Intra and Extra-granular Disintegrant Properties of Modified Underutilised Red Lima Bean Starch in Paracetamol Tablet Formulation

Abstract Red lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus Linn) Family Fabaceae, has been modified by succinylation and annealing, and used as intra- and extra-granular disintegrants at concentrations of 5 and 10 %w/w in paracetamol tablet formulation in comparison with corn starch BP. The starches were characterised using FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, proximate analysis, physicochemical and functional properties. FT-IR spectrometry revealed characteristic peaks at 1575.53 and 1713.99 cm-1 for the succinylated starch while the annealed showed no significant difference from the native starch. Modifications did not alter the ovoid shape of the native starch but reduced the particle size. Succinylation improved water absorption capacity, solubility and swelling of lima bean starch but annealing reduced the parameters. Tablets with disintegrants of lima bean starches generally had higher crushing strengths and lower friability than tablets with corn starch. Modifications reduced the disintegration time of the tablets when the starches were incorporated intra-granularly, which suggested particle-particle bond interruption and destruction of hydrogen bonds as mechanism of disintegration. Tablets containing 10 %w/w succinylated red lima bean starch incorporated intra-granularly had the highest disintegration efficiency ratio, DER, indicating a great balance between mechanical and disintegration properties. Modified red lima bean starches incorporated intra-granularly into paracetamol tablets led to faster disintegration and could efficiently substitute corn starch as disintegrant.

Lonchocarpine Increases Nrf2/ARE-Mediated Antioxidant Enzyme Expression by Modulating AMPK and MAPK Signaling in Brain Astrocytes

Lonchocarpine is a phenylpropanoid compound isolated from Abrus precatorius that has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antiepileptic activities. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of lonchocarpine in brain glial cells and analyzed its molecular mechanisms. We found that lonchocarpine suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell death in hydrogen peroxide-treated primary astrocytes. In addition, lonchocarpine increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), which are all under the control of Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling. Further, mechanistic studies showed that lonchocarpine increases the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of Nrf2 to ARE as well as ARE-mediated transcriptional activities. Moreover, lonchocarpine increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and three types of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). By treating astrocytes with each signaling pathway-specific inhibitor, AMPK, c-jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK were identified to be involved in lonchocarpine-induced HO-1 expression and ARE-mediated transcriptional activities. Therefore, lonchocarpine may be a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with oxidative stress.

Protective effect of total flavonoid C-glycosides from Abrus mollis extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced lipotoxicity in mice / 中国天然药物

Abrus mollis is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for treating acute and chronic hepatitis, steatosis, and fibrosis. It was found that the total flavonoid C-glycosides from Abrus mollis extract (AME) showed potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. To further investigate the hepatoprotective effect of AME and its possible mechanisms, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury models were applied in the current study. The results indicated that AME significantly attenuated LPS-induced lipid accumulation in mouse primary hepatocytes as measured by triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) assays and Oil Red O staining. Meanwhile, AME exerted a protective effect on LPS-induced liver injury as shown by decreased liver index, serum aminotransferase levels, and hepatic lipid accumulation. Real-time PCR and immunoblot data suggested that AME reversed the LPS-mediated lipid metabolism gene expression, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1). In addition, LPS-induced overexpression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) were dramatically reversed by AME. Furthermore, AME also decreased the expression of LPS-enhanced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Here, it is demonstrated for the first time that AME ameliorated LPS-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and that this effect of AME can be attributed to its modulation of hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis. This study also suggested that the hepatoprotective effect of AME may be related to its down-regulation of unfolded protein response (UPR) activation.

Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of total flavonoid C-glycosides from Abrus mollis extracts / 中国天然药物

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of the total flavonoid C-glycosides isolated from Abrus mollis extracts (AME). In the anti-inflammatory tests, xylene-induced ear edema model in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats were applied. The hepatoprotective effects of AME were evaluated with various in vivo models of acute and chronic liver injury, including carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatitis in mice, D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced hepatitis in rats, as well as CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. In the acute inflammation experiment, AME significantly suppressed xylene-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema, respectively. In the acute hepatitis tests, AME significantly attenuated the excessive release of ALT and AST induced by CCl4 and D-GalN. In CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis model, AME alleviated liver injury induced by CCl4 shown by histopathological sections of livers and improved liver function as indicated by decreased liver index, serum ALT, AST, TBIL, and ALP levels and hydroxyproline contents in liver tissues, and increased serum ALB and GLU levels. These results indicated that AME possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity in acute inflammation models and hepatoprotective activity in both acute and chronic liver injury models. In conclusion, AME is a potential anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective agent and a viable candidate for treating inflammation, hepatitis, and hepatic fibrosis.

