Albizzia julibrissin Suppresses Testosterone-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating 5α-Reductase Type 2 – Androgen Receptor Pathway

Albizzia julibrissin (AJ) is an herbal medicine that shows low toxicity, promotes promoting blood circulation and mitigates the inflammation and has mild side effects. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases that occurs in older males and often results in lower urinary tract symptoms. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of AJ against BPH using LNCaP cells and Sprague Dawley rats treated with testosterone. Treatment with AJ extract reduced the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in vitro. In vivo, rats were divided into 6 groups: 1 (Normal Control); 2 (Testosterone propionate (TP) alone); 3 (TP + finasteride); 4 (TP + AJ 10 mg/kg); 5 (TP + AJ 50 mg/kg); 6 (TP + AJ 300 mg/kg). The groups treated with AJ showed reduced the relative prostate weights and BPH-related proteins were altered, with decreased AR, PSA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) observed by western blot. Histopathological analysis revealed the therapeutic effect of AJ, with a decreased thickness of epithelial cells and reduced level of PCNA and 5α-reductase type 2. These results suggest that AJ extract could ameliorate testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Evaluation of some pharmacological activities of Budmunchiamine - A isolated from Albizia amara

The present investigations were aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant efficacies of budmunchiamine-A (BUA) of Albizia amara. The activity-guided isolation leaded to isolate the bioactive compound budmunchiamine-A from alkaloid extract of A. amara. The budmunchiamine-A showed significant broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with zone of inhibition (ZOI), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) values varied from 7.3 to 24.5 mm, 0.95 to 62.5 μg/mL, and 1.9 to 250 μg/mL, respectively. The budmunchiamine-A exhibited moderate antioxidant activity with inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) value of 400 μg/mL in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and percent inhibition of β-carotene/linoleic acid was 67.8%. The results suggest the possible use of budmunchiamine-A as a molecular entity for drug development in pharmaceutical industry.

The reproductive toxicity of saponins isolated from Cortex Albiziae in female mice / 中国天然药物

Saponin frsom Cortex Albiziae (SCA) are extensively used in the clinical treatment of tumor and depression. However, SCA may cause several adverse effects, including reproductive toxicity. The present study was designed to assess the mechanism by which SCA cause reproductive toxicity in female mice. The general reproductive toxicity testing was accomplished in female Kunming mice. The animals were divided into four groups: three groups that were treated by oral gavage with 135, 270, and 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) of SCA prepared in physiological saline, respectively, and one vehicle control group that was treated with physiological saline only. The gestational toxicity tests were conducted at 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1). The general reproductive toxicity results showed that the pregnancy rate of the SCA-treated group decreased with the pregnancy rate being decreased by 70% at 540 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1). SCA elicited maternal toxicity in the ovary and the uterus, but no fetal toxicity or teratogenicity was observed. The rates of implantation in the early, middle, and late pregnancy were all decreased, with stillbirths and maternal deaths being observed. Histopathological changes showed that SCA adversely affected the ovary and the uterus. In conclusion, SCA-induced reproductive toxicity in female mice is most likely caused by its damage to the ovary and the uterus.

Anti-inflammatory Activity of Butanolic Extract of Albizia lebbeck.

Albizia lebbeck is a tree widely distributed in India and is also found in South Africa, South America and Australia. As in Indian traditional system as folk medicine, this plant is used to treat several inflammatory pathologies such as asthma, arthritis and burns. Study of other species this same genus has demonstrated an anti-inflammatory activity of crude extract, which, in some work has been attributed to the presence of saponins. In order to confirm these findings a study of phytochemical profile was realized and a rich extract in saponins, butanolic extract, was obtained and its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through measured by inhibition of carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema, using dexamethasone as reference compound. The extract exhibited a moderate control of the both phase of inflammation, provoking an inhibition of edema formation. However, the butanolic extract exhibited lesser activity than reference compound dexamethasone. The results obtained suggest a significant antiinflamatory property of the butanolic extract of Albizia lebbeck, justifying the use of this plant in the traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and confirm their saponins as bioactive product.

