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Showing papers in "Pharmaceutical Biology in 2004"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the mechanisms of action of dietary flavonoids in their potential role in disease prevention, it is crucial to know the factors that determine their release from foods, their extent of absorption, and their fate in the organism.
Abstract: To unravel mechanisms of action of dietary flavonoids in their potential role in disease prevention, it is crucial to know the factors that determine their release from foods, their extent of absorption, and their fate in the organism. Research on absorption, metabolism, and bioavailability of flavonoids will answer these questions. The subclass, flavonols, with quercetin as the major dietary flavonol, was the first to be studied, and information on other subclasses of flavonoids is emerging. Most flavonoids, except for the subclass of catechins, are present in plants bound to sugars as b-glycosides. This structural feature determines whether the flavonoid can be absorbed from the small intestine or has to go to the colon before absorption can occur. Generally, but exceptions have been described, glucosides are the only glycosides that can be absorbed from the small intestine. Absorption from the small intestine is more efficient than from the colon and will lead to higher plasma values. After absorption from the small intestine, flavonoids are conjugated with glucuronic acid or sulfate or O-methylation may occur. The conjugation reactions, which occur in the small intestine upon absorption, are very efficient. As a result, no free flavonoid aglycones can be found in plasma or urine, except for catechins. Plasma concentrations due to a normal diet will be less than 1mM. Flavonoids that cannot be absorbed from the small intestine, and absorbed flavonoids secreted with bile, will be degraded in the colon by microorganisms, which will break down the flavonoid ring structure. The resulting phenolic acids have partly been characterised. These phenolic acids can be absorbed and have been measured in plasma and urine. Future research will need to address tissue distribution, cellular uptake, and cellular metabolism.

233 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Bioassay-guided fraction of the culture medium of the F. ambigua led to isolation of a novel antimicrobial substance, which was named parsiguine, that exhibited antifungal and antibacterial activities.
Abstract: Fischerella ambigua was isolated during a screening program from soil sample collected from paddy-fields in the north of Iran. It was shown that it excreted broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal substance in culture medium. Bioassay-guided fraction of the culture medium of the F. ambigua led to isolation of a novel antimicrobial substance, which was named parsiguine, that exhibited antifungal and antibacterial activities. The structure of parsiguine was determined by spectroscopic methods, including NMR, MS, IR, and UV.

111 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results from a variety of experiments indicate proanthocyanidins may modulate several reactions involved in cancer processes, and a crucial research need is to identify further biologically active components of proanthic flavans so that mechanisms of action at the tissue, cellular, and subcellular levels can be elucidated.
Abstract: Proanthocyanidins, also called condensed tannins, are oligomers and polymers of monomeric flavans linked through specific single (B linkages) and double (A linkages) bonds. These secondary plant metabolites have substantial antioxidant activity. They are prevalent in some foods and dietary supplements including several berries, red grapes and their wines, and seeds, baking chocolate, cinnamon, pycnogenol, and Ginkgo biloba. Calculations based on limited food composition data suggest daily intakes of about 54 mg/day per person in the United States. Similar data are unavailable to estimate intakes from dietary supplements. Studies on digestion of proanthocyanidins indicates only monomers and dimers are absorbed; however, preliminary evidence suggests hydroxylated phenolic acids are important products of gastrointestinal microflora activity that also may be absorbed. Several types of investigations support improved vascular health after short- or long-term consumption of proanthocyanidins or foods and supple...

111 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results are promising, but additional research on the molecular mechanism of action of polyphenols and their application to human health is required.
Abstract: Polyphenols are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and represent an abundant antioxidant component of the human diet. The review offers a brief description of the chemistry and occurrence in plant food of four important groups of polyphenols: phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans. Interest in the possible health benefits of polyphenols has increased due to corresponding antioxidant capacity. Considerable evidence is now available showing anticarcinogenic effects of polyphenolic compounds, as well as potential to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The use of botanicals has received a large amount of attention in recent years. Epidemiological studies have shown that a reduced risk of cancer is associated with diets rich in vegetables and fruits, and methods for the discovery and characterization of active compounds from plant sources are available. These results are promising, but additional research on the molecular mechanism of action of polyphenols and their application to human health is required.

