Antidepressant-like activity of ethanol extract of leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima in unstressed and stressed mice

In the present study, antidepressant-like activity of ethanol extract of leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima was evaluated in Swiss young male albino mice. Stress was induced in mice by subjecting them to unpredictable mild stress for 21 successive days. Ethanol extract of the leaves (100, 200 and 400 mg/ kg, p.o.) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered for 21 consecutive days to separate groups of unstressed and stressed mice. Ethanol extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) and fluoxetine significantly decreased immobility period of unstressed as well as stressed mice in tail suspension test (TST). However, the lowest dose (100 mg/kg) of the extract also significantly decreased immobility period of stressed mice in TST. The extract significantly restored reduced sucrose preference in stressed mice. There was no significant effect on locomotor activity of mice. Ethanol extract of the leaves significantly decreased plasma nitrite and corticosterone levels; brain MAO-A activity and MDA level; and increased brain reduced glutathione and catalase activity in unstressed as well as stressed mice as compared to their respective vehicle treated controls. Thus, ethanol extract of leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima showed significant antidepressant-like activity in unstressed and stressed mice probably through inhibition of brain MAO-Aactivity, reduction of oxidative stress and plasma corticosterone levels.

Avaliação da incorporação de espessante natural em uma bebida mista potencialmente funcional, de suco de limao, gengibre, chá verde e adoçada com mel de abelha / Evaluation of the incorporation of natural thickeners in a potentially functional mixed drink, of limous juice, ginger, green tea and sugared with bee honey

O consumo de alimentos naturais vem aumentando nos últimos anos, desta forma as bebidas mistas de frutas reúnem a possibilidade de combinação de diferentes aromas e sabores e a soma de componentes nutricionais, que podem oferecer ao consumidor propriedades funcionais ao organismo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo elaborar uma bebida mista potencialmente funcional e nutritiva de suco de limão, gengibre, chá verde e mel adicionada de espessante natural. Foram elaboradas três formulações: F1(Controle), F2 (0,2% de espessante) e F3 (0,3% de espessante). Realizou-se o tratamento térmico de pasteurização hot-Pack. Foram realizadas determinações de pH, teor de SS (ºBrix), ATT (% ácido cítrico), e antioxidante pelo método DPPH, as análises microbiológicas foram mesofilos, psicrófilos, coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Foi feita a estabilidade nos dias 1,15 e 30. Pode-se concluir que a bebida não mudou com a incorporação do espessante e não mudou durante o tempo de armazenamento.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant activity of leaf and flower extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Delonix regia and Peltaphorum ferrugineum.

The present study was undertaken to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of leaf and flower extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Delonix regia and Peltaphorum ferrugineum. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans by Agar well diffusion assay. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, ABTS free radical scavenging assay, Ferric reducing assay and Total antioxidant capacity determination. Total phenolic content of extracts was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteau Reagent method. S. typhi and C. neoformans were susceptible to extracts to greater extent than S. aureus and C. albicans among bacteria and fungi respectively. Except C. pulcherrima extract, the leaf extracts were more effective in inhibiting bacteria than flower extracts. Leaf extracts have shown high antifungal activity than flower extracts. The extracts have shown dose dependent scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals. Scavenging of ABTS radicals was more efficient than that of DPPH radicals as revealed by low IC50 values. All leaf extracts except C. pulcherrima displayed stronger scavenging activities than flower extracts. Similar results were observed in ferric reducing assay and total antioxidant capacity determination. Total phenolic content was found to be higher in leaf extracts (except C. pulcherrima) than flower extracts. A correlation has been observed between phenolic content of leaf and flower extracts and the antioxidant activity. A marked antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of leaf and flower extracts was observed which may be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and other phytochemicals. The plants can be used to control infectious diseases and oxidative damage.

Actividad Antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de Physalis peruviana L. y Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz / In vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions of Physalis peruviana L. and Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz

We evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions of Physalis peruviana L. calyces and flowers and leaves of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz against ATCC strains Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). We find potent activity with MIC < 0,256 mg/mL for the chloroform fraction of P. peruviana calyces, the ethanol fraction of flowers of C. pulcherrima and ethanol and ether fractions of leaves of C. pulcherrima. Based on these results, we conclude that both species are promising and it is recommended to continue exploring them in order to isolate, purify and to elucidate the chemical structure from those compounds responsible for the biological activity of each active fraction.

