Showing papers in "Pharmaceutical Biology in 2005"
TL;DR: It was found that aqueous extracts of both plants possess broad-spectrum antibacterial properties against the test organisms compared to methanol extracts, which gave poor inhibition zones, and the antibacterial substance within these plants seemed to be most prominent in the leaves and least in the twigs.
Abstract: Medicinal plants are assuming widespread use in the primary health care of individuals and communities. In the current study, we investigated the antimicrobial activities of two endemic plants, Antidesma madagascariense. Lam. and Erythroxylum macrocarpum. O. E. Schulz, which form part of the local pharmacopoeia of Mauritius. Aqueous and methanol extracts of the leaves and twigs of both plants were tested in vitro. against three Gram-negative and five Gram-positive strains of bacteria, including a resistant strain of bacteria. Moreover, they were subjected to antifungal assays against Candida albicans. ATCC 10231 and Aspergillus niger. ATCC 16404, a human and a plant pathogenic microorganism, respectively, known to be good indicators of antifungal activity. It was found that aqueous extracts of both plants possess broad-spectrum antibacterial properties against the test organisms compared to methanol extracts, which gave poor inhibition zones. Moreover, the antibacterial substance within these plan...
120 citations
TL;DR: The essential oil extract of Centella asiatica exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.
Abstract: In South Africa, Centella asiatica. (L.) Urb is used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases. Analyses of the essential oil of this medicinal plant revealed 11 monoterpenoid hydrocarbons (20.20%), nine oxygenated monoterpenoids (5.46%), 14 sesquiterpenoid hydrocarbons (68.80%), five oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (3.90%), and one sulfide sesquiterpenoid (0.76%). α.-Humulene (21.06%), β.-caryophyllene (19.08%), bicyclogermacrene (11.22%), germacrene B (6.29%), and myrcene (6.55%) were the predominant constitutes. The essential oil extract exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities against Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus.) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei.) organisms.
109 citations
TL;DR: Several of the previously published secondary metabolites of the soft coral genus Sinularia are reexamined for their pharmacological properties, and the results strongly support further investigations.
Abstract: The soft coral genus Sinularia is one of the most widely distributed soft corals. It constitutes a dominant portion of the biomass in the tropical reef environment. Sinularia elaborates a rich harvest of secondary metabolites including sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, polyhydroxylated steroids, and polyamine compounds. These metabolites were recently shown to possess a range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities. During the past decade, Sinularia has yielded many new structures with novel skeletons. Several of the previously published secondary metabolites have been reexamined for their pharmacological properties, and the results strongly support further investigations. The current article reviews the terpenoids of the soft coral genus Sinularia and their pharmacological significance.
83 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the a-tocopherol content and investigated the antioxidant capacities of the extracts prepared from the leaves of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), and the results clearly demonstrate that these extracts have antioxidant capacity.
Abstract: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the a-tocopherol content and to investigate the antioxidant capacities of the extracts prepared from the leaves of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae). The antioxidant capacities of the extracts were evaluated by the phosphomolibdenum spectrophotometric method. a-Tocopherol content was determined by using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV method. Total flavonoid content was determined by using the aluminium chloride method. Total phenol content was estimated by a modified colorimetric method using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. The results clearly demonstrate that these extracts have antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant capacity results are consistent with total flavonoid and phenol contents. The a-tocopherol content of the n-hexane extract was found to be 3.2788%, whereas it was calculated as 0.0570% on the dry-weight basis of the leaves.
77 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that the essential oils containing high levels of benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate exhibited strong insecticidal activities against the larvae and adult mosquitoes.
