Immune enhancement of 30% ethanol elution fraction of Artemisia absinthium ethanol extract with macroporous resin / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of 30% ethanol elution fraction of Artemisia absinthium extract with macroporous resin (AAEM-30%) on the dendritic cell (DC) and immunity of mice. Methods:AAEM-30% was obtained from the alcoholic extracts of A. absinthium by AB-8 macroporous resin, and its polysaccharide, flavonoid, and terpenoid contents were determined. The expressions of AAEM-30% on DC surface molecular cluster of differentiation (CD) 40, CD80 and CD86 were detected in vitro by flow cytometry, and the expressions of DC cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of AAEM-30% on the immune function of ICR mice was measured in vivo with different doses (50 and 100 mg/kg) and different administration methods (subcutaneous injection, intraperitoneal injection, and gavage). Results:The contents of polysaccharides, flavonoids, and terpenoids in AAEM-30% were 24.30%, 22.50% and 28.19%, respectively. AAEM-30% significantly enhanced the expression of CD40, and CD86 and the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α (all P<0.001). Compared with the control group, no statistically significant differences were found in the body mass of mice compared with the three administration methods (all P>0.05). The thymus index in the 50 and 100 mg/kg AAEM-30% intraperitoneal injection groups and the spleen index in the 50 mg/kg AAEM-30% gavage group were increased (all P<0.05). CD19 + cells increased in the 100 mg/kg AAEM-30% intraperitoneal injection group ( P<0.01) and in the 50 mg/kg AAEM-30% gavage group ( P<0.05). The CD11b + and CD11c + counts increased in the 100 mg/kg AAEM-30% gavage group ( P<0.05). The number of CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes was increased by both gavage and intraperitoneal administration (all P<0.05). Conclusions:AAEM-30% can promote the maturation of DC and enhanced the immunity of mice without obvious side effects.

Anti-Helminthic Potential of Solvent Extracts of Indigenous Botanicals.

Ethno botanical studies reveal that the indigenous knowledge of a community is a key player in the identification of medicinal plants and such plants have been often tested by generations of indigenous people. In the present investigation, the hydro-alcoholic extracts of leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Swertia chirayta (Chirayta) were assessed for anti-helminthic potential against helminths (earthworms were used as model) at 10, 50 and 100 mg/ml. No anti-helminthic potential was observed at 10 mg/ml of dose of the hydro-alcoholic extracts of Swertia chirayta. The hydro-alcoholic extracts of both the plants showed significant anti-helminthic activity on selected worms at higher doses. Hydro-alcoholic leaves extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) was found to be more active as compared to hydro-alcoholic whole plant extracts of Swertia chirayta (Chirayta) at concentration of 100 mg/ml. It was observed that with the variation in dose, the death time and paralysis time of the worms’ decreases. The results indicated that extracts possessed dose dependent anti-helminthic activity. The results were compared to Piperazine citrate and Albendazole (15 mg/ml). The hydro-alcoholic extracts demonstrated paralysis as well as death of worms in a less time in comparison to the standard drugs. The anti-helminthic activity of the extracts indicates the presence of active principle responsible for anti-helminthic activity.

Atividade antibacteriana de extratos de folhas de Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott (Araceae) / Antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Montrichardia linifera (Arruda) Schott (Araceae)

RESUMO O uso de plantas medicinais no tratamento de doenças é uma estratégia antiga utilizada por praticamente todas as populações do mundo, e, embora novos antibióticos tenham sido desenvolvidos para o controle de micro-organismos infecciosos, às vezes são ineficazes. Diversos extratos de plantas medicinais têm efeitos antimicrobianos, principalmente quando associados à antibióticos de uso clínico, representando alternativa terapêutica para doenças infecciosas. Montrichardia linifera, conhecida popularmente como aninga, é espécie macrófita, aquática emergente de hábito herbáceo, pertencente a família Araceae e ocorre em áreas alagáveis. A utilidade farmacológica desta espécie é diversificada tendo sido relatada como cicatrizante, antirreumático, antidiurético e expectorante. Devido à relevância no campo etnofarmacológico, ampla utilização na medicina popular e escassez de trabalhos relacionados à atividade antibacteriana desta espécie, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a atividade antibacteriana de extratos alcoólicos de folhas de Montrichardia linifera, coletadas na margem do rio Igaraçu, Parnaíba-PI. O extrato foi testado em oito cepas de bactérias: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de verificação da formação de halos de inibição e determinação das concentrações inibitórias e bactericidas mínimas. Os testes antibacterianos evidenciaram como principais resultados que o extrato metanólico seco (EMS), extrato metanólico fresco (EMF), e o extrato etanólico seco (EES), apresentaram ação antibacteriana, enquanto o extrato etanólico fresco (EEF) não apresentou atividade para as bactérias testadas. O EMS foi o mais eficiente, inibindo o crescimento bacteriano na concentração de 200 μg/mL para E. faecalis, 400 μg/mL para S. aureus, 400 μg/mL para S. epidermidis e 2.000 μg/mL para P. aeruginosa. O EMF obteve CIM de 2.000 μg/mL para E. faecalis e EES obteve CIM de 250 μg/mL para E. faecalis. Os resultados demonstraram que M. linifera constitui fonte eficiente de compostos bioativos antibacterianos. Os estudos sobre as propriedades farmacológicas de plantas da família Araceae são escassos, e os resultados deste trabalho são pioneiros em relação a atividade antibacteriana desta espécie.

