An evaluation of the hemostatic effects of hydrophilic, alcohol, and lipophilic extracts of notoginseng.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the hemostatic effects of hydrophilic, alcohol, or lipophilic extract of notoginseng with those of the control and placebo. DESIGN: Hemorrhagic rat model. SETTING: Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut; animals were housed at the Hartford Hospital animal facility. ANIMALS: Sixty-two male Wistar rats. Intervention. Administration of placebo (wheat flour), and alcohol, hydrophilic (water), and lipophilic (hexane) extracts of notoginseng. METHODS: Rats were divided into five groups, and their tails were transected 5 mm from the tip. Group 1 received no treatment (control), group 2 received placebo, group 3 received alcohol extract, group 4 received hydrophilic extract, and group 5 received lipophilic extract. Total bleeding time was determined and compared among the groups. MAIN RESULTS: Bleeding time was shorter for the placebo group than the control group (p=0.035). The alcohol extract group had the shortest bleeding time, which was significantly shorter than that of the control (p<0.0001), placebo (p=0.0124), and lipophilic extract groups (p=0.002). The hydrophilic extract group had a shorter bleeding time than the control group (p=0.0058) and showed a trend toward shorter bleeding time than the lipophilic extract group (p=0.068). CONCLUSIONS: The alcohol extract of notoginseng results in the shortest bleeding time and provides better hemostatic effects than no treatment, placebo treatment, and treatment with lipophilic extract.     

Antioxidant,antimicrobial, antitumor,and cytotoxic activities of an important medicinal plant (Euphorbia royleana) from Pakistan

The aim of present study was to evaluate antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities of methanol, hexane, and aqueous extracts of fresh Euphorbia royleana. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated as gallic acid and querectin equivalents, respectively. Antioxidant activity was assessed by scavenging of free 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals and reduction of ferric ions, and it was observed that inhibition values increase linearly with increase in concentration of extract. The results of ferric reducing antioxidant power assay showed that hexane extract has maximum ferric reducing power (12.70 ± 0.49mggallic acid equivalents/g of plant extract). Maximum phenolic (47.47 ± 0.71 μg gallic acid equivalents/mg of plant extract) and flavonoid (63.68 ± 0.43 μg querectin equivalents/mg of plant extract) contents were also found in the hexane extract. Furthermore, we examined antimicrobial activity of the three extracts (methanol, hexane, aqueous) against a panel of microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtillis, Pasteurella multocida, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani) by disc-diffusion assay, and found the hexane extract to be the best antimicrobial agent. Hexane extract was also observed as to be most effective in a potato disc assay. As hexane extract showed potent activity in all the investigated assays, it was targeted for cytotoxic assessment. Maximum cytotoxicity (61.66%) by hexane extract was found at 800 μg/mL. It is concluded that investigated extracts have potential for isolation of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds for the pharmaceutical industry.     

Stability,permeation, and cytotoxicity reduction of capsicum extract nanoparticles loaded hydrogel containing wax gourd extract

The aim of this study was to develop hydrogel loaded with capsicum extract nanoparticles and wax gourd extract for transdermal delivery of capsaicin. The addition of wax gourd extract was supposed to reduce cytotoxicity of capsaicin in capsicum extract against HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. Capsicum extract nanoparticles were prepared by solvent displacement method using hyaluronic acid as a stabilizer. The physical and chemical stability of capsicum extract nanoparticles were investigated by dynamic light scattering technique and UV–Visible spectrophotometry, respectively. Hydrogel loaded with capsicum extract nanoparticles and wax gourd fruit extract was then formulated by using Carbopol 940® as a gelling agent for transdermal delivery. The skin permeability of capsaicin from the hydrogel was evaluated by Franz diffusion cell approach. The cytotoxicity reduction of capsicum extract nanoparticles and capsicum extract nanoparticles by mixing with wax gourd extract was determined by MTT assay The results showed that capsicum extract nanoparticles exhibited an average diameter of 168.4 ± 5.3 nm with a polydispersity index and zeta potential value of 0.26 ± 0.01 and −45.7 ± 7.1 mV, respectively. After two month-storage, particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential values of capsicum extract nanoparticles stored at 4° C, 30° C, and 45 °C did not significantly change. The capsaicin content decreased to 78%, 71%, and 72% when stored at 4 °C, 30 °C, and 45 °C for three months, respectively. The pH values of hydrogel containing capsicum extract nanoparticles were found to be in the range of 5.58–6.05 indicating good stability. The hydrogel exhibited a pseudoplastic character. The rate of permeation flux of capsaicin from hydrogel was 7.96 µg/cm²/h. A significant increase in cell viability was observed when the cells were incubated with capsicum extract nanoparticles mixed with wax gourd, compared to capsicum extract nanoparticles alone. The wax gourd extract in the hydrogel protected HaCaT cells from capsaicin cytotoxicity, thus may provide a new approach for delivery of capsaicin to reduce cytotoxicity to skin cells.     

