Bioprospecting of Medicinal Plant Couroupita Guianensis for its Potential Anti -Ulcer Activity.

In the present investigation anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (flower) of the medicinal plant Couroupita guianensis was evaluated in Wistar rats .The experimental rats were divided into four groups (n= 6). The rats were administered with distilled water (Control), Omeprazole (10 mg/kg) (Positive control), MECG (200mg/kg b.w) MECG (400mg/kg b.w) and was followed by the ligation of pylorus region of the stomach for ulcer induction. The stomach of the sacrificed rats were microscopically analysed ,gastric juice parameters such as gastric juice volume, pH, free acidity and total acidity and the biochemical parameters such as carbohydrate ,protein and pepsin level were quantified. The results of the present investigation revealed that the ulcer protection was 86.82% in rats treated with MECG 400 mg/ml and the ulcer score level was found 4.93±0.22 %. .The MECG reduced gastric juice, free acidity, total acidity and PH in the experimental Wistar rats. The total acidity range and free acidity level was recorded 88.50± 5.09 and 61.83±4.71 respectively at the concentration of 400 mg / ml.The biochemical marker enzyme pepsin level was reduced to 15.36 μg/ml when compared with the ulcer induced control group (24.62 μg/ml).

Dynamic Changes in Antioxidant Activity during Floral Development of Couroupita guianensis.

Aims: To establish and optimize the in vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of flower of C. guianensis at different developmental stages. Place and Duration of Study: Plant Physiology and Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, between December 2010 and November 2011. Methodology: The antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts of C. guianensis flower of different developmental stages were investigated spectrophotometrically against DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, NO, superoxide, hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxidation, along with ferric reducing power, metal chelating and β-carotene bleaching assay were performed. Total phenols, flavonoids and ortho-dihydric phenols were also determined by folin-ciocalteu, aluminium chloride and Arnow's reagent based standard methods respectively. Results: The methanolic extract of floral stage-I was found to possess higher level of phenolic content, flavonoids as well as ortho-dihydric phenol content. The younger floral stages, stage-I and stage-II were observed with highly potential free radical scavenging activity, while stage-III showed highest degradation rate for β-carotene bleaching assay and stage-IV showed highest anti-lipid per oxidation activity against thiobarbituric acid. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the early floral stage showed the highest polyphenolic content and best antioxidant activity, therefore the early stages of this flower is suggested as the best harvest stage for medicinal purposes. Further studies are required for the isolation of active principles responsible for its antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant & anticancer activities of isatin (1H-indole-2,3-dione), isolated from the flowers of Couroupita guianensis Aubl.

Background & objectives: Derivatives of isatin are known to have cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cell lines. This compound therefore, has a potential to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent against cancer. This study was done to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of isatin, extracted from flower of a folklore medicinal plant Couroupita guianensis against human promylocytic leukemia (HL60) cells. Methods: Active fractions demonstrating anticancer and antioxidant activities were isolated from the extracts of shade-dried flowers of C. guianensis by bioassay guided fractionation. The free radical scavenging activity was determined using lipid peroxidation assay. Cytotoxicity against human promylocytic leukemia HL60 cells was determined by MTT assay. Apoptotic activity was analyzed by DNA fragmentation and flowcytometry. Results: Isatin isolated from the active fraction showed antioxidant activity with the EC50 value of 72.80 μg/ml. It also exhibited cytotoxicity against human promylocytic leukemia HL60 cells in dose-dependant manner with the CC50 value of 2.94 μg/ml. The isatin-treated cells underwent apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. Apoptosis was confirmed by the FACS analysis using FITC-annexin V markers. Interpretation & conclusions: Isatin showed antioxidant activity and was cytotoxic to the HL60 cells due to induction of apoptosis. The isatin can be further evaluated to be used as a prophylactic agent to prevent the free radical-induced cancer and as a chemotherapeutic agent to kill the cancer cells.

Descrição do Ultimo ínstar Larval e do Pupário de Ptecticus testaceus (Fabr. ) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) / Description of the Ultimate Instar Larva and Puparium of Ptecticus testaceus (Fabr. ) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

The larva and the puparium of Ptecticus testaceus are described based on 6 larvae and 45 puparia of imagoes emerged in laboratory. The larvae were reared in the pulp of the "abricó-de-macaco" fruit, Couroupita guianensis (Lecythidaceae). Some notes on the biology of the species are presented.

A larva e o pupário de Ptecticus testaceus (Fabr.) são descritos com base em seis larvas e 45 pupários de adultos emergidos em laboratório. As larvas foram criadas na polpa do fruto do abricó-de-macaco, Couroupita guianensis (Lecythidaceae). São apresentadas algumas notas sobre a biologia da larva.