Protective Effect of Indigofera Aspalathoides Roots on N-Nitrosodiethylamine-induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice.

The chemopreventive effect of ethanol root extract of Indigofera aspalathoides was evaluated in N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced experimental liver tumor in mice. Pretreatment with ethanol root extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for three weeks significantly reduced the impact of N-nitrosodiethylamine toxicity (50 mg/kg, i.p.) on the serum markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. Protective effect was reconfirmed the elevated serum total protein levels were significantly restored towards normalization by the extracts, and this was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Histological examination of the liver of animals treated with ethanol root extract of Indigofera aspalathoides showed the reduction of necrosis. These results suggest that ethanol root extract of Indigofera aspalathoides possess protective effect against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Hepatocurative potential of sesquiterpene lactones of Taraxacum officinale on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in mice.

The hepatocurative potential of ethanolic extract (ETO) and sesquiterpene lactones enriched fraction (SL) of Taraxacum officinale roots was evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The diagnostic markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin contents were significantly elevated, whereas significant reduction in the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and enhanced hepatic lipid peroxidation, liver weight and liver protein were observed in CCl 4 induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Post-treatment with ETO and SL significantly protected the hepatotoxicity as evident from the lower levels of hepatic enzyme markers, such as serum transaminase (ALT, AST), ALP and total bilirubin. Further, significant reduction in the liver weight and liver protein in drug-treated hepatotoxic mice and also reduced oxidative stress by increasing reduced glutathione content and decreasing lipid peroxidation level has been noticed. The histopathological evaluation of the liver also revealed that ETO and SL reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl 4 . The results indicate that sesquiterpene lactones have a protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by the administration of CCl 4 in mice. Furthermore, observed activity of SL may be due to the synergistic action of two sesquiterpene lactones identified from enriched ethyl acetate fraction by HPLC method.

In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of leaf essential oils of Chukrasia tabularis Adr Juss and Melia dubia Cav (Meliaceae).

The essential oils of Chukrasia tabularis and Melia dubia were tested for their antimicrobial activity against ten different pathogenic microorganisms responsible for human pathologies using standard antimicrobial assays. Chukrasia tabularis leaf oil exhibited strong antibiotic activities against Proteus vulgaris and Fusarium oxysporum and did not show any activity against the tested bacteria. Melia dubia leaf essential oil exhibited bacteriostatic and fungistatic activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Fusarium oxysporum and Candida albicans respectively. The inhibitory activities of both essential oils are comparable with that of respective standards.

Indigoferabietone, a novel abietane diterpenoid from Indigofera longeracemosa with potential antituberculous and antibacterial activity.

From the stems of Indigofera longeracemosa, a novel abietane diterpenoid, indigoferabietone was isolated. The structure was established by spectral techniques. The inhibitory activity of indigoferabietone (1) tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans, and the antibacterial activity tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, and Escherichia coli were found to be significant.

Nutritional potential of biochemical components in Galactia longifolia Benth. (Fabaceae).

Seeds of Galactia longifolia Benth. (Fabaceae), locally known as Kaattukollu in Tamil language, used as food by Malayali tribals in the Kolli hills of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu in South India were analysed for proximate composition, total (true) seed proteins, amino acid composition, fatty acid composition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash and nitrogen free extractives constitute 25.56%, 6.18%, 5.12% and 56.15%, respectively. The caloric value of 100 g dry matter of seed material is 1,601 KJ. The essential amino acids, tryptophan, leucine + isoleucine, arginine and threonine are present relatively in large quantities. The unsaturated fatty acids constitute more than 60%. The seeds are very rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Antinutritional factors such as total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid is present in minute quantities. The seed meal is consumed after eliminating all the antinutritional factors using the conventional method of soaking seeds in water, boiling with water and decanting for four times by Malayali tribals.

Phytochemical and antimicrobial study of Chukrasia tabularis leaves.

Successive petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Chukrasia tabularis leaves were tested for their phytochemical constituents, antibacterial and antifungal activity. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were found to be most effective against most of the tested organisms.

A novel xanthene from Indigofera longeracemosa stem.

A novel xanthene, 3-isopropyl-9a-methyl-1,2,4a,9a-tetrahydroxanthene (1), was isolated from the stem of Indigofera longeracemosa.

Characterization of a new decahydropyridoquinoline from Indigofera longeracemosa Boiv. ex Baill. (Fabaceae).

Repeated silica gel chromatography of the dichloromethane extract of air-dried stems of Indigofera longeracemosa followed by reverse-phase HPLC separation yielded a new decahydropyridoquinoline, rel-(3S, 5R, 6S, SR, 8aR, 12aR)-8-acetoxy-6-butyl-3-isothiocyanatodecahydropyrido (2,1) quinoline.

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. (Fabaceae).

Seeds of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. (Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in the Kollihills of Salem District, Tamil Nadu in South India, were investigated for their nutritional value. These seeds were analyzed for proximate composition, total (true) seed proteins, seed protein fractions, amino acid composition, fatty acid composition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash, and nitrogen free extracts constituted 22.86%, 6.10%, 4.62%, and, 58.15%, respectively, of the seed weight. The caloric value of 100 g dry matter of seed material was 378.94 kcal. The essential amino acids lysine, leucine + isoleucine, arginine, valine and histidine were present in relatively large quantities. The unsaturated fatty acids constituted more than 60% of the crude fat. Concentrations of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and, phosphorus were high. Antinutritional factors such as total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide and phytic acid were present in minute quantities. These antinutritional factors are potentially eliminated using the conventional method of soaking the seeds in water, boiling with water and decanting prior to consumption.