111 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Early studies have shown that flavonoids have several anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiplatelet, and provessel function activities, and further studies are necessary for confirmation of the beneficial effects, identification of dose-response relationships, and identification the most bioactive flavonoid.
Abstract: Diets high in flavonoids have long been associated with nutritional recommendations, a healthy lifestyle, and the prevention of chronic diseases. However, identification of specific beneficial effects from specific flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods has been a challenging area, probably due to a nonessential or conditional role for flavonoids in human nutrition. Nonetheless, recent efforts in the area of high flavonoid–containing foods and cardiovascular disease have begun providing the first demonstrations of specific effects and mechanisms of action in well-controlled studies. The early studies have shown that flavonoids have several anti-atherosclerotic activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiplatelet, and provessel function activities. Cholesterol-lowering and antihypertensive effects of flavonoids have been studied and appear minimal in humans. The studies also demonstrate several possible mechanisms and pleiotropic effects of flavonoids that may be active in redu...

98 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Primary chemical profiles, drawn up using standard techniques in pharmacognosy, are shown and discussed with reference to the known bioactivity of each chemical class and the results of investigations, using the disk assay method, of their efficacy as antimicrobial agents are reported.
Abstract: An estimated 70% of all South Africans use traditional medicines derived from plant species indigenous to the region. In order to formalize the position of these medicines within the state health care system, a necessary first step is the establishment of standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. With this objective in mind, pharmaceutical monographs for 60 plant species used as traditional medicines in South Africa were drawn up according to WHO guidelines. The results of some of this work are reported here, focusing in particular on 26 species belonging to Asteraceae, Geraniaceae, and Lamiaceae, families well represented in indigenous traditional medical practice. Quality standards for the identification of these species, established using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and traditional microscopy, are given. The results of investigations, using the disk assay method, of their efficacy as antimicrobial agents are reported. Secondary chemical profiles, dr...

82 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Antimicrobial activities against reference Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans were tested on 191 plant extracts obtained from more than 30 families of plants found in the state of Sabah, Malaysia.
Abstract: Antimicrobial activities against reference Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and Candida albicans were tested on 191 plant extracts obtained from more than 30 families of plants found in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. The plant extracts were tested by a disk-diffusion technique in which antimicrobial activity was evaluated based on the ability of the plant extracts to diffuse through agar to affect the target organisms. The extracts of Callicarpa erioclona Schau. (Verbenaceae), Callicarpa farinosa Roxb. (Verbenaceae), Sphonodesma friflora Wright (Verbenaceae), and Homalium panayanum F. Villar (Flacourticeae) exhibited antimicrobial properties worthy of further investigation.

78 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, five methods were used to test and compare the antioxidant activity at different levels involving formation and scavenging of free radicals by the extracts of four mushrooms that have medicinal values.
Abstract: Cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in several diseases, and hence antioxidants have significant importance in human health. In this study, five methods were used to test and compare the antioxidant activity at different levels involving formation and scavenging of free radicals by the extracts of four mushrooms that have medicinal values. The results were expressed as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC). In the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl 2-picryl hydrazyl) assay, the ethyl acetate extract of Phellinus rimosus showed more potent activity than the methanolic extracts of Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus sajour-caju, and Ganoderma lucidum. The ethyl acetate extract of P. rimosus at a concentration of 0.1% showed a high TEAC value (12.488). In the ABTS (2,2-azobis-3ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) spectrophotometric assay, it possessed the most effective antioxidant activity (TEAC 4.84) compared to methanolic extracts of P. florida, P. sajour-caju, and G. lucidum. The extract of P. rimosus also possessed higher activity compared to other extracts in the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. In the pulse radiolysis studies and the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assay also, these mushrooms showed significant activities. Results of the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC assays indicate that all the four mushrooms examined showed significant antioxidant activities. Among these, P. rimosus extract seems to be the more effective antioxidant.

69 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a search for bioactive components in fruits of Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fisher, which led to isolation of four furanocoumarins that exhibit antioxidant activity.
Abstract: Antioxidants are important substances that possess the abil-ity to protect the body from damage caused by free radical-induced oxidative stress. A variety of free-radical scavenging antioxidants exist within the body, many of which are derived from dietry sources such as fruits, vegetables, and teas. This paper describes a search for bioactive components in fruits of Heracleum persicum Desf. ex Fisher, which led to isolation of four furanocoumarins that exhibit antioxidant activity. The structure of the constituents were identified by ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry analyses in comparison with literature data. The isolated constituents were tested by linoleic acid peroxidation for their antioxidant activities and were found to be moderately active. Antioxidant activity of crude ethyl acetate extract was stronger than single isolated constituents.

