Flavonoids and anti-oxidant activity mediated gastroprotective action of leathery murdah, terminalia coriacea (roxb.) Wight & arn. Leaf methanolic extract in rats / A ação gastroprotetora antioxidante e flavonoide de extrato metanólico de folhas de Leathery Murdah, Terminalia coracea (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. em ratos

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Leathery Murdah, Terminalia coriacea (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. from family Combretaceae is used in Ayurveda and Siddha traditional systems of medicine to heal ulcers. OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to assess the gastroprotective effect and understand the fundamental mechanism of action of Leathery Murdah, Terminalia coriacea (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. Leaf Methanolic Extract. METHODS The test extract was screened for anti-ulcer activity by Aspirin induced ulcerogenesis in pyloric ligation and ethanol induced gastric ulcers at three doses - 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg, p.o. using Ranitidine 50 mg/kg and Misoprostol 100 μg/kg as standard drug in respective models. Seven parameters were carefully examined, that is, ulcer index, total protein, mucin, catalase, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase levels and histopathology. High Performance Liquid Chromatographic - Ultra Violet profiling and Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectral analysis of crude Terminalia coriacea leaves methanolic extract were carried out as a part of chemical characterization to identify bioactive compounds. RESULTS All the test doses exhibited significant gastroprotective function, particularly the higher doses demonstrated improved action. The results revealed a significant increase in the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and Mucin with reduction in ulcer index, the levels of total protein, and malondialdehyde. Histopathological observations also illustrated the gastroprotective effect of Terminalia coriacea leaves methanolic extract. CONCLUSION Terminalia coriacea leaves methanolic extract exhibited strong anti-oxidant and anti-secretory activities mediated gastroprotection besides inducing the gastric mucosal production. The observed pharmacological response can be attributed to the flavonoidal compounds namely - Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, Myricetin hexoside, Quercetin-3-O-glucoside, Isorhamnetin-3-O-rhamnosylglucoside and Isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside identified in the extract for the first time with High Performance Liquid Chromatographic - Ultra Violet and Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectral analysis.

RESUMO CONTEXTO Leathery Murdah, Terminalia coriacea (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. da família Combretaceae é usada nos tradicionais sistemas da medicina Ayurveda e Siddha para cicatrização de úlceras. OBJETIVOS O presente estudo foi realizado para avaliar o efeito gastroprotetor e para esclarecer o mecanismo fundamental da ação do extrato metanólico de folhas de Leathery Murdah, Terminalia coracea (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. MÉTODOS O extrato teste foi testado para ação antiulcerogênica induzida pela Aspirina através da ligação pilórica e úlceras gástricas induzidas por etanol em três doses - 125, 250 e 500 mg/kg, via oral, utilizando-se Ranitidina 50 mg/kg e Misoprostol 100 μg/kg como drogas padrão nos respectivos modelos. Sete parâmetros foram cuidadosamente analisados tais como índice ulcerogênico, níveis de proteínas totais, de mucina, de catalase, de malondialdeído e de superoxido dismutase, além da histopatologia. A análise do perfil espectroscópico pela Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência - Ultravioleta e análise crua pela Cromatografia Líquida - Espectrometria de Massas foram realizadas como parte da caracterização química para identificar os componentes bioativos. RESULTADOS Todas as doses utilizadas exibiram função gastroprotetora, em particular as doses mais elevadas. Os testes revelaram aumentos significantes de catalase, superóxido dismutase e mucina, com diminuição do índice ulcerogênico, dos níveis de proteínas totais, e de malondialdeído. As observações histopatológicas também ilustraram o efeito gastroprotetor do extrato metanólico de folhas de Terminalia coracea. CONCLUSÃO O extrato metanólico de folhas de Terminalia coracea mostrou forte atividade antioxidante e antissecretória além de induzir a produção de mucosa gástrica. A resposta farmacológica observada pode ser atribuída aos compostos flavonoides denominados Quercetin-3-O-rutinosideo, Luteolin-7-O-glucosideo, Myricetin hexosideo, Quercetin-3-O-glucosideo, Isorhamnetin-3-O-rhamnosylglucosideo e Isorhamnetin-3-O-glucosideo, identificados no extrato pela primeira vez pelas análises de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência - Ultravioleta e Cromatografia Líquida - Espectrometria de Massas.

