Areca catechu L.ameliorates chronic unpredictable mil stress-induced depression behavior in rats by the promotion of the BDNF signaling pathway / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigated the anti-de-pressant effects of the fruit Areca catechu L.(ACL)and elucidated its potential underlying mechanism using a rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS).METHODS CUMS was induced in rats to establish a depression animal model for 28 d.According to the baseline sucrose preference,the male rats were divided into six different groups.They were treated with parox-etine hydrochloride,ACL,and water once a day until the behavioral tests were performed.The levels of corticoste-rone(CORT),malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT),and total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD)in serum were de-tected using a commercial kit,and the concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)and dopamine(DA)mono-amine neurotransmitters in the brain tissues were detect-ed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Doublecortin(DCX)expression in the hippocampal den-tate gyrus(DG)was determined by immunofluorescence,and the relative abundance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),TrkB,PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,PSD-95,and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β of brain tissues were assayed by West-ern blotting.RESULTS ACL markedly increased sucrose preference,decreased the immobility time,and short-ened the feeding latency of CUMS-induced rats.CUMS induction resulted in marked changes in the contents of the monoamine neurotransmitters(5-HT and DA)in the hippocampus and cortex of brain tissues and the levels of CORT,MDA,CAT,and T-SOD in serum,whereas ACL administration alleviated these considerable changes.ACL promoted DCX expression in DG and increased the protein levels of BDNF,TrkB,PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,PSD-95,and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β in the brains of CUMS-induced rats.CONCLUSION Our results indicated that ACL may improve depression-like behaviors in CUMS-induced rats by decreasing the hyperfunction and oxidative stress of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,stimulating hippo-campal neurogenesis,and activating the BDNF signaling pathway.

Advances in chemical constituents of Areca catechu L.and their effects on nervous system / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Areca nut is the dried and mature seed of Areca catechu L.in the palm family,which is a medicinal and food resource.It tastes bitter,spicy and warm.It has the functions of killing insects,eliminating accumulation,activating qi and nourishing water.It contains alkaloids,polyphenols,polysaccharides,fatty acids,amino acids,flavonoids,triterpenes and steroids and other chemical components.It has a certain protective effect on the ner-vous system,and mainly includes:① Arecoline con-tained in areca nut can stimulate the sympathetic nerve and simultaneously stimulate M receptor and N receptor,which can be used for the treatment of Alzheimer's dis-ease.② Antidepressant effect.Arecoline can easily pass through the blood-brain barrier and stimulate nerve cell receptors,thus promoting the body's excitement.Total phenols increase the content of monoamine transmitters in the brain by decreasing the content of monoamine oxi-dase,thus exerting therapeutic effect on depression.③ Antioxidant effect.Polyphenols and flavonoids can reduce oxidative damage of nervous system,and their antioxidant capacity is related to their content.④ Anti-inflammatory effect.Areca polysaccharides can exert anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of NO in macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide.⑤Improved digestion.Areca nut water extract has a pro-moting effect on gastrointestinal motility,which is not only related to M choline receptor,but also probably related to α-adrenalin receptor.⑥Other effects.Such as anti-throm-bosis,anti-atherosclerosis,hypoglycemia,blood lipid reg-ulation,anti-tumor,anti-allergy,bacteriostasis,etc.This review summarized the chemical composition and phar-macological action of Areca catechu in recent years.It was found that the mechanism of action of Areca cate-chu L.is still unclear and further research is needed to provide basis for scientific utilization of Areca catechu.

In Silico profiling of the Angiotensin converting enzyme binding affinities, toxicity and Pharmacokinetics of compounds from the nuts of Areca Catechu, Linn. and its bioisosteres