63 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper may be the first documentation of Portulaca quadrifida in vitro anti-C.
Abstract: The screening of African medicinal plants, utilized in traditional herbal remedies in Ghana West Africa for their antibacterial and antifungals activities, is reported in this paper. Of ten plants tested, extracts of five (Phyllanthus niruri, Ageratum conyzoides, Acanthospermum hispidum, Cassia alata, and Sida acuta) had activity against the Gram positive microorganism Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). None of these ten plants have previously had their anti-MRSA activity or lack of activity documented. Hexane extracts from three plants (Portulaca quadrifida, Ageratum conyzoides, and Newbouldia lavis) show remarkable anti-fungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus. Four plants (Phyllanthus niruri, Portulaca quadrifida, Ageratum conyzoides, and Newbouldia laevis) have strong anti-Candida activity. This paper may be the first documentation of Portulaca quadrifida in vitro anti-C. albicans and anti-A. fumigatus activity.

63 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The current study evaluated and established the activity of Allium sativum, Aloe barbadensis, and Solanum nigrum Linn.
Abstract: The current study evaluated and established the activity of Allium sativum Linn., Aloe barbadensis Mill., and Solanum nigrum Linn. against some common fungal species associated with superficial mycoses. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of these plants were tested to establish the antimycological effects against dermatophytes, saprophytes, and Candida species isolated from infected hospitalized patients. The in vitro antifungal activity was established by observing and measuring the zones of inhibition formed on selective nutrient media. Zones of inhibition were categorized as very high (41–50 mm), high (31–40 mm), medium (21–30 mm), and low (11–20 mm). High zones of inhibition were noted with ethanol extracts of Allium sativum, Aloe barbadensis, and Solanum nigrum.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, from the roots of Ferula persica, four known coumarins (farnesiferol A, B, badrakemone, and farnesiferone A) and a new coumarin, farnesifierone A, have been isolated.
Abstract: From the roots of Ferula persica Willd., four known coumarins (farnesiferol A, B, badrakemone, gummosin) and a new coumarin, farnesiferone A, have been isolated. From the aerial parts, badrakemone, farnesiferone A, and farnesiferol A were also isolated. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory properties of the leaf extract of A. spinosus and suggest that the plant extract probably acts by the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis.
Abstract: The methanol extract of Amaranthus spinosus L. leaves was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activities in different animal models. The effect of the plant extract was also studied on castor oil–induced diarrhea and gastric mucosal integrity. The extract (25–100 mg/kg) inhibited the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and produced significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of acetic acid–induced increased vascular permeability. Inhibition of the cotton pellet granuloma was also inhibited by 100 mg/kg of the plant extract. Analgesic activity was exhibited with the significant and dose-related reduction in the number of writhings induced with acetic acid, as well reduction in paw licking induced by injection of formalin in mice. The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) produced gastric erosion in rats, following repeated administration for 4 days, and with 25–100 mg/kg of the extract, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in castor oil–induced diarrhea in rats. These results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory p...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings showed the significant antidiabetic potential of the extract of the plant Annona squamosa in ameliorating the diabetic conditions in diabetic rats.
Abstract: The leaf alcohol extract of the plant Annona squamosa was investigated for its antidiabetic activity. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced with standardised doses of streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Graded doses of the leaf alcohol extract suspended in gum acacia were administered to normal and experimental diabetic rats for 12 days. Fasting plasma glucose levels, serum insulin levels, serum lipid profiles and changes in body weight were evaluated in normal rats while liver glycogen levels and pancreatic TBARS levels were evaluated additionally in diabetic rats. The diabetic groups treated with the leaf alcohol extract were compared with standard glibenclamide. The findings showed the significant antidiabetic potential of the extract in ameliorating the diabetic conditions in diabetic rats. No significant effects were found in the normal rats.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Current knowledge and understanding of the biological activities of tea catechins and procyanidins are discussed, including their basic chemistry, occurrence, antioxidant activity, effect on heart disease, and effects on signal transduction pathways, to provide better insights into their possible beneficial effects in human.
Abstract: There is an increasing interest in the disease preventing and/or therapeutic properties of green tea and red wine. Major biologically active constituents in green tea and red wine are tea catechins...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present review is meant to summarize many of the biological activities reported for NDGA and its derivatives and to draw attention to areas which need to be further explored in the hopes of stimulating research on this potentially useful natural product.
Abstract: Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a lignan found in large amounts in the ethnobotanically important plant, Larrea tridentata (Moc. & Sess.) Cov. (Zygophyllaceae). Research on this compound and its natural and synthetic derivatives has shown them to be potentially useful in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, viral and bacterial infections, and as regulators of fertility. The usefulness of these compounds is hindered by the lack of understanding of the mechanisms of action for each activity. While a great deal of observational and correlative data have been reported, there have been few comprehensive mechanistic or structure-function studies conducted on NDGA. Additionally, toxicological and pharmacokinetic data on NDGA is rather sparse and the metabolic breakdown products of this compound have not been reported. The present review is meant to summarize many of the biological activities reported for NDGA and its derivatives and to draw attention to areas which need to be further explored in the hopes of stimulating research on this potentially useful natural product.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate the possibility that some of the plant extracts may be toxic or contain useful cytotoxic compounds, which was not reported by the traditional healers.
