Neuroprotective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in streptozotocin induced neuropathic pain

Abstract Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is one of the prevailing micro vascular complications of diabetes which can be characterized by neuropathic pain. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in the rat has been increasingly used as a model of painful diabetic neuropathy. STZ injection leads to neurotoxicity of peripheral nerves that leads to development of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy in rat model. The present study was aimed at exploring the protective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in STZ induced neurotoxicity and evaluating mechanisms responsible for attenuating neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain markers like hyperalgesia, allodynia and motor deficits were assessed before STZ injection and after the treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose of Tinospora cordifolia. Oxidative stress markers, NGF expression in sciatic nerve were observed after seven weeks treatment. Our results demonstrated that seven weeks treatment with Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract significantly relieved thermal hyperalgesia and allodynia by increasing the antioxidant enzyme levels, decreasing the lipid peroxidation and by increasing the Nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in diabetic rat sciatic nerves. Our findings highlighted the beneficial effects of oral administration of Tinospora cordifolia extract in attenuating diabetic neuropathic pain, possibly through a strong antioxidant activity and by inducing NGF m RNA in sciatic nerves.

Orthomene (Menispermaceae) in the Brazilian Amazon / Orthomene (Menispermaceae) na Amazônia brasileira

Orthomene comprises four species distributed from Central to South America, of which three occur in phytogeographic domains of Brazil. In Brazil, Amazonia is the main center of diversity for the genus. This work is a taxonomic treatment of Orthomene in Brazil and involved analyzing field collections (between January 2017 and July 2018), types and botanical specimens from 32 national and foreign herbaria. The three species in the study area are Orthomene hirsuta,Orthomene prancei and Orthomene schomburgkii. The latter is the most common and widely distributed species of the genus in the country. An identification key, descriptions, illustrations, distribution data, and additional comments for each species are provided. (AU)

Orthomene possui quatro espécies, distribuídas desde a América Central até a América do Sul, sendo que três ocorrem nos domínios fitogeográficos brasileiros. No Brasil, a Amazônia brasileira é considerada o principal centro de diversidade do gênero. O tratamento taxonômico envolveu a análise de material coletado (entre janeiro de 2017 e julho de 2018), tipos e amostras dos espécimes de Orthomene depositados em 32 herbários nacionais e estrangeiros. O gênero está representado na área de estudo por três espécies: Orthomene hirsuta,Orthomene prancei e Orthomene schomburgkii, sendo esta última a mais comum e amplamente distribuída nas regiões brasileiras de sua ocorrência. São apresentadas uma chave de identificação, descrições e ilustrações das espécies, bem como dados adicionais sobre distribuição geográfica e comentários sobre as mesmas.(AU)

In vivo antioxidant and biochemical evaluation of Sphenocentrum jollyanum leaf extract in P. berghei infected mice

Recent approach in treatment and drug development suggested that the control of oxidative stress in malarial infected patients may be an added advantage. In this study, effect of methanolic leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum pier [S. jollyanum] on liver damage, markers of oxidative stress and alteration in lipid profile in P. berghei infected mice was assessed. Oxidative stress was induced by intravenously inoculation of mice with 1 x 107 sporozoites P. berghei. Treatment of parasitized mice with leaf extract of S. jollyanum had a significant [p<0.05] reductions in elevated levels of total protein, globulin, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT and total bilirubin, serum, kidney and liver malondialdehyde [MDA] concentrations, but caused a significant [p<0.05] increased in the activities of serum and liver catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione [GSH] level when compared with parasitized non-treated group [PNT]. The extract treated group also showed significant [p<0.05] improvement in the levels of HDLc, total cholesterol, LDL and reduction in triglyceride compared with parasitized non treated group. Our results revealed that the protective capacity and antioxidant activity of the extract is dose dependant. The findings suggest that antioxidant property of Sphenocentrum jollyanum leave extract might be an added advantage to it anti-malarial activity

Aberraciones cromosómicas in vitro para evaluar genotoxicidad de extractos de Abuta grandifolia (abuta) y Alchornea castaneifolia (hiporuro) / In vitro chromosome aberration analysis to evaluate genotoxicity of extracts of Abuta grandifolia (abuta) and Alchornea castaneifolia (hiporuro)

