Activity Of Crude Aqueous Extract Research Articles

Antibacterial Activity of Crude Aqueous Extracts of Tithonia Diversifolia from Chichiri Area in Blantyre District, Malawi.

Background: The global challenge of antimicrobial resistance has spurred scientific research efforts to find alternative sources of new antibiotics. The ethnopharmacological importance of Tithonia diversifolia is well-known. Objective: The present study’s aim was to evaluate the in vitro activity of crude aqueous leaf, stem and root extracts of locally growing Tithonia diversifolia against the clinical bacterial isolates: E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. mirabilis. Methods: To obtain antibacterial activity data, the Broth macrodilution testing and Zone of inhibition Kirby-Bauer approaches were used. Results: Estimated diameters of zone of inhibition showed leaf extracts of Tithonia diversifolia had significantly greater antibacterial activity (19.5 ± 3.9 mm, 95% CI: 15.4 - 23.6 mm) than stem (15.2 ± 2.0 mm, 95% CI: 13.0 - 17.3 mm, p = 0.021) or root extracts (15.0 ± 2.1 mm, 95% CI: 12.8 - 17.2 mm, p=0.019). K. pneumoniae was the most susceptible isolate to growth inhibition by extracts from all plant parts. In broth macrodilution testing, leaf extracts exhibited greater potency on all study isolates compared to stem and root extracts. Conclusion: These findings support the traditional use of Tithonia diversifolia decoctions and infusions in infectious processes that are due to these pathogens and further strengthens recommendations for additional work to isolate and characterize the bioactive chemical compounds responsible for the observed antibacterial properties of the plant.

Anthelmintic activity of crude powder and crude aqueous extract of Trachyspermum ammi on gastrointestinal nematodes in donkey (Equus asinus): An in vivo study.

Trachyspermum ammi has been used traditionally as a popular ethnobotanical plant in human and animal parasitic infestations. Few scientific studies have been conducted on in vitro anthelmintic activity of T.ammi against various helminths and there is no study on its in vivo/in vitro anthelmintic properties against equine helminths. The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo anthelmintic activity of crude powder (CP) and crude aqueous extract (CAE) of T.ammi seeds against gastrointestinal nematodes in the donkey. Thirty donkeys, naturally and severely infected with Strongyle-type nematodes, were randomly divided into six groups and administered orally with graded doses of CP and CAE at single dose as follow: Two groups were treated with 1 and 3 gkg-1 body weight of CP, two groups were treated with CAE at the equivalent dose rate 1 and 3 gkg-1 bw of CP and one group was treated with 200 μgkg-1 bw of Ivermectin 0.2% (Positive Control). One group received no medication (Negative Control). Efficacy was determined by faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test. The faecal samples were taken from the donkeys on days 7, 14 and 28 post-treatments (PT) and the egg per gram (EPG) of faeces was determined for each animal. FECR for donkeys treated with CP, CAE, and Ivermectin 0.2% was calculated on days 7, 14, and 28 PT. In the present study, CAE was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine CAE chemical components. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a marker (thymol) was applied to confirm the existence of thymol as an active principle. Based on the FECR findings, the maximum FECR (71.2%) was observed in the group treated with CAE3 on day 14 PT, while it was 66.2% for CP3 on the same day. The effects of different treatments (P < 0.001), time (P < 0.001) and their interactions (P < 0.05) on EPG showed a significant difference. A dose-dependent response in the anthelmintic activity of CP and CAE was observed. GC-MS analysis indicated that thymol was the major component of CAE (Area = 45.01%) with the respective peak at retention times (Rt) 10.41 min. On HPLC analysis of CAE, thymol was found to be the major constituent of CAE (Area = 58.76%) with the same Rt at 13.233 min. The present study indicated that both CP and CAE of T.ammi had the dose-dependent anthelmintic effects. Due to the development of drug resistance against synthetic anti-helminthics, T.ammi seems to be a promising alternative for the treatment and prevention of helminths in livestock.