ABSTRACT For a long time, medicinal herbs have been used in the treatment of diseases by almost all populations in the world, and although new antibiotics have been developed for the control of infectious micro-organisms, they are sometimes ineffective. Many herbal extracts have antimicrobial effects and represent a potential alternative therapy for infectious diseases, especially when associated with the clinical use of antibiotics. The Montrichardia linifera, popularly known as Aninga, is a robust, herbaceous, emergent aquatic macrophyte belonging to the Araceae family, appearing along rivers and stream margins in the tropical America. The pharmacological application of this species are several ones, having been reported to own a healing, antirheumatic, anti-diuretic and expectorant effect. Due to the relevance in the ethnopharmacological field, the spread use in popular medicine and the few researches related to the antibacterial activity of this specie, the study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of alcoholic leaf extracts of plants of Montrichardia linifera collected along the margins of Rio Igaraçu, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil. The extract was tested in eight strains of ATCC bacterial standards: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The verification techniques used were the formation of inhibition halos, and the determination of minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC). The antibacterial tests showed, as main results, that dried methanol extract (EMS), fresh methanol extract (EMF) and dry ethanol extract (EES) exhibited antibacterial activity, while the fresh ethanol extract (EEF) was inactive against the tested bacteria. The EMS was the most efficient one, inhibiting bacterial growth at a concentration of 200 µg/mL for E. faecalis, 400 µg/mL for S. aureus 400 µg/mL for S. epidermidis and 2.000 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa. The EMF obtained a MIC of 2.000 µg/mL for E. faecalis and EES obtained a MIC of 250 µg/mL for E. faecalis. The results showed that M. linifera is an efficient source of bioactive antibacterial compounds. Studies about the pharmacological properties of plants of the family Araceae are scarce, and the results of this work are pioneer in regard to the antibacterial activity of this species.

Beneficial Effect Associated with Use of Watery and Alcoholic Extract of Garlic as a Supplement in Hyperlipidemic Guniea Pigs.

Background: Garlic is naturally occurring sulphur containing dietary agent belong to Allium family. Members of this family i.e. Garlic, Onions are found to have beneficial effect on atherosclerosis and ischemic heart diseases in both experimental animals and in human beings. Objective: To compare the potency of garlic as antihyperlipidemic and antiplatelet and antithrombotic between its watery and alcoholic extract for their effects. Methods: 25 guinea pigs were fed cholesterol (0.5g/kg body weight) for an initial period of 4 weeks. Cholesterol was then discontinued and the animals were divided into 3 groups. Group-I (n=7) was fed with stock diet and was taken as control. Group-II (n=9) was given 1ml of watery extract and Group-III (n=9) was fed with 1ml of alcoholic extract of garlic with normal diet daily for 4 weeks. The garlic content of both the extract was 2 gm/ml by wt/vol. Fasting blood samples were collected at the end 4 weeks and finally at the end of the study i.e.8 weeks for estimation of serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, LDC-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C,atherogenic index and platelet adhesiveness index. Bleeding time and clotting time were also detected in all the 3 groups.Results: In the present study, the watery and alcoholic extract of garlic shows significant hypolipidemic activity as they reduced significantly serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, LDC-C, VLDL-C and atheriogenic index in hyperlipidemic guinea pigs (p<0.01) compared to control. The significant rise in HDL-C was observed in group II but not in group III animals. On comparison between two extracts, watery extract of garlic was more potent hypolipidemic agent, compared to alcoholic extract. Both extract significantly reduces platelet adhesiveness and bleeding time. But between two extract the watery extract was found more potent anti-thrombotic agent as it showed significant decrease in platelet adhesiveness (P<0.01). BT was significantly increased in group II compared to group I and III. Conclusion: It can be concluded that watery extract of Allium Sativum is more potent hypolipidemic and antiplatelet, and anti-thrombotic agent.

