Study of anti-diabetic, beta-carotene-bleaching inhibiting and iron chelating properties of Carissa opaca root extracts

Abstract Degenerative diseases diabetes and oxidative stress constitute a major health concern worldwide. Medicinal plants are expected to provide effective and affordable remedies. The present research explored antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of extracts of Carissa opaca roots. Methanolic extract (ME) was prepared through maceration. Its fractions were obtained, sequentially, in hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. An aqueous decoction (AD) of the finely ground roots was obtained by boiling in distilled water. The leftover biomass with methanol was boiled in water to obtain biomass aqueous decoction (BAD). The extracts and fractions showed considerable porcine pancreatic α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC50 in the range of 5.38-7.12 mg/mL while acarbose had 0.31 mg/mL. The iron chelating activity in terms of EC50 was 0.2939, 0.3429, 0.1876, and 0.1099 mg/mL for AD, BAD, ME, and EDTA, respectively. The EC50 of beta-carotene bleaching activity for AD, BAD, ME, and standard BHA were 4.10, 4.71, 3.48, and 2.79 mg/mL, respectively. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of AD and BAD were also considerable. In general, ethyl acetate fraction proved to be the most potent. Thus, the C. opaca roots had excellent antioxidant activity while having moderate α-amylase inhibitory potentia

Antihyperglycemic and neuroprotective effects of Wattakaka volubilis (L. f. ) Stapf root against streptozotocin induced diabetes

ABSTRACT Murva is an important drug in Ayurveda. Wattakaka volubilis is used as one of the botanical sources of Murva. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the alcohol extract of W. volubilis root in streptoztocin (STZ) induced diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by the administration of STZ (45 mg/kg, i.p). DM was induced within 72 h. Diabetic animals were treated with glimepiride (0.5 mg/kg) and ethyl alcohol extract 100 and 200 mg/kg for 21 d. After determining the changes in fasting serum glucose and lipid profile, animals were further treated for a period of 15 d to determine the protective effect of extract against diabetic neuropathy. All the alcohol extract treated animals, showed a significant decrease in serum glucose level (P<0.001), and overall decrease in the severity of diabetic neuropathy. Alcohol extract of W. volubilis root showed antihyperglycemic activity and beneficial protection against diabetic neuropathy and hence can be a promising agent for treatment and prevention of diabetic neuropathy.

Estudo etnofarmacológico e etnobotânico de Himatanthus drasticus (Mart. ) Plumel (janaguba) / Ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical study of Himatanthus drasticus (Mart. ) Plumel (janaguba).

RESUMO Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel, janaguba, produz um látex em seu caule que é usado para o tratamento de alguns tipos de câncer, vermes intestinais, febre, menstruações irregulares, infertilidade feminina e úlceras gástricas. Estudos fitoquímicos revelaram a presença de acetato de lupeol e proteínas; e estudos farmacológicos, os efeitos antiúlcera, antitumoral, imunomodulador, analgésico e anti-inflamatório. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar levantamento etnobotânico e etnofarmacológico sobre H. drasticus como contribuição ao conhecimento científico da referida espécie. Foi elaborado um questionário, que foi aplicado em entrevista a 21 raizeiros nos mercados das cidades de Crato, Fortaleza e Pacajus do estado do Ceará (CE). Observou-se que 38,1% dos raizeiros têm mais de 10 anos de serviço e 47,6%, estão na faixa etária de 40 a 59 anos, o que representa um fator positivo quanto à experiência com plantas medicinais. Aproximadamente 85,7% dos raizeiros relataram o uso do látex da H. drasticus para tratamento de úlcera; 66,7% para inflamação; 66,7% para câncer. Verificou-se que as principais indicações terapêuticas relatadas pelos raizeiros sobre esta espécie estão de acordo com as informações científicas. Os levantamentos etnobotânicos e etnofarmacológicos exercem um papel primordial no resgate do conhecimento tradicional, nos meios rurais e urbanos, tanto por seu valor histórico-cultural, como também pela necessidade de confirmação das indicações de uso.

ABSTRACT The Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel, janaguba, produces a latex whose stem is used to treat some types of cancer, intestinal worms, fever, irregular menses, female infertility and gastric ulcers. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of lupeol acetate and proteins in the latex; and pharmacological studies indicated antiulcer, anti-tumor, immunomodulating, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to conduct surveys on ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical species H. drasticus as a contribution to the scientific knowledge about the species. A questionnaire and interviews were made with 21 healers in the markets of the cities of Crato, Fortaleza and Pacajús, in state of Ceara (CE). It was observed that 38.1% of the healers have more than 10 years of service, and 47.6% are between 40-59 years old, which is a positive factor about the experience with medicinal plants. Approximately 85.7% of the healers reported to apply latex H. drasticus for the treatment of ulcers, 66.7% for inflammation, and 66.7% for cancer. It was found that the main therapeutic indications mentioned by the healers about this species are consistent with the scientific information available. The ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys play an essential role on keeping the traditional knowledge in rural and urban areas, both for its historical and cultural value, but also for the need of confirmation of the intended use.