Antiplasmodial potential and quantification of aloin and aloe-emodin in Aloe vera collected from different climatic regions of India

BackgroundIn this study, Aloe vera samples were collected from different climatic regions of India. Quantitative HPTLC (high performance thin layer chromatography) analysis of important anthraquinones aloin and aloe-emodin and antiplasmodial activity of crude aqueous extracts was done to estimate the effects of these constituents on antiplasmodial potential of the plant.MethodsHPTLC system equipped with a sample applicator Linomat V with CAMAG sample syringe, twin rough plate development chamber (20 x 10 cm), TLC Scanner 3 and integration software WINCATS 1.4.8 was used for analysis of aloin and aloe-emodin amount. The antiplasmodial activity of plant extracts was assessed against a chloroquine (CQ) sensitive strain of P. falciparum (MRC-2). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of aqueous extracts of selected samples was determined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended method that was based on assessing the inhibition of schizont maturation in a 96-well microtitre plate. EC (effective concentration) values of different samples were observed to predict antiplasmodial potential of the plant in terms of their climatic zones.ResultsA maximum quantity of aloin and aloe-emodin i.e. 0.45 and 0.27 mg/g respectively was observed from the 12 samples of Aloe vera. The inhibited parasite growth with EC50 values ranging from 0.289 to 1056 μg/ml. The antiplasmodial EC50 value of positive control Chloroquine was observed 0.034 μg/ml and EC50 values showed by aloin and aloe-emodin was 67 μg/ml and 22 μg/ml respectively. A positive correlation was reported between aloin and aloe-emodin. Antiplasmodial activity was increased with increase in the concentration of aloin and aloe-emodin. The quantity of aloin and aloe-emodin was decreased with rise in temperature hence it was negatively correlated with temperature.ConclusionsThe extracts of Aloe vera collected from colder climatic regions showed good antiplasmodial activity and also showed the presence of higher amount of aloin and aloe-emodin in comparison to collected from warmer climatic sites. Study showed significant correlation between quantities of both the anthraquinones used as marker compounds and EC50 values of the different Aloe vera extracts. Although, both the anthraquinones showed less antiplasmodial potential in comparison to crude extracts of different Aloe vera samples. Diverse climatic factors affect the quantity of tested compounds and antiplasmodial potential of the plant in different Aloe vera samples.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Cecropia glaziovii leaves

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCecropia glaziovii Sneth leaves extract is widely used as a traditional folk medicine in Brazil, especially for the treatment of diabetes, and as an antihypertensive and antiinflammatory agent. Aim of the studyTo investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of crude aqueous extract (CAE) of C. glaziovii leaves. Materials and methodsThe in vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of the CAE (10-300mg/kg, intragastrically) was investigated in the animal model of pleurisy. The cell migration, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), nitrite/nitrate concentration, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, oxidative damage in lipids and proteins, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and total protein content were also analyzed. Furthermore, the in vitro antioxidant activity of CAE was evaluated by the inhibition of formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), induced by free radical generators (H2O2, FeSO4 and AAPH) on a lipid-rich substrate. Hence, the chemical characterizarion of CAE by HPLC was therefore performed.The results showed that the inflammatory process caused by the administration of carragenin (Cg) into the pleural cavity resulted in a substantial increase in inflammatory parameters and oxidative damage. These levels seems to be reversed after CAE treatment in animals with similar results to Dexamethasone (Dex) treatment. Further, the CAE was effective in reducing proinflammatory cytokines, cell infiltrate, MPO activity, nitrite/nitrate concentration, LDH activity, and total protein levels with concomitant attenuation of all parameters associated with oxidative damage induced by Cg. Finally, the CAE presented in vitro antioxidant activity induced by free radical generators at all the concentrations investigated. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of chlorogenic acid and C-glycosylflavonoids (isoorientin and isovitexin) as the major compounds of the CAE. ConclusionCAE of C. glaziovii exerts significant antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities and this effect can be attributed, at least in part, to the presence of chlorogenic acid and the C-glycosylflavonoids.

Uvaria afzelii root extract protects the liver against damage caused by carbontetrachloride ingestion