Abstract: Extracts of 34 plants that are traditionally used for the treatment of different diseases exhibited various degrees of toxicity on brine shrimp. The concentration killing 50% (LC50) of the shrimps was below 50 μg/ml for 14 (41.2%), 50–100 μ g/ml for 10 (29.4%), and greater than 100 μg/ml for 10 (29.4%) of the plants, respectively. Dalbergia nitidula (LC50 0.87 μg/ml), Ozoroa insignis (LC50 2.21 μg/ml), Markhamia obtusifolia (LC50 8.94 μg/ml), Ximenia caffra (LC50 11.25 μg/ml),Croton macrostachys (LC50 13.40 μg/ml), and Mormodica calantha (LC50 19.38 μg/ml) were the most toxic. The results indicate the possibility that some of the plant extracts may be toxic or contain useful cytotoxic compounds, which was not reported by the traditional healers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple method for the isolation of swertiamarin, a secoiridoid glycoside, from the whole plant of Enicostemma littorale Blume was reported.
Abstract: We report a simple method for the isolation of swertiamarin, a secoiridoid glycoside, from the whole plant of Enicostemma littorale Blume. Methanol extract of defatted plant material when treated with diethyl ether gave a precipitate containing swertiamarin as one of the major components. Swertiamarin was separated from this precipitate by column chromatography over silica gel. The identity of the compound isolated was confirmed through infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectra and melting point and co-chromatography with a reference standard on thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The purity of the compound was confirmed from the UV absorption spectrum, NMR, mass, high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), and differential scanning calorimetry.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Two lanostane-type triterpene and a terpenic δ-lactone have been isolated from the roots of Zizyphus vulgaris Lam and characterized as lanosta-25 (26)-en-9α-ol-21-oic acid and lanosta (26-en-22β-ol(19)-olide, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical means.
Abstract: A lanostane-type triterpene, zizyphulanostane-21-oic acid, and a terpenic δ-lactone, zizyphulanostan-18-oic acid, have been isolated from the roots of Zizyphus vulgaris Lam. (syn. Z. sativa Gaertn., Z. mauritina. Lam.) and characterized as lanosta-25 (26)-en-9α-ol-21-oic acid and lanosta-25 (26)-en-22β-ol-18-oic acid 3(19)-olide, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical means.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The alcohol extract or Rhodiola rosea has been shown to cause inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) when tested at 10 g/L, and needs to be researched for its potential at treating memory impairing disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract: The alcohol extract or Rhodiola rosea has been shown to cause 42 ± 3.2% inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) when tested at 10 g/L. This AChE inhibition provides a physiological explanation for the reported mental and memory enhancing properties of Rhodiola rosea extracts. Active guided fractionation indicated a multitude of components which are responsible for this plants AChE inhibition. Two flavonoid glycosides (gossypetin-7-O-L-rhamnopyranoside and rhodioflavonoside) were isolated and shown to cause 58 ± 15% and 38 ± 4% AChE inhibition respectively when tested at 5 g/L. In view of this new enzymatic activity and previous clinical work indicating memory and mental enhancing properties with no indication of toxicity, this plant needs to be researched for its potential at treating memory impairing disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicated lack of general adverse effect on the brain amine metabolism and suggest that silymarin may have marginal serotonergic, dopaminergic, and noradrenergic effects.
Abstract: Silymarin, a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture, exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the liver and hinders tumor formation. The effect of this flavonoid mixture on the central nervous system is unknown, although antioxidants are considered beneficial. Brain amines and metabolites were studied after a short-term silymarin treatment. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally treated with 0, 10, 50, or 250 mg/kg of silymarin per day for 5 days. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection was performed to determine concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), dioxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in discrete brain regions. Analyses showed increased 5-HT levels in the cortex and increased DA and NE levels in the cerebellum in the highest dose group. Results indicated lack of general adverse effect on the brain amine metabolism and suggest that silymarin may have marginal serot...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Alcohol and petrol ether extracts of rhizomes of Gentiana lutea showed significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activities in all of these models and exhibited significant wound healing activity in excision, resutured incision and dead space wound models.
Abstract: Gentiana lutea Linn (Gentianaceae), commonly known as gentian, is widely used in the traditional system of medicine as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. We examined the effectiveness of...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, different extraction procedures have been evaluated to quantify the major constituents (hypericins, hyperforins and flavonoids) of H. perforatum drug samples.
Abstract: Different extraction procedures have been evaluated to quantify the major constituents (hypericins, hyperforins and flavonoids) of H. perforatum drug samples. The total amount of hypericins has been determined by UV and HPLC. Analysis of hyperforins and flavonoids has been performed by HPLC. Sonication with MeOH resulted the best extraction method to obtain a homogenous drug sample, representative of all the major metabolites and with less degradation products. The procedure was standardized with a commercial drug sample and then applied to quantify the active metabolites in H. perforatum plants collected in various localities in South Italy. Two of the drug samples resulted particularly rich in hypericin, namely, Altamura, 0.21% and Casamassima, 0.27%. Analysis of the flavonoid content confirmed the presence, in Italy, of a chemotype of H. perforatum without rutin.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Verbascum gypsicola extracts had strong antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive bacteria and the yeast cultures, and the extracts of Stachys L. were effective only against bacteria.
