Antitumor potential of Castanopsis indica (Roxb. ex Lindl.) A. DC. leaf extract against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma cell.

Methanol extract of C. indica (MECI) leaves showed direct cytotoxicity on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell in a dose dependant manner and there was significant decrease in the tumor volume, viable cell count, tumor weight and elevated the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profile and biochemical estimations were significantly restored to normal levels in MECI treated as compared to EAC control mice. MECI treatment significantly modulated the tissue antioxidant assay parameters as compared to the EAC control mice. The results revealed that MECI possesses significant dose dependent antitumor potential which may be due to its cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties.

In vitro antioxidant activity of Diospyros malabarica Kostel bark.

Antioxidant activity of defatted methanol extract of D. malabarica bark was studied for its free radical scavenging property on different in vitro models e.g. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radical and lipid peroxide radical model. The extract showed good dose-dependent free radical scavenging property in all the models except in hydroxyl radical inhibition assay. IC50 values were found to be 9.16, 13.21, 25.27 and 17.33 microg/ml respectively in DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. In hydroxyl radical inhibition assay 1000 microg/ml extract showed only 10% inhibition with respect to the control. Measurement of total phenolic compounds by Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent indicated that 1 mg of the extract contained 120.7 microg equivalent of pyrocatechol. The results indicate that the antioxidant property of the extract may be due to the high content of phenolic compounds. However, the underlying mechanism may not involve hydroxyl radical scavenging property.

Anti-steroidogenic activity of methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa roxb. stem and Corchorus olitorius Linn. seed in mouse ovary.

Methanolic extract (ME) of both C. reflexa stem and C. olitorius seed arrested the normal oestrus cycle of adult female mouse and significantly decreased the weight of ovaries and uterus. The cholesterol and ascorbic acid contents in ovaries were significantly increased in the treated mice. Two key enzymes, delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were decreased significantly in ME of both C. reflexa stem and C. olitorius seed after 17 days of treatment. High level of substrates and low level of enzymes indicate the inhibition of steroidogenesis in treated mice and may be due to the presence of flavonoids.

Molecular mechanics aided design of antineoplastic agents from ruthenium coordinate complexes.

Through energy minimization using molecular mechanics force field four ruthenium cordinate complexes have been synthesized. Compound I to IV showed antineoplastic activity with varying degree on EAC bearing mice. Mode of action may be through inhibition of antioxidant property of tumor cell as evident from lipid peroxidase activity. Among the complexes Bis pyridine tetrachloro ruthenium exhibits highest order of activity with respect to increase mean survival time, inhibition of tumour volume, total blood count, hemoglobin and lipid peroxidase activity.

Evaluation of hematological and hepatorenal functions of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. root treated mice.

Methanolic extract of M. oleifera root was found to contain some alkaloids (total alkaloid 0.2%). Effects of multiple weekly (35, 46, 70 mg/kg) and daily therapeutic (3.5, 4.6, 7.0 mg/kg) i.p. doses of the crude extract (CE) on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters in mice were studied. No alteration in hematological and biochemical parameters at low and moderate dose level of daily and low dose level of weekly treatment of the extract was observed. However, the extract at moderate dose level in weekly treatment changed serum aminotransferase and plasma cholesterol levels significantly. High dose in addition to the above parameters changed total bilirubin, non protein nitrogen, blood urea and plasma protein. High dose of daily treatment and moderate and high dose of weekly treatment of CE increased WBC count and decreased clotting time significantly. The results indicate that the weekly moderate and high dose (> 46 mg/kg body wt.) and daily/therapeutic high dose (7 mg/kg) of CE affects liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters whereas the weekly dose (3.5 mg/kg) and low and moderate daily/therapeutic dose (3.5 and 4.6 mg/kg) did not produce adverse effects on liver and kidney functions.

CNS activity of Vitex negundo Linn. in mice.

Methanolic extract (ME) of the leaves of V. negundo potentiated significantly the sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam and chlorpromazine in mice. ME possesses analgesic properties and potentiated analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine. ME also showed significant protection against strychnine and leptazole induced convulsions. The results suggest that ME exhibits CNS depressant activity in a dose dependent manner.

Effect of leaf extract from Clerodendron colebrookianum on CNS function in mice.

Effect of acute multiple (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body wt, i.p.) doses of C. colebrookianum leaf extract on behaviour, convulsion, analgesia and sedative-hypnosis was studied in mice. A marginal reduction of awareness and motor activity was observed in low (20 mg) and moderate (40 mg) dose level of extract. However, 80 mg dose caused marked inhibition of awareness and motor activity. Grip strength and stereotypy was observed in all the dose levels. The extract alone did not show loss of righting reflex but it prolonged the effect of meprobamate, diazepam, chlorpromazine and pentobarbitone significantly in a dose dependent manner. The extract neither produced analgesia alone nor it altered analgesic effect of morphine and pethidine. Pretreatment of the extract caused significant protection of strychnine and leptazol induced convulsion and mortality. The results suggest a mild (or dose dependent) CNS depressant action of leaf extract of C. colebrookianum in mice.

Effect of alkaloidal extract from Clerodendron colebrookianum on hematological parameters and hepatorenal functions in mice.

Effects of multiple weekly (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) and daily therapeutic (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg) ip doses of C. colebrookianum leaf extract on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters in mice were studied. No alteration in hematological and biochemical parameters at low and moderate dose level of daily and low dose level of weekly treatment of alkaloidal extract was observed. However, alkaloidal extract at moderate dose in weekly treatment increased significantly serum alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, nonprotein nitrogen, blood urea, plasma protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. High dose of alkaloidal extract increased all the above parameters of weekly treated mice including serum aspartate aminotransferase and plasma cholesterol and decreased significantly serum bilirubin and clotting time. Whereas, in high dose daily treatment erythrocyte count and hemoglobin content were increased and serum bilirubin was decreased. The present study reveals that the high dose (above 40 mg/kg body weight) of alkaloidal extract of C. colebrookianum affects liver and kidney functions and metabolism and also alters only clotting time and ESR whereas the therapeutic dose level (hypotensive action at 2 to 8 mg/kg, i.v., dose level) did not exhibit any toxic action on the above mentioned system; the toxic action may be due to overdose. Hepatorenal dysfunction and alteration of hematological parameters were noted at moderate and high dose in a dose dependent manner.

Effect of leaf extract from Clerodendron colebrookianum on blood pressure in rats.

Hypotensive effect of the extract of leaves of C. colebrookianum was investigated. An extremely bitter fraction was isolated, which gave positive test for alkaloids. The fraction produced fall of blood pressure in a dose dependent manner. The fall of blood pressure was blocked by atropine. Hypertensive effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline were slightly antagonised by the alkaloidal extract.

Antimicrobial activities of mycotoxin MT81 and its structural derivatives.

Antimicrobial activities of mycotoxin MT81 and its acetylated, benzoylated and acetic acid derivatives were determined by zone inhibition method. MT81, acetylated MT81 and acetic acid MT81 exhibited sensitivity (31.25, 62.50, 62.50 micrograms/ml respectively) to all the test bacteria. Benzoylated-MT81 did not exhibit any activity even up to 1000 mcg/ml. MT81, its acetylated and acetic acid derivatives exhibited antifungal activity up to 62.5 micrograms/ml and 125.0 micrograms/ml respectively against test yeasts and other fungi. Benzoylated MT81 also exhibited antifungal activity but the degree was comparatively less.