La evaluación de plantas medicinales usando parámetros de genotoxicidad, nos permite indicar si alguno de sus componentes puede provocar daño al material genético, a niveles génico o cromosómico. Este daño puede estimarse y determinará si el uso de la planta es conveniente o si por el contrario, el efecto benéfico aludido, se ve opacado por el probable efecto genotóxico. De forma alternativa, esta misma metodología permitiría detectar el efecto protector de una planta frente a la acción de mutágenos, lo cual redundaría en beneficio de los usuarios. Objetivo: Evaluar, in vitro, el efecto genotóxico del extractos de Abuta grandifolia, ôAbutaõ y Alchornea castaneifolia, ôHiporuroõ. Materiales y método: se realizaron cultivos de linfocitos obtenidos de sangre periférica, agregando los extractos de Abuta grandifolia, ôAbutaõ y Alchornea castaneifolia, ôHiporuroõ a diferentes concentraciones. Posteriormente, se realizó la evaluación citológica de aberraciones cromosómicas. Resultados: Se encontró un número elevado de aberraciones cromosómicas, tanto para el cultivo con Abuta como para el de Hiporuro. Este efecto se observó a diferentes concentraciones de extracto. Conclusiones: Las aberraciones cromosómicas encontradas en el presente trabajo, implicarían un efecto genotóxico de ambas plantas medicinales en el sistema in vitro empleado. Se requiere más estudios a diferentes niveles de organización que complementen los resultados reportados de este trabajo.

The evaluation of plants used in traditional medicine base don genotoxic parameters, allows researchers to determinate if some component could promote, genetic or chromosomal damage. This damage can be measured and, allow to determine the convenience of its use or, on the contrary, if its beneficial effect in undermined by the genotoxic effect. Moreover, this method would make it possible to detect the protective effect of the plant as opposed to a mutagen, which would enhance the benefit of its use. Objective: To evaluate the genotoxic effect of extracts of Abuta grandifolia, ôAbutaõ and Alchornea castaneifolia, ôHiporuroõ, using an in vitro test. Materials and method: Lymphocytes were cultured from peripheral blood, adding Abuta or Hiporuro extracts in different doses. Cytological evaluation of chromosome aberration was performed and registered. Results: An increased number of chromosome aberrations in Abuta and Hiporuro culture were found for different doses of extract. Conclusions: Chromosome aberrations found in the present work, would implicate a genotoxic effect in both plants in the system used. More studies are needed to complement the results of this research.

Estudo farmacobotânico de folhas de Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. (Menispermaceae) / Pharmacobotanical study of the leaves of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl., (Menispermaceae)

Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. é uma espécie empregada na medicina popular do Nordeste do Brasil, cujos estudos farmacológicos são bastantes promissores no tratamento de doenças do trato respiratório. Neste trabalho realizou-se um estudo farmacobotânico de suas folhas, com o objetivo de elaborar morfodiagnoses macroscópicas e microscópicas que auxiliem sua caracterização. Realizaram-se secções paradérmicas (lâminas) e transversais de folhas (lâmina e pecíolo), posteriormente clarificadas e coradas com safranina e safrablue, respectivamente, e observadas ao microscópio óptico. Cissampelos sympodialis caracteriza-se pelas folhas peltadas, com as lâminas deltóides, nervação actinodroma-broquidodroma, e o pecíolo espessado nas extremidades. A epiderme é hipoestomática, com células de paredes anticlinais ondeadas na face adaxial e irregularmente sinuosa a ondeada na abaxial. O mesofilo é dorsiventral e o sistema vascular do pecíolo é formado de um anel de feixes isolados colaterais. Esparsos idioblastos de cristais prismáticos foram observados no parênquima peciolar. A morfologia foliar em conjunto com a anatomia da epiderme são caracteres distintivos para Cissampelos sympodialis.

Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl. is a plant species used in popular medicine in Northeast of Brazil, whose pharmacological studies are very promising in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract. In this work, a pharmacobotanical study of the leaves was performed with the objective to elaborate a macroscopical and microscopical morphodiagnosis to support its characterization. The microscopical morphodiagnosis was done with paradermic sections on the blades and cross sections on the blades and petioles followed by clarification and coloring with safranin and safrablue, respectively, and examined by optical microscopy. Cissampelos sympodialis has peltate leaves with deltoid blades with actinodromous -brochidodromous nervation, and the petioles are swollen at the extremities. The epidermis is hipostomatic with anticlinal walls of epidermal cells waved in the upper surface and irregularly sinuate to wavy on the lower surface. The mesophyll is dorsiventral and the vascular system of the petiole is formed by a ring of 6-7 free collateral bundles. Sparce idioblasts of prismatic crystals in parenchyma of petiole were observed. The morphology of the leaves and the anatomy of epidermis are distinguishing characters of Cissampelos sympodialis.

