Herbal antioxidant in clinical practice: a review

Antioxidant-the word itself is magic. Using the antioxidant concept as a spearhead in proposed mechanisms for staving off so-called "free-radical" reactions, the rush is on to mine claims for the latest and most effective combination of free-radical scavenging compounds. We must acknowledge that such "radicals" have definitively been shown to damage all biochemical components such as DNA/RNA, carbohydrates, unsaturated lipids, proteins, and micronutrients such as carotenoids (alpha and beta carotene, lycopene), vitamins A, B6, B12, and folate. Defense strategies against such aggressive radical species include enzymes, antioxidants that occur naturally in the body (glutathione, uric acid, ubiquinol-10, and others) and radical scavenging nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and E, and carotenoids. This paper will present a brief discussion of some well- and little-known herbs that may add to the optimization of antioxidant status and therefore offer added preventive values for overall health. It is important to state at the outset that antioxidants vary widely in their free-radical quenching effects and each may be individually attracted to specific cell sites. Further evidence of the specialized nature of the carotenoids is demonstrated by the appearance of two carotenoids in the macula region of the retina where beta-carotene is totally absent.

Lead finding from whole plant of Marrubium vulgare L. with Hepatoprotective Potentials through in silico methods

Objective: In the present study an attempt has been made to study the antihepatotoxic activity of active compounds in this plant through in silico methods. Methods: We have taken 12 compounds form this plant. All the compounds were further subjected to molecular propertied prediction and drug likeness by Molinspiration and found in compliance with Lipinski’s rule of five. Biochemical parameters like SGOT and SGPT were determined by Reitman and Frankel, ALP by Kind and King, TP by reported methods of Wooton. Results: All the compounds were showed expected similar bioactivity especially in case of enzyme inhibition. Compound Vulgarin showed no violation with good drug likeness score and biological activity as compare to standard drug Silibinin. Vulgarin exhibited a significant antihepatotoxic activity by reducing the elevated levels of serum enzymes such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) serum glutamate pyruvate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) while the total protein (TP) levels were increased when compared with standard drug silymarin against CCl4-induced toxicity in Wistar rats. These biochemical observations were also supplemented by histopathological examinations of the liver sections. Conclusions: We found that Vulgarin one of the twelve compounds is showed better drug likeness and biological activity against Silibinin. So this particular compound can be taken as lead compound for further drug discovery for hepatotoxic activity.

Lead finding from Phyllanthus debelis with hepatoprotective potentials

Objective: Present communication deals with the study of antihepatotoxic activity and molecular prediction of compounds isolated from Phyllanthus debelis in order to search lead compound. Methods: Five compounds from the whole plant of P. debelis were subjected to molecular properties prediction and drug-likeness by Lipinski rule of five & Molinspiration software. Results: All the compounds were found in compliance with Lipinski ‘Rule of Five’ except the Milog P valve of compound No. I-IV were found above five means these compounds have less permeability across the cell membrane. The Milog P valve of Compound No V & standard compound silibinin VI were found below five, suggest that the molecules have good permeability across the cell membrane. In respect of TPSA, all the compounds were within the limit i.e. 160 ?. The bioactivity score was also calculated for GPCR ligand, ion channel modulator, kinase inhibitor, nuclear receptor ligand. All the compound showed activity through enzyme inhibition.Conclusions:Our study shows that compound V debelolactone has good drug likeness score with no violations & good bioactivity score as compared to silibinin which is potent hepatoprotective drug. So compound V debelolactone can be a lead compound with hepatoprotective activity from Phyllanthus debelis.

Anti-hyperglycemic activity of leaves extract of Hyptis suaveolens L. Poit in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of leaves of Hyptis suaveolens using streptozotocin model.@*METHODS@#Hyptis suaveolens extract (HSE) 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to streptozotocin induced diabetes, once daily for 21 days.@*RESULTS@#A significant reduction in blood glucose was observed in diabetic animals treated with HSE at different doses when compared with diabetic rats. Levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein were decreased while administering HSE at different doses, compared with their control values in diabetic animals.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our results show that HSE possesses significant antihyperglycemic activity which might be attributed to stimulating effects on glucose utilization and antioxidant enzyme.