Ethnomedicinal documentation and anti-inflammatory effects of n-butanol extract and of four compounds isolated from the stems of Pituranthos scoparius: An in vitro and in vivo investigation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pituranthos scoparius is a medicinal plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It thrives in North Africa, and is widely distributed in the high plateau of most parts of the Sahara in Algeria. This plant is widely used in the Algerian traditional medicine to treat numerous infectious diseases, dermatoses, nervous breakdowns, digestive disorders, and calm abdominal pain. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present work was to examine the ethnomedicinal uses of Pituranthos scoparius in Setif region, Algeria, isolate and identify the chemical constituents of the n-butanol stem extract of P. scoparius (BEPS), and to determine the toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds in addition to the extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effects of BEPS and the four compounds isolated from the extract were evaluated using the in vitro protein denaturation assay, whereas the topical anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. Toxicity was determined based on assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity using hemolytic activity against human red blood cells (RBCs). RESULTS: Four compounds, identified as the rare isorhamnetin-3-O-ß-apiofuranosyl (1 â†’ 2)-ß glucopyranoside (2), in addition to three known compounds, namely isorhamnetin-3-O-ß-glucoside (1), D-mannitol (3), and isorhamnetin-3-O-ß-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 6)-ß-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated from BEPS. These compounds were characterized by means of NMR and high-resolution mass spectral (HRMS) data. These four compounds were isolated for the first time from this traditional Algerian medicinal plant. Screening of the extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, free quinones, coumarins and tannins. Topical anti-inflammatory effect showed that the four isolated compounds, as well as BEPS, exhibit a significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent (0.5 and 1 mg/ear) anti-inflammatory effect. At a dose of 1 mg/ear, compounds 1, 2, and 4, exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory effect with a percentage inhibition of 85.50 ± 2.78, 79.78 ± 4.68, and 75.78 ± 2.98%, respectively. Results from in vitro cytotoxicity showed that the % lysis of the extract, along with isolated compounds was found to be virtually nontoxic. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BEPS and isolated compounds are safe, nontoxic, and exert remarkable anti-inflammatory effects, and can be new sources of natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Hepatotoxicity of Dorema aucheri (Bilhar) in albino mice.

BACKGROUND: The geographic map of cancer prevalence differs due to environmental and dietary factors in various populations. High prevalence of a number of cancers in some regions is thought to be attributed to local dietary habits. Dorema aucheri (Bilhar) is used commonly as an herbal medicine in some regions including Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Dorema aucheri has carcinogenic effects in albino mice or not. METHODS: The Dorema aucheri leaves were extracted by Soxhlet method and were injected intraperitoneally and randomly into 28 healthy albino mice which were divided into seven groups. One was put aside as the non-injected control group. The second control group was chosen to be injected by a known carcinogen. Another group was injected by carcinogen and then, Bilhar extract. The left four groups were injected the extracts in a dose- dependent manner, increasingly in the range of 0.4 - 3.2mL/kg. Extract injections were repeated every 48- hour intervals for three times. Then, liver and serum samples were analyzed biochemically and pathologically. RESULTS: The pathologic and biochemical studies showed that the injection of plant extracts caused necrosis, inflammation of the liver tissue, cell proliferation, cholestasis, and there were significant increases in release of liver enzymes [ALP, ALT (SGPT) and AST (SGOT)] and bilirubin compared to the non-injected control group. The level of liver damage was dose dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Dorema aucheri has potential hepatotoxic capacities and possibly this may be related to the high prevalence of cancer in some regions of Iran.

Acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of Echinophora platyloba DC (Apiaceae) total extract in Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: Echinophora platyloba DC is a widely used herbal medicine and food seasoning in Iran. It is claimed to exert antimicrobial, antifungal, and antispasmodic effects. Despite the prevalent use of this plant as a food and medicine, there are no reports on its possible toxic effects. To evaluate the safety of E. platyloba, we tested its acute and sub-chronic toxicity in male and female Wistar rats. METHODS: Rats were orally treated with four different single doses of E. platyloba total extract and screened for signs of toxicity two weeks after administration. In the sub-chronic toxicity study, E. platyloba was administered for 45 days. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, hematological and biochemical parameters, gross findings, organ weights, and histological markers were monitored during the study. RESULTS: We found no mortality and no abnormality in clinical signs, body weight, or necropsy findings in any of the animals in the acute study. The results of the subchronic study showed no significant difference in hematological parameters in either sex. There was a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase in the female groups. A significant increase in the relative lung weight of female rats was noted at 500 mg/kg. Histopathological examinations revealed intra-alveolar hemorrhage in the male rats (500 mg/kg). In the females, congestion of the alveolar capillaries (at 500 mg/kg) and liver bridging necrosis (at 200 mg/kg) were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The no observed adverse effect level of E. platyloba was determined to be 200 and 50 mg/kg for male and female rats, respectively.

Acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of Echinophora platyloba DC (Apiaceae) total extract in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE: Echinophora platyloba DC is a widely used herbal medicine and food seasoning in Iran. It is claimed to exert antimicrobial, antifungal, and antispasmodic effects. Despite the prevalent use of this plant as a food and medicine, there are no reports on its possible toxic effects. To evaluate the safety of E. platyloba, we tested its acute and sub-chronic toxicity in male and female Wistar rats. METHODS: Rats were orally treated with four different single doses of E. platyloba total extract and screened for signs of toxicity two weeks after administration. In the sub-chronic toxicity study, E. platyloba was administered for 45 days. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, hematological and biochemical parameters, gross findings, organ weights, and histological markers were monitored during the study. RESULTS: We found no mortality and no abnormality in clinical signs, body weight, or necropsy findings in any of the animals in the acute study. The results of the subchronic study showed no significant difference in hematological parameters in either sex. There was a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase in the female groups. A significant increase in the relative lung weight of female rats was noted at 500 mg/kg. Histopathological examinations revealed intra-alveolar hemorrhage in the male rats (500 mg/kg). In the females, congestion of the alveolar capillaries (at 500 mg/kg) and liver bridging necrosis (at 200 mg/kg) were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The no observed adverse effect level of E. platyloba was determined to be 200 and 50 mg/kg for male and female rats, respectively.

Bioactividad de la umbelliprenina, principal componente de las semillas de Angelica sylvestris / Bioactivity of umbelliprenin, the major component found in the seeds of Angelica sylvestris

Se ha evaluado la actividad antibacteriana y antioxidante de la umbelliprenina (1), una cumarina de sesquiterpenil, aislada como el componente principal presente en extractos de n-hexano y diclorometano de semillas de Angelica sylvestris (Apiaceae). También se ha evaluado la toxicidad general de 1 mediante el bioensayo de letalidad de gambas en salmuera (BSL)

Umbelliprenin (1), a sesquiterpenyl coumarin, isolated as the major component present in the n-hexane and dichloromethane extracts of the seeds of Angelica sylvestris (Apiaceae), has been assessed for antibacterial and antioxidant activities. General toxicity of 1 has also been evaluated by the brine shrimp lethality (BSL) bioassay

Intoxicación por anís estrellado en niño de 19 días de vida / Aniseed intoxication in a child of 19 days of born

El anís estrellado en infusión es usado frecuentemente para el tratamiento del cólico y como tranquilizante en lactantes. Hay descritos recientemente lactantes con patología neurológica aguda relacionada con la ingestión de altas dosis de anís estrellado; sin embargo, en nuestro país están suficientemente divulgados los efectos tóxicos de esta infusión. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 19 días de vida que ingresa al Servicio de Urgencia con crisis convulsivas tras ingerir una cantidad considerable de anís estrellado y que precisó 3 dosis consecutivas de diazepan para su control. Dado que todas las pruebas complementarias de diagnóstico fueron normales, que la evolución fue satisfactoria, no se requirió otros tratamientos y que se mantiene asintomática varios meses después, cabe atribuir la etiología del cuadro al anís estrellado. Se discute la etiopatogenia de la toxicidad del anís estrellado y se insiste en la necesidad de control sanitario sobre todos los productos naturales con efecto farmacológico que se expenden en el mercado formal e informal (AU)

[Toxicological assessment of a new product from coriander cake]. / Toksikologicheskaia otsenka novogo produkta iz koriandrovogo zhmykha.

Characteristics of the product obtained by the authors from coriander cake, basic results of evaluation of its toxicological properties, basic stages of the experiment on white rats and its results are described. The conclusion about positive influence of the product on metabolism in white rats and perspectives of introduction of the new product from coriander cake as an additive for manufacture of food products is made.