Identification of albiziae cortex, albiziae flos and their adulterants using ITS2 barcoding / 中国中药杂志

The ITS2 barcode was used to accurately identify Albiziae Cortex, Albiziae Flos and their adulterants in this study. A total of46 samples from Albiziae Cortex, Albiziae Flos and their adulterants were collected. The ITS2 regions were amplified and sequenced. Sequences were assembled using the CodonCode Aligner. The genetic distances of ITS2 region were calculated using MEGA 5.0. BLAST1, nearest distance and phylogenetic tree (NJ-tree) methods were used to assess the identification efficiency of the ITS2 barcode. The results revealed that the intraspecific genetic distances of Albizia julibrissin were lower than the interspecific genetic distances between A. julibrissin and its adulterants. The identification efficiency of ITS2 barcode using BLAST1 was 100%. The NJ-tree showed that A. julibrissin and their adulterants can be easily differentiated according to their monophyly. The ITS2 barcode is suitable to be as a barcode to identify Albiziae Cortex, Albiziae Flos and their adulterants.

Chemical constituents from ethyl acetate extract of flower of Albizia julibrissin / 中国中药杂志

The ethyl acetate extract of the flower of Albizia julibrissin was isolated and purified by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and MCI GEL CHP-20P column chromatography to yield 29 compounds. Their structures were elucidated as 8-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethyl-2E, 6Z-octadienoic acid (1), 8-O-formyl-2, 6-dimethyl-2E, 6Z-octadienoic acid (la), 8-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethyl-2E, 6E-octadienoic acid (2), 8-O-formyl-2, 6-dimethyl-2E, 6E-octadienoic acid (2a), (2E, 6S)-2, 6-dimethyl-6-O-beta-D-xylpyranosyloxy-2, 7-menthia-folic acid (3), clovan-2beta, 9alpha-diol (4), 2beta-O-formyl-clovan-9alpha-ol (4a), 2beta, 9alpha-O-diformyl-clovan (4b), vomifoliol (5), (6S, 9R)-roseoside (6), vanillin (7), 4-O-ethylgallic acid (8), 3-ethoxy4-hydroxy-benzoic acid (9), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (10), gallic acid (11), protocatechoic acid (12), stearic acid (13), palmitic acid (14), 2, 3-dihydroxypropyl hexadecanoate (15), linoleic acid (16), scopoletin (17), indole-3-carboxaldehyde (18), 2-furoic acid (19), 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde (20), (22E, 24R)-5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22-dien-3beta-ol (21), (22E, 24R)-5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 9, 22-trien-3beta-ol (22), (+)-lariciresinol 9'-stearate (23), formononetin (24) and uridine (25). Compounds 1a, 2a, 4a and 4b were new artifacts from the separation process, and others were obtained from A. julibrissin for the first time.

Modelación del crecimiento de Albizia niopoides (Mimosaceae) por métodos dendrocronológicos / Growth modeling of Albizia niopoides (Mimosaceae) using dendrochronological methods

The annual growth rings in tropical trees are fairly common, but their study is relatively recent. Growth rings were found in trees of Albizia niopoides from the Porce River Canyon, Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. A total of 33 cross-sections were collected from trees distributed throughout the study area from 664-870masl. Cross-dating, spaguetti plot and 14C analyses were used to demonstrate ring annuality, assuming as hypothesis that these are real annual growth rings. A combination of descriptive analysis of time series (smoothing and prewhitening) to filter climate noise and nonlinear regression with weighted residuals was used to fit the diameter to Korf´s growth model, in which the coefficient of determination reaches values close to 100%. The positive residual autocorrelation of order 1, although not significant, is explained by the existence of energy reserves in the stem and by the accumulation of diameter increments required for the construction of the diameter growth model. The current and mean annual maximum increment rates are 1.03 and 0.94cm/year at ages 18 and 46 years old, respectively. These trees are classified within the group of fast growing species which can reach a cut diameter of over 50cm in approximately 52 years.