Antibacterial, antiviral, antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties of Brackenridgea zanguebarica (Ochnaceae)

Brackenridgea zanguebarica is a small tree that is used in traditional African medicine as a type of cure-all for many diseases, including the treatment of wounds. The yellow bark of B. zanguebarica was used for the preparation of an ethanolic extract, which was tested in various concentrations against eleven bacteria, Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and different human tumour cell lines. The extract that contains different polyphenolic substances like calodenin B. Cell growth inhibition, assessed via MTT-assay, was found in all tested human cell lines with IC50 values (concentration of extract that reduced cell viability by 50%) between 33 microg dry extract/mL for HL-60 human myeloid leukaemia cells and 93 microg dry extract/mL for HaCaT human keratinocytes. Staining with Annexin-V-FLUOS and JC-1 followed by subsequent analysis via flow cytometry revealed significant apoptosis-inducing properties. Analysis of caspase activity using a fluorogenic caspase-3 substrate showed a significant caspase activity in Jurkat T-cells after incubation with the extract. The bark extract had a pronounced activity against free HSV-1 and a strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive strains (MICs: 6-24 microg dry extract/mL), which are often involved in skin infections. Additionally, no irritating properties of the extract could be observed in hen-egg test chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay. These findings give a rationale for the traditional use of B. zanguebarica and are a basis for further analysis of the plant's components, their biological activity, and its use in modern phytotherapy.     

Jaboticaba,a Brazilian jewel,source of antioxidant and wound healing promoter

This study aims to evaluate properties as antioxidant activity, solar protection factor (SPF) and wound healing ability of jaboticaba peel's extract by in vitro methods. Jaboticaba peels were removed, dried, and then subjected to extraction method using ethanol. The extract was in vitro evaluated for preliminary studies about SPF, antioxidant activity and wound healing assay. Thereafter the extract was incorporated in an oil-in-water emulsion (phytocosmetic). The phytocosmetic was submitted to stability study and in vitro SPF evaluation. The extract's showed purple color with in vitro SPF of 24.86, stimulated keratinocytes migration after 9 h of exposition and presented antioxidant activity. The incorporation of the extract gave the phytocosmetic formulation a light pink shade with an in vitro SPF of 19.00. Under stress conditions, the formulation was stable, especially when stored in low temperatures. Jaboticaba peel extract promoted wound healing in vitro presenting SPF and antioxidant activity. Final phytocosmetic formulation was stable when stored protect from light and heat, indicating that Jaboticaba extract can be used to develop products to protect skin against aging and sun exposure.     

Phytochemical standardization,antioxidant, and antibacterial evaluations of Leea macrophylla: A wild edible plant

In Ayurveda, Leea macrophylla Roxb. ex Hornem. (Leeaceae) is indicated in worm infestation, dermatopathies, wounds, inflammation, and in symptoms of diabetes. The present study aims to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial potential of ethanolic extract and its different fractions of Leea macrophylla root tubers using phytochemical profiling which is still unexplored. Quantitative estimations of different phytoconstituents along with characterization of ethanol extract using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed using chlorogenic acid as a marker compound for the first time. The extract and its successive fractions were also evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using different models. The extract was further tested against a few Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria for its antibacterial activity. Phytochemical screening and quantitative estimations revealed the extract to be rich in alkaloid, flavonoid, phenols, and tannins, whereas chlorogenic acid quantified by HPLC in ethanol extract was 9.01% w/w. The results also indicated potential antioxidant and antibacterial activity, which was more prominent in the extract followed by its butanol fraction.     