Background@#Hypertension is a worldwide epidemic that has been recognized as the most leading global risk for mortality, with its prevalence associated with increased blood pressure, concomitant risks of cardiovascular and kidney diseases, and major commonality in individuals advanced in age. With the current treatment options for hypertension management, there is still a need to develop therapies that directly target receptors that aid in hypertension treatment.@*Methodology@#The study focused on the in-silico profiling of the reported compounds from Areca catechu L. (fam. Arecaceae) towards the n-domain and c-domain angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) receptor models. Bioisosteric replacement was used to create bioisosteres investigated for similar binding affinity.@*Results@#Some A. catechu compounds exhibited favorable binding energies towards the n- and c-domain receptor models of ACE, binding in the same ACE ligand binding site as lisinopril, benazepril, and sampatrilat via similar interactions and amino acid residues. The majority of A. catechu compounds with favorable ACE binding energies belong to the phytochemical classes of flavonoids, polyphenols and phenolics, glycosides, and steroids. After in silico toxicity and pharmacokinetic profiling, the bioisosteres Leuco-DM02-39, Leuco-DM02-66, Leuco-DM05-60, Querc-DM09-63, and Querc-DM14-31 with binding energies higher than their parent compounds and comparable to lisinopril, benazepril, and sampatrilat were deemed the best.@*Conclusion@#A. catechu compounds have the potential to target ACE n-domain and c-domain receptor models. Three leucocyanidin and two quercetin bioisosteres exhibited favorable binding to the n-domain and c-domain ACE receptor models and could be further optimized to derive a promising antihypertensive agent through ACE inhibition.

Investigation of anti-Alzheimer's activity of aqueous extract of areca nuts (Areca catechu L): in vitro and in vivo studies / Investigación de la actividad anti-Alzheimer del extracto acuoso de nueces de areca (Areca catechu L): estudios in vitro e in vivo

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Sever cognitive and memory impairments, huge increase in the prevalence of the disease, and lacking definite cure have absorbed worldwide efforts to develop therapeutic approaches. Since many drugs have failed in the clinical trials due to multifactorial nature of AD, symptomatic treatments are still in the center attention and now, nootropic medicinal plants have been found as versatile ameliorators to reverse memory disorders. In this work, anti-Alzheimer's activity of aqueous extract of areca nuts (Areca catechu L.) was investigated via in vitro and in vivo studies. It depicted good amyloid ß (Aß) aggregation inhibitory activity, 82% at 100 µg/mL. In addition, it inhibited beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) with IC50 value of 19.03 µg/mL. Evaluation of neuroprotectivity of the aqueous extract of the plant against H2O2-induced cell death in PC12 neurons revealed 84.5% protection at 1 µg/mL. It should be noted that according to our results obtained from Morris Water Maze (MWM) test, the extract reversed scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats at concentrations of 1.5 and 3 mg/kg.

La enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) es un trastorno neurodegenerativo relacionado con la edad. Los severos deterioros cognitivos y de la memoria, el enorme aumento de la prevalencia de la enfermedad y la falta de una cura definitiva han absorbido los esfuerzos mundiales para desarrollar enfoques terapéuticos. Dado que muchos fármacos han fallado en los ensayos clínicos debido a la naturaleza multifactorial de la EA, los tratamientos sintomáticos siguen siendo el centro de atención y ahora, las plantas medicinales nootrópicas se han encontrado como mejoradores versátiles para revertir los trastornos de la memoria. En este trabajo, se investigó la actividad anti-Alzheimer del extracto acuoso de nueces de areca (Areca catechu L.) mediante estudios in vitro e in vivo. Representaba una buena actividad inhibidora de la agregación de amiloide ß (Aß), 82% a 100 µg/mL. Además, inhibió la beta-secretasa 1 (BACE1) con un valor de CI50 de 19,03 µg/mL. La evaluación de la neuroprotección del extracto acuoso de la planta contra la muerte celular inducida por H2O2 en neuronas PC12 reveló una protección del 84,5% a 1 µg/mL. Cabe señalar que, de acuerdo con nuestros resultados obtenidos de la prueba Morris Water Maze (MWM), el extracto revirtió el déficit de memoria inducido por escopolamina en ratas a concentraciones de 1,5 y 3 mg/kg.