Extratos vegetais no controle da antracnose e na conservação da qualidade em frutos de mamoeiro / Plant extracts in controlling anthracnose and quality conservation in papayas fruit

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a ação antifúngica dos extratos de Allamanda blanchetti A.DC. e Momordica charantia L. no controle de Colletotrichumgloesporioides e qualidade pós-colheita em frutos de mamoeiro da cultivar Sunrise solo. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nos Laboratório de Fitopatologia e Laboratório de Produtos de Origem Animal, CCA-UFPB, Campus.II, Areia-PB. Os frutos foram colhidos no estádio 1 de maturação, em seguida, sanitizados com hipoclorito de sódio a 1% por três minutos e pulverizados com os extratos etanólicos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia nas concentrações: 0, 10, 100, 500 e 1000 µg.mL-1. Os frutos foram distribuídos em bandejas de polipropileno expandido em temperatura ambiente (23±2 °C) e umidade relativa em torno de 70%. Após doze dias de armazenamento, os frutos foram avaliados quanto à incidência natural de C. gloesporioides, severidade, atividade da enzima peroxidase, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, relação SS/AT, perda de massa e aparência externa dos frutos. Foi realizada análise de regressão polinomial testando modelos até o terceiro grau para as concentrações dos extratos utilizando análise de variância pelo teste F enquanto as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, através do programa SAS® 9.2. Não se observou diferença estatística quando avaliou-se a incidência natural de C. gloesporioides em frutos de mamoeiro utilizando os extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia. Já na avaliação da severidade da antracnose, verificou-se diferença para o tratamento com o extrato de A. blanchetti, que apresentou as menores escalas de notas em relação ao tratamento com a M. charantia. Observou-se atividade da peroxidase (POD) em frutos de mamoeiro nos extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia. Os frutos tratados com A. blanchetti apresentaram teor de acidez, com máximo de 0,12 g de ácido cítrico.100 g-1 e no de M. charantiaapresentou aumento para 0,15 g de ácido cítrico.100 g-1. A relação SS/AT diminuiu com o aumento das concentrações dos dois extratos. Os frutos tratados com A. blanchetti apresentaram maior perda de massa durante todo o armazenamento, sendo maior que 10% aos nove dias. Já a perda de massa dos frutos tratados com M. charantia apresentou comportamento linear, sendo superior a 12% aos 12 dias de armazenamento. A cor evoluiu de 1 (verde) para 6 (casca alaranjada) e a aparência dos frutos diminuiu com o decorrer do tempo de 5 (excelente) para 3 (regular) em todas concentrações dos extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia. Os extratos de A. blanchetti e M. charantia não reduziram a incidência natural, porém, só o extrato de A. blanchetti foi responsável por reduzir a severidade da antracnose. Ocorreu a atividade da enzima peroxidase em todos os tratamentos avaliados e conservaram a qualidade pós-colheita em frutos até os nove dias de armazenamento.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effect of the extracts Allamandablanchetti A.DC. and Momordica charantia L. in the control of Colletotrichum gloesporioides in papaya fruits of the Sunrise Solo cultivation, as well as their post-harvest quality. The trials were conducted in the Laboratory of Plant Pathology and Animal Products Laboratory, CCA-UFPB, Campus II, Areia-PB. The fruits were harvested at maturity stage 1, then sanitized with sodium hypochlorite 1% for three minutes and sprayed with ethanol extracts of A. blanchetti and M.charantia at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 500 and 1000 μg.mL-1.The fruits were distributed in polypropylene trays expanded at room temperature (23±2 °C) and relative humidity around 70%. After twelve days of storage, the fruits were evaluated for natural incidence of C. gloesporioides, severity, peroxidase enzyme activity, soluble solids, titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio, weight loss and external appearance of the fruit. Polynomial regression testing models to the third degree were employed for the extracts of concentrations, using analysis of variance by F test. The averages were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability, through the SAS® 9.2 program. There was no statistical difference observed when we evaluated the natural incidence of C. gloesporioides in the papaya fruit, using extracts from A. blanchetti and M. charantia. In the assessment of the severity of the anthracnose, there was no statistical difference for the treatment with the extract of A. blanchetti, which had smaller scales of notes when compared with the treatment using the M. charantia. It was observed peroxidase activity (POD) in the papaya fruits treated with the extracts of A. blanchetti and M. charantia. The fruits treated with A. blanchetti presented a maximum dose of acidity of 0.12 g g-1 of citric acid.100 g-1. In the fruits treated with M. charantia this increase was of 0.15g of citric acid.100 g-1. The SS/TA ratio decreased with increasing concentrations of the two extracts. The fruits treated with A. blanchettipresented higher weight loss of approximately 10%, since the M. charantia was over 12%. The color evolved from 1 (green) to 6 (Orange Peel) and the appearance of the fruit got worse according to the time, from 5 (excellent) to 3 (regular) in all the concentrations of the extracts of A. blanchetti and M. charantia. The A. blanchetti and M. charantia extracts did not reduce the natural incidence, however, only the A. blanchetti extract was able to decrease the severity of the anthracnose. The peroxidase enzyme presented activity in all treatments and kept the postharvest quality of the fruits in the nine days of storage.