Isolation and Hypoglycemic Activity of Ephedrans A, B, C, D and E, Glycans of Ephedra distachya Herbs1.

Administration of an aqueous methanol/water extract of the Oriental crude drug "maō" (Ephedra), EPHEDRA DISTACHYA herbs, caused transient hyperglycemia followed by long lasting hypoglycemia in mice. Activity-guided fractionation of the extract led to isolation of five glycans, ephedrans A, B, C, D and E, which exhibited significant hypoglycemic effects in normal and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice.     

蛇床子的镇静催眠作用、宿醉反应和耐受性

目的研究蛇床子镇静催眠作用的有效性、宿醉反应和耐受性。方法观察蛇床子生药、醇提物对小鼠自主活动和对戊巴比妥钠催眠剂量潜伏期和睡眠时间的影响;观察蛇床子醇提物对小鼠醒后自主活动的影响,及其重复给药对自主活动和催眠实验的影响。结果蛇床子生药、65%、95%醇提物组小鼠自主活动次数显著低于空白对照组,且睡眠时间均显著长于空白对照组;地西泮、65%醇提物组小鼠睡前站立次数显著少于空白对照组;65%、95%醇提物组小鼠醒后活动次数均显著高于空白对照组;蛇床子生药、65%、95%醇提物组小鼠于给药第1、3、5、15天站立次数均少于空白对照组。对自主活动抑制作用是逐渐加强的,而地西泮对自主活动均数的影响在给药后的前5d逐渐减少,第15天次数增加。蛇床子各给药组睡眠时间均数随用药时间的延长而增加,而地西泮则反之。结论蛇床子镇静催眠作用显著,且宿醉反应和耐受性等较地西泮小。     

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-oedematous effects of Lafoensia pacari extract and ellagic acid

Lafoensia pacari St. Hil. (Lythraceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation. Previously, we demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect that the ethanolic extract of L. pacari has in Toxocara canis infection (a model of systemic eosinophilia). In this study, we tested the anti-inflammatory activity of the same L. pacari extract in mice injected intraperitoneally with beta-glucan present in fraction 1 (F1) of the Histoplasma capsulatum cell wall (a model of acute eosinophilic inflammation). We also determined the anti-oedematous, analgesic and anti-pyretic effects of L. pacari extract in carrageenan-induced paw oedema, acetic acid writhing and LPS-induced fever, respectively. L. pacari extract significantly inhibited leucocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity induced by beta-glucan. In addition, the L. pacari extract presented significant analgesic, anti-oedematous and anti-pyretic effects. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the L. pacari extract in the F1 model led us to identify ellagic acid. As did the extract, ellagic acid presented anti-inflammatory, anti-oedematous and analgesic effects. However, ellagic acid had no anti-pyretic effect, suggesting that other compounds present in the plant stem are responsible for this effect. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate potential therapeutic effects of L. pacari extract and ellagic acid, providing new prospects for the development of drugs to treat pain, oedema and inflammation.     

Evaluation of aqueous extract of Felicia muricata leaves for anti-inflammatory,antinociceptive, and antipyretic activities

Context: Felicia muricata Thunb. (Nees) (Asteraceae) leaves are used in folklore medicine of South Africa as an oral remedy for pain and inflammation. However, the efficacy of the plant part is yet to be validated with scientific experiments.

Objective: The current study is an effort to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and antipyretic activities of aqueous extract of F. muricata leaves.

Materials and methods: The phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of Felicia muricata leaves and the efficacy of the extract at the doses of 50, 100, and 200?mg/kg body weight was investigated in experimental animals using several models of inflammation (paw edema induced by carrageenan and egg albumin), nociception (acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced pain and tail immersion), and fever (brewer’s yeast-induced hyperthermia).

Results: The extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolics. The extract dose-dependently reduced (P <0.05) the number of writhes and stretches induced by acetic acid, number of licks induced by formalin, paw volumes induced by carrageenan and egg albumin. The reaction time by the tail of the extract-treated animals to the hot water also increased. The extract also reduced hyperthermia induced by brewer’s yeast. The highest dose (200?mg/kg body weight of the extract) produced the best result in all cases.