Research progress in pharmacological effects of polyphenols in Areca catechu L / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Betel nut is the dry and mature seed of Areca catechu L., which is originated in Malaysia and cultivated in Yunnan, Hainan and Taiwan and other tropical areas of China. It is also known as big belly, binmen, olive seed, green seed and so on. Betel nut is a dual-use resource for medicine and food, which was first contained in LI Dang's Pharma?ceutical Record. Betel nut tastes bitter, pungent, warm in nature, and belongs to the stomach and large intestine meridian. It contains a variety of chemical components such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, fatty acids, amino acids, flavonoids, minerals, terpenoids, and steroids. It has the advantages of promoting digestion, lowering blood pres?sure, anti-depression, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-parasites, antibacterial and other activities. The content of total phenols in fresh fruits of areca nut was 31.1％, mainly including catechin, isorhamnetin, chrysopanthoxanthin, luteolin, tannin and other polyphenols. The commonly used methods for determination of polyphenols in areca are vanil?lin titration potassium permanganate titration and potassium ferricyanide spectrophotometry. The main activities and mechanisms of areca polyphenols include: ① Antidepressant effect: polyphenols bind to monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) receptors that inhibit the production of neurotransmitters, thereby increasing the content of amine transmitters in the brain and playing a therapeutic effect on depression. ② Antioxidant effect: polyphenols contain multiple adjacent hydroxyl groups, which are easily oxidized and can effectively remove superoxide anion free radical, hydroxyl free radi?cal, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, showing good antioxidant activity.③Bacteriostatic effect:polyphenols can spe?cifically bind to the surface of bacteria, thus achieving bacteriostatic effect. Studies have found that betel nut polyphenols have varying degrees of inhibitory effects on a variety of bacteria. ④ Inducing apoptosis of lymphocytes: polyphenols deplete the mercaptan in lymphocytes and make them unable to survive, thus inducing apoptosis of lymphocytes.⑤Anti-aging effect: polyphenols have the effect of anti-hyaluronidase and anti-elastase, so as to protect elastin fiber and pro?mote collagen synthesis.⑥Anti-allergic effect:studies have found that polyphenols can reduce ovalbumin induced aller?gic reactions.⑦Other functions:betel nut can freshen breath, eliminate bad breath, and resist the activity of cobra venom. At present, domestic and foreign scholars' research on betel nut mainly focuses on arecoline and its carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, effects on reproductive function, addiction and toxicity to the nervous system, and there are few studies on the positive effects of betel nut, especially on it. There is less research on phenolic ingredients. Therefore, this article reviews the polyphenolic chemical constituents of betel nut, and fully excavates its pharmacological activity to provide a reasonable basis for the scientific use of betel nut.

Comparative anthelmintic efficacy of Arundo donax, Areca catechu, and Ferula assa-foetida against Haemonchus contortus / Eficácia anthelmíntica comparativa de Arundo donax, Areca catechu e Ferula assa-foetida contra Haemonchus contortus

Abstract In the present study, anthelmintic activities of Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) catechu L., and Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. were determined. Leaves of A. donax L., latex of F. assa-foetida L. and seeds of Ar. catechu L. in different solvent fractions were subjected to in vitro (egg hatch assay; EHA, and adult motility assay; AMA) and in vivo (faecal egg count reduction test; FECRT) tests of anthelmintic activity using Haemonchus contortus model. In the AMA, crude aqueous methanol extracts (CAME) and ethyl acetate fractions of F. assa-foetida at 10 hr post-treatment showed maximum mortality of H. contortus at 12.5-50 mg mL-1. In the EHA, CAME of F. assa-foetida was identified as a potent ovicide based on its low LC50 (16.9 µg mL-1), followed in order by Ar. catechu and A. donax. Results from the FECRT also showed the extract of F. assa-foetida L. to be more effective than those of Ar. catechu L. and A. donax L., against the gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed better anthelmintic activities against the adult worms in vitro, while CAME of these plants were better than their crude powders in vivo. It is recommended to document and investigate indigenous knowledge of possible medicinal plants to plan scientific trials that may justify their endorsement.

Resumo No presente estudo, as atividades anti-helmínticas de Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) Catechu L. e Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. foram determinadas. Folhas de A. donax L., látex de F. assa-foetida L. e sementes de Ar. catechu L. em diferentes frações de solvente foram submetidos a testes in vitro (teste de eclosão de ovos, EHA e ensaio de motilidade em adultos, AMA); e in vivo (teste de redução da contagem de ovos fecais, FECRT) de atividade anti-helmíntica, usando-se Haemonchus contortus. Na AMA, extratos aquosos brutos de metanol (CAME) e frações de acetato de etila de F. assa-foetida. Dez horas pós-tratamento, apresentaram mortalidade máxima de H. contortus em 12,5-50 mg mL-1. No EHA, CAME de F. assa-foetida foi identificado como um ovicida potente baseado em seu baixo LC50 (16,9 µg mL-1), seguido em ordem por Ar. catechu e A. donax. Os resultados do FECRT também mostraram que o extrato de F. assa-foetida L. é mais eficaz do que o de Ar. catechu L. e A. donax L., contra nematoides parasitas gastrointestinais. As frações clorofórmio e acetato de etila mostraram melhores atividades anti-helmínticas contra vermes adultos in vitro, enquanto o CAME dessas plantas foi melhor do que o pó bruto in vivo. Recomenda-se documentar e investigar o conhecimento indígena de possíveis plantas medicinais para planejar ensaios científicos que possam justificar seu endosso.