Individual and Combined Antibacterial Activity of Crude Extracts from Medicinal Plants Carissa spinarum Linn and Carica papaya Linn.

Aim: To assess inhibitory effect of extracts, alone and in combination, from Carissa spinarum Linn (C. spinarum L.) and Carica papaya Linn (C. papaya L.) on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The combined extracts used were C. papaya L leaves petroleum ether extract/C. spinarum L root methanolic extract (CPLP/CSRM), C. spinarum L leaves petroleum ether extract/C. papaya L seed ethanolic extract (CSLP/CPSE), C. spinarum L root ethanolic extract/C. papaya L leaves ethanolic extract (CSRE/CPLE), C. papaya L root ethanolic extract/C. spinarum L bark ethanolic extract (CPRE/CSBE) and C. papaya L leaves methanolic extract/C. spinarum L leaves methanolic extract (CPLM/CSLM). Study Design: In vitro antibacterial assay. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from Samunge village at Loliondo in Ngorongoro district located in northern Tanzania. Antimicrobial bioassay was carried out at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Dar-es- Salaam, between March 2013 and June 2013. Methodology: The broth micro dilution method was used to determine minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Fractional inhibitory concentrations were calculated from MICs of individual and combined extracts to determine interactions. Results: Plant extracts demonstrated MICs ranging from 312 to 5000 μg/ml. The combination of plant extracts against S. aureus resulted into antibacterial activity of CPSE, CPRE, CPLM, CSLM and CPLP extracts to increase by 4-, 2-, 4-, 4-, and 2-fold, respectively. Activity of CSLP, CPLM and CSLM increased by 2-fold against E. coli. Synergy was demonstrated by CPLM/CSLM against S. aureus. Some combinations were additive including CPRE/CSBE, CPLP/CSRM and CSLP/CPSE against S. aureus and CSLP/CPSE, CPRE/CSBE, CPLM/CSLM against E. coli. Nevertheless, antagonism was demonstrated by CSRE/CPLE, CPLP/CSRM against E. coli and CSLP/CPSE and CSRE/CPLE against S. aureus. Conclusion: This study revealed the importance of using plant-based antibacterial agents in combined therapy to increase efficacy. Extracts of C. spinarum L and C. papaya L could be a source of antibacterial agents when utilized in combination therapy for patients with severe E. coli and staphylococcal infections. These predictors, however, need to be validated to improve their quality.

Prospecção fitoquímica de Himatanthus drasticus Plumel (Apocynaceae), da mesorregião leste maranhense / Phytochemical screening of Himatanthus drasticus Plumel (Apocynaceae), from the eastern mesoregion of Maranhão, Brazil

O uso indiscriminado de Himatanthus drasticus (Janaúba) por pequenos caprinocultores no controle de verminose em pequenos ruminantes foi o que motivou a realização do estudo fitoquímico do mesmo. Cascas da janaúba foram coletadas na mesorregião Leste do Maranhão e conduzidas aos laboratórios de Nutrição da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão e de Produtos Naturais da Universidade Federal do Maranhão para a identificação botânica e fitoquímica pela metodologia da Prospecção Preliminar e CCD, realizando testes para as diversas classes de metabólitos secundários. A partir das cascas do vegetal moído e desidratado foi realizado o preparo do extrato bruto (EB). O material foi colocado em uma mistura hidroalcoólica de EtOH: H2O (7:3 v:v), e submetido a agitação mecânica esporádica. Os Subextratos foram obtidos a partir do EBHA pelo processo de partição líquido-líquido, ETOH: H2O (2:1, v:v). As misturas foram preparadas com os seguintes solventes orgânicos de polaridades crescentes: hexano, acetato de etila e butanol. As análises cromatográficas evidenciaram a presença de grupos de metabólitos secundários no extrato e nos subextratos. As classes de metabólitos secundários que apresentaram maior expressividade na análise de prospecção foram os alcaloides e taninos, enquanto que na analise por CCD foram os flavonoides e terpenos, indicando o potencial da ação farmacológica das cascas de H. drasticus.

