Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction

Medicinal plants are globally valuable sources of herbal products, and they are disappearing at a high speed. This article reviews global trends, developments and prospects for the strategies and methodologies concerning the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plant resources to provide a reliable reference for the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants. We emphasized that both conservation strategies (e.g. in situ and ex situ conservation and cultivation practices) and resource management (e.g. good agricultural practices and sustainable use solutions) should be adequately taken into account for the sustainable use of medicinal plant resources. We recommend that biotechnical approaches (e.g. tissue culture, micropropagation, synthetic seed technology, and molecular marker-based approaches) should be applied to improve yield and modify the potency of medicinal plants.

/pdf/conservation-and-sustainable-use-of-medicinal-plants-3cr53p4qye.pdf

Conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants: problems, progress, and prospects.

The Tea Tree Genome Provides Insights into Tea Flavor and Independent Evolution of Caffeine Biosynthesis

Caloric Restriction Mimetics against Age-Associated Disease: Targets, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential

Catechins are polyphenolic compounds—flavanols of the flavonoid family found in a variety of plants. Green tea, wine and cocoa-based products are the main dietary sources of these flavanols. Catechins have potent antioxidant properties, although in some cases they may act in the cell as pro-oxidants. Catechins are reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and metal ion chelators, whereas their indirect antioxidant activities comprise induction of antioxidant enzymes, inhibition of pro-oxidant enzymes, and production of the phase II detoxification enzymes and antioxidant enzymes. Oxidative stress and ROS are implicated in aging and related dysfunctions, such as neurodegenerative disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Due to their antioxidant properties, catechins may be beneficial in preventing and protecting against diseases caused by oxidative stress. This article reviews the biochemical properties of catechins, their antioxidant activity, and the mechanisms of action involved in the prevention of oxidative stress-caused diseases.

The Role of Catechins in Cellular Responses to Oxidative Stress

The health benefits of green tea for a wide variety of ailments, including different types of cancer, heart disease, and liver disease, were reported. Many of these beneficial effects of green tea are related to its catechin, particularly (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, content. There is evidence from in vitro and animal studies on the underlying mechanisms of green tea catechins and their biological actions. There are also human studies on using green tea catechins to treat metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors. Long-term consumption of tea catechins could be beneficial against high-fat diet-induced obesity and type II diabetes and could reduce the risk of coronary disease. Further research that conforms to international standards should be performed to monitor the pharmacological and clinical effects of green tea and to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

/pdf/beneficial-effects-of-green-tea-a-literature-review-3bxfzgkbiy.pdf

Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review

Introduction: Kidney, the excretory organ of our body serves the important function of excretion of waste products, regulation of fluid volume and electrolyte content of the extracellular fluid. Diuretics are drugs capable of increasing levels of urine. Materials and methods: The Ethyl acetate, ethanol and water extract of Mangifera indica was evaluated for diuretic activity. Diuretic effect was carried out in rats (175 – 200 kg bwt) by measuring the urine volume by 1, 2, 4, 6 hours and later at 24 hours. Positive control was furosemide (20mg/kg) intraperetoneally and mannitol (100mg/kg) intravenously given. The extracts were administered orally at the dose of 250 mg/kg b.wt. Preliminary phytochemical tests were carried out in different extracts. Results: Na, K and Cl concentrations were determined. Na/ K ratio was higher in aqueous extract and followed by ethanol and ethylacetate extracts. The aqueous extracts show best diuretic effect when compared with other extracts.Conclusion: It was determined that all the extracts showed diuretic effect and cation excretion outstandingly.

/pdf/acute-toxicity-and-diuretic-activity-of-mangifera-indica-l-35sveshgzo.pdf

Acute toxicity and diuretic activity of mangifera indica l. bark extracts

Summary Oxidative stress induced by alloxan has been shown to damage pancreatic β-cell and produce hyperglycaemia in rats. Aloe arborescens leaves are being used by tribals as a medicine for diabetes. The present study examined the antidiabetes and antioxidant potential of fresh Aloe arborescens juice and its role in reducing hepatic and renal toxicity induced by alloxan. Antidiabetic activity of the juice was carried out in the alloxan diabetic rats. Reduction in blood sugar could be seen from 6 th day after continuous administration of the extract. In vitro free radicals scavenging activity was estimated by inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LP), hydroxyl radical and superoxide radicals. Oxidative stress produced by alloxan was found to be significantly lowered by the administration of the juice. This was evident from a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation level in serum as well as in liver induced by alloxan. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione levels were found to be increased. The changes in hepatic and renal functions during alloxan induction were also reversed after the continuous administration of A. arborescens juice. These results indicated that A. arborescens juice effectively reduced the oxidative stress, levels of kidney and renal functions induced by alloxan and produce a reduction in blood sugar.

/pdf/amelioration-of-alloxan-induced-hyperglycaemia-by-aloe-1rnin5zgb6.pdf

Amelioration of alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia by aloe arborescens miller. and its possible mechanism

Lagerstroemia speciosa L is a medicinal, ornamental, decidous small tree native of China, commonly cultivated in gardens through out India for beautiful flowers. The leaves of this tropical plant have been used as a folk medicine for treatment of diabetes and kidney diseases. Many pharmacological studies has been carried out in L. speciosa but the diuretic activity of the plant has not been studied yet. Many herbal diuretics exert their action by directly effecting electrolyte balance of minerals. The ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol and water extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa L was evaluated for diuretic activity. Diuretic effect was carried out in rats by measuring the urine volume by 1, 2, 4, 6 hours and later at 24 hours. Positive controls (furosemide and mannitol (20mg/kg and 100mg/kg) were given intraperitoneal and intravenous route respectively. The extracts were administered orally at the dose of 250mg/kg b.wt. Na + , K

Sabu M Chacko

Papers

Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review

Acute toxicity and diuretic activity of mangifera indica l. bark extracts

Amelioration of alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia by aloe arborescens miller. and its possible mechanism

Sciences Studies on Diuretic Effect of Lagerstroemia Speciosa Linn. Leaf Extracts in Normal Rats