Isolation, Identification and Antibacterial Activity of Endophytic Bacteria from Leaves of Acacia catechu

Drug resistance in bacteria is becoming an alarming problem in recent years. Post-antibiotic era is not so far. The need for novel antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents and agrochemicals are utmost. Endophytes are microorganisms that reside in the tissues of living plants which are relatively unstudied and are potential sources of novel natural products for exploitation in medicine, agriculture and industry. The endophytes of medicinal plants participate in biochemical pathways and produce novel bioactive compounds. The aim of the study was to isolate, identify and to assess antibacterial activity of endophytic bacteria from leaves of Acacia catechu. 18 endophytic bacteria had been isolated and identified by sequencing 16S rRNA gene. The isolated endophytic bacteria were identified as Bacillus humi. Considerable in vitro antibacterial activities against a panel of human pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli) were recorded. Among 18 isolates, 15 isolates had shown inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium and 10 isolates had shown inhibitory activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae

Effect of Acacia catechu and alum hot sitzbath on post-operative pain in patients treated with herbal seton / Efeito do banho quente de assento com Acacia catechu e alume na dor pós-operatória em pacientes tratados com seton à base de plantas

ABSTRACT Background Post-operative pain is the major consequence of Ksarasutra, Seton technique employed in Ayurvedic management of Low anal fistula. Surgeons are forced to prescribe Opioids and NSAIDs with pronounced untoward effects. Non pharmacological measures like Balneotherapy are used to improve circulation and relieve spasm in contemporary sciences. Aim To compare the efficacy of Khadira (Acacia catechu) and Sphatika (Potash alum) hot sitzbath with plain hot sitzbath in patients of low anal fistula treated with Ksarasutra. Method The study was single blind, double armed; prospective, randomized control clinical trial in which 30 patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 15 each on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received hot sitzbath using Acacia catechu and alum infusion twice daily for 21 days. Group B received hot sitzbath using warm water for 21 days. The assessments were made on pain, post-surgical satisfaction burning sensation, tenderness, discharge, constipation, itching and incontinence. Result The disease was prevalent in the 4th decade of life, more in males (86.67%) involved in sedentary work (53.33%) residing in urban domicile, consuming mixed diet (100%). Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in outcome measures like pain, burning sensation, tenderness, discharge, constipation and itching. Conclusion On comparative analysis Acacia and Alum hot sitzbath was more effective in outcomes like pain, surgical satisfaction, burning sensation and discharge. There was no difference in the effect of both interventions with respect to outcome measures like constipation, itching and incontinence.

RESUMO Justificativa A dor pós-operatória é a principal consequência da técnica que utiliza seton de Ksarasutra no tratamento ayurvédico de fístula anal baixa. Os cirurgiões são impelidos a prescrever opiáceos e AINEs que possuem efeitos indesejáveis pronunciados. Medidas não farmacológicas como a balneoterapia são usadas nas ciências contemporâneas para melhorar a circulação e aliviar o espasmo. Objetivo Comparar a eficácia do banho quente de assento com Khadira (Acacia catechu) e Sphatika (Potash alum) com apenas banho de assento em pacientes com fístula anal baixa tratados com Ksarasutra. Método Estudo clínico prospectivo, cego e controlado de dois braços randomizados, no qual 30 pacientes foram alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos de 15 pacientes cada com base nos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. O Grupo A recebeu banho de assento com Acacia catechu e infusão de alume duas vezes ao dia por 21 dias. O Grupo B recebeu banho de assento com água morna por 21 dias. Os desfechos avaliados foram dor, satisfação pós-cirúrgica, sensação de queimação, sensibilidade, corrimento, constipação, prurido e incontinência. Resultado A doença foi prevalente na 4ª década de vida, mais frequente no sexo masculino (86,67%), nos envolvidos em trabalho sedentário (53,33%), nos residentes em domicílios urbanos e nos que consumiam dieta mista (100%). Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora estatisticamente significativa na avaliação dos resultados, tais como dor, sensação de queimação, sensibilidade, corrimento, constipação e prurido. Conclusão Na análise comparativa, o banho quente de assento com acácia e alume foi mais eficaz nos desfechos de dor, satisfação cirúrgica, sensação de queimação e corrimento. Não houve diferença em relação ao efeito de ambas as intervenções sobre os desfechos de constipação, prurido e incontinência.

