Protective effect of Dillenia indica L. on acetic acid induced colitis in mice.

The inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic, immune mediated and chronic inflammation of the intestine. The study aimed to elucidate the ameliorative effect of methanolic extract of Dillenia indica (DIME), hexane fraction (HFDI) and chloroform fraction (CFDI) of Dillenia indica in acetic acid induced experimental colitis in mice. Macroscopic score, colon weight, colonic catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and histological changes were recorded after the treatment regimen of 7 days. Intra-rectal instillation of acetic acid caused enhanced macroscopic score, colon weight, colonic MPO, MDA, and TNF-α level. It caused significant decreased level of CAT, SOD and GSH. DIME (800 mg/kg), HFDI (200 mg/kg) and CFDI (200 mg/kg) treatment exhibited significant effect in lowering macroscopic score, colon weight, MPO, MDA, TNF-α levels and elevation of CAT, GSH and SOD levels. The results suggest that D. indica has ameliorating effects on experimental colitis by inhibiting the proinflammatory mediators like TNF-α production.

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Dillenia indica (L.) leaves extract / Efeitos antidiabético e anti-hiperlipidêmico de extratos de folhas de Dillenia (L. )

The present study was carried out to evaluate antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Dillenia indica methanolic leaves extracts in streptozotocin induced diabetic Wistar rats by administering graded oral doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days. The extract showed significant antidiabetic activity (p<0.001). Furthermore, the decreased body weight of rats was significantly improved after extract treatments. Daily oral treatment with the extract for 21 days to diabetic rats, also resulted in significant reduction in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and serum transaminase levels but HDL-cholesterol level was found to be improved (p<0.001) as compared to the diabetic control group. The extract treatment also showed to enhance serum insulin level in diabetic rats as compared to the diabetic control group. In conclusion, D. indica leaf extract might be useful for diabetes mellitus management and other abnormalities associated with this metabolic disorder.

Realizou-se o presente estudo para avaliar os efeitos antidiabético e anti-hiperlipidêmico de extratos metanólicos de folhas de Dillenia indica em ratos wistar com diabetes induzido por estreptozotocina por meio da administração de doses orais (250 e 500 mg/kg de peso corporal) por 21 dias. O extrato mostrou atividade antidiabética significativa (p<0,001). Além disso, a diminuição do peso corporal dos ratos foi significativamente melhorada após o tratamento com os extratos. O tratamento com doses orais do extrato por 21 dias aos ratos diabéticos também resultou em redução significativa do colesterol, triglicerídios e níveis de transaminase séricos, mas o nível de HDL-colesterol foi melhorado (p<0,001), quando comparado ao grupo controle diabético. O tratamento com extrato também mostrou aumento do nível sérico de insulina em ratos diabéticos comparativamente ao grupo controle diabético. Em conclusão, o extrato de folha de D. indica poderia ser útil para o controle do diabetes mellitus e de outras anormalidades associadas a essa disfunção metabólica.

Immunological and microbiological activity of Davilla elliptica St. Hill. (Dilleniaceae) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for over 8 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) annually. Natural products may play important roles in the chemotherapy of TB. The immunological activity of Davilla elliptica chloroform extract (DECE) was evaluated in vitro by the determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release in peritoneal macrophages cultures. DECE was also tested for its antimycobacterial activity against M. tuberculosis using the microplate alamar blue assay. DECE (50, 150, 250 mug/ml) stimulated the production of H2O2 (from 1,79 ± 0,23 to 7,27 ± 2,54; 15,02 ± 2,86; 20,5 ± 2,1 nmols) (means ± SD), NO (from 2,64 ± 1,02 to 25,59 ± 2,29; 26,68 ± 2,41; 29,45 ± 5,87 mumols) (means ± SD) and TNF-alpha (from 2,44 ± 1,46 to 30,37 ± 8,13; 38,68 ± 1,59; 41,6 ± 0,90 units/ml) (means ± SD) in a dose-dependent manner and also showed a promising antimycobacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 62,5 mug/ml. This plant may have therapeutic potential in the immunological and microbiological control of TB.