Abstract: The leaf oils of eight Cinnamomum. species (C. rhyncophyllum. Miq., C. microphyllum. Ridl., C. pubescens. Kochummen, C. mollissimum. Hook. f., C. impressicostatum. Kosterm, C. scortechinii. Gamb., C. sintoc. Bl., and C. cordatum. Kosterm) were investigated for their larvicidal and adulticidal activities against Aedes aegypti. (Aedes aegypti Lynn) and Aedes albopictus. (Aedes albopictus Skuse). Acute mortalities of the fourth instar larvae and the adult mosquitoes were determined according to the standard WHO methods. Among the essential oils studied, the leaf oils of C. rhyncophyllum., C. microphyllum., C. pubescens., C. mollissimum., and C. impressicostatum. showed significant effects against the larvae of Ae. aegypti. and Ae. albopictus. with concentrations that caused 50% mortality (LC50) values of less than 12.8 and 11.8 µg ml−1, respectively. The essential oils that showed strong larvicidal effects also demonstrated relatively strong adulticidal effects on the mosquitoes after 3 h exposure wi...
77 citations
TL;DR: Evaluating the antibacterial and antifungal activity of essential oils obtained from medicinal plants of the Argentine Republic may contribute to improve ethnobotanical knowledge and would help to discover substances with potential therapeutical uses, as food preservants or as food-borne pathogen inhibitors.
Abstract: The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of essential oils obtained from medicinal plants of the Argentine Republic. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of 14 plants collected from different zones was analyzed. The microorganisms used were Staphylococcus aureus., Staphylococcus epidermidis., Bacillus cereus., Micrococcus luteus., Enterococcus faecalis., Escherichia coli., Klebsiella. sp., Proteus mirabilis., Pseudomonas aeruginosa., and the yeast Candida albicans.. The disk diffusion method was performed to test antimicrobial activity. B. cereus. and S. aureus. were inhibited by most of the essential oils. Aloysia triphylla., Psila spartoides., and Anemia tomentosa. were the most effective compounds against B. cereus., while A. triphylla. and Baccharis flabellata. were effective against S. aureus.. None of the oils inhibited P. aeruginosa.. B. flabellata. and Pectis odorata. were active only against Gram-positive bacteria. A. triphylla. and P. spa...
63 citations
TL;DR: Stems, leaves, and flowers of Echinacea purpurea (L) Moench (Heliantheae: Asteraceae) were fractionated by various solvents and the fractions evaluated for antiviral activity in relation to chemical composition and distribution within the plant.
Abstract: Stems, leaves, and flowers of Echinacea purpurea (L) Moench (Heliantheae: Asteraceae) were fractionated by various solvents and the fractions evaluated for antiviral activity in relation to chemical composition and distribution within the plant All of the aqueous fractions contained potent activity against herpes simplex virus and influenza virus However, although some of this activity could be attributed to polysaccharide and cichoric acid components, their individual contributions could not account for the total antiviral activity; other potent antivirals must be present In addition, the ethanol- and ethyl acetate–soluble fractions from leaves and stem contained an uncharacterized but potent antiviral photosensitizer, which was absent from the flower extract None of the fractions, however, contained anti-rhinovirus activity Thus, part of the alleged benefits of Echinacea purpurea extracts can be attributed to the presence of anti-influenza and anti-HSV compounds, and some of these activi
62 citations
TL;DR: Aloe ferox is one of the plants used for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and its antibacterial activity was demonstrated using the microplate dilution method.
Abstract: Aloe ferox Mill is one of the plants used for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa Different extracts of the plant were investigated for their antimicrobial constituents This led to the isolation of three known compounds, namely, 1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthracenedione (1, aloe-emodin), 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione (2, chrysophanol), and 10-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1,8-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-9-anthracenone (3, aloin A) The structures of the compounds were determined by chemical and spectroscopic studies The antibacterial activity of the compounds (1–3) was demonstrated using the microplate dilution method
58 citations
TL;DR: A relatively potent water-soluble antiviral activity is detected in E. purpurea.