In vitro studies reveal antiurolithic effect of Terminalia arjuna using quantitative morphological information from computerized microscopy

ABSTRACT Purpose: For most cases, urolithiasis is a condition where excessive oxalate is present in the urine. Many reports have documented free radical generation followed by hyperoxaluria as a consequence of which calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposition occurs in the kidney tissue. The present study is aimed to exam the antilithiatic potency of the aqueous extract (AE) of Terminalia arjuna (T. arjuna). Materials and Methods: The antilithiatic activity of Terminalia arjuna was investigated in vitro nucleation, aggregation and growth of the CaOx crystals as well as the morphology of CaOx crystals using the inbuilt software ‘Image-Pro Plus 7.0’ of Olympus upright microscope (BX53). Antioxidant activity of AE of Terminalia arjuna bark was also determined in vitro. Results: Terminalia arjuna extract exhibited a concentration dependent inhibition of nucleation and aggregation of CaOx crystals. The AE of Terminalia arjuna bark also inhibited the growth of CaOx crystals. At the same time, the AE also modified the morphology of CaOx crystals from hexagonal to spherical shape with increasing concentrations of AE and reduced the dimensions such as area, perimeter, length and width of CaOx crystals in a dose dependent manner. Also, the Terminalia arjuna AE scavenged the DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals with an IC50 at 13.1µg/mL. Conclusions: The study suggests that Terminalia arjuna bark has the potential to scavenge DPPH radicals and inhibit CaOx crystallization in vitro. In the light of these studies, Terminalia arjuna can be regarded as a promising candidate from natural plant sources of antilithiatic and antioxidant activity with high value.

Cytoprotective role of the aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula on renal epithelial cells

PURPOSE: Kidney stone is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) has been shown to be the main component of the majority of stones formed in the urinary system of the patients with urolithiasis. The present study evaluates the antilithiatic properties of Terminalia chebula commonly called as "harad" which is often used in ayurveda to treat various urinary diseases including kidney stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antilithiatic activity of Terminalia chebula was investigated on nucleation and growth of the calcium oxalate crystals. The protective potency of the plant extract was also tested on oxalate induced cell injury of both NRK-52E and MDCK renal epithelial cells. RESULTS: The percentage inhibition of CaOx nucleation was found 95.84% at 25µg/mL of Terminalia chebula aqueous extract which remained almost constant with the increasing concentration of the plant extract; however, plant extract inhibited CaOx crystal growth in a dose dependent pattern. When MDCK and NRK-52E cells were injured by exposure to oxalate for 48 hours, the aqueous extract prevented the injury in a dose-dependent manner. On treatment with the different concentrations of the plant extract, the cell viability increased and lactate dehydrogenase release decreased in a concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that Terminalia chebula is a potential candidate for phytotherapy against urolithiasis as it not only has a potential to inhibit nucleation and the growth of the CaOx crystals but also has a cytoprotective role.

Atividade antimicrobiana da Terminalia arjuna Wight & Arn.: uma planta etnomedicinal contra patógenos causadores de infecções no ouvido / Antimicrobial activity of Terminalia arjuna Wight & Arn.: an ethnomedicinal plant against pathogens causing ear infection

Infecções de ouvido representam uma das doenças mais comuns do mundo. Diferentes agentes etiológicos são responsáveis por tais infecções. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o potencial antimicrobiano de extratos de folhas e da casca de Terminalia arjuna contra Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter sp., Proteus mirabilis, Escherchia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Candida albicans - patógenos que causam infecções de ouvido e como esses extratos se comparam às medicações tópicas atualmente disponíveis. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Metanol, etanol, acetona, extratos aquosos (quentes e frios) de folhas e casca da T. arjuna foram testados para avaliação de suas atividades antimicrobianas. RESULTADOS: Dos três solventes orgânicos avaliados, o extrato acetônico das folhas foi o que teve o melhor resultado contra S. aureus. O extrato orgânico da casca exibiu quase o mesmo grau de ação antimicrobiana entre todas as bactérias gram-negativas, exceto contra P. aeruginosa. Entretanto, o extrato aquoso da casca de T. arjuna exibiu boa atividade contra S. aureus. Nenhum dos extratos exibiu atividade antifúngica. CONCLUSÃO: O extrato orgânico obtido a partir da casca e folhas de T. arjuna pode ser usado para tratar infecções bacterianas de ouvido, especialmente aquelas causadas por S. aureus, que exibiu maiores zonas de inibição do que gotas herbáceas; entretanto, ainda necessitamos de estudos mais detalhados - como ensaios in vivo e avaliações de propriedades farmacocinéticas para avaliarmos sua utilidade terapêutica no tratamento de infecções de ouvido.