Five alkaloids from vine stems of Diploclisia affinis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study alkaloid constituents of Diploclisia affinis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The air-dried vine stems of D. affinis were extracted with 90% EtOH three times at room temperature. The EtOH extract was suspended in H2 O and adjusted to pH 2 with 5% HCl solution. After extracted with petroleum ether and CHCl3 successively, the aqueous fraction was adjusted to pH 9 with 10% NH3 x H2O and extracted with CHCl3 again to afford the total alkaloids fraction. The compounds were isolated through column chromatography from the total alkaloids fraction. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis (MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Five alkaloids was identified as reticuline (1), asimilobine (2), acutumine (3), dihydroxyprotoberberine (4), stepholidine (5), were isolated from the vine stems of D. affinis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All the compounds were obtained from D. affinis for the first time.</p>

Evaluación de la acción antimitótica y embriotóxica del extracto metanólico de Abuta grandifolia (Mart) Sandwith, Abuta, Bejuco de ratón, Butua, Barbasco / Evaluation of the cytotoxic and embryotoxic actions of methanolic extract of Abuta grandifolia (Mart) Sandwith, Abuta, Bejuco de ratón, Butua, Barbasco

La Abuta grandifolia es una planta nativa de zonas tropicales húmedas de Sudamérica, perteneciente a la familia Menispermaceae, con múltiples usos en la Medicina Tradicional. Se evaluó la acción antimitótica del extracto metanólico en células de Allium cepa L (cebolla), mediante la técnica de De La Torre y la acción embriotóxica en erizo de mar, mediante la técnica de Gustafson; utilizando modelos del CYTED. Nuestros resultados indican acción antimitótica evidenciada por un retardo de las diferentes fases del ciclo celular. Asimismo, apreciamos acción embriotóxica, más no teratogénica. Los análisis estadísticos de la diferencia del número de células en las diferentes fases del ciclo celular, entre el grupo control y el tratado con Abuta grandifolia, fueron altamente significativos.

Abuta grandifolia is a native plant of tropical and humid zones of South America, that belongs to the family Menispermaceae, and which has many uses in Traditional medicine. We evaluated the antimitotic and embryotoxic action of methanolic extracts, on Allium cepa L cells and on sea urchin embryos, using CYTED models. We found antimitotic action supported by the marked delay on different phases of cell cycle pf Allium cepa L. embryotoxic action consisted mainly of blastula and gastrula-arrested embryos, but we did not appreciate teratogenis action. The results on differences of number of cells and on the different phases of the cell cycle between the control and the Abuta grandifolia treated groups were statistically significant.

Antioxidant effect of Coscinium fenestratum in carbon tetrachloride treated rats.

Antioxidant effect of methanol extract of Coscinium fenestratum stem powder was examined using carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rat liver as the experimental model. Hepatotoxic rats were treated with the methanol extract for 90 days (daily, orally at the dose of 60 mg/kg body weight). Lipid peroxidation in carbon tetrachloride-administered rats was evidenced by a marked elevation in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and diene conjugates, and also a profound diminution in glutathione content in the liver. Rats co-administered with the methanol extract retained an almost normal level of these constituents. The decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats, and its retrieval towards near-normalcy in the methanol extract co-administered animals revealed the effectiveness of Coscinium fenestratum in combating oxidative stress due to hepatic damage. The findings provide a rationale for further studies on isolation of active principles and its pharmacological evaluation.

Inhibitory Effect of Tetrandrine on Extracellular Matrix Deposition in Rat Hepatic Fibrosis

No effective therapy has yet developed for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis by directly inhibiting the accumulation of extracellular matrix. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of tetrandrine in rat model of liver fibrosis induced by carborn tetrachloride (CCl4) administration intraorally. Tetrandrine, a calcium channel blocker, is anti-inflammatory constituent of the families Menispermaceae and Ranunculaceae, which have been used as folk remedies in China. Repeated administration of CCl4 for 14 weeks to rats induced liver fibrosis with steatosis. Rats were killed after 4, 8 or 14 weeks of treatment with CCl4, CCl4 tetrandrine (30 mg/kg) or CCl4 tetrandrine (50 mg/kg). The histopathological findings of liver were observed semi-quantitatively by light microscopy and volume percentage of the collagen deposition was determined by image analyzer. Tetrandrine inhibited collagen deposition induced by CCl4 administration, as shown by less severe steatosis and fibrosis and significantly decreased volume percentage of collagen fibers in CCl4 tetrandrine treated animals compared with CCl4 only group. Thus, the administration of tetrandrine holds great promise for treating subjects with liver fibrosis/cirrhosis as a result of chronic hepatic injury.