Standardization of Feronia limonia L. leaves by HPLC, HPTLC, physico-chemical and histological parameters / Estandarización de hojas de Feronia limonia L. por HPLC, HPTLC, parámetros fisicoquímicos e histológicos

Feronia limonia (Family Rutaceae, subfamily Aurantioideae), commonly known as kaitha or wood apple, is widely used as an ethnomedicine in India. Its leaves are prescribed for a wide variety of ailments like diarrhoea, urinary disorders, treatment of piles or haemorrhoids, acidity, ulcers, ringworm and other chronic skin infections. However, detailed scientific information is not available to identify the plant material and to ascertain its quality and purity. In the present communication, a qualitative fingerprinting of Feronia limonia (FL), extracts have been performed by HPTLC and HPLC methods, which provide qualitative insights into the bioactive constituents present in the extracts. Also, morphological anatomical and physico-chemical characters, along with phytochemical screening and fluorescence analysis of powdered crude drug were carried out for systemic identification and authentification of leaves. This study provides referential information for identification and characterization of FL leaf and its extracts.

Feronia limonia (Familia Rutaceae, subfamilia Aurantioideae), comúnmente conocida como kaitha o manzana de madera, y es extensamente usada como una ethnomedicina en India. Sus hojas son indicadas para una amplia variedad de dolencias como diarrea, desórdenes urinarios, el tratamiento de hemorroides, acidez, úlceras, tiña y otras infecciones crónicas de la piel. Sin embargo, la información científica detallada no está disponible para identificar el material de la especie y averiguar su calidad y pureza. En la presente comunicación, un análisis cualitativo de extractos de Feronia limonia (FL), se realizó por HPTLC y HPLC, lo que proporcionó información cualitativa de los componentes bioactivos presentes en los extractos. También, los caracteres anatómicos, fisico-químicos y morfológicos, junto con un examen fitoquímico y análisis de fluorescencia de la planta en polvo fueron realizados para la identificación sistémica y autentificación de las hojas. Este estudio proporciona la información de referencia para identificación y caracterización de las hojas de FL y sus extractos.

Diurnal bird visiting of Caryocar brasiliense Camb. in Central Brazil

Nectar of nocturnal flowers may be used by diurnal species that occasionally accomplish secondary pollination. Thirteen bird species visited Caryocar brasiliense flowers in central Brazil. There is a temporal separation between nectarivores and non-nectarivores species. Nectarivores birds visited flowers late in the morning, while other species appear earlier. C. brasiliense nectar may be an alternative resource to birds visitors during the dry season

Effect of Indigofera tinctoria Linn on liver antioxidant defense system during D-galactosamine/endotoxin-induced acute hepatitis in rodents.

Effects of pre-treatment with the alcoholic extract of I. tinctoria (500 mg/kg body wt/day, p.o. for 21 days) on liver antioxidant defense system during acute hepatitis induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/endotoxin (LPS extracted by phenol water method from E. coli serotype 0111.B4; 300 mg and 30 micrograms/kg body wt/day, i.p., 18 hr before the assay) were investigated on the activities of enzymic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase, and levels of total reduced glutathione in the liver of normal and experimental groups of male albino rats. Since lipid peroxidation and associated membrane damage is a key feature of D-galN/LPS-induced liver injury, the levels of lipid peroxides, was estimated and used as an index of oxidative stress. D-GalN/endotoxin-induced hepatic damage was manifested by a significant decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, decreased glutathione levels and increased levels of lipid peroxides. I. tinctoria pre-treated rats showed considerable protection against D-galN/endotoxin, induced oxidative stress as evidenced by a significant increase in the activities of all the antioxidant enzymes studied and significant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxides. Results indicate that pretreatment with I. tinctoria extract in rats is very effective in reducing D-GalN/endotoxin-induced oxidative stress suggesting an antioxidant effect.

Evaluation of methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla on gastrointestinal activity.

Methanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla was tested on isolated rabbit jejunum, rat duodenum and gastrointestinal motility in mice. The extract showed a biphasic effect on isolated smooth muscle. Lower concentration of extract caused contraction, while higher concentrations produced relaxation. The contractile phase was attenuated by atropine, while relaxant phase attenuated histamine induced contraction of guinea pig ileum. The extract also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of gastrointestinal motility. Acute toxicity test in mice established LD50 value (i.p.) of the extract to be 2000 mg/kg. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract gave positive test for flavonoids, tannins and saponins.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nuts--a boon in alternative medicine.

In alternative medicine, medicinal plant preparations have found widespread use particularly in the case of diseases not amenable to treatment by modern methods. Chemical and phytochemical analyses of Semecarpus anacardium nut reveal the presence of biflavonoids, phenolic compounds, bhilawanols, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. A variety of nut extract preparations from this source are effective against many diseases, viz. arthritis, tumours, infections etc. and non-toxic even at high dose of 2000 mg/kg. However understanding of the mechanism of the pharmacological action of S. anacardium nut can be greatly aided by the isolation of its active principle from the nut and determination of the structure-function relationship. Also, the potent curative effect of S. anacardium nut extract against human ailments need to be verified by controlled clinical studies.

Role of Ca2+ on uterine force stimulated by a glycoside from the root of Dalbergia saxatilis.

Uterine muscle contraction is dependent on external Ca2+ and Ca2+ release from cytoplasmic storage sites. In this study, the mechanism of Ca2+ mobilization in uterine muscle cells by glycoside, dalsaxini, isolated from the root of D. Saxatilis was investigated in the rat. Uterine muscle contractility stimulated by dalsaxin was concentration dependent (ED50 0.13 mg/ml) and was significantly attenuated (85%; P < 0.01) in Ca(2+)-free physiological solution and in solutions containing verapamil (0.06-0.48 mumol). The small transient contraction observed in Ca(2+)-free medium was further suppressed by caffeine (2 mmol) and completely abolished in solutions containing Lanthanum chloride [(La3+), 2 mmol]. Contractions stimulated by the glycoside were unaffected by amiloride (50-83 mumol) in Ca(2+)-free and Ca(2+)-containing media. Dalsaxin also altered the pattern of uterine contraction stimulated by high potassium depolarization from fast-phasic to a sustained but transient plateau. It is concluded that dalsaxin causes uterine muscle contraction by mobilizing external Ca2+ through predominantly a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel.

Antioxidant effect of two flavonoids from the bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn in hyperlipidemic rats.

Two flavonoid compounds, viz. 5,7-dimethyl ether of leucopelargonidin 3-0-alpha-L rhamnoside and 5,3'-dimethyl ether of leucocyanidin 3-0-alpha-D galactosyl cellobioside obtained from the bark of F. bengalensis were evaluated for their antioxidant action in hyperlipidemic rats. The results were compared with the activity of a structurally similar flavonoid, quercetin, a known antioxidant. The Ficus compounds showed significant antioxidant effects which may be attributed to their polyphenolic nature. The methylation of two hydrozyl groups in the Ficus flavonoids might have slowed down their antioxidant action as compared to quercetin.

Effect of Prunus amygdalus seeds on lipid profile.

The effect of Prunus amygdalus, which is rich in unsaturated fat, fibre diet and low cholesterol was studied in 36 normolipidemic male albino rabbits for 60 days. Three different doses i.e. whole seeds defatted and oil showed a decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and an increase in phospholipid, faecal sterol and HDL cholesterol. The maximum effects where shown by whole seeds followed by oil and defatted.

Evaluación farmacológica y química de Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (Verbenaceae) / Chemical and pharmacological evaluation of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (Verbenaceae)

After intraperitoneal administration of gradual aqueous doses obtained from Stachytarpheta jamaicensis leaves, the following effects were observed in rats: a reduction of motor activity and the alarm reaction, ataxia, sedation, analgesia, anesthesia, ptosis, piloerection, head tremors and a significant reduction of body temperature of about 8.4 degrees C. Robichaud's sign was present, probably due to some muscular relaxation. There were appreciable changes on respiration, with increment on amplitudes and reduction on the frequency, followed by apnea and the death of the animals, probably due to asphysia. Iridoid polamiide and the phenylpropanoid glycoside, verbascoside, were identified from the same extracts. Both metabolites have been indicated with potential pharmaceuticals properties in accord with ethnobotanical value Tributed to this plant