Ear infection is one of the common diseases occurring throughout the world. Different etiological agents are responsible for ear infections. AIM: To assess the antimicrobial potential of Terminalia arjuna leaves and bark extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter sp., Proteus mirabilis, Escherchia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, pathogens causing ear infections and their comparison with locally available ear drops. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol, ethanol, acetone, aqueous (hot and cold) extracts from the leaves and bark of T. arjuna were tested for their antimicrobial activity. RESULTS: Of the three organic solvents evaluated, acetonic leaf extract was found to be best against S. aureus. Organic bark extract showed almost equal inhibition of all tested Gram negative bacteria except P. aeruginosa. However, aqueous extract of T. arjuna bark exhibited good activity against S. aureus. All the extracts were unable to exhibit any antifungal activity. CONCLUSION: Organic extract obtained from the T. arjuna bark and leaves may be used to treat the bacterial ear pathogens especially S. aureus, which has shown greater inhibition zones than the herbal drops, however, we still need more detailed studies as in vivo testing and pharmacokinetics properties for their therapeutic utility in treating ear infections.

Biological screening of selected flora of Pakistan

Methanolic extracts of different parts of five medicinal plants, Ferula assafoetidaL. resin, Grewia asiaticaL. leaves, Ipomoea hederaceaJacq. seeds, Lepidium sativumL. seeds and Terminalia chebulaRetz. fruits were tested in vitrofor their cytotoxic, phytotoxic, insecticidal, nematicidal and anthelmintic activities. Ipomoea hederaceashowed very significant phytotoxic and cytotoxic activity, with 100% inhibition of Lemna minorgrowth and 100% death of Artemia salinaat concentrations of 1000 and 100 µg mL-1. Grewia asiaticaexhibited very weak activities while Lepidium sativumand Ferula assafoetidashowed moderate to good potential in all three bioassays. The results suggest screening of Ipomoea hederaceaseeds further for isolation of bioactive compounds that may be responsible for its toxic potential.

Antioxidant activity of acetone extract/fractions of Terminalia bellerica Roxb. fruit.

Terminalia bellerica Roxb. (Family: Combretaceae) has been valued in Indian system of medicine for treatment of wide range of diseases and reported to have antioxidant properties. In the present study, the free radical scavenging activity and antioxidant potential of acetone extract/fractions of its fruit was investigated using in vitro assays, including scavenging ability against 2,2′-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene bleaching inhibition, reducing power and chelating ability on Fe2+ ions. The fruit powder was extracted at room temperature with different solvents in the order of increasing and decreasing polarity to obtain crude acetone extract which was further partitioned with ethyl acetate and water (1:1). It was found that ethyl acetate fraction was more effective than crude acetone extract in all antioxidant assays, except chelating power which was highest in water fraction. Maximum antioxidant activities (expressed as EC50 values) observed were 14.56 μg/ml, 27.81 μg/ml and 67.8 μg/ml in DPPH, β-carotene bleaching and reducing power assays, respectively. The antioxidant potential was compared with known antioxidant (butylated hydroxyl toluene) and correlated with total phenolic and flavonoid content in crude extract and fractions. Fractions rich in polyphenolic content were more effective than the crude extract.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Terminalia belerica. Roxb.