Abstract: The roots of three commonly used taxa of Echinacea.—E. purpurea., E. pallida. var. pallida., and E. pallida. var. angustifolia.—were extracted and fractionated by means of accelerated solvent extraction to reflect the most commonly used methods for commercial preparations. These fractions were analyzed by HPLC for their content of caffeic acid derivatives and alkamides and for antiviral activities against three viruses often implicated in colds and influenza. Aqueous extracts of E. purpurea. root contained a relatively potent activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV) and influenza virus (FV) but not against rhinovirus (RV). These fractions had low amounts of caffeic acids and alkamides. The ethyl acetate fraction contained significant but weak activity against both HSV and FV and contained significant levels of cichoric acid. In contrast, E. pallida. var. angustifolia. gave no water-soluble antiviral activity, but the ethanolic and ethyl acetate fractions contained significant activity against a...
56 citations
TL;DR: The most active fraction of L. leucocephala seed extract contains polar polyphenols, thus providing a scientific justification for the use of aqueous extract in traditional practice, and could find application in anthelmintic therapy in veterinary practice.
Abstract: The anthelmintic effect of chromatographic fractions of leucaena leucocephala. (Lam.) de wit seed extract was investigated to determine the relative efficacy of the seed components as anthelmintic against gastrointestinal sheep nematodes. The fractions were obtained by thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) fingerprinting of eluates from gradient vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) of the seed ethanol extract. These were evaluated for nematocidal activity by a larval development viability assay (LDVA) in vitro.. The effect of the test extracts on the transformation of L1 to L3 and the survival rate of infective larvae (L3), of strongyles of sheep, predominantly Haemonchus contortus. (Rudolphi), was used to determine relative bioactivity. Best-fit LC50 values were computed using global model of nonlinear regression curve-fitting. The composition of the fractions was identified by phytochemical screening. The extracts killed infective larvae of H. contortus. of sheep in a concentration-dependent manner. Be...
56 citations
TL;DR: Soil cyanob bacteria isolated from the paddy fields of seven provinces in Iran was evaluated for antimicrobial activity and selected cyanobacteria with positive antimicrobial activities were members of the families Stigonemataceae, Nostocaceae, Oscillatoriaceae, and Chroococcaceae.
Abstract: Soil cyanobacteria isolated from the paddy fields of seven provinces in Iran was evaluated for antimicrobial activity. Aqueous, petroleum ether, and methanol extracts from 76 microalgae were examined for antimicrobial properties against four bacteria and two fungi. Of total microalgae, 22.4% (17 cyanobacteria) exhibited antimicrobial effects. Selected cyanobacteria with positive antimicrobial activities were members of the families Stigonemataceae, Nostocaceae, Oscillatoriaceae, and Chroococcaceae. Growth of Bacillus subtilis Persian Type Culture Collection (PTCC) 1204 and Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC 1114 were inhibited by 12 and 14 species of cyanobacteria, respectively. Also, eight cyanobacteria inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli PTCC 1047, and two species inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhi PTCC 1108. Considering fungi, six species inhibited the growth of Candida kefyr ATCC 1140, and one cyanobacterium species inhibited the growth of Candida albicans ATCC 14053. Furthermore, one ...
TL;DR: The antifungal component from plants belonging to 20 different families collected from sub-Himalayan West Bengal (India) were tested against the pathogens Pestalotiopsis theae and showed 100% inhibition of spore germination.
Abstract: In an approach toward the development of ecofriendly antifungal compounds for controlling major foliar fungal diseases of tea, ethanol and aqueous extracts of 30 plants belonging to 20 different families collected from sub-Himalayan West Bengal (India) were tested against the pathogens Pestalotiopsis theae. (Saw.) Stey., Colletotrichum camelliae. Mess., Curvularia eragrostidis. (P. Hennings) Meyer, and Botryodiplodia theobromae. Patouiilard. Spore germination technique was followed for evaluation of antifungal properties. Results showed that ethanol and aqueous extracts of Allium sativum. L., Datura metel. L., Dryopteris filix-mas. (L.) Schott, Zingiber officinale. Rosc., Smilax zeylanica. L., Azadirachta indica., A. Joss. and Curcuma longa. L. recorded 100% inhibition of spore germination. The antifungal component from these plants may be used in developing novel fungicides for tea gardens.
TL;DR: The results supported the traditional uses of some of the tested plants in the treatment of intestinal helminthosis and the active plant species could be a potential source of new lead anthelmintic agents.