Discussion and conclusion: This study revealed that the aqueous extract of Felicia muricata leaves possessed anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic activities. These findings have therefore supported the use of aqueous extract of Felicia muricata leaves in the traditional medicine of South Africa as an oral remedy for pains, inflammation, and fever.     

Isolation and Hypoglycemic Activity of Aconitans A, B, C and D, Glycans of Aconitum carmichaeli Roots1.

An aqueous methanol/water extract of the Oriental crude drug "bushi", ACONITUM CARMICHAELI roots from Japan, markedly reduced the blood sugar level in mice. Activity-guided fractionation of the extract furnished four glycans, aconitans A, B, C and D. These glycans exhibited prominent hypoglycemic effects in normal and alloxan-produced hyperglycemic mice.     

Isolation and Hypoglycemie Activity of Oryzarans A, B, C, and D: Glycans of Oryza sativa Roots1.

A water extract of the Oriental crude drug "tōkon", the roots of ORYZA SATIVA, noticeably reduced blood sugar concentration in mice. The extract was fractionated by monitoring the activity to yield four glycans, oryzarans A, B, C, and D which remarkably lowered blood sugar level in normal and alloxan-produced diabetic mice.     

Effects of eppikahangeto, a Kampo formula, and Ephedrae herba against citric acid-induced laryngeal cough in guinea pigs

To evaluate the efficacy of three common antitussive Kampo formulas, eppikahangeto (EPP), bakumondoto (BAK), and shoseiryutogomakyokansekito (SGM), a new cough model of guinea pig was used, which could specifically induce a laryngeal cough by microinjection of citric acid solution into the larynx. Kampo extract was dissolved in water and the animals were given access ad libitum for 3 days, and then the number of coughs during 10 min was counted. EPP extract decreased the number of coughs dose-dependently (0.3% extract, -22.9 +/- 6.6%, P<0.01; 1.0% extract, -32.4 +/- 5.5%, P<0.01). BAK extract and SGM extract had no significant effect. Intraperitoneal injection of codeine (60 mg/kg) also decreased the number of coughs (-36.1 +/- 9.1%, P<0.05). Furthermore, Ephedrae herba (EH) extract reduced the number of coughs (-18.3 +/- 6.0%, P<0.05), but the extract of EPP without EH did not. These results suggest that EPP has an antitussive effect against laryngeally-induced cough in guinea pigs, and the crucial herbal medicine is EH.     

Evaluation of the antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of ethanolic extract of Ammi majus seeds in albino rats and mice

Pharmacological and biochemical studies on the Ammi majus seeds L. (family Umbelliferae) grown in Egypt are limited. Furocoumarins are the major constituents in the plant seeds. In the present study, the evaluation of the antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities on albino rats and mice was done. After 2 months of administration, both the doses (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight [bwt], respectively) of the alcoholic extract of the A. majus seed result in a significant decrease in the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein and increase in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein. The extract was found to inhibit the rat paw edema at both the doses, which means that it exerts a significant anti-inflammatory activity compared with control-untreated groups at the intervals of 30 and 60 minutes posttreatment. The antipyretic effect of the extract was quite obvious; it showed that 100 mg/kg bwt was more potent in lowering body temperature starting after 1 hour of treatment than the lower dose (50 mg/kg bwt). It is worth to mention that the A. majus extract with its coumarin contents as well as the tested biological activities of the plant was investigated for the first time in the current study. In conclusion, ethanolic extract of the A. majus seeds had antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities that are dose dependant.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of cryptotanshinone,tanshinone IIA,dihydrotanshinone I,and tanshinone I after oral administration of pure tanshinones and liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza to rats

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), dihydrotanshinone I (diTan I), and tanshinone I (Tan I) are the main active compounds in the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The differences in the pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution behaviors of the four tanshinones after oral administration of the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and pure compounds are not clear. This study aims to compare the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the four tanshinones after oral administration of pure tanshinone monomers and the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) analysis method was developed for the determination of the four tanshinones. The results showed that the AUC and C_max of tanshinones in rats receiving the extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza were significantly increased compared with those receiving the pure tanshinones. In the tissue distribution experiments, the AUC of the four tanshinones in the extract was much greater than the AUC of the monomers in the lung, heart, kidney, liver, and brain, and the coexisting constituents particularly promoted the distribution of tanshinones into tissues that the drug cannot sufficiently penetrate. These findings suggested that the coexisting constituents in the liposoluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza play an important role in the alteration of plasma concentration and tissue distribution of the four tanshinones. Understanding these differences could be of significance for the development and application of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract and tanshinone components.     