Abstract: Methanol extracts obtained from endemic Stachys sivasica Kit Tan & Yildiz, Stachys anamurensis Sumbul, Stachys cydni Kotschy ex Gemici & Leblebici, Salvia aytachii Vural & Adiguzel, and Verbascum gypsicola Vural & Aydogdu have been investigated for their antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was determined with Escherichia coli ATCC 11230, Stapylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Klebsiella pneumoniae UC57, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 8427, Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064, Mycobacterium smegmatis CCM 2067, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313, Micrococcus luteus CCM 169, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Rhodotorula rubra DSM 70403, and Kluyveromyces fragilis ATCC 8608 by the disk-diffusion method. Verbascum gypsicola extracts had strong antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive bacteria and the yeast cultures. The extracts of Stachys L. were effective only against bacteria. The extracts of Salvia aytachii demonstrated an antimicrobial effect against bacteria and the yeast cultures ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the ability of emodin, aloe-emodin and rhein to inhibit free-radical or reactive oxygen species (OH, 1O2, H2O2) generated in cell-free systems using isoluminol and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence and electronic absorption spectra was investigated.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of emodin (1), aloe-emodin (2), and rhein (3) to inhibit free-radical or reactive oxygen species (.OH, 1O2, H2O2) generated in cell-free systems using isoluminol and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence and electronic absorption spectra. In the presence of 1, 2, and 3, a dose-dependent inhibition period was observed in this system as assayed by isoluminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (ILCL) with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), as well as by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL) with H2O2 or ferrous iron. On the other hand, these hydroxyanthraquinones showed an efficient scavenging activity of galvanoxyl radical in ethanolic solutions. In a separate experiment, we observed the trapping of singlet oxygen (1O2) generated by rose bengal in the presence of 1, 2, or 3. These results suggest that emodin, aloe-emodin, and rhein scavenge reactive oxygen and free-radical species in the following decreasing order: emodin > rhein > aloe-emodin.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Morphological, anatomical, and phytochemical aspects were carried out to identify the diagnostic features of B. asiatica root, and berberine was identified as the major constituent, with a slightly lower percentage in the former.
Abstract: Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex. DC. (Berberidaceae) is a very common substitute to “Daruharidra”, that is, B. aristata DC., which is used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Being an important medicinal plant, it is used extensively for treating a variety of ailments, that is, affection of eyes, skin disease, jaundice, and rheumatism. The current study was therefore carried out to provide requisite pharmacognostic details. Morphological, anatomical, and phytochemical aspects were carried out to identify the diagnostic features of B. asiatica root. Some of the diagnostic features of the root drug noted from the anatomical study are patches of pericyclic fiber, pitted sclerieds, and berberine-containing cells and heterocyclic medullary rays. Physicochemical studies revealed the presence of total ash 2.650%; acid insoluble ash 0.266%; alcohol soluble extractive 11.833%; water soluble extractive 15.333%; tannins 1.723%; sugar 0.332%; starch 16.444%; and alkaloidal content (berberine) 2.4%. A comparative high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis with B. aristata showed a similar profile. Berberine was identified as the major constituent, with a slightly lower percentage (2.4%) in the former. The Rf value of other bands was also calculated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Oral administration of Aegle marmelos Correa fruits (AMFEt) for 30 days (twice a day) prevented significantly the STZ-induced hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinemia and reversed all the values to near normal status.
Abstract: The aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos Correa. fruits (AMFEt) was studied in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats and anti-lipid peroxidative activity was studied in hepatic and renal tissues in diabetic rats. Oral administration of AMFEt for 30 days (twice a day) prevented significantly the STZ-induced hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinemia. The extract also produced a significant decrease in peroxidation products, viz., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides in diabetic rats. The activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase was found to be increased in the hepatic and renal tissues of diabetic animals treated with AMFEt. AMFEt, at a dose of 250 mg/kg, was more effective than glibenclamide and reversed all the values to near normal status. Thus, AMFEt exhibits antidiabetic and anti-oxidative activity in STZ-diabetic rats.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Among tested fungal species were the food poisoning species, plant, animal, and human pathogen, the essential oil of Juniperus excelsa Bieb M showed antifungal activity.
Abstract: Essential oil of Juniperus excelsa Bieb M (Cupressaceae) was evaluated for antifungal activities against 17 micromycetes (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, A ochraceus, A versicolor, A flavus, A terreus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium tricinctum, Penicillium ochrocloron, P funiculosum, Phomopsis helianthi, Trichoderma viride, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T rubrum, T tonsurans, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis) Among tested fungal species were the food poisoning species, plant, animal, and human pathogen The essential oil showed antifungal activity