Abstract: Based on the results of ethnomedical and ethnoveterinary surveys that we had carried out in northern Cote d'Ivoire during 1999–2001, 79 plant species belonging to 36 families were selected for in v...
TL;DR: The methanol extract produced a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal tests in rats and significantly inhibited PGE2-induced enteropooling as compared to control animals.
Abstract: The antidiarrheal potential of the methanol extract of the fruit of Emblica officinalis. Gaertn. Euphorbiaceae was evaluated using several experimental models of diarrhea in Wistar albino rats. The methanol extract showed a significant inhibitory effect on rats with diarrhea induced by castor oil and magnesium sulfate. The methanol extract produced a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal tests in rats. It also significantly inhibited PGE2-induced enteropooling as compared to control animals. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the use of this herbal remedy as a nonspecific treatment for diarrhea in folk medicine.
TL;DR: Anticandidal activity of Punica granatum L.. extracts in ethanol, methanol, propanol, acetone, benzyl alcohol, 1,4-dioxan, and N,N.-dimethyl formamide (DMF) is reported and the natural plant extract proved to be better against some candidal species.
Abstract: Anticandidal activity of Punica granatum L.. extracts in ethanol, methanol, propanol, acetone, benzyl alcohol, 1,4-dioxan, and N,N.-dimethyl formamide (DMF) is reported. The selection of solvents was on the basis of their polarity. Growth inhibition using the agar ditch diffusion assay was determined on four different strains of Candida. species isolated from HIV-positive patients. Ethanolic extract showed activity against three Candida. species, whereas it was ineffective against Candida albicans. 1. The methanol, acetone, and propanol extracts were effective against all four Candida. species. The DMF extract was effective against Candida albicans. 1 and 2 and showed moderate activity against Candida albicans. 3, whereas it was ineffective against “Candida species. 1.” The 1,4-dioxan extract was effective against Candida albicans. 1, Candida albicans. 2, and Candida species. 1 and was ineffective against Candida albicans. 3. The benzyl alcoholic extract was ineffective in showing any kind of acti...
TL;DR: The results confirmed the use of the plant as an antidysentery caused by trichomonas but refute the antidiabetic and stimulant ethnomedical claims for the plant.
Abstract: Based on sethnomedicine, Murraya koenigii. (L.) Spreng. is used as a stimulant, antidysentery, and for the management of diabetes mellitus. Twelve carbazole alkaloids were isolated from the stem, seed, and leaf of the plant growing in Nigeria and Sri Lanka. The methanol extracts were devoid of hypoglycemic activity, and some isolates decreased insulin secretion when they were subjected to both in vivo. and in vitro. (insulin secretion from INS-1 cells) antidiabetic tests. The cytotoxicity of the leaf and stem methanol extracts determined by the brine shrimp lethality bioassay were LC50 61.5 and 14.5 µg/ml, respectively. These extracts caused CNS depression in albino mice at the dose levels of 25–400 mg/kg. Also, they had an IC50 of 34.0 and 35.0 µg/ml at 24 h, respectively, against trichomonas. These results confirmed the use of the plant as an antidysentery caused by trichomonas but refute the antidiabetic and stimulant ethnomedical claims for the plant. The differences observed in their alkaloid...
TL;DR: Sida cordifolia is commonly known as bala and widely used in Ayurveda as mentioned in this paper, and the comparative antioxidant potential of ethanol extracts of Sida Cordifolia.
Abstract: Sida cordifolia. Linn. (Malvaceae) is commonly known as bala. and widely used in Ayurveda. The comparative antioxidant potential of ethanol extracts of Sida cordifolia. leaf, stem, root, and whole ...
TL;DR: C. kurdica.
Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of the ethyl acetate, acetone, chloroform, and ethanol extracts from the Centaurca species C. ptosomipappoides Wagenitz, C. odyssei Wagenitz, C. ptosomipappa Hayek, C. amonicola Hub. Mon, and C. kurdica Reichardt (Compositae) were investigated by agar-well diffusion assay, and all of the extracts exhibited an antimicrobial effect against most of the bacteria and all of the yeasts tested. Although the plants and extracts differed in their activities against the microorganisms tested, the extracts displayed no antifungal activity against the fungi tested. Ethyl acetate extracts showed most significant inhibitory activity, and the yeasts were more suscebtible to the extracts than the bacteria in general. Therefore, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of only ethyl acetate extracts of the samples was determined for some bacteria and the yeasts. In conclusion, C. kurdica was the most active antimicrobial plant. Ethyl acetate extract of C. odyssei and C. kurdica should be further evaluated against human pathogenic yeast isolates, as its antimicrobial activity is stronger than the standard antibiotic ketokonazole.
TL;DR: The antioxidant activities of the lyophilized extracts obtained from aerial parts of 17 species of Sideritis were compared, of which 15 taxa were endemic and showed a strong antioxidant activity with the DPPH test.
Abstract: Sideritis L species are widely used as medicinal plants and as herbal teas in Turkey, in which 45 species of the genus are naturally found The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of Sideritis species found in the Mediterranean region In this study, the antioxidant activities of the lyophilized extracts obtained from aerial parts of 17 species (18 taxa) of Sideritis were compared, of which 15 taxa were endemic The antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts were studied by two different techniques: qualitative DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical) assay to detect the free radical scavenging activity and the TBA assay to detect liposome lipid peroxidation All the extracts (except S erithrantha subsp erithrantha, S dichotoma, S syriaca subsp nusariensis, S tmolea) showed a strong antioxidant activity with the DPPH test High activity was observed in the S brevibracteata (IC50 mg/ml = 016), S condensata (IC50 mg/ml = 033), S serratifolia (IC50
TL;DR: The superior intracellular and extracellular inhibition of M. tuberculosis.
Abstract: Naphthoquinones and triterpenes isolated from the roots of Euclea natalensis. A.DC (Ebenaceae) were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.. Crude extract, diospyrin and 7-methyljuglone isolated from the plant, exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations of 8.0, 8.0, and 0.5 µg ml-1, respectively, against M. tuberculosis. H37 Rv (ATCC 27294), a drug-sensitive strain. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 7- methyljuglone against a panel of clinical pan-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. ranged from 0.32 to 1.25 µg/ml. The concentration of 7-methyljuglone that effected a 90% reduction of growth of M. tuberculosis. Erdman within J774.1 macrophages was 0.57 µg/ml. The superior intracellular and extracellular inhibition of M. tuberculosis. by 7-methyljuglone relative to that of the antituberculosis drugs streptomycin and ethambutol suggests that this compound be considered as a lead for further investigations.
TL;DR: Analysis of an aqueous leaf extract of Ixora coccinea showed strong antihistamine and antioxidant activities that can account for its anti-inflammatory potential, and inhibition of prostaglandins and bradykinins may play a role.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the antiinflammatory potential of an aqueous leaf extract (ALE) of Ixora coccinea (Rubiaceae) in rats after oral administration (500, 1000 and 1500 mg=kg). This was done using the carrageenan-induced paw edema (acute inflammatory model) and cotton pellet granuloma tests (chronic inflammatory model). In the former test, ALE significantly impaired both early and late phases of the inflammatory response and also the edema maintained between the two phases. In the latter test, it significantly suppressed granuloma formation (only highest dose tested). Collectively, these data show promising anti-inflammatory activity against both acute and chronic inflammation. ALE showed strong antihistamine and antioxidant activities that can account for its anti-inflammatory potential. In addition, inhibition of prostaglandins and bradykinins may play a role.
TL;DR: In this article, the antidiabetic activity of the cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale Linn. [Anacardiaceae]) stem-bark methanol extract was investigated in fructose-fed (diabetic) and normal rats.