Isolation and Hypoglycemie Activity of Anemarans A, B, C and D, Glycans of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Rhizomes1.

An aqueous methanol/water extract of the Oriental crude drug "chimo", ANEMARRHENA ASPHODELOIDES rhizomes, exhibited a marked hypoglycemie activity on dosing to mice. Fractionation of the extract, by monitoring the pharmacological activity, resulted in isolation of four glycans, anamerans A, B, C and D. These constituents displayed significant hypoglycemie effects in normal and alloxan-produced hyperglycemie mice.     

Antimicrobial and radical modulation activity of AV-07, a poly-herbal formula

An extract of AV-07 was investigated for various biological activities. Pretreatment of mice with the AV-07 extract significantly protected them from lethal infection with E. coli. ESR spectroscopy showed that the extract produced radicals under alkaline conditions and enhanced the radical intensity of sodium ascorbate, suggesting its pro-oxidant action at higher concentrations. The extract effectively scavenged superoxide anion, produced by hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction and hydroxyl radical, produced by Fenton reaction. These data demonstrate that AV-07 extract contains various bioactive substances, suggesting its medicinal efficacy.     

Phytochemical, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Delonix regia leaves extract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is considered the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Thus, the present study was designed to test for the first time the putative cytotoxic effect of Delonix regia extract, besides its hepatoprotective activity. In this context, this study targets four specific aims; first, the phytochemical investigation of D. regia extract which led to the isolation of seven flavonoid glycosides; Kaempferol 3-rhamnoside 1, Quercetin 3-rhamnoside 2, Kaempferol 3-glucoide 3, Kaempferol 3-rutinoside 4, Kaempferol 3-neohesperidoside 5, Quercetin 3-rutinoside 6 and Quercetin 3-glucoside 7. Second, the evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic activity of the extract, where the extract exhibited a potent cytotoxic effect against HepG2 cell line. Third, the hepatoprotective activity was investigated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury. The plant extract at dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase as well as total and direct bilirubin in a dose dependent manner. The fourth aim was the investigation of the antioxidant activity of the extract as the treatment of rats with the extract at different doses significantly increased the liver tissue level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity and decreased the level of malondialdehyde as compared to CCl₄ treated group. The current findings concluded that the extract of D. regia possessed not only a significant anticancer effect against HepG2 cells, but also an effective and a dose dependent hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities due to the presence of flavonoids content.     

LC characterisation of guaco medicinal extracts, Mikania laevigata and M. glomerata, and their effects on allergic pneumonitis

The leaves of guaco (Mikania glomerata and M. laevigata) are widely used for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis. An LC method for the quantification of coumarin and O-coumaric acid in medicinal extracts was developed and validated for linearity, limit of detection, accuracy, precision, as well as intra- and inter-day variations. Extracts and isolated markers were tested in the mice allergic pneumonitis model and the histopathological profile of the lung tissue was analysed. The values found for coumarin and O-coumaric acid in a fluid extract were 1.53 and 1.69 mg/mL, respectively, for M. glomerata, and 0.96 and 0.38 mg/mL for M. laevigata. The values found for the lyophilised aqueous extract were 0.22 and 0.11 mg/mL of coumarin and O-coumaric acid in M. glomerata and 0.05 and 0.02 mg/mL in M. laevigata, respectively . The analysed samples from the species M. glomerata presented more coumarin and O-coumaric acid than the analogous M. laevigata species. Both coumarin and O-coumaric acid are part of the phytocomplex which is responsible for the therapeutic activity of the guaco species. The lyophilisation process generated some alterations in the extract, in comparison with the fresh aqueous extract, and these extracts did not present anti-inflammatory activity. Comparing the histopathological images of the groups tested, a haemorrhagic profile of lung tissue of animals treated with lyophilised extract, O-coumaric acid and coumarin is observed, but not for the group treated with hydroalcoholic extract. It is probable that some protective effect of the whole extract (lost during the lyophilisation process) blocks the harmful effects of the isolated markers.