The indiscriminate use of the plant Himatanthus drasticus (Janaúba) by small goat farmers to control nematode parasites in small ruminants was the aim of this phytochemical study of the plant. Barks were collected in the eastern mesoregion of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, and sent to the laboratory for botanical and phytochemical identification by the methodology of Preliminary Prospecting and TLC, testing for the various classes of secondary metabolites. From the ground, dehydrated bark, we conducted the preparation of the crude extract (CE). The material was placed in a water-alcohol mixture of EtOH:H2O (7:3 v:v) and subjected to sporadic mechanical agitation. The subextracts were obtained using the HACE process by liquid-liquid partition, ETOH:H2O (2:1, v:v). The mixtures were prepared with organic solvents of increasing polarity, such as hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. The GC analysis showed the presence of groups of secondary metabolites in the extract and subextractes. The classes of secondary metabolites that showed greater expressiveness are the alkaloids and tannins, when analyzed by prospecting, and flavonoids and terpenes, when analyzed by TLC, and H. drasticus presents elements indicative of pharmacological action.

Estruturas secretoras em órgãos vegetativos e florais de Secondatia densiflora A. DC. (Apocynaceae - Apocynoideae - Odontadenieae) / Secretory structures in vegetative and floral organs of Secondatia densiflora A. DC. (Apocynaceae - Apocynoideae - Odontadenieae)

A família Apocynaceae é caracterizada por possuir grande diversidade de estruturas secretoras como idioblastos, coléteres, laticíferos e nectários florais. Este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar anatomicamente as estruturas secretoras nos órgãos vegetativos e reprodutivos de Secondatia densiflora e identificar as principais classes de compostos químicos nos idioblastos e na secreção dos coléteres vegetativos. Os idioblastos estão distribuídos por todos os órgãos aéreos da planta possuindo conteúdo na maioria das vezes denso e fortemente corado pela safranina. Alguns idioblastos apresentam secreção de aspecto granulado. Os testes histoquímicos evidenciaram apenas compostos fenólicos. Os laticíferos são do tipo anastomosado podendo ser observados em todos os órgãos estudados e identificados pelo conteúdo diferenciado e, em alguns casos, pela presença de paredes celulares mais espessas que as paredes das células parenquimáticas. O látex tem cor branca e aspecto leitoso, sendo extravasado logo que a planta é lesionada. Os coléteres vegetativos são do tipo padrão, formados por uma porção alongada que se afina em direção à extremidade. A epiderme secretora em paliçada delimita uma região parenquimática e o curto pedúnculo é coberto por epiderme não secretora de formato retangular. Todo coléter é recoberto por cutícula fina. A mucilagem é constatada tanto no interior das células secretoras quanto no meio extracelular pelo vermelho de rutênio e pela reação PAS. Os nectários florais têm origem receptacular, possuem uma epiderme que reveste toda estrutura, parênquima nectarífero, e feixes vasculares; são fundidos na base e livres na região apical constituindo cinco unidades distintas.

The family Apocynaceae is characterized for showing a wide variety of secretory structures such as idioblasts, colleters, laticiferous glands and floral nectaries. The present study aimed to anatomically characterize the secretory structures in vegetative and reproductive organs of Secondatia densiflora and to identify the major classes of chemical compounds in idioblasts and in the secretion of vegetative colleters. Idioblasts are distributed all over the aerial organs of the plant and their content is usually dense and strongly stained with safranin. Some idioblasts have secretion of granulated aspect. Histochemical tests evidenced phenolic compounds only. Laticiferous glands are of the anastomosed type and can be seen in all the studied organs and identified by their distinct content and, in some cases, by the presence of cell walls that are thicker than those of parenchyma cells. Latex is white, milky and leaks as the plant is injured. Vegetative colleters are of the standard type and formed of an elongated portion that becomes thinner towards the end. The secretory palisade epidermis delimits a parenchymatic region, while the short peduncle is covered by rectangular non-secretory epidermis. A thin cuticle covers the entire colleter. Mucilage is detected both inside the secretory cells and in the extracellular medium by ruthenium red staining and PAS reaction. Floral nectaries have receptacular origin and epidermis covering their entire structure, nectariferous parenchyma, and vascular bundles; they are fused at their bases but have free apical region, forming five distinct units.