El crecimiento anual de los anillos en los árboles de los bosques tropicales es bastante frecuente y se evidenció en los árboles de Albizia niopoides, que crecen en el cañón del río Porce, cordillera Central de los Andes colombianos. Se recolectaron 33 secciones transversales de árboles entre 664-870msnm, cortadas a partir de 1.3m de altura del suelo. La hipótesis sobre una periodicidad anual en los anillos fue demostrada mediante cofechado, spaguetti plots y análisis de C14. Para ajustar el diámetro al modelo de crecimiento de Korf se empleó una combinación de análisis descriptivo de series de tiempo (suavizado y pre-whitening); para filtrar el ruido climático y regresión no lineal con residuales ponderados, se alcanzó un coeficiente de determinación cercano al 100%. A pesar de no ser significativa, la autocorrelación serial positiva de orden 1, se explica por la existencia de reservas de energía en el tronco y por la acumulación de los incrementos del diámetro requeridos para la construcción del modelo de crecimiento. Las tasas de crecimiento corriente y medio máximos fueron 1.03 y 0.94cm/año a las edades de 18 y 46 años, respectivamente. Albizia niopoides se clasifica dentro del grupo de rápido crecimiento, las cuales pueden alcanzar diámetros de corta de más de 50cm en aproximadamente 52 años.

Identification of Albizia lebbeck seed coat chitin-binding vicilins (7S globulins) with high toxicity to the larvae of the bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus

Seed coat is a specialized maternal tissue that interfaces the embryo and the external environment during embryogenesis, dormancy and germination. In addition, it is the first defensive barrier against penetration by pathogens and herbivores. Here we show that Albizia lebbeck seed coat dramatically compromises the oviposition, eclosion and development of the bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus. Dietary supplementation of bruchid larvae with A. lebbeck seed coat flour causes severe weight loss and reduces survival. By means of protein purification, mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analyses, we show that chitin-binding vicilins are the main source of A. lebbeck tegumental toxicity to C. maculatus. At concentrations as low as 0.1 percent, A. lebbeck vicilins reduce larval mass from 8.1 ± 1.7 (mass of control larvae) to 1.8 ± 0.5 mg, which corresponds to a decrease of 78 percent. Seed coat toxicity constitutes an efficient defense mechanism, hindering insect predation and preventing embryo damage. We hypothesize that A. lebbeck vicilins are good candidates for the genetic transformation of crop legumes to enhance resistance to bruchid predation.

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity and bronchodialator effect of a polyherbal drug-Shrishadi

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate antimicrobial and bronchodialator effect of hydroalcholic extract of polyherbal drug Shirishadi containing Shirisha (Albezzia lebbeck), Nagarmotha (Cyprus rotandus) & Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method and MIC, MBC, MFC were calculated by micro dilution method. Hydroalcholic extract of this preparation was investigated for its phytochemical analysis, phenol and flavonoid were determined by spectrophotometric method and in vivo bronchodilator effect was analysed by convulsion time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The phytochemical tests revealed presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. The antimicrobial result showed the MIC of 6.25 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 12.5 mg/mL for Escherichia coli and 12.5 mg/mL against remaining bacteria tested, with strong antifungal activity. The maximum inhibition zone is found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC 16 mg/mL. Drug showed significant bronchodilator effect with 27.86% & 36.13% increase in preconvulsion time of guinea pigs pretreated with 100 & 200 mg/kg body weight of extract.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The study reveals that the extracts possess antibacterial activity and antifungal activity in a dose dependent manner. This antimicrobial property may be due to presence of several saponins, further studies are highly needed for the drug development.</p>

Screening of the anticonvulsant activity of some plants from Fabaceae family in experimental seizure models in mice