Introduction: Hepatoprotective activity of crude aqueous extract of Uvaria afzelii (UV) root was investigated and compared with a standard hepatoprotective drug (silymarin) in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into a control Group (A) and four treatment Groups (B-E) each containing five rats (n = 5/group). Animals in each group were allowed access to 200 g/day growers' mash and water ad libitum. Rats in the treatment groups were administered with intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg body weight of 30% carbon tetrachloride (CCL 4 )/olive oil mixture every 72 h interval during the 15 days experimental period. Rats in Group B were not pretreated while Groups C, D and E rats were pretreated daily with 50 mg/kg body weight of silymarin, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of crude aqueous extract of UV root respectively. On the 15th day of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to assay for serum liver enzymes; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as well as total protein (TP).The liver tissues were also excised and fixed in 10% buffered formal saline for routine histological examination. Result: The result obtained showed that UV root extract significantly (P < 0.05) decreased serum AST, ALT, ALP while TP was significantly (P < 0.05) increased when compared with nonpretreated rats administered with CCL 4 /olive oil and not significant (P < 0.05) when compared with silymarin pretreated rats. Histological observation of the liver of rats injected with CCL 4 /olive oil only showed vacuolation (presence of fat droplets), portal vein congestion, and moderate tissue separation. These observations were reduced in the liver of rats pretreated with UV root extract and silymarin. Conclusion: These findings indicate that root extract of UV possess hepatoprotective activity against Ingested hepatotoxic insults.

Phytotoxic activity of crude aqueous extracts and fractions of young leaves of Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of aqueous extract of young leaves of Sapindus saponaria L. (soapberry) on the diaspore germination and seedling growth Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Allium cepa L. (onion), as well as to determine, by bioassay-guided fractioning, whether the fractionated extracts of those leaves are phytotoxic to Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) coleoptiles. The aqueous extract was prepared using 100 g of dried plant material dissolved in 1000 ml of distilled water, resulting in a concentration of 10.0%. Distilled water was added in order to obtain dilutions of 7.5%, 5.0%, and 2.5%. The extraction was carried out with young leaves (in powder form) and organic solvents of various polarities. We fractioned the ethyl acetate extract using column chromatography. The phytotoxic potential of the aqueous extract of young leaves S. saponaria varied according to the receiving species and the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect. The ethyl acetate extract, specifically fraction 6 (57-70), had the greatest inhibitory effect on the elongation of wheat coleoptiles, indicating that the compounds responsible for the phytotoxic effect reside within this fraction.

In vivo Evaluation of Antimalarial and Cytotoxic Properties of Crude Aqueous Extract of the Fruiting Body of Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

In vivo Evaluation of Antimalarial and Cytotoxic Properties of Crude Aqueous Extract of the Fruiting Body of Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice This study was aimed at investigating the in vivo antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of crude aqueous extracts of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom with well established medicinal properties. Plasmodium berghei (1×107) was inoculated intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice. The extract was then administered by an intra gastric tube once daily for four days starting from the day of parasite inoculation. Chloroquine (CQ) (used as standard drug), was administered through the same route.

Crude aqueous extracts of Pluchea indica (L.) Less. inhibit proliferation and migration of cancer cells through induction of p53-dependent cell death

BackgroundPluchea indica (L.) Less. (Asteraceae) is a perennial shrub plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant medicinal properties. However, the anti-cancer properties of its aqueous extracts have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferation, anti-migration, and pro-apoptotic properties of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root on human malignant glioma cancer cells and human cervical cancer cells, and the underlying molecular mechanism.MethodsGBM8401 human glioma cells and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells were treated with various concentrations of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root and cancer cell proliferation and viability were measured by cell growth curves, trypan blue exclusions, and the tetrazolium reduction assay. Effects of the crude aqueous extracts on focus formation, migration, and apoptosis of cancer cells were studied as well. The molecular mechanism that contributed to the anti-cancer activities of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root was also examined using Western blotting analysis.ResultsCrude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root suppressed proliferation, viability, and migration of GBM8401 and HeLa cells. Treatment with crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root for 48 hours resulted in a significant 75% and 70% inhibition on proliferation and viability of GBM8401 and HeLa cancer cells, respectively. Crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root inhibited focus formation and promoted apoptosis of HeLa cells. It was found that phosphorylated-p53 and p21 were induced in GBM8401 and HeLa cells treated with crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root. Expression of phosphorylated-AKT was decreased in HeLa cells treated with crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root.ConclusionThe in vitro anti-cancer effects of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root indicate that it has sufficient potential to warrant further examination and development as a new anti-cancer agent.