Se evaluó la actividad antibacteriana in vitro de extractos y fracciones de los cálices de Physalis peruviana L. y flores y hojas de Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Swartz frente a cepas ATCC de Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, determinando la concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) y la concentración mínima bactericida (CMB). Encontramos potente actividad, con valores de CMI < 0,256 mg/mL para la fracción en cloroformo de los cálices de P. peruviana, la fracción en etanol de las flores de C. pulcherrima y las fracciones en etanol y éter de las hojas de C. pulcherrima. En función de los resultados obtenidos, concluimos que ambas especies son promisorias y se recomienda continuar su estudio intentando aislar, purificar y dilucidar la estructura química de los compuestos responsables de la actividad biológica en cada fracción activa.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima.

Present study evaluates the Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of various extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima using various experimental models. The analgesic activity pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima carried out using acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and tail flick test in rats. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet-granuloma formation in rats. The effects of the administration of reference standard (diclofenac) were also evaluated. Two different extracts (Petroleum ether and Methanolic) of Caesalpinia pulcherrima at the dose level of 100,200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. were tested. Treatment with Methanol extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant (p<0.01) inhibition of carrageenan induced rat paw edema. Maximum inhibition was observed at 400 mg/kg dose as compared to the control ,cotton pellet granuloma formation and acetic acid-induced writhing; however, pet ether and methanolic extracts (400 mg/kg, p.o.) were found to be more effective in increasing latency period in tail flick method. The results obtained indicate that C. pulcherrima has analgesic and antiinflammatory activities that supports the folk medicinal use of the plant.

Anticonvulsant effect of the ethanol extract of Caesalpiniapulcherrima (L.) Sw., Fabaceae, leaves / Efeito anticonvulsivante do extrato etanólico das folhas de Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw., Fabaceae

In this study, ethanol extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw., Fabaceae, leaves (CPEE) was investigated for anticonvulsant effect against maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in rats and mice at dose levels 200 and 400 mg/kg, i.p. respectively. Diazepam (3 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as a standard anticonvulsant drug for comparison. CPEE was found to be safe up to the dose of 4000 mg/kg in mice, when administered intraperitoneally. The extract at 400 mg/kg dose produced significant (p<0.01) anticonvulsant effect w.r.t. control against PTZ-induced clonic seizures. In MES-induced seizure model, there were no significant alterations in the onset as well as duration of hind limb extension seizures as compared to control at a dose of 200 mg/kg when administered intraperitoneally. However, the extract (CPEE, 400 mg/kg i.p.) significantly (p<0.01) delayed the onset as well as decreased the duration of hind limb extension seizures (HLES) as compared to control. However, the extract, CPEE, percentage protection of the animals was increased at higher dose (200 mg/kg) in both the models. The results of the study suggest that ethanol extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. leaves possess anticonvulsant effect.

Neste estudo, foi investigada o efeito anticonvulsivante do extrato etanólico das folhas de Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw., Fabaceae (CPEE), utilizando convulsões induzidas por eletrochoque máximo (MES) e pentilenetetrazol (PTZ), em ratos e camundongos, nas doses 200 e 400 mg/kg, i.p., respectivamente. Diazepam (3 mg/kg, i.p.) foi usado como uma droga anticonvulsivante padrão. O extrato (CPEE) foi seguro até a dose de 4000 mg/kg em camundongos, quando administrado por via intraperitoneal. O extrato de 400 mg/kg produziu efeito anticonvulsivante contra induções por PTZ de forma significativa (p<0,01). Em modelo de convulsão induzida por MES, não houve alterações significativas no início, bem como a duração das crises de extensão dos membros pélvicos em relação ao controle na dose de 200 mg/kg quando administrada por via intraperitoneal. No entanto, o extrato (CPEE, 400 mg/kg i.p.), de forma significativa (p<0,01), atrasou o início, como também diminuiu a duração das crises de extensão dos membros posteriores (HLES) em relação ao controle. O extrato (CPEE) aumentou a percentagem de proteção dos animais em dose maior (200 mg/kg) em ambos os modelos. Os resultados do estudo sugerem que o extrato etanólico de folhas de Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. possui efeito anticonvulsivante.