Journal ArticleDOI
H. Sini1, K.S. Devi1
TL;DR: A chloroform extract from the anticancer herb Solanum trilobatum (CST) was analyzed and compared with reference antioxidants for its in vitro antioxidative properties such as scavenging of α,α-diphenyl-β-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals, protection to deoxyribose degradation, reducing power, as well as inhibition of lipid peroxidation as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A chloroform extract from the anticancer herb Solanum trilobatum (CST) (Nadkarni, 1979) was analyzed and compared with reference antioxidants for its in vitro antioxidative properties such as scavenging of α,α-diphenyl-β-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals, protection to deoxyribose degradation, reducing power, as well as inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of CST by silica gel thin-layer chromatography showed the presence of simple phenols, phenolic acids, isoflavones, xanthones, and lignans. The antioxidative effect of CST was found to be concentration dependent to a certain extent and then leveled off with further increase in concentration. The IC50 for each antioxidative reaction studied was calculated. When compared to the reference antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), CST exhibited less scavenging effect on DPPH radicals and reducing power but a better superoxide radical scavenging effect. From a comparison of the hydroxyl radical scavenging effect ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The composition of the essential oils from the leaves and twigs of Pistacia lentiscus L, Pistacia terebinthus var. chia (L), and Pistacia phellandrene (6.4%) of Turkish origin were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The composition of the essential oils from the leaves and twigs of Pistacia lentiscus L., Pistacia lentiscus var. chia (L.), and Pistacia terebinthus L. of Turkish origin were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Seventy-seven constituents were characterized from the essential oil of P. terebinthus leaves with α-cadinol (6.9%), phytol (5.4%), δ-cadinene (5.1%), α-terpineol (5.0%), and bornyl acetate (4.4%) as major constituents. Germacrene D (10%), β-pinene (7.5%), bornyl acetate (6.0%), α-cubebene (5.9%), and cubebol (5.4%) were found to be the main components among the 61 compounds characterized in the essential oil of P. terebinthus twigs. Forty-six compounds were characterized from the essential oil of P. lentiscus twigs with sabinene (23.2%), α-pinene (19.4%), germacrene D (14.1%), limonene (6.9%), β-phellandrene (6.5%), terpinene-4-ol (5.7%), and β-caryophyllene (5.7%) as the main constituents. Terpinene-4-ol (29.2%), β-caryophyllene (29.2%), and p-cymene (7.1%) were identified ...