Fabaceae is the third largest family of flowering plants. Lack of essential oils in the plants of this family can be an advantage in search for safe and effective medicines. In this study the anticonvulsant effect of the leaves of Albizzia julibrissin, Acacia juliflora, Acacia nubica and aerial parts of Astragalus obtusifolius was evaluated in pentylenetetrazole [PTZ] and maximal electroshock [MES] seizure tests. The hydroalcoholic extracts of the plants were obtained by percolation. Different doses of the extracts were injected to the mice intraperitoneally [i.p.] and occurrence of clonic seizures induced by PTZ [60 mg/kg, i.p.] or tonic seizures induced by MES [50 mA, 50Hz, 1sec] were monitored up to 30 min after administration. Acute toxicity of the extracts was also assessed. The safe and effective extract was then fractionated by dichloromethane and anticonvulsant activity of the fractions was determined. Finally, the constituents of the extract and the fractions were screened by thin layer chromatography. Among the extracts, only A. obtusifolius extract showed low toxicity and protective effect against clonic seizures with ED50 value of 3.97 g/kg. Fractionation of the extract led to increase in anticonvulsant activity and ED50 value of 2.86 g/kg was obtained for the aqueous fraction. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, anthrones and saponins in the aqueous fraction. The presence of anticonvulsant compounds in A. obtusifolius suggests further activity-guided fractionation and analytical studies to find out the potential of this plant as a source of anticonvulsant agent

Influence of binder type and process parameters on the compression properties and microbial survival in diclofenac tablet formulations

The influence of binder type and process parameters on the compression properties and microbial survival in diclofenac tablet formulations were studied using a novel gum from Albizia zygia. Tablets were produced from diclofenac formulations containing corn starch, lactose and dicalcium phosphate. Formulations were analyzed using the Heckel and Kawakita plots. Determination of microbial viability in the formulations was done on the compressed tablets of both contaminated and uncontaminated tablets prepared from formulations. Direct compression imparted a higher plasticity on the materials than the wet granulation method. Tablets produced by wet granulation presented with a higher crushing strength than those produced by the direct compression method. Significantly higher microbial survival (p< 0.05) was obtained in formulations prepared by direct compression. The percent survival of Bacillus subtilis spores decreased with increase in binder concentration. The study showed that Albizia gum is capable of imparting higher plasticity on materials and exhibited a higher reduction of microbial contaminant in the formulations. The direct compression method produced tablets of reduced viability of microbial contaminant.

A influência do tipo de ligante e os parâmetros do processo de propriedades de compressão e sobrevivência microbiana em comprimidos de diclofenaco foram estudados utilizando uma nova goma de Albizia zygia. Os comprimidos foram produzidos a partir de formulações de diclofenaco contendo amido de milho, lactose e fosfato bicálcico. As formulações foram analisadas usando os gráficos de Heckel e Kawakita. A determinação da viabilidade microbiana nas formulações foi feita nos comprimidos contaminados e não contaminados preparados a partir de formulações. A compressão direta confere maior plasticidade dos materiais do que o método de granulação úmida. Comprimidos produzidos por granulação úmida apresentaram maior força de esmagamento do que aqueles produzidos pelo método de compressão direta. Observou-se sobrevivência significativamente maior (p<0,05) em formulações preparadas por compressão direta. A sobrevivência percentual dos esporos de Bacillus subtilis diminuiu com o aumento da concentração do agregante. O estudo mostrou que a goma de Albizia é capaz de conferir maior plasticidade aos materiais e apresentou maior redução da contaminação microbiana nas formulações. O método de compressão direta produziu comprimidos com viabilidade reduzida de contaminantes microbianos.

Antidiabetic activity of methanolic bark extract of Albizia odoratissima Benth. in alloxan induced diabetic albino mice

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the antidiabetic potential of methanolic extract of Albizia odoratissima Benth. bark in alloxan induced diabetic mice.@*METHODS@#Group-I (normal control) mice received only basal diet without any treatment. In Group- II (Diabetic control) mice, diabetes was induced by alloxan (150 mg/kg i.p.) and received only Tween 80, 5% v/v in normal saline. Group- III and Group- IV mice received metformin (10mg/kg) and gliclazide (10 mg/kg) as standard drugs. Group- V and VI mice received methanolic bark extract of Albizia odoratissimaat doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight p.o., respectively.@*RESULTS@#The results of the study indicates that Albizia odoratissima bark extract significantly (P<0.01) reduced the blood sugar level. The bark extract also significantly reduced the levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and decreases level of total proteins in alloxan induced diabetic mice.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Methanolic extract of Albizia odoratissima has protective effects on the protection of vital tissues (pancreas, kidney, liver, heart and spleen), thereby reducing the causation of diabetes in experimental animals.

