Activity Of Root Bark Extract Research Articles

Anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-lipidemic activities of root bark extracts from Rhus tripartitum and cytotoxicity evaluation of isolated compounds

This study was undertaken to investigate anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-lipidemic activities of three extracts from Rhus tripartitum root bark prepared by solvents with increasing polarity (hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol).Our result demonstrated that the n-butanol extract is endowed with the highest phenolic content 872.503 ± 0.788 mg (GAE)/g Extract, flavonoid content 325.19±0.294 mg(QE)/g Extract and tannin content 698.99± 0.605 mg(CE)/g Extract. In addition this extract was found to exhibit the highest anti-oxidant activity using DPPH radical-scavenging (IC50 = 0.008 mg/ml), ferric-reducing power (IC50=0.844 mg/ml), total antioxidant capacity concentration (756.758±0.940 mg (GAE)/g Extract) and nitric oxide radical scavenging (IC50 = 0.01 mg/ml) assays. Mean while, the ethyl acetate extract present the best anti-diabetic activity (30.11%) and anti-lipidemic activity (49.79%). Three compounds were isolated for the first time from the ethyl acetate extract of Rhus tripartitum and identified using extensive spectral techniques (MS, NMR 1D and 2D). The in vitro cytotoxic activity of isolated compounds on MCF-7 cells positive breast cancer cell line was investiguated. One of the isolated compounds present the interesting growth inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cell.

Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Root Bark Extracts of Moringa stenopetala

Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Root Bark Extracts of Moringa stenopetala

In vitro Antioxidant and in vivo Hepatoprotective Activities of Root Bark Extract and Solvent Fractions of Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Del. (Euphorbiaceae) on Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage in Mice.

BackgroundLiver disease is a major public health threat, particularly in developing countries. Several medicinal plants and formulations have been claimed to have liver protective activities. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro antioxidant and in vivo hepatoprotective activities of root bark extracts of Croton macrostachyus (Euphorbiaceae).MethodsFree radical scavenging activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of the plant was conducted using the DPPH assay method. Hepatoprotective activities of the crude extract and solvent fractions of the plant were carried out based on paracetamol-induced liver damage in mice. Serum biomarkers (AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and total protein) were assessed to find out the effect. Histopathological examination was also carried out for all groups of mice to further confirm the findings.ResultsAntioxidant assay revealed that the crude extract, aqueous fraction and chloroform fraction of Croton macrostachyus exhibited free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 128.6, 168.9, and 406 µg/mL, respectively. Pretreatment of the mice with the crude extract and solvent fractions of Croton macrostachyus significantly reduced ALP (p<0.001), ALT (p<0.001), and AST (p<0.001) levels at all the administered doses compared to the toxic group. The crude extract and chloroform fraction decreased total bilirubin level at doses of 200 mg/kg (P<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (P<0.001). Pretreatment of the mice with 400 mg/kg of the crude extract and aqueous fraction elevated total protein value compared to the paracetamol treated group (P<0.05). The hepatoprotective activities of the plant extracts were confirmed by histopathological studies.ConclusionFrom this study, it can be concluded that the crude extract and solvent fractions of Croton macrostachyus demonstrated antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities.

HIV-1 REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE AND PROTEASE ASSAY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF ADANSONIA DIGITATA L.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Anti-HIV activity studies of methanolic extracts of &lt;em&gt;Adansonia digitata&lt;/em&gt; L. leaves, root bark and fruit pulp.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Methanolic extracts of &lt;em&gt;A. digitata&lt;/em&gt; were tested for HIV enzyme inhibitory activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) and HIV-1 protease (PR). HIV-1 RT assay was performed using&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;non-radioactive HIV-RT colorimetric ELISA kit while the HIV-1 PR assay was performed using a fluorogenic octapeptide substrate, HIV-FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) and a recombinant HIV-1 protease solution (AnaSpec Inc., USA).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;:&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;The percentage inhibition of controls and &lt;em&gt;A. digitata &lt;/em&gt;leaves, root bark and fruit pulp extracts were calculated relative to uninhibited HIV-1 RT and PR in 2% DMSO. The results of the HIV-1 RT assay indicated 26.5% inhibition by root bark extract (50 µg/ml) and 12.2% inhibition by leaf extract while the fruit pulp extract (100 µg/ml) has shown only 5.9% inhibition as compared to standard Nevirapine (100 nM) 27.5% inhibition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the case of HIV-protease assay, leaf extract and fruit pulp extract (50 µg/ml) has shown quite high inhibition (≥ 50%) to the extent of 75% and 74% respectively which is very significant. The root bark extract has shown 35% inhibition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Methanolic extract of the leaves, root bark and fruit pulp of &lt;em&gt;A. digitata&lt;/em&gt; has shown low anti-HIV-1 RT but significant PR activity. HIV-1 RT activity of root bark extract and HIV-1 PR activity of fruit pulp extract indicates the potential of the plant as an anti-HIV agent. &lt;/p&gt;

Anticonvulsant activity of Carissa edulis (Vahl) (Apocynaceae) root bark extract

Aim of the study To investigate the anticonvulsant activity of root bark extract of Carissa edulis. Materials and methods The median lethal dose (LD 50) of Carissa edulis extract was determined using Lork’s method (1983). The anticonvulsant activity of the extract was assessed in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsion in mice and maximal electroshock test (MEST) in chicks, with benzodiazepine and phenytoin as standard drugs, respectively. While mechanistic studies were conducted using both flumazenil, a GABA A-benzodiazepine receptor complex site antagonist and naloxone a non-specific opioid receptor antagonist. Results The median lethal dose (LD 50) of Carissa edulis was 282.8 mg/kg and over 5000 mg/kg following intraperitoneal and oral administration, respectively. Carissa edulis produced 40% and 20% protection against convulsion at 5 and 20 mg/kg, respectively, compared with 100% protection with benzodiazepine. The mean onset and percentage protection against convulsion in Carissa edulis extract-treated mice were reduced by flumazenil and naloxone. Carissa edulis exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of the convulsion induced by MEST with 20 mg/kg providing 90% protection while phenytoin (20 mg/kg) produced 100% protection. Conclusion These results suggest that Carissa edulis possesses biologically active constituent(s) that have anticonvulsant activity which supports the ethnomedicinal claims of the use of the plant in the management of epilepsy.