Safety profile of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe, used in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka / Perfil de seguridad de Alpinia calcarata Roscoe usada en medicina tradicional en Sri Lanka

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Family: Zingiberaceae) rhizomes have any toxic effects in rats. Wistar rats were used as the experimental model and orally administered hot water extract (HWE) and hot ethanolic extract (HEE) of A. calcarata rhizomes at a dose of 1500 mg/kg respectively for 42 consecutive days. Administration of the HWE or HEE to rats did not result in any chronic toxic effects as evident from their effects on (a) liver function (b) kidney function, (c) hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (d) external morphology and wet weights of selected organs. Further, the HWE and the HEE did not appear to mediate any unacceptable effects on food and water intake, percent weight gain, consistency of faeces and color of urine. In conclusion, the results of this study have revealed that the HWE and the HEE of A. calcarata at the doses tested do not produce any serious toxic side effects in rats.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar si los rizomas de Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Familia: Zingiberaceae) tienen algún efecto tóxico en las ratas. Se utilizaron ratas Wistar como modelo experimental y administrado por vía oral de extracto de agua caliente (EAC) y el extracto de etanol caliente (EEC) de A. rizomas calcarata a una dosis de 1500 mg / kg, respectivamente, durante 42 días consecutivos. La administración de la EAC o EEC a las ratas no produjo ningún efecto crónico tóxico como se desprende de sus efectos sobre la (a) función hepática (b) la función renal, (c) los parámetros hematológicos, como conteo de los glóbulos rojos (GR), conteo de glóbulos blancos celular (GB) y hemoglobina (Hb), (d) morfología externa y el peso húmedo de los órganos seleccionados. Además, el EAC y el EEC no parecen mediar efectos inaceptables en la ingesta de alimentos y agua, porcentaje de aumento de peso, la consistencia de las heces y el color de la orina. En conclusión, los resultados de este estudio han revelado que los extractos EAC y la EEC de A. calcarata en las dosis utilizadas no producen graves efectos secundarios tóxicos en ratas.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of antioxidant activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina aerial parts.

The present study was conducted to determine whether aerial parts of Trichosanthes cucumerina extracts can exert significant antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of a hot water extract (HWE) and a cold ethanolic extract (CE) of T. cucumerina aerial parts was evaluated by assessing its (a) radical scavenging ability and prevention effect of lipid peroxidation in vitro, and (b) effects on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, in vivo.In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, TBARS and carotene-linoleic acid assays) clearly demonstrated the antioxidant potential of HWE and CEE. Moreover, HWE increased SOD: by 91.2% and GPX by 104.4% while CEE increased SOD: by 115.5% and GPX by 96.4%) in CCl4-induced rats. Treatments with HWE and CE prevented the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products by 30.5% and 33.8%, respectively, in liver tissues compared to the rats exposed only to CCl4. In conclusion, the present investigation demonstrates for the first time that components in T. cucumerina aerial parts can exert significant antioxidant activity in vivo and in vitro.

Standardization of spray-dried powder of Piper betle hot water extract.

The leaves of Piper betle Linn. (Family: Piperaceae) possess several bioactivities and are used in the Traditional Medical systems of Sri Lanka. The present investigation was carried out to standardize the spray-dried powder of P. betle by (a) determination of physicochemical parameters, presence or absence of heavy metals, and microbial contamination; (b) screening for phytochemicals; and (c) development of High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint and densitogram. The percentages of moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, and ethanol extractable matter of spray-dried powder of P. betle were 2.2-2.5, 6.8-7.0, 0.003-0.005, 4.1-4.3, and 15.8-16.2, respectively. The concentrations of all the tested heavy metals were below the WHO acceptable limits and bacterial species, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa were not present in the P. betle spray-dried powder. Phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids steroids, and alkaloids were found to be present in the spray-dried powder of P. betle and HPLC fingerprint and densitogram clearly demonstrated the proportional differences of these chemical constituents. In conclusion, the results obtained from this study can be used to standardize the spray-dried powder of P. betle.

Evaluation of the toxic potential of standardized extracts (hot water extract and cold ethanolic extract) of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. aerial parts / Evaluación de la toxicidad de extractos estandarizados (obtenidos con agua caliente y etanol frio) de partes aéreas de Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn

Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. is one of the medicinal plants that is often used in Sri Lankan traditional systems of medicine for the preparation of formulations to treat a variety of disease conditions. However, the toxic effects of T. cucumerina are not known. The aims of the present study were to (a) standardize hot water (HWE) and cold ethanolic (CEE) extracts of T. cucumerina aerial parts, and (b) evaluate toxic potential of the plant extracts. Both extracts were standardized by developing their densitograms and HPLC fingerprints and determination of physico – chemical parameters such as total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash. Administration of the HWE or CEE to mice did not result in acute or chronic toxic effects as evident from their effects on (a) liver and kidney functions and (c) hematological parameters and (d) fertility of male or female mice.In conclusion, the results of this study have revealed that standardized extracts of T. cucumerina at the doses tested do not produce any serious toxic side effects.

Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. Es una de las plantas comunmente utilizadas en el sistema de medicina tradicional de Sri Lanka, en la preparación de formulaciones para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades. Debido a que los efectos tóxicos de T. cucumerina no se conocen, los objetivos de este estudio fueron: (a) estandarizar los extractos obtenidos con agua caliente (EAC) y con etanol frío (EEF), y (b) evaluar la toxicidad de ambos extractos. Ambos extractos fueron estandarizados por obtención de sus densitogramas y huella digital con HPLC. Adicionalmente se determinaron parámetros fisicoquímicos, tales como: cenizas totales, cenizas solubles en agua y cenizas solubles en ácido. La administración de EAC y EEF a ratones no mostró efectos tóxicos agudos ni crónicos. Las funciones renales, hepáticas, estudios hematológicos y de fertilidad en machos y hembras fueron normales. Se concluye que los extractos estandarizados de T. cucumerina, a las dosis ensayadas no producen ningún efecto tóxico.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. in rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. (Family: Cucurbitaceae) is one of the medicinal plants that is often used in Sri Lankan traditional systems of medicine. One of its uses is the treatment of inflammatory conditions. However, validity of the anti-inflammatory activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of Trichosanthes cucumerina hot water extract (HWE) and its fractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina was evaluated by use of the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in Wistar rats. In addition, the mechanism/s by which Trichosanthes cucumerina is mediated the anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by determining its effects on (a) membrane stabilizing activity and (b) nitric oxide inhibitory activity. RESULTS: Apart from the lowest dose of the HWE, other tested doses (500, 750, 1000 mg/kg) produced a significant (P ≤ 0.05) inhibition of the inflammation, most pronounced at 5h after the injection of carrageenan. The anti-inflammatory effect induced by 750 mg/kg, was comparable to that of the reference drug, indomethacin at 4 and 5h. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production and membrane stabilization activities are probable mechanisms by which Trichosanthes cucumerina mediates its anti-inflammatory actions. Among the tested fractions, methanol fraction (MEF) and aqueous fraction (AQF) at a dose of 75 mg/kg exhibited marked inhibition against carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema. The anti-inflammatory effect induced by MEF, was comparable to that of the reference drug, indomethacin and as well as to the 750 mg/kg of HWE at 4 and 5h. CONCLUSIONS: (a) These findings rationalize the traditional usage of this plant as an anti-inflammatory agent and (b) membrane stabilizing properties and NO inhibitory activity are possible mechanisms through which Trichosanthes cucumerina mediates its anti-inflammatory action.

Antioxidant and antifungal activities of essential oil of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe rhizomes.

Antioxidant and antifungal activity were determined for the essential oil of Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) rhizomes. Its antioxidant properties were investigated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and vitamin E served as positive controls. Antifungal activities were investigated against crop pathogens Curvularia spp. and Colletorichum spp. using the agar plate method. Fifty percent effective concentration (EC(50)) and % antioxidant index of the essential oil were 45 ± 0.4 and 16.1 ± 0.2 for DPPH and TBARS assays, respectively. The degree of, the essential oil's inhibition of the growth of crop pathogens Curvularia spp. and Colletorichum spp. varied with time period its effects were higher than greater than for the positive control, daconil. In conclusion, the essential oil of A. calcarata rhizomes possess moderate antioxidant property and promising antifungal activity.

Larvicidal effects of mineral turpentine, low aromatic white spirits, aqueous extracts of Cassia alata, and aqueous extracts, ethanolic extracts and essential oil of betel leaf (Piper betle) on Chrysomya megacephala.

BACKGROUND: Many methods have been employed, with variable success, in the treatment of cutaneous myiasis caused by Chrysomya species. AIMS: Experiment 1: to assess the larvicidal effect of mineral turpentine (MT) and the main ingredient of MT, low aromatic white spirits (LAWS), on Chrysomya megacephala larvae in vitro. Experiment 2: to assess the larvicidal effects of aqueous extracts of winged senna (Cassia alata), and aqueous extracts, ethanolic extracts and essential oil of betel leaf (Piper betle). METHODS: In experiment 1, two samples of LAWS were obtained from two industrialists (samples 1 and 2). Adult flies of C. megacephala were bred in the insectory of the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. Petri dishes were prepared with pads of cotton wool. These cotton pads were soaked separately in MT, LAWS samples 1 and 2, and normal saline as a control. Ten larvae were placed in each Petri dish. The activity of the larvae was observed and recorded half-hourly. MT and the two samples of LAWS were analyzed by chromatography. In experiment 2, volatile essential oil of betel was prepared using a standard steam distillation process. An ethanolic extract of betel was obtained after boiling the crushed leaf with water, and mixing the stock with ethanol. Betel oil dilutions of 1-4% were prepared using 1% Tween 80 (v/v aq) as a solvent, with 0.05 g/100 mL sodium lauryl sulphate (as stabilizer) and 0.01 g/100 mL methyl paraben (as a preservative). Cotton wool swabs soaked in 1, 2, 3 and 4% essential oil of betel in 1% Tween 80 (v/v aq) prepared as above, 1, 2, 3 and 4% ethanolic extract of betel, 50 and 25% aqueous extract of C. alata, and 50 and 25% aqueous extract of betel were placed in separate Petri dishes. Ten larvae were placed in each Petri dish. 1% Tween 80 solvent with the stabilizer and the preservative, but without betel essential oil, was used as a negative control and MT was used as a positive control. Larval motility was assessed as before. RESULTS: MT and the two LAWS samples killed the larvae in vitro within 4 h. Chromatography showed more unidentified constituents in MT than in pure LAWS, indicating additional substances in MT. The 4 and 3% preparations of the essential oil of betel were effective in killing 100% of the larvae of Chrysomya within 3 h 30 min. The 2% extract of betel essential oil killed 96.7% of larvae in 4 h. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of betel, the aqueous extract of C. alata, normal saline and the Tween 80 solvent were not larvicidal. CONCLUSIONS: MT and LAWS, the main ingredient of MT, were effective in killing Chrysomya larvae. Essential oil obtained from betel leaves also showed a dose-dependent larvicidal effect on Chrysomya larvae. This natural product may be effective in the treatment of wound myiasis.