Cytoarchitectural variations in the ovary, oviduct and uterus following intra-gastric gavages of Abrus precatorius linn in albino rats / Variaciones citoarquitectónicas en el ovario, oviducto y útero después del gavage intragástrico de Abrus precatorius Linn en Ratas Albinas

In developing countries, herbal medicines have continued to remain significant and readily patronized. Numerous plants have been used historically to reduce fertility and modern scientific research has confirmed antifertility effect in some of the herbs tested. To investigate the effects of Abrus precatorius (AP) on the histology of the ovary, oviduct and uterus of female Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rat. A total of 40, 6­8 week old 4-day cycling female S-D rats were used. They were divided into the treatment, control and reversibility groups. The treatment and reversibility groups were fed oral AP seed extract (50 mg/kg b.w) for 32 days. A fraction of the rats in reversibility group was treated with distilled water for another 32 days. The control group were used to compare events in the other groups. At the end of the experimental durations animals were sacrificed under light chloroform anesthesia. Their ovaries, uteri and oviducts harvested for microscopic studies. Comparing the control histological sections to the treated groups: the ovaries showed decreased size, large follicular distension and extensive stromal necrosis with compromised cellularity. The uterine tubes revealed appreciable mucosal reduction. The uteri exhibited reduction in the layer of endometrial thickness. On the other hand sections in reversal experimental rats were comparable to control. The rats treated with AP seed extract at dose 50 mg/kg b.w induced reversible alterations in ovaries, uterine and uteri in S-D.

En los países en desarrollo, las hierbas medicinales siguen siendo de gran importancia y de fácil utilización. Numerosas plantas se han utilizado históricamente para reducir la fertilidad y la investigación científica moderna ha confirmado el efecto anti-fertilidad en algunas de las hierbas estudiadas. Para investigar los efectos de Abrus precatorius (AP) sobre la histología del ovario, oviducto y útero de ratas Sprague-Dawley (SD), fueron utilizadas un total de 40 ratas SD hembras de 6-8 semanas de edad en el día 4 del ciclo. Se dividieron en grupos de tratamiento, control y reversibilidad. Los grupos de tratamiento y reversibilidad se alimentaron por vía oral con el extracto de semilla de AP (50 mg/kg de peso corporal) durante 32 días. Una fracción de las ratas del grupo de reversibilidad se trató con agua destilada durante otros 32 días. El grupo de control se utilizó para comparar los eventos en los otros grupos. Al finalizar el periodo experimental los animales fueron sacrificados bajo anestesia con cloroformo. Los ovarios, útero y los oviductos fueron procesados para los estudios microscópicos. Al comparar las secciones de control histológico con los grupos tratados, los ovarios mostraron disminución del tamaño, gran distensión folicular y necrosis estromal extensa con celularidad comprometida. Las tubas uterinas revelaron una reducción apreciable de la mucosa. El útero mostró una reducción de grosor en la capa endometrial. Por otra parte, las secciones del grupo de ratas experimentales con reversibilidad fueron comparables a los de control. Las ratas tratadas con extracto de semilla de AP en dosis de 50 mg/kg de peso corporal indujeron alteraciones reversibles en los ovarios, oviductos y úteros en ratas SD.

Polysaccharide structure of degraded glucomannan from Abrus precatorius Linn. seeds.

Degraded glucomannan was isolated from Abrus precatorius Linn. seed polysaccharide (Papilionaceae). Acid hydrolysis and methylation studies produced certain degraded methyl sugars as, 2, 3, 6-tri-O-methyl-D-glucose and 2, 3, 6-tri-O-methyl-D-mannose in 1:4 molar ratio. On the basis of hydrolysis and methylation experiments, a polysaccharide structure has been assigned to the degraded glucomannan and to the parent glucomannan of Abrus precatorius Linn. seed.