Protective effect of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) extract against DNA damage induced by mercury chloride in marine fish

Marine organisms are continuously exposed to agents, both exogenous and endogenous, that damage DNA. Consequently, it is important to determine the ability of compounds to provide protection against damaging chemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-genotoxic activity of crude aqueous extracts of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyceae), collected from the Southeast coast of India. This study focused on possible anti-genotoxic potential of aqueous extract of K. alverazii to interfere with clastogenicity induced by mercury chloride (HgCl2) in marine fish, Therapon jarbua as measured by cytogenetic endpoints such as cell viability and comet assay. In the first set of experiments, fish were exposed to a single treatment of Hg at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2 ppm along with controls. Mercury exposure produced significant DNA damage in all comet classes, maximum as >79% (Class 4) at 0.5, 1, and 2 ppm exposure in a time dependent manner. Algal extract did not induce genotoxicity when given alone and prevented Hg-induced genotoxicity. The algal extract reduction in genotoxicity was significant but not time- and concentration-dependent. Results suggested that under present experimental conditions, K. alvarezii extract exhibit potent anti-genotoxicity effects in this fish model; and thus these extracts may be recommended as a supplement in fish meal and may benefit humans ingesting Hg-contaminated fish.

Antischistosomal activity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) against Schistosoma mansoni harbored in C57 mice.

The repeated chemotherapy of schistosomiasis has resulted in the emergence of drug-resistant schistosome strains. The development of such resistance has drawn the attention of many authors to alternative drugs. Many medicinal plants were studied to investigate their antischistosomal potency. The present work aimed to evaluate antischistosomal activity of crude aqueous extract of ginger against Schistosoma mansoni. Sixteen mice of C57 strain were exposed to 100 ± 10 cercariae per mouse by the tail immersion method; the mice were divided into two groups: untreated group and ginger-treated one. All mice were sacrificed at the end of 10th week post-infection. Worm recovery and egg counting in the hepatic tissues and faeces were determined. Surface topography of the recovered worms was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Histopathological examination of liver and intestine was done using routine histological procedures. The worm burden and the egg density in liver and faeces of mice treated with ginger were fewer than in non-treated ones. Scanning electron microscopical examination revealed that male worms recovered from mice treated with ginger lost their normal surface architecture, since its surface showed partial loss of tubercles' spines, extensive erosion in inter-tubercle tegumental regions and numerous small blebs around tubercles. Histopathological data indicated a reduction in the number and size of granulomatous inflammatory infiltrations in the liver and intestine of treated mice compared to non-treated mice. The results of the present work suggested that ginger has antischistosomal activities and provided a basis for subsequent experimental and clinical trials.

In vitro evidence of anti-infective activity of crude aqueous extract obtained by boiling ripe stem-bark of Bridelia ferruginea Benth.

The prevalence of multiple antibiotics resistance has prompted efforts to explore for more efficacious antimicrobial agents. The extract obtained by boiling the bark ofBridelia ferruginea Benth. is used traditionally for treating oral thrush called ‘Efu’. For this reason the in-vitro effectiveness and range of activities of crude extract obtained by boiling, ripe-stem-bark of Bridelia ferruginea have been carried out. The extract was tested against various microorganisms collected from clinical specimens. Bacterial isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis,Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, and other Candida species were tested for susceptibility using 0.5 McFarland turbidity standards of pure isolates on Mueller Hinton agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Ditches of 6 mm diameter were made on the media and 0.1 ml (9 drops) of the extract was added to each. For bacterial isolates, 3 or 4 standard antibiotic discs were added for comparison. The zone of inhibition around the extract ranged between 10 - 24 mm in diameter for bacterial and 14 - 25 mm for Candida (fungus). These results led to validate the activity both for fungal and bacterial agents of the crude extract obtained by boiling of the ripe stem bark of B. ferruginea as used traditionally. Key words: Bridelia ferruginea, boiling, fresh, stem bark, Candida, bacteria.

Promising antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the aqueous ethanolic extract of carob leaves

Plants are endless reservoir for several phytochemicals including antioxidant and cytotoxic drugs. The objective of this study was the investigation of the antioxidant and the cytotoxic activities (against Vero and HEp-2 cell lines) of the aqueous ethanolic extract of carob leaves. The extract inhibited xanthine oxidase at IC50 of 244 μg/ml. There is a marked cytotoxic activity of crude aqueous extract of carob on both mammalian cell lines (Vero and HEp-2) and the effect is more obvious on the human cell line (HEp-2). The results revealed that the crude aqueous extract of carob leaves could be a promising source for antioxidant as well as antitumor bioactive agents. Key words: Carob leaves, aqueous ethanolic extract, Ceratonia siliqua, antioxidant, xanthine oxidase, cytotoxicy.

