces blood glucose level in alloxan induced diabetes in rabbits

Two new valepotriates from the roots of valeriana sisymbriifolia

A dicholoromethane extract of the roots of Valeriana sisymbriifolia Vahl. afforded a new valepotriate. I- alpha -aceisovaltrate and a new valepotriatehydrine, acetoxydesiovaleroxy-1- alpha -acetoxy-isovaleroxy isovaltratehydrine together with a known compound, valtrate. Structural assignments of the compounds were based on spectroscopic methods [UV, IR, MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR]

Sterility effects of Neem [Azadirachta indica] extract on male rat

Nowadays uses of synthetic pesticides has caused a lot of environmental problems. For this reason there is an effort to replace them with biopesticides. One of these ways is the use of plant bioproducts. Various studies on Azadirachta indica [Neem] have proven that the seed extract of this plant has reversible infertility and spontaneous abortion properties. In this study we are trying to determine the effective dose of its seed extract for sterility of rodent pests. In this survey, 24 male wistar rats with 4-5 months old [weighing about 150-200 grams] were selected randomly. They were divided into 4 subgroups each containing 6 rats. The Neem extract [Neem Azal 1%] was fed to 3 groups by gavage for six days. The first group was fed with water and others were fed with Neem extract [5mg/kg, 15mg/kg and 25mg/kg respectively]. Hematological parameters were determined on 4th and 9th day of the experiment. On the 10th day two animals from each group were dissected for histological study of testes. Remaining animals were tested for fertility with fertile female rats. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups. After observing reproduction in female rats, these groups were excluded from study. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups in their hematological parameters except for MCH and hemoglobin on 4th [P<0.001, P<0.01 respectively] and 9th day [p<0.05] and WBC on 9th day [p<0.05] in third group, which showed an increase. There were no significant differences between serum testosterone levels. In group which received 15 mg/kg extract, reproduction occurred after 60 days [reproduction cycle in rats is 20-23 days]. In group which received 25mg/kg extract, half of the animals died due to high doses of Neem extract and in the remaining half, reproduction occurred after 3 months. Histological results of testes indicated abnormality in spermatogenesis and sperms production in some of the semniferous tubules. Therefore after 60-90 days and repair of injured cells, reproduction is observed again. Base on the results of this study it seems that we can use Neem seed extract as an anti-fertility agent, considering its cost benefit ratio and suitable formulation, we can use it as rodent baits to control harmful agricultural rodents. In this way we have a new method of controlling deleterious rodents

Hypolipidemic effects of synthetic gugulsterones in normal rats and assessment of its long-term toxicity at cellular levels in various organs.

Synthetic gugulsterones when administered to rats for a period of 3 weeks in dose of 5.0 mg/kg body weight/day caused a reduction in levels of total cholesterol by 30%, LDL-chol. by 40%, Tg by 40%. VLDL-chol. by 40% and HDL-chol. by 35%. The drug when administered to rats for a period of 16 weeks with increasing dose upto 1150 mg/kg body weight/day, reduced VLDL-chol. and Tg. by 55% and 50% respectively (P < 0.001) and LDL-chol by 33% (P < 0.05), whereas HDL-chol. was increased by 25% (P < 0.001). Histopathological studies on liver, spleen, intestine, lung, kidney, stomach and adrenal gland revealed drug related changes in a few animals upon exposure to high dose of the drug.

New benzoquinone derivatives from maese lanceolata

The aerial of Maesa lanceolata yieded two new benzoquinones: 2-hydroxy-5- methoxy- 3- pentadecyl-1,4- benzoquinone [2] and 3- [[z]-10-pentadecenyl]-2.5-dihydroxy-6- methyl-1,4 benzoquinone [3]. Their structural assignments were largely based on 1D and2D NMR spectroscopic data and chemical derivatization. both compounds were found to be structurally related to the host defense stimulant maesanin [1]