Contraception in traditional system of medicine the possible role of sex steroids on female reproduction

Contraceptive pills used in allopathic system of medicine contain both estrogen and progesterone or progesterone only. These hormones are responsible for contraception. Fertilization is prevented mainly by inhibiting ovulation or by making the mucus in the female genital tract thick and viscid. In this study different parts of five different plants, and one animal species used as contraceptive in Traditional System of Medicine, were selected to see their efficacy as contraceptive. These substances were subjected to determine the presence of steroid and peptide hormones. Electrochemiluminescence technique was used to detect these hormones in the extract. Results reveal that all the substances contain reasonable amount of steroid hormones i.e., estradiol, progesterone and testosterone ranging from 62.76 pg/ml to 313.6 pg/ml, 0.333 ng/ml to 2.90 ng/ml and 1.22 ng/ml to 22.24 ng/ml. respectively. All these substances were found to contain steroid hormones except the shell of Cyprea moneta which showed no detectable amount of LH and FSH. The concentrations of LI1 and FSH in the extract of Cyprea moneta shell were 0.564 mlU/ml ml and 0.644 mlU/ml, respectively. On the basis of these findings it is postulated that different parts of these plants and animals may create imbalance in the delicate ratio of estrogen and progesterone required for the ovulation and implantation, thus preventing fertilization

Determination of total flavonoids in Abrus cantoniensis and its dynamic changes / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a method for ultrasonic extraction and determination of total flavonoids in Abrus cantoniensis, and to analyze its dynamic changes.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The optimized condition of extraction of total flavonoids was studied with orthogonal design. The contents of total flavonoids in different organs and of different growth stages were determined by UV-visible spectrophotometer.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The ethanol volume and extraction times were the main factors impacting the effects of ultrasonic extraction. The content of total flavonoids in stems were higher than in roots and the lowest in leaves. The dynamic changes of total flavonoids contents in roots and stems of A. cantoniensis were in similar trends. Its total flavonoids content in the two parts of plant increased gradually with the growth and reached the maximum in October, and the content decreased significantly in Feburay of next year. The content of total flavonoids in leaves reached also to the highest value before leaves fell off.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The optimized extraction method of total flavonoids in Abrus contoniensis was obtained with three times with 80% ethanol at 20 times of volume for 30 min. The results implied that the best yield and quality may be obtained before leaves fall.</p>

Poisoning due to white seed variety of Abrus precatorius.

We report an unusual case of poisoning involving the white seed variety of Abrus precatorius that caused serious manifestations in a middle-aged male who had consumed the seeds on the advice of a folk medicine practitioner. He recovered after a prolonged duration of hospital treatment without any subsequent complications or sequelae. The case is being reported on account of its rarity.

Experiment on using lectin extracted from seeds of abrus precatorius in identifying some viruses

A study was conducted on biological active element lactin and clean lactin-biotin from Abrus precatorius in Hung Yen province. Result: clean lactin production from abrus precatorius and combination of Lectin (APA)-biotin were used to make ELISA to realize some disease-caused bacteria. Clean lectin (APA) related specific with original sugar β- D- Gal so it is able to realize B. anthracis bacterium and B. Cereus. Lectin (APA) does not connect with S. flexneri, S. sonnei, C.diphteriae and Salmonella bacteria. The findings of trial bring the new research approach in applying lectin in immunology production to contribute in diagnosis accurately bacterium strain cause disease.

Purification of Lectin (Abrus precatorius) and its application in detecting pathogenic bacteria

Lectin (APA) was purified from jequirity bean (Abrus precatorius) by affinity chromatography on insoluble ovomucoid. Lectin (APA) and conjugate Lectin-biotin have been used in ELLA technique (Enzyme Linked Lectinosorbent Assay) to detect some pathogenic bacteria. Based on its specific bioavailability to the poD-Gal sugar compounds in cell membrane, lectin (APA) was capable of differentiating B. anthracis and B. cereus from S. flexneri, S. sonnei, C. diphteria, and Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus.

Isolation and biological characteristics of rhizobia strains from Abrus cantoniensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The research aimed at studying the biological characteristics of rhizobia isolated from Abrus cantoniensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The rhizobia strains, isolated from different environments in Guangxi, were studied for their growing characters and the generation time. They were also compared for survival capabilities under stresses caused by NaCl, pH, temperature, and different kinds and concentration of antibiotics.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The strains obtained from A. cantoniensis in subtropical zone produced alkali in YMA medium, the average generation time was 14.8 hours, and thus they belong to slow-growing rhizobia. Rhizobia strains differed greatly in respect to tolerance of high temperature, adaptability of acidic environment and sensitivity to four antibiotics, but they had the same abilities of using different carbon and nitrogen sources. After 70 days from inoculated strains, the seedling formed nodules on the root (85.0%), and the dry matter of vine was increased by 51.1%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The rhizobia strains isolated from different ecological environments are good germplasm resources of tolerances to high temperature and acidic environment. The research will greatly help utilize the rhizobia resources and enhance the quality of crude drugs of medicinal leguminosae.</p>