Chemical constituents from leaves of Albizia chinensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of leaves of Albizia chinensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical constituents were isolated and repeatedly purified with column chromatography. The structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the leaves of A. chinensis and their structures were elucidated as quercetin 3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-rutinoside (1), kaempferol 3,7-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), rutin (3), D-pinitol (4), luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), (+)-lyoniresinol 3alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), (-)-lyoniresinol 3alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), syringin (8).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1, 2, 4, 6-8 were isolated from this genus for the first time, and compound 3 and 5 were obtained from this plant for the first time.</p>

Antibacterial Screening of Aegle Marmelos; Lawsonia Inermis and Albizzia Libbeck

Three medicinal plant Aegle marmelos; Lawsonia inermis; Albizzia libbeck were extracted by soxhlet apparatus using petroleum ether; ethanol; chloroform and aqueous as solvent. Among those extract; the petroleum ether was considered as effective one. The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and the three plants with four extracts were tested against three Gram positive bacteria (B.cereus; B.subtilis; S. aureus) and three Gram negative bacteria (E.coli; P.vulgaris; and P.aeruginosa) by disc diffusion method. Maximum inhibition (3.8cm) was recorded in Lawsonia inermis. It also showed inhibitory action against all the six pathogen tested. The zone of inhibition of the extracts was compared with the standard antibiotics Streptomycin and Spectinomycin. The study suggests that the plant is promising the development of phytomedicine for antimicrobial properties

Studies on bioassay-guided anti-inflammatory fraction in bark of Albizia julibrissin combined determination with LC-MS-MS / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search the anti-inflammatory fraction of Albizia julibrissin.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Inflammatory model of Kunming mice ear edema induced by croton oil and determination combined with the LC-MS-MS-guided fractionation and isolation were used.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The n-butanol fraction (AJ-B) obtained from the ethanolic extract of the Cortex albiziae was the major active fraction. The lignan glycosides fraction (AJ-B-1), which was further isolated from AJ-B, showed significant anti-inflammatory activity and exhibited dose-dependent relationship in the dose of 5 to 20 mg x kg(-1).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method of bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation combined with the LC-MS-MS determination may be of benefit to the logical studies on the bioactive fractions or constituents of traditional Chinese materia medica.</p>

Antioxidant activity of Albizzia lebbeck (Linn.) Benth. in alloxan diabetic rats.

There is an increasing demand for natural anti-diabetic drugs, as continuous oral administration of insulin can culminate in many side effects and toxicity. In our endeavour to formulate some cost-effective herbal medicines for diabetes, we undertook this study to evaluate the antioxidant potential of aqueous extract of Albizzia lebbeck (ALL) in diabetic rats. The oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats was determined by estimating the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver and kidneys. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione S transferase (GST) were assessed in diabetic as well as rats co-administered with ALL. Oxidative damage in the liver and kidneys of diabetic rats as evidenced by a marked increment in the levels of TBARS and CD, and also a distinct diminution in GSH content was nullified by ALL, as these parameters showed a tendency to retrieve towards normalcy on co-administration of the herbal drug. The antioxidant enzymes registered a decline in activity in diabetic rats thus revealing the damaging effects of free radicals generated due to alloxan exposure. The activities of these enzymes returned to normalcy in ALL-administered rats indicating the antioxidant efficacy of the drug in resisting oxidative insult. The findings provide a rationale for further studies on isolation of active principles and pharmacological evaluation.