A Structure Based Molecular Docking Of Acacia Catechu Againstcontractile Protein Plasmodium Falciparum – A Malarial Disease

The bioactive compounds of Acacia catechu using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy and the inhibitory activity against contractile protein Plasmodium falciparum against protozoan disease were studied. This research mainly focuses on finding of novel drug screening against malarial enzyme. The compounds of Acacia catechu are screened using Lipinski rule of five with ADMET properties in which the character as well as behaviour of the drug compound is known. The compounds were checked for its dosage level in human and rat as well as distribution properties in blood brain barrier and central neuro system. The compounds 9,12,15- Octadecatrienoic acid has higher affinity with -7.95 Kcal/mol followed by Pthalic acid, butyl 2- pentyl ester -7.35 Kcal/mol and Furo[2,3-d] Pyrimidine-4,6 [5H,7H]-dion -6.24 Kcal/mol were docked using Autodock software. the compound 9,12,15- Octadecatrienoic acid, Pthalic acid butyl 2- pentyl ester, Furo[2,3-d] Pyrimidine-4,6 [5H,7H]-dion has higher affinity such as -7.95 Kcal/mol , -7.35 Kcal/mol and -6.24 Kcal/mol respectively. Thus this research proves that the drug compounds of Acacia catechu have novel therapeutic drug activity against virulent enzymes.

Discussion and consideration on pharmacology and toxicology of Areca catechu and its rational application / 中草药

Areca catechu ranks the first of China's precious "four southern medicines", with a history of more than 1 800 years of medicinal use and extensive clinical application. The pharmacological effects of A. catechu mainly focus on insect repellent, anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-atherosclerosis and the effects on digestive system and nervous system. In recent years, safety problems such as oral cancer caused by consumption of A. catechu have been frequently reported, and the main chemical components of both medicinal and edible A. catechu are arecoline, so the clinical safety of medicinal A. catechu has been questioned. Based on the chemical composition, this paper analyzes the pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of A. catechu, discusses the points for attention in clinical application, in order to provide a reference basis for the clinical safe and rational use of A. catechu.

Immunomodulatory activities of Acacia catechu, a traditional thirst quencher of South India

Background: Acacia catechu has been widely used in Ayurveda for treating many diseases. Its heartwoodextract is used in asthma, cough, bronchitis, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, boils, skin afflictions, sores and forstomatitis. The decoction of heartwood is used for drinking purpose in southern part of India especiallyin Kerala.Objective: The current study was carried out to evaluate immunomodulatory effects of heartwood extracts of A. catechu in Swiss albino mice.Material and methods: In vivo immunomodulatory activity was analyzed by hemagglutinating antibody(HA) titer, plaque forming cell assay and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). In vitro immunomodulatory potential of the extracts was studied using peritoneal macrophages and splenocytes from mice.Effect of extracts on phagocytic activity of macrophages was analyzed by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)reduction assay and cellular lysosomal enzyme assay. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by nitricoxide (NO) assay and production of TNF-a and IL-10.Results: A dose dependent increase in antibody titer was observed with extracts treatment. Treatmentwith extracts produced an enhancement in the number of antibody producing cells in the spleen. DTHreaction was significantly decreased with extracts treatment. An increased phagocytic response wasshown by peritoneal macrophages on treatment with the extracts as evidenced by its effect on NBTreduction and cellular lysosomal enzyme activity. The extracts inhibited the release of pro-inflammatorycytokine TNF-a and the production of NO. IL-10 production was significantly increased after extracttreatment.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate the immunomodulatory effects of A. catechu extracts on humoral, cell mediated and non-specific immune functions.© 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Areca catechu / 中草药

Areca catechu is a traditional Chinese medicine and an important medicine and food homologous variety, it’s widely distributed in tropical and subtropical provinces in southern China and other countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The fruitage of A. catechu is not only a kind of great fruit widely eaten to welcome guests, but also its peels and seeds can be used as medicines. Arecae Semen is one of the four precious “Southern Medicine” in China. Modern studies have shown that A. catechu contains alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and other chemical constituents. It has multiple activities in promoting digestion, lowering blood pressure and anti-depressant, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and bacteriostatic activities etc. In this paper, the research progress of chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of A. catechu in recent years was summarized, which provided research basis for the edible safety, research and development of traditional Areca products.