Abstract: The antidiabetic activity of the cashew plant (Anacardium occidentale Linn. [Anacardiaceae]) stem-bark methanol extract was investigated in fructose-fed (diabetic) and normal rats. Animals were randomly divided into group A (control), group B (treated with 200.0 mg=kg body weight of the extract; orally), group C (fed with enriched fructose diet only, 25% ;w =w) and group D (fed with enriched fructose diet along with 200.0 mg=kg body weight of the extract; orally). Animals were treated with extract and=or enriched fructose diet for 21 days. The enriched fructose diet resulted in significant increases in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol= HDL-cholesterol ratio, malonyldialdehyde, total protein, urea, and creatinine. Administration of the extract significantly prevented changes in plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol=HDL-cholesterol ratio, malonyldialdehyde, urea, and creatinine induced by enriched fructose diet. On the other hand, treatment with enriched fructose diet and=or extract did not have any significant effect on plasma alkaline phosphatase level. These results show that chronic oral administration of methanol extract of Anacardium occidental stem-bark at a dose of 200.0 mg=kg kg body weight may be a safe alternative antihyperglycemic agent that has beneficial effect by improving plasma glucose and lipids in fructose-induced diabetic rats, which is associated with a reduced lipid peroxidation.
TL;DR: Four coumarins (ostruthin, imperatorin, ostruthol, and oxypeucedanin hydrate) and a chromone derivative (peucenin) were found to inhibit AChE activity in this bioassay.
Abstract: Different plant extracts have been screened by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) bioautography in an effort to discover new acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The CH2Cl2 extract of Peucedanum ostruthium. (L.) Koch roots exhibited significant inhibition of AChE -l activity. Active constituents were isolated by bioguided fractionation using almost exclusively centrifugal partition chromatography. Four coumarins (ostruthin, imperatorin, ostruthol, and oxypeucedanin hydrate) and a chromone derivative (peucenin) were found to inhibit AChE activity in this bioassay.
TL;DR: Of the methods tested, the tube dilution assay best addresses the solubility and volatility concerns of essential oils and favor the determination of MIC using INT because of several eliminated steps.
Abstract: The lack of solubility and the high degree of volatility of essential oils present significant problems to determining the biological effects of these oils. The activity of 10 essential oils and 4 essential oil blends against a Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus., and a yeast, Candida albicans., was compared using a dilution assay and two diffusion methods. The tube dilution assay, using a 0.2% agar solution to provide a stable homogeneous dispersion of oils, was used to measure minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The relative merits of using p.-iodonitro tetrazolium dye (INT) or optical density (OD) in measuring MIC of essential oils also were evaluated. All 14 oils were active against both microorganisms. Thyme, mountain savory, and Turkish oregano were the most active oils against S. aureus. with MICs of 0.31–0.42 µl/ml. Thyme, Turkish oregano, and mountain savory also were the most active against C. albicans. with MICs of 0.31–0.42 µl/ml. The MIC values as determined by INT o...
TL;DR: The chemical composition of the essential oil of the toothbrush tree Salvadora persica was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Abstract: Chemical composition of the essential oil of the stem of the toothbrush tree Salvadora persica. L. grown in Jordan was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil obtained by hydrodistillation (yield: 0.6% w/w) was determined as a mixture of monoterpene hydrocarbons (11%), oxygenated monoterpenes (54%), and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (21%). The major components identified were 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (46%), α-caryophellene (13.4%), β-pinene (6.3%), and 9-epi.-(E.)-caryophellene. The antimicrobial activity of the volatile oils and aqueous and alcohol extracts of the plant has been also evaluated. Among all tested fractions, the volatile oils exhibited potent activity against both sensitive and resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (Schroeter and Migula) and Staphylococcos aureus. (Rosenbach). Moreover, the oil revealed significant inhibition against Candida albicans. (C. P. Robin) and Trichosporon cutaneum. (Beurm, Govgerot and Vaucher).
TL;DR: It is concluded that patuletin possesses an antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging effects in AFB1-treated rats that can be observed at a dose as low as 7.5 mg/kg b.w.