Avaliação in vitro da atividade fungitóxica de extratos de condimentos na inibição de fungos isolados de pães artesanais / In vitro evaluation of the fungitoxic activity of seasonings on the inhibition of fungi isolated from homemade breads

Objetivou-se, na presente pesquisa, avaliar a atividade antifúngica in vitro de alho, gengibre, orégano, cravo, canela e tomilho sobre a inibição e o desenvolvimento de Aspergillus ochraceus, Penicillium roqueforti, Rhizopus stolonifer, desenvolvidos em pães artesanais. Para cada planta foram preparados extratos alcólicos (EA10%, EA20% e EA25%), extrato aquoso (EAQ10%), extrator alcoólico puro (EAP) e testemunha sem extrato e álcool. Para alho, gengibre, orégano incluiu-se o extrato alcoólico da planta fresca (EAF 10%). Os experimentos foram instalados no Laboratório de Fitopatologia do EcoCentro/EPAMIG, Lavras, MG e no Laboratório de Fitopatologia do Incaper/CRDS-CS, em Domingos Martins, ES. Os tratamentos foram aplicados sobre os fungos inoculados em placas de petri, em meio BDA. Calcularam-se médias do Índice de Velocidade de Crescimento Micelial (IVCM) e esporulação. Os EA de plantas desidratadas a 10%, 20% e 25% inibiram totalmente o crescimento micelial dos fungos estudados, com exceção do EA 25% de alho sobre o Penicillium roqueforti e o EA 25% de gengibre sobre o desenvolvimento do Aspergillus ochraceus que não se diferenciaram da testemunha. O EA de alho teve um efeito não inibitório sobre P. roqueforti. Os EA, EAF e EAP apresentaram menor esporulação em relação à testemunha, exceto com gengibre e cravo sobre a esporulação do R. stolonifer e o EAQ apresentou um efeito semelhante ao da testemunha.

This research was carried out to evaluate the in vitro anti-fungus activity of alcoholic extracts of garlic, ginger, oregano, clove, cinnamon, and thyme on the inhibition and development of Aspergillus ochraceus, Penicillium roqueforti, and Rhizopus stolonifer, which develop in homemade breads. For each commercial seasoning, alcoholic extracts (AE) were prepared (AE10%, AE20% and AE25%) as well as aqueous extract (AQE) at 10%, pure alcoholic extract (PAE), and control without extract and alcohol. For garlic, ginger and oregano, a fresh plant alcoholic extract (FAE10%) was included. The experiments were installed at Plant Pathology Laboratories, EcoCentro/EPAMIG, MG and at Incaper/CRDS-CS in Domingos Martins, ES. The treatments were applied to thefungi inoculated on Petri dishes, on BDA medium. Mycelial Index Growth Speed (MIGS) and sporulation were calculated. All of the AE from dehydrated plants (10%, 20%, and 25%) showed significant inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth and fungus sporulation,and an unstable performance was observed when the AE seasoning concentration was 0%. The control presented higher MIGS and sporulation. Garlic AE25% on Penicillium roqueforti and ginger AE25% on Aspergillus ochraceus did not differ from the control.Garlic AE did not present an inhibitory effect on P. roqueforti. The AE, FAE and PAE presented lower sporulation in relation to the control, exception made to ginger and clove on the sporulation of R. stolonifer, and the AQE showed an effect similar to the control.

Antimicrobial Activities Screening of 47 Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Extracts / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To determine the antimicrobial activity of alcoholic e xtracts of47traditional Chinese herbal medicines in vitro.METHODS:Antibiotic drug sensitive tests of Escherichia coli and Bacillus pyocyaneus were conducted,al?coholic extracts of47Chinese herbal medicines were prepared,which were subjected to bicteriostatic tests in vitro by agar spread routine method.RESULTS:Among the47traditonal Chinese herbal medicines alcoholic extracts,11of which did have antimicrobial activity against escherichia coli,pseudomonas aeruginosa and blastomyces albicans in different degree;among which,the antimicrobial activity of the alcoholic extracts of paeoniae radix and granatum to drug resistance bacteria were the highest,the alcoholic extracts of paeoniae radix showed strong inhibitory activities to the above3bacterium,especially to the resistant organisms with the minimum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)at1.3,1.1and1.8mg/ml respectively;The antimi?crobial activities of alchoholic extracts of granatum against the above3bacterium were also high with the MIC at8.3,3.6and2.3mg/ml respectively.CONCLUSION:The alcoholic extracts of paeoniae radix and granatum have broad spectrum of an?timicrobial activity and which have antimicrobial effect to drug resistance bacteria.