Effect of continuous administration of dried 75% methanolic extract of fruits of Terminalia belerica (Combretaceae) suspended in water was studied in alloxan induced hyperglycemia and antioxidant defense mechanism in rats. T. belerica prevented alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia significantly from 6th day of administration and there was 54% reduction on 12th day. Oxidative stress produced by alloxan was found to be significantly lowered by the administration of T. belerica extract. This was evident from a significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides in blood and liver respectively. Similarly, decreased glutathione level produced by alloxan was increased by the administration of the extract in blood and liver. However the increase was not significant. Superoxide dismutase which was decreased by alloxan was significantly increased from 9th day in blood and liver of drug treated group. Similarly there was significant increase in the activity of catalase in blood and liver. Decrease in glutathione peroxidase by alloxan administration was found to be increased significantly in the blood and liver from 9th day by extract treatment. Glutathione reductase also was found to be increased in blood and liver. These results suggested that T. belerica fruit extract possessed anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activity and these activities may be interrelated.

Influence of Yoga and Ayurveda on self-rated sleep in a geriatric population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sleep in older persons is characterized by decreased ability to stay asleep, resulting in fragmented sleep and reduced daytime alertness. Pharmacological treatment of insomnia in older persons is associated with hazardous side effects. Hence, the present study was designed to compare the effects of Yoga and Ayurveda on the self rated sleep in a geriatric population. METHODS: Of the 120 residents from a home for the aged, 69 were stratified based on age (five year intervals) and randomly allocated to three groups i.e., Yoga (physical postures, relaxation techniques, voluntarily regulated breathing and lectures on yoga philosophy), Ayurveda (a herbal preparation), and Wait-list control (no intervention). The groups were evaluated for self-assessment of sleep over a one week period at baseline, and after three and six months of the respective interventions. RESULTS: The Yoga group showed a significant decrease in the time taken to fall asleep (approximate group average decrease: 10 min, P<0.05), an increase in the total number of hours slept (approximate group average increase: 60 min, P< 0.05) and in the feeling of being rested in the morning based on a rating scale (P<0.05) after six months. The other groups showed no significant change. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Yoga practice improved different aspects of sleep in a geriatric population.

Protective effect of Terminalia chebula against experimental myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol.

Cardioprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits (500 mg/kg body wt) was examined in isoproterenol (200 mg/kg body wt) induced myocardial damage in rats. In isoproterenol administered rats, the level of lipid peroxides increased significantly in the serum and heart. A significant decrease was observed in the activity of the myocardial marker enzymes with a concomitant increase in their activity in serum. Histopathological examination was carried out to confirm the myocardial necrosis. T. chebula extract pretreatment was found to ameliorate the effect of isoproterenol on lipid peroxide formation and retained the activities of the diagnostic marker enzymes.

Shigellocidal properties of three Nigerian medicinal plants: Ocimum gratissimum, Terminalia avicennoides, and Momordica balsamina.

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant shigellae is an important concern in the treatment of shigellosis in many developing countries, and other therapies, including herbal agents, may provide an important alternative to antimicrobial agents. In this study, three Nigerian medicinal plants: Ocimum gratissimum, Terminalia avicennoides, and Momordica balsamina were investigated for their activities against multidrug-resistant Shigella species isolated from patients with bacilliary dysentery in Lagos. Decoctions of O. gratissimum and concoctions of O. gratissimum and T. avicennoides at crude concentration of 3,000 micrograms/mL markedly inhibited the growth of all isolates tested. Zones of inhibition indicating susceptibilities of the organisms varied from 18.3 to 21.5 mm for Shigella dysenteriae, 15.3 to 16.3 mm for S. flexneri, 18.8 to 19.3 mm for S. sonnei, and 16.5 mm for S. boydii. Except S. flexneri, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration revealed a higher shigellocidal property of O. gratissimum/T. avicennoides concoction than other extracts in S. dysenteriae (300-515.6 vs 337.5-1,312.5 micrograms/mL), S. sonnei (309.4-543.8 vs 403.1-1,312.5 micrograms/mL), and S. boydii (243.8-337.5 vs 253-1,312.5 micrograms/mL). O. gratissimum showed a greater shigellocidal effect against the S. flexneri isolates, while extracts of M. balsamina possessed low shigellocidal potential. The results suggest that aqueous extracts of O. gratissimum and T. avicennoides as decoctions and concoctions could be useful in the treatment of shigellosis and should be clinically evaluated specially in Nigerian region.