Comparative study of wound healing effect of topical Acacia catechu extract and silver sulfadiazine on excisional wound model in guinea pigs

Background: Impaired and aberrant wound healing imposes a huge financial burden and places an enormous drain in health care resources in the developed world and an insurmountable problem in the developing countries too. In this study, authors have compared the wound healing effect of topical application of Acacia catechu extract with silver sulfadiazine in excisional wound model in guinea pigs.Methods: Twelve guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups (n=6). The wound healing was observed in excision model. The standard group is treated with silver sulfadiazine (group 1) and the test group with Acacia catechu extract (group 2). The mean wound size expressed in mm2 and the mean percentage of the wound healed was measured on day 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 19. Biopsy was done on day 21 for histopathological examination (HPE).Results: Statistical analysis was done by using unpaired t test for between the groups comparison and by using paired t test for within the group comparison. The mean percentage of the wound healed with-in the groups was found to be statistically highly significant (p value <0.001) and in between the groups was found to be statistically non-significant (p value >0.05). A comparable increase in collagen content and granulation tissue was found on HPE in both the groups on day 21.Conclusions: Wound healing effect of the Acacia catechu extract is equal to and comparable with that of silver sulfadiazine.

Dohra- a mixture of potent carcinogens

Background & objectives: Dohra is a areca nut preparation used with or without tobacco in a few of the areas of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. There is evidence that it causes potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer. This study was undertaken to provide information on dohra by searching through literature and also through a survey in three areas of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. Methods: The information on dohra was collected through literature search, study tour to different areas of UP, where group discussions with dohra vendors and with community members of different age group were done to obtain information. Results: Dohra was prepared by the users for their personal use or prepared by small-scale industry for sale. It was available mostly in betel shops or any other store/kiosks and was also available in special dohra shops. Dohra was available in both dry and wet form. Its common constituents were areca nut, catechu (Acacia catechu), edible lime, peppermint (Mentha piperita), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and some flavoring agents. Dohra was consumed as such or with tobacco. Interpretation & conclusions: Different varieties of Dohra were available such as sukha dohra, sukha mulethi dohra and geela dohra. Different processing methods for producing dohra existed. As dohra increases the risk of cancer, it needs to be banned or it should be sold in packets with the details of its constituents and also statutory warning about its adverse health effects.

Polyphenols From Cutch Tree ( Acacia catechu Willd.): Normalize In Vitro Oxidative Stress and Exerts Antiproliferative Activity

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress, being the main cause of most of the human diseases, has always been the highlight of research worldwide. This stress can be overcome by administration of natural polyphenols. The Acacia catechu Willd. has many refrences available in Ayurveda as important disease curative plant. Its leaves are investigated for ameliorating oxidative stress in present work. Leaves of A. catechu were extracted with 80% methanol to get methanol extract (AME). It was assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, ferric ion reducing, superoxide scavenging and peroxyl radical scavenging assays. DNA protective activity was also investigated using plasmid nicking assay. Further, antiproliferative activity was determined using MTT assay in various human cancer cell lines. The quantification of polyphenols was done by UHPLC analysis. Results confirmed that polyphenols of A. catechu were successful in normalizing oxidative stress. AME was found to be most effective in scavenging ABTS radicals while least effective in scavenging ferric ions. UHPLC analysis showed abundance of ellagic acid, rutin and quercetin in AME. Further, AME showed maximum antiproliferative activity against Hep G2 cancer cells. It is concluded that the polyphenols from A. catechu effectively remediates oxidative stress and hence can be used in curing numerous dreadful diseases.

Systematic evaluation for safety of traditional Chinese medicine Areca catechu and its preparations / 中国中药杂志

The authors systemically evaluated and analyzed the safety of Areca catechu from domestic and foreign literatures about the herbal origin, toxicity recorded in ancient/current documents, safety case reports of clinical A. catechu, experimental studies on toxicity in recent years, and differences of safety risk between edible and medicinal A. catechu. Subsequently, they proposed a preliminary summary about the clinical characteristics and potential risk factors of safety related cases of A. catechu and its preparations. According to the authors, although clinical adverse events of A. catechu were fewer and controllable, clinicians shall stillstrictly standardize its application, and rationally combine it with other herbs, while strengthening fundamental and clinical studies related to safety, so as to give better guidance to safety application of A. catechu in clinic.