Effect of Cha-em Thai mouthwash on salivary levels of mutans streptococci and total IgA.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cha-em Thai (Albizia myriophylla) mouthwash on the mutans streptococci (MS) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) level in saliva. Sixty-seven schoolchildren, age 6-12 years, with MS more than 1x10(5) cfu per milliliter of saliva were entered in this study. They were divided into two balanced groups according to their baseline MS counts (> or = 10(5) cfu/ml). Each group was randomly assigned to use either the Cha-em Thai mouthwash or the placebo mouthwash. After twice daily rinses with their mouthwash for 2 weeks, stimulated saliva were collected and analysed. The MS counts and IgA levels for the two groups were compared. Those rinsing with Cha-em Thai mouthwash showed a significant reduction in MS counts (p<0.05), but the IgA levels were not different. Those rinsing with the placebo mouthwash showed no statistically significant differences in the MS counts or the IgA levels (p>0.05). The results indicate that twice daily use of Cha-em Thai mouthwash can reduce the levels of MS in saliva.

Advances in study on bark of Albizzia julibrissin / 中国中药杂志

Cortex Albizziae, the stem bark of the leguminous plant Albizzia julibrissin, is specified in Chinese pharmacopoeia as a traditional Chinese medicine used to relieve melancholia and uneasiness of body and mind, invigorate the circulation of blood and subside a swelling. This article reviews the recent advances in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Cortex Albizziae.

Effects of Several Herbal Medicines on Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Human Fetal Osteoblasts / 대한치주과학회지

Several growth factors and polypeptides are not commonly yet used for regenerators of bone tissue or alveolar bone because of the insufficiency of studies on their side effects, genetic engineering for mass production and stability for clinical application. Recently, many herbal medicines, which have advantage of less side effects and possibility of long-term use, have been studied for their capacity and effects of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative potential of periodontal tissues. Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.), Albizziae Cortex, Cistandhis Herba have been traditionally used as medicines for treatment of bone disease in Eastern medicine. The objective of the present study is to examine the ability of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human fetal osteoblast (hFOB1) when several natural medicines were supplemented. hFOB1 were cultured with Dulbecuo's Modified Eagle's Medium Nutrient Mixture F-12 HAM ( DMEM/F-12 1:1 Mixture, Sigma, USA) and negative control, dexamethasone (positive control), and each natural medicines for 3 days. And then ALP activity was measured by spectrophotometer for enzyme activity and Alizarin red S staining for morphometry. Among the natural medicines of this study, Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.) and Cistanchis Herba induced higher activity of ALP synthesis than negative controls in all experimental group. Albizziae Cortex showed mild increases than negative control group. According to measurement of positively stained area, all of the natural medicines of this study increased compared to negative control. Especially, Cibotium Barometz (L.) and Cistanchis Herba showed statistical significance compared to negative control (p<0.05). These results indicate that Morindae Radix, Cibotium Barometz (L.), Albizziae Cortex, Cistandhis Herba have an inducing ability of ALP synthesis on osteoblast.

Antifungal Activity of Methanolic of Centella asiatica and Andrographis panicuiata

The antifungal activity of methanolic extracts of Centella asiatica and Andrographis paniculata leaves was observed against fourteen fungi, viz., Alternaria alternata, A. brassicae, A. brassicicola, A. solani, A. tenuissima, Cercospora blumae, Curvularia lunata, C. penniseti, and Drechslera monoceras, D. oryzae, D. turitica, Fusarium albizziae and F. udum. Different concentrations of the methanolic extract (1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000, 10000ppm) were used. The effect of mixed leaf extract (1500 ppm of C. asiatica + 1500 ppm of A. paniculata) and its 1:2 ad 1:4 dilutions were also studied. The individual extracts of both the plants showed significant inhibitory effect on spore germination of all the fungi tested. F. udum, F. albizzae, D. oryzae, D. turtica, and D. monoceras were particularly sensitive to these extracts. In general, the extract of C. asiatica showed a higher inhibitory effect in all concentrations against all the fungi as compared to A. paniculata, except for A. brassicae A. solani, D. oryzae, D. penniseti and Curvularia sp. The inhibitory effect of extracts increased when they were used in combination with or without dilutions against A. brassicicola, A. solani A. brassicae, A. alternata, A. tenussima, C. blumae, C. lunata, C. penniseti and Curvularia species. Higher efficacy of active ingredient of these extracts under field condition is envisaged against plant pathogens.