Abstract: In a previous study, we reported six flavonoids isolated from the methanol extract of Urtica urens L. Patuletin, the major component, was found to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. We have now investigated whether patuletin also has antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging effects in rats treated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (60) were assigned to 6 experimental groups including a control group and groups treated for 10 days with patuletin at low dose (7.5 mg/kg b.w) or high dose (10 mg/kg b.w) with or without AFB1 (2 mg/kg b.w). Blood samples were collected at the end of the experimental period for biochemical analysis. The results showed significant changes typical to aflatoxicosis in rats treated only with AFB1. Patuletin at the two tested doses caused an increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); high doses also caused an increase in liver and kidney enzymes, except total bilirubin (TB), which was in the norma...
TL;DR: Seven methanol extracts of seven plants from seven plant families were screened for antimalarial properties in the Tivland ethnobotany in the Middle Belt Zone of Nigeria, with a multiresistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum.
Abstract: Seven methanol extracts of seven plants from seven plant families were screened for antimalarial properties. The plants were identified and selected from Gboko and Kastina-Ala local government areas in the Tivland ethnobotany in the Middle Belt Zone of Nigeria. Methanol plant extracts were evaluated for in vitro. antimalarial properties using the lactate dehydrogenase technique, with a multiresistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. K1. Quantification of activity was by estimation of the concentration of extracts that inhibited 50% growth of parasite (IC50) in µg/ml. Of the seven plants screened, Erythrina senegalensis. DC (Leguminosae), Pericopsis elata. Harms (Papilionaceae), and Bridelia micrantha. Benth (Fabaceae) had IC50 values of 99.7, 124.8, and 158.7 µg/ml, respectively. Nauclea latifolia. SM (Rubiaceae) extract exhibited the least activity in the assay with an IC50 value of 478.9 µg/ml.
TL;DR: The antioxidant activity of different extracts of aerial parts of Otostegia persica were evaluated using β-carotene bleaching and lipid peroxidation models as mentioned in this paper, and five compounds were separated and purified from the methanol extract by column and paper chromatography.
Abstract: The antioxidant activity of different extracts of aerial parts of Otostegia persica. (Burm.) Boiss., Labiateae were evaluated using β-carotene bleaching and lipid peroxidation models. The inhibitory activity of these extracts on the peroxidation of linoleic acid was measured by ammonium thiocyanate in comparison to green tea [Camellia Sinensis. (L.) Kuntze] Ginkgo biloba. L., and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). A methanol extract of the plant exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Five compounds were separated and purified from the methanol extract by column and paper chromatography, respectively. Three isolated flavonols showed significant antioxidant activity comparable to BHA and vitamin E in both methods. These active compounds were identified by UV, IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and MS spectroscopies as morin, kaempferol, and quercetin. The only identified C.-glucoflavone (isovitexin) also exhibited interesting antioxidant activity, but weaker than the flavonols. trans.-Cinnamic acid showed no act...
TL;DR: Eleven green algae belonging to the phyla Volvocophyta Chlorophyta, and Charophyta were collected from various freshwater habitats of Sindh (Pakistan) during February 1995 and November 1998 and investigated, revealing differences in their fatty acid, sterol and terpene compositions as well as in their bioactivities.
Abstract: Eleven green algae belonging to the phyla Volvocophyta Chlorophyta, and Charophyta were collected from various freshwater habitats of Sindh (Pakistan) during February 1995 and November 1998 and inv...
TL;DR: The composition of the water-distilled essential oils of the berries and leaves of Juniperus excelsa were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and found to be α-pinen, cedrol, α-muurolene, and 3-carene.
Abstract: The composition of the water-distilled essential oils of the berries and leaves of Juniperus excelsa. M. Bieb. were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main components in the berries of J. excelsa., accounting for 56.1% of the oil, were determined as α-pinene (34.0%), cedrol (12.3%), L-verbenol (5.4%), and D-verbenol (4.4%) while in the leaves of J. excelsa., accounting for 63.2% of the oil, were found to be α-pinen (29.7%), cedrol (25.3%), α-muurolene (4.4%), and 3-carene (3.8%). Cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential of the berries and leaves of J. excelsa. were investigated.