Research progress in safety for medicinal and edible Areca catechu / 中草药

Areca catechu is not only Chinese medicinal material but also one of traditional foods in Southeast Asia and China. In this paper, the usage and security were reviewed to discuss the effect of A. catechu on human health. Meanwhile, we put forward suggestions for the security of A. catechu and they may contribute to the medicinal and edible industry of A. catechu in future.

Effect of extrusion process on formability of pellets based on texture properties of extrudates / 中草药

Objective: To analyze the effect of extrusion factors such as extrusion speed, screen hole diameter, and extrusion times on the texture properties of extrudate and the quality of pellets. Methods: In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as pelletization aid, lactose, Methocel E5 HPMC, Methocel E15 HPMC, Methocel K100 HPMC, and eight kinds of herbal extracts (extracts of Areca catechu, Patrinia scabiosae folia, Acorus tatarinowii, Sargentodoxa cuneata, Psoralea corylifolia, Dachuanxiong Decoction, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Gastrodia elata) were used as model drugs. Extrudates were prepared under different levels of process parameters, and one part was used to measure the texture parameters, the other part used for quality evaluation after spheronization. Results: With a large screen hole diameter, it showed that hardness of extrudate became lower and the adhesiveness as well as the springiness was significantly higher, leading to a large particle size and poor roundness of pellets. Repeated extrusion could increase hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience of extrudate. Not any strong correlation was found between the extrusion speed and texture properties in the study. Conclusion: The extrusion process could be purposefully selected to prepare ideal pellets accroding to texture properties of extrudate.

Polyphenols From Cutch Tree (Acacia catechu Willd.): Normalize In Vitro Oxidative Stress and Exerts Antiproliferative Activity

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress, being the main cause of most of the human diseases, has always been the highlight of research worldwide. This stress can be overcome by administration of natural polyphenols. The Acacia catechu Willd. has many refrences available in Ayurveda as important disease curative plant. Its leaves are investigated for ameliorating oxidative stress in present work. Leaves of A. catechu were extracted with 80% methanol to get methanol extract (AME). It was assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, ferric ion reducing, superoxide scavenging and peroxyl radical scavenging assays. DNA protective activity was also investigated using plasmid nicking assay. Further, antiproliferative activity was determined using MTT assay in various human cancer cell lines. The quantification of polyphenols was done by UHPLC analysis. Results confirmed that polyphenols of A. catechu were successful in normalizing oxidative stress. AME was found to be most effective in scavenging ABTS radicals while least effective in scavenging ferric ions. UHPLC analysis showed abundance of ellagic acid, rutin and quercetin in AME. Further, AME showed maximum antiproliferative activity against Hep G2 cancer cells. It is concluded that the polyphenols from A. catechu effectively remediates oxidative stress and hence can be used in curing numerous dreadful diseases.

Simultaneous Determination of Four Kinds of Component Contents in Litong Pill by Double-wavelength HPLC / 医药导报

Objective To develop a double-wavelength HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of neogambogic acid,gambogic acid,( +)-catechin and L-epicatechin in Litong pill. Methods The quantitative analysis was carried out on C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm).A linear elution of methanol-acetonitrile(4: 1)and 0.2% phosphoric acid solution was adopted at the flow rate of 1.1 mL·min-1 ,with the detection wavelength set at 360 nm for neogambogic acid and gambogic acid,and at 280 nm for(+)-catechin and L-epicatechin. Results The linear ranges of neogambogic acid,gambogic acid,(+)-catechin and L-epicatechin were 5.85-117.00 μg·mL-1(r= 0.999 5),8.95-179.00 μg·mL-1(r= 0.999 8),6.90-138.00 μg·mL-1(r= 0.999 7),and 5.30-106.00 μg·mL-1(r = 0.999 9),respectively.The average recoveries were 97.82%(RSD= 1.21%),98.72%(RSD = 1.30%),96.96%(RSD = 0.84%)and 99.26%( RSD = 1.46%)for neogambogic acid, gambogic acid,(+)-catechin and L-epicatechin,respectively. Conclusion The method is simple,accurate,reproducible and may be used for the simultaneous determination of neogambogic acid,gambogic acid,(+)-catechin and L-epicatechin in Litong pill.