Effect of the crude extract of Vernonia polyanthes Less. on blood pressure and renal sodium excretion in unanesthetized rats.

This study evaluated the effect of oral crude Vernonia polyanthes Less. hydroalcoholic extract administration (CHE, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg body wt., daily for 7 days) on arterial blood pressure and renal sodium excretion in conscious rats. CHE administration decreased arterial blood pressure dose-dependently followed by a significant rise in creatinine clearance and a fall in fractional post-proximal sodium excretion was compared to the control group. These results suggest that blood pressure decrease induced by the oral crude Vernonia hydroalcoholic extract may be blunted by reduction of the post-proximal renal sodium excretion. Thus, the present study shows that Vernonia extract is a potential vasodilatation agent in normotensive rats without any effects on renal tubule autoregulation mechanisms.     

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Alstonia macrophylla Wall ex A. DC. leaf extract.

Methanolic extract of dried leaves of Alstonia macrophylla Wall ex A. DC. and its fractions were investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity. The extract at a concentration of 200 mg kg(-1) and 400 mg kg(-1), p.o. and its fractions at 25 mg kg(-1) and 50 mg kg(-1), p.o. showed the significant dose dependent antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan and dextran-induced rats hind paw edema (acute models) as well as in cotton pellet-induced granuloma (chronic model) in rats. Anti-inflammatory activity of the tested extract and its fractions was comparable with that of the standard drug Indomethacin (10 mg kg(-1)).     

Evaluation of anti-diarrheal activity of Cleome viscosa L. extract in rats.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a methanol extract of the entire plant Cleome viscosa L. (CVME) (Family; Capparidaceae) for its anti-diarrheal potential against some of the experimental models of diarrhea in rats. CVME showed significant inhibitory activity against castor-oil-induced diarrhea and PGE2 induced enteropooling in rats. The extract also showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in the charcoal meal test in rats. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the folklore claim as an anti-diarrheal agent.     

Acute oral toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extract from Lampaya medicinalis Phil in rats

Background

Algesia and inflammation are related with several pathological conditions. It is known that many drugs available for the treatment of these problems cause unwanted side effects. This study was aimed at evaluating acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of Lampaya medicinalis Phil. (Verbenaceae) widely used in the folk medicine of Northern Chile against rheumatism, arthritis and body joints pain.

Results

Oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) at the highest dose of 3000 mg/ Kg body weight resulted in no mortalities or evidence of significant behavioral changes. Histological examination revealed normal architecture and no significant adverse effects were observed on the liver, kidney, heart, lung or ovaries and testicles. The results suggest that the oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) from Lampaya medicinalis did not produce any toxic effect in rats. Hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema in dose – response relationship, at test doses of 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 mg/Kg body weight. Maximum inhibition (61.98 ± 2.69%) was noted at 300 mg/Kg after 2 h of drug treatment carrageenan induced paw edema, whereas indomethacin produced 47.90 ± 1.16% of inhibition. The inhibitory values of edema at 3 h postcarrageenan were 31.04±0.75%, 40.51 ± 2.36%, 48.97 ± 1.14% and 56.87 ± 0.41% for 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg of extract respectively. Indomethacin (10 mg/Kg) gave a percentage inhibition of 49.44 ± 1.44. HAE (300 and 150 mg/kg) induced an anti-inflammatory effect greater than (or comparable) with the effect of indomethacin from 2nd to 4th hours of the experiment.

Conclusions

Our results reveal for first time that compounds contained in the hydroalcoholic extract of Lampaya medicinalis Phil exert anti-inflammatory effect and the oral administration is safe and non toxic up to dose level 3000 mg/kg body weight. The anti-inflammatory activity may be associated with the presence of flavonoids. These findings also justify the traditional use of the plant for treating pain.     

Anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactones from the flower of Vernonia cinerea

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the hexane extract from the flowers of Vernonia cinerea (Asteraceae) led to the isolation of a new sesquiterpene lactone, 8α-hydroxyhirsutinolide (2), and a new naturally occurring derivative, 8α-hydroxyl-1-O-methylhirsutinolide (3), along with seven known compounds (1 and 4-9). The structures of the new compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and by comparison with the structure of compound 1, whose relative stereochemistry was determined by X-ray analysis. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cancer chemopreventive potential based on their ability to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced NF-κB activity. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, and 9 inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB activity with IC(50) values of 3.1, 1.9, 0.6, 5.2, and 1.6μM, respectively; compounds 4 and 6-9 exhibited significant NO inhibitory activity with IC(50) values of 2.0, 1.5, 1.2, 2.7, and 2.4μM, respectively.     