Effects of different nitrogenous compounds on growth and nodulation of Abrus cantoniensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The research aimed at the effects of different nitrogenous compounds on growth and nodulation of Abrus cantoniensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>After the seedlings of the herb were inoculated with rhizobia in potted culture, they were supplied with nutrition solutions which contained the three nitrogenous compounds, KNO3, NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4 of different nitrogen concentration. The growth and nodulation of seedlings was determined after 70 days.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Different nitrogenous compounds were able to enhance the vegetable growth of seedlings variously. The effect of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 on growth was better than that of KNO3. Seedlings nodulation was obviously inhibited by these nitrogenous compounds. Their inhibitory effects ranked NH4NO3 > (NH4)2SO4 > KNO3. The treatments of KNO3 and the lower concentration treatments of NH4NO3 and (NH4)2 SO4 didn't inhibit the nodulation of seedlings, but the higher concentration treatment of NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4 severely inhibited nodulation or even made a no formation of nodule.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results showed that ammonium nitrogen the higher inhibitory ability to the nodulation of seedlings of A. cantoniensis than nitrate nitrogen. Therefore, the application of ammonium nitrogen fertilizer should be controlled in culture of the herb, which is in favor of increasing the function of biological nitrogen fixation and the quality of the medicinal materials of A. cantoniensis.</p>

Immunopotentiating activity of abrin, a lectin from Abrus precatorius Linn.

A non-toxic dose of abrin, (1.25 microg/kg body wt) consecutively for five days in normal mice stimulated specific humoral responses. A noticeable increase was observed in total leucocyte count, lymphocytosis, weights of spleen and thymus, circulating antibody titre, antibody forming cells, bone marrow cellularity and alpha-esterase positive bone marrow cells. The results suggest that abrin can potentiate the humoral immune response of the host.

Antitumour effect of abrin on transplanted tumours in mice.

Abrin, a galactose specific lectin was purified using sepharose 4B affinity column from seeds of Abrus precatorius. It exhibited antitumour activity in mice when used at a sublethal dose of 7.5 micrograms/kg every alternate day for 10 days. Both intralesional and intraperiloneal (i.p.) administration of abrin was effective in reducing solid tumour mass development induced by Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells. DLA cell line was more sensitive to abrin than EAC. Abrin when injected i.p. increased the life span of ascites tumour bearing mice. Abrin when used simultaneously with tumour cells brought about maximum antitumour effect. On developed tumour masses, abrin administration brought about significant reduction in tumour volume, especially in DLA induced tumours. Prophylactic administration of abrin was found ineffective.

Imunidade cruzada pelas sementes de Abrus precatorius e Ricinus communis em bovinos / Crossimmunity by the seeds of Abrus precatorius and Ricinus communis in cattle

Cinco bovinos imunizados contra a ação tóxica das sementes de Abrus precatorius L. ("tento", "jiquiriti") não adoeceram ou somente levemente pela administração das sementes de Ricinus communis L. ("mamona"), em doses que em bovinos que antes nunca ingeriram sementes de A. precatorius ou R. communis, causaram intoxicação de intensidade de grau moderado a acentuado ou até a morte. Um sexto bovino, que não ficou bem imunizado contra a ação tóxica das sementes de A. precatorius, adoeceu em grau acentuado pela administração de dose elevada das sementes de R. communis. Já dos cinco bovinos imunizados contra a ação tóxica das sementes de R. communis quatro adoeceram em grau acentuado, oquinto em grau moderado, pela administração das sementes de A. precatorias em doses que em bovinos que antes nunca ingeriram sementes de R. communis ou A. precatorius causaram intoxicação de intensidade leve a acentuada. Estes resultados permitem concluir que bovinos imunizados contra a ação tóxica das sementes de A. precatorius são resistentes à ação tóxica das sementes de R. communis, mas que o contrário não ocorre, isto é, bovinos imunizados contra a ação tóxica das sementes de R. communis, não se mostraram protegidos contra a intoxicação por A. precatorius. Estudos anteriores por outros autores mostraram que as toxalbuminas de A. precatorius e R. communis, respectivamente abrina e ricina, são diferentes do ponto de vista antigênico. Uma explicação para a divergência desses resultados com os nossos poderia estar no fato de que no presente estudo foram usados poligástricos que receberam as sementes por via oral, enquanto que nos estudos anteriores foram usados monogástricos em que as sementes ou as toxinas foram aplicadas por via parenteral. A administração de folhas frescas ou do pericarpo do fruto de R. communis a bovinos imunizados contra a ação das sementes desta planta tiveram o mesmo efeito tóxico que em animais não imunizados, demonstrando que a imunidade conferida pela ricina não inibe a ação da ricinina, o principio tóxico das folhas e do pericarpo