Evaluation of antipyretic potential of Clitoria ternatea L. extract in rats.

The methanol extract of Clitoria ternatea L. root (MECTR) blue flowered variety (Family: Fabaceae), was evaluated for its anti-pyretic potential on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats. Yeast suspension (10 ml/kg body wt.) increased rectal temperature after 19 hours of subcutaneous injection. The extract, at doses of 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body wt., p.o., produced significant reduction in normal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature in a dose-dependent manner. The effect extended up to 5 hours after the drug administration. The anti-pyretic effect of the extract was comparable to that of paracetamol (150 mg/kg body wt., p.o.), a standard anti-pyretic agent.     

Evaluation of anti-pyretic potential of Jussiaea suffruticosa L. extract in rats.

A study was carried out to evaluate the anti-pyretic potential of the methanol extract of the aerial part of Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn. (MEJS) on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats. Yeast suspension (10 ml/kg body wt.) increased rectal temperature after 19 hours of subcutaneous injection. The MEJS, at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt. p.o., showed significant reduction in normal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature in a dose-dependent manner. The effect also extended up to 5 hours after the drug administration. The anti-pyretic effect of MEJS was comparable to that of paracetamol (150 mg/kg body wt, p.o.), a standard anti-pyretic agent.     

Alkaloid production in Vernonia cinerea: Callus, cell suspension and root cultures

Fast-growing callus, cell suspension and root cultures of Vernonia cinerea, a medicinal plant, were analyzed for the presence of alkaloids. Callus and root cultures were established from young leaf explants in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media supplemented with combinations of auxins and cytokinins, whereas cell suspension cultures were established from callus cultures. Maximum biomass of callus, cell suspension and root cultures were obtained in the medium supplemented with 1 mg/L alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BA), 1.0 mg/L NAA and 0.1 mg/L BA and 1.5 mg/L NAA, respectively. The 5-week-old callus cultures resulted in maximum biomass and alkaloid contents (750 microg/g). Cell suspension growth and alkaloid contents were maximal in 20-day-old cultures and alkaloid contents were 1.15 mg/g. A 0.2-g sample of root tissue regenerated in semi-solid medium upon transfer to liquid MS medium containing 1.5 mg/L NAA regenerated a maximum increase in biomass of 6.3-fold over a period of 5 weeks. The highest root growth and alkaloid contents of 2 mg/g dry weight were obtained in 5-week-old cultures. Maximum alkaloid contents were obtained in root cultures in vitro compared to all others including the alkaloid content of in vivo obtained with aerial parts and roots (800 microg/g and 1.2 mg/g dry weight, respectively) of V. cinerea.     

Aphrodisiac activity of Butea frondosa Koen. ex Roxb. extract in male rats.

In the present study, the aphrodisiac activity of Butea frondonsa Koen. ex Roxb (Papillionaceae) bark extract was investigated. The extract (400 mg/kg body wt./day) was administered orally by gavage for 28 days. Mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), ejaculation latency (EL), mounting frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), ejaculation frequency (EF) and post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) were the parameters observed before and during the sexual behavior study at day 0, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. The extract reduced significantly ML, IL, EL and PEI (p < 0.05). The extract also increased significantly MF, IF and EF (p < 0.05). These effects were observed in sexually active and inactive male rats.     

Evaluation of anti-tussive activity of Bergenia ciliata Sternb. rhizome extract in mice.

The methanol extract of the rhizome of Bergenia ciliata Sternb. (Saxifragaceae) has been evaluated for its potential in a cough model induced by sulphur dioxide gas in mice. The extract exhibited significant anti-tussive activity in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with control. The antitussive activity of the extract was comparable to that of codeine phosphate (10 mg/kg body wt.), a standard anti-tussive agent. The extract at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt. (p.o.) showed significant inhibition of cough reflex by 28.7, 33.9 and 44.2%, respectively, within 90 min of the experiment.     

The anti-inflammatory properties of the methanolic extract of Cucumis melo Linn. against prostate enlargement in Wistar rats

In different parts of the world, Cucumis melo Linn. (C melo) is used for its medicinal properties. The present study examined the effects of a methanolic extract of C melo Linn. (F1 hybrid, MECM) on benign prostatic hyperplasia in adult male Wistar rats and evaluated its anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. MECM treatment reduced prostate weight mildly. Histopathological studies showed that the extract produced a strong protective effect against the development of BPH by testosterone. The MECM also showed protection from testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MECM was tested against carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats' paws to determine its anti-inflammatory activity. It was shown that MECM had a pronounced effect on the inflammatory response in the late phase, i.e., one hour after carrageenan injection. Prostaglandins and nitric oxide are primarily responsible for this phase indicating that MECM can modify the production and release of prostaglandin and nitric oxide. A novel formulation containing C melo may be able to treat the conditions mentioned above.     

The ecophysiological performance of Vernonia polyanthes Less. (Asteraceae) in conserved and degraded forests in the Brazilian Cerrado

This study was performed to determine whether the environmental conditions of the Cerrado domain could directly influence photosynthesis (primary metabolism) and essential oil production (secondary metabolism) in adult Vernonia polyanthes Less. plants. In the experiments of this investigation, which were conducted in two areas of the Cerrado (conserved and degraded) during the dry season (winter), leaf CO₂ assimilation rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, leaf water potential, soil potential and essential oil yield were evaluated. V. polyanthes plants exhibited outstanding growth in the conserved forests of the Brazilian Cerrado, with a higher leaf CO₂ assimilation rate, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, leaf water potential, soil potential and essential oil yield than in degraded regions of the Cerrado. Interestingly, the Cerrado sensu stricto was associated with lower performance with respect to essential oil yield and transpiration but no alteration of stomatal conductance, an essential determinant of gas exchange parameters. Our data suggest that ecophysiological effects in conserved and degraded areas in the Cerrado modify gas exchange and essential oil production in V. polyanthes.     

Study on the diuretic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seed extract in albino rats.

Methanol extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds (SPSE) was evaluated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. The SPSE was administered at the graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. The parameters which were taken into account during the experimental on each rat were: total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), body weight before and after the experiment, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. The total urine volumes of the SPSE (600 mg/kg)-treated rats were evaluated nearly two and half fold then compared with the control (saline treated) group. Excretion of cations (sodium and potassium ions) and anions (chloride ions) also increased significantly with respect to the control group. The diuretic effect was comparable with that of the standard drug Furosemide. The increase of cations in the urine on treatment with Strychnos potatorum seed extract (SPSE) was dose-dependent. This effect supports the use of the Strychnos potatorum seeds as a diuretic in folk remedies.     

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of plant lipids containing alpha-linolenic acid

Two groups of fatty acids are essential to the body, the omega6 (n6) series derived from linoleic acid (18:2, n-6) and the omega3 (n3) series derived from alpha-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3). Fatty acids provide energy, are an integral part of the cell membranes and are precursors of prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes collectively known as eicosanoids. Eicosanoids participate in development and synthesis of immunological and inflammatory responses. The fixed oils (1, 2, 3 ml/kg) containing alpha-linolenic acid, obtained from the seeds of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum), Soyabean (Glycine max) and Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) were screened for their antiinflammatory activity using carrageenan, leukotriene and arachidonic acid induced paw edema models in rats and the antiinflammatory effects were compared with the standard drug indomethacin. Significant inhibition of paw edema was produced by all the oils in the highest dose (3 ml/kg) in all the models. While O. sanctum oil produced the maximum percentage inhibition in leukotriene induced paw edema, L. usitatissimum oil produced maximum percentage inhibition in carrageenan and arachidonic acid induced paw edema models. The results show that oils with higher alpha-linolenic acid content (L. usitatissimum and O. sanctum) produced a greater inhibition of paw edema suggesting that modulation of the course of inflammatory disorders may be achieved by altering the eicosanoid precursor (i.e. poly unsaturated fatty acids: PUFA) availability through dietary manipulation.     

黄绿卷毛菇水提物对糖尿病大鼠机体抗氧化及抗炎作用初探

氧化应激被认为是糖尿病、肿瘤、肝病等多种疾病发生的一个关键危险因素。通过抗氧化剂阻断或延缓氧化反应和炎症过程,有望成为预防或治疗糖尿病的一种有效的干预手段。黄绿卷毛菇Floccularia luteovirens又名黄绿蜜环菌,是青藏高原特有的一种稀有珍贵的食药用菌,其子实体具有抗肿瘤、抗炎、抗氧化等诸多药理作用。在本研究中,我们初步探究了黄绿卷毛菇水提物（water extract of Floccularia luteoviren,FLW）对Ⅱ型糖尿病大鼠机体抗氧化和抗炎作用。二甲双胍及FLW连续灌胃给药8周,结果表明,FLW可以促进外源性葡萄糖的消耗,明显改善糖尿病大鼠的口服糖耐量;显著提高血清中SOD水平,显著降低血清中MDA及炎症因子IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6的释放。综上所述,FLW表现出较强的抗氧化和抗炎活性,对Ⅱ型糖尿病大鼠机体氧化应激和炎症具有良好的改善作用。     

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the ethanol extract of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves in rats

The leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana are commonly used for the treatment of pain, fever and ulcer by traditional medical practitioners without any scientific data to evaluate the appropriateness of some of the practices. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine whether the ethanol extract of Acalypha wilkesiana has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic as well as anti-ulcer effects. The hot plate latency assay and formalin- induced paw licking models were used to evaluate analgesic effects. Animals were divided into groups comprising of five rats each. There were control (administered saline) and reference (administered indomethacin) groups. Also there were three extract groups administered 25, 50 or 100 mg/Kg body weight of extracts. Ulcer was induced using absolute ethanol followed by pylorus ligation in all animals; inflammation was induced using carrageenan while pyrexia was induced by injecting brewer's yeast intramuscularly into the dorsal part of the abdominal cavities of the rats. Different sets of rats were used for the anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic studies although animal grouping for extract administration were as in analgesic studies. The results show that the extract produced dose-dependent and significant (p.     

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of Rheedia longifolia Planch & Triana

Rheedia longifolia Planch et Triana belongs to the Clusiaceae family. This plant is widely distributed in Brazil, but its chemical and pharmacological properties have not yet been studied. We report here that leaves aqueous extract of R. longifolia (LAE) shows analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Oral or intraperitoneal administration of this extract dose-dependently inhibited the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid in mice. The analgesic effect and the duration of action were similar to those observed with sodium diclofenac, a classical non-steroidal analgesic. In addition to the effect seen in the abdominal constriction model, LAE was also able to inhibit the hyperalgesia induced by lipopolysaccharide from gram-negative bacteria (LPS) in rats. We also found that R. longifolia LAE inhibited an inflammatory reaction induced by LPS in the pleural cavity of mice. Acute toxicity was evaluated in mice treated with the extract for seven days with 50 mg/kg/day. Neither death, nor alterations in weight, blood leukocyte counts or hematocrit were noted. Our results suggest that aqueous extract from R. longifolia leaves has analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity with minimal toxicity and are therefore endowed with a potential for pharmacological control of pain and inflammation.     

A rapid method for evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in rats

Carrageenin (2%) was used to produce edema and hyperalgesia; indomethacin, phenylbutazone, aspirin, ibuprofen, analgin, paracetamol and phenacetin were tested at different doses for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in the same rats as the peak for the edema reached at the end of 3rd hr and for the hyperalgesia at the end of 4th hr. Indomethacin, phenylbutazone and ibuprofen reduced edema and increased the pain threshold. Analgin and aspirin increased the pain threshold relatively at a low dose. Paracetamol and phenacetin were inactive in the doses tested. Carrageenin (2%) was observed to possess both phlogistic and allogenic properties.     

Antidepressant activity of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera in experimental models of depression in rats.

Bacopa monniera Wettst. (syn. Herpestis monniera L.; Scrophulariaceae) is a commonly used Ayurvedic drug for mental disorders. The standardized extract was reported earlier to have significant anti-oxidant effect, anxiolytic activity and improve memory retention in Alzheimer's disease. Presently, the standardized methanolic extract of Bacopa monniera (bacoside A - 38.0+/-0.9) was investigated for potential antidepressant activity in rodent models of depression. The effect was compared with the standard antidepressant drug imipramine (15 mg/kg, ip). The extract when given in the dose of 20 and 40 mg/kg, orally once daily for 5 days was found to have significant antidepressant activity in forced swim and learned helplessness models of depression and was comparable to that of imipramine.