Anti-diarrhoeal activity of crude aqueous extract of Rubia tinctorum L. roots in rodents

The anti-diarrhoeal effect of aqueous extract of Rubia tinctorum L. (Rubiaceae) roots in rodents was examined. At doses 300, 600 and 800 mg/kg aqueous extract protected rats, in a dose-dependent fashion, against castor oil-induced diarrhoeal dropping by 37, 59 and 64% respectively. Furthermore, it has significantly inhibited by 41% the gastrointestinal transit of charcoal in mice at 800 mg/kg dose of extract. These data suggest that Rubia tinctorum showed antidiarrhoeal activity by inhibiting intestinal motility which was concordant with its use in traditional medicine.

Analgesic activity of crude aqueous extract of the root bark of zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides

The analgesic activity of crude aqueous extract of the root bark of Zanthoxylum xanthozyloides was studied in mice and rats with the view to verifying the claim in folklore medicine that the extract has analgesic activity. The extract was obtained by Soxhlet extraction and rotatory evaporation, followed by freeze-drying. Groups of rats and mice were, respectively, assigned randomly to treatment groups. The animals received three different treatments orally: 0.9% saline (control), the extract (400mg/kg and 800mg/kg for mice; 1000mg/kg and 2000mg/kg for rats) and indomethacin (5mg/kg and 10mg/kg for mice; 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg for rats). Each group of animals was rotated through the entire treatment groups such that each animal served as control as well as received all the treatments. The hot-plate and paw-pressure methods were used to study pain perception in the treated animals. Analysis of variance was used as the statistical test. In both methods, the extract and indomethacin caused dose-dependent elevation in pain threshold. At the peak of activity, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg extract caused 74% and 95% increase in the reaction time respectively whilst 5mg/kg and 10mg/kg indomethacin gave 97% and 116% increment respectively. Similarly, 1000mg/kg and 2000mg/kg extract caused 65% and 84% increase in pain threshold whilst 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg indomethacin caused 95% and 113% increment respectively. It was concluded that the extract induced analgesia, probably, by inhibiting prostaglandin production, just as did indomethacin.

Antibacterial chemical defenses in Hawaiian corals provide possible protection from disease

Diseases of marine organisms, and corals in particular, have been reported with increas- ing frequency over the past 3 decades. Although little is known about resistance to disease in corals, a potential mechanism of defense is the production of antimicrobial compounds that protect corals from microbial pathogens. We assessed the antibacterial activity of crude aqueous extracts from 3 common Hawaiian reef corals, Montipora capitata, Porites lobata, and Pocillopora meandrina, against 9 strains of bacteria. The bacteria selected included known coral pathogens, potential marine pathogens found in human waste, and bacteria previously identified from the surfaces of Hawaiian corals. Extracts from all 3 coral species exhibited high levels of antibacterial activity. Overall, 54.3% of assays resulted in bacterial growth inhibition. In addition, 9.9% of extracts stimulated the growth of certain bacteria. Although levels of overall antibacterial activity did not differ significantly among coral species (ranging from 40.7% of assays for P. meandrina to 63.0% of assays for M. capitata), the 3 species exhibited a high degree of selectivity as demonstrated by significant variability in their effects toward specific bacteria. Extracts also exhibited intraspecific variability, both within and between sites, and significant site-by-species interactions were observed against 6 of 9 bacterial strains. In M. capitata, healthy corals had significantly higher levels of antibacterial activity than those affected by Montipora White Syndrome, and affected tissues had significantly higher levels of antibacterial activity than unaffected tissues. Variability in antibacterial activity of Hawaiian corals may, in part, explain differential susceptibility to disease at the colony, species, or population level.

Anthelmintic activity of crude aqueous extract of Nauclea latifolia stem bark against ovine nematodes

The anthelmintic efficacy of Nauclea latifolia stem bark aqueous extract was studied in sheep with natural acute/sub-acute parasitic gastro-enteritis due primarily to mixed nematode species. Graded doses of the extract (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg, p.o for 5 consecutive days) significantly reduced faecal egg counts in infected animals. The percentage reduction (93.8%) by 1600 mg/kg of the extract was comparable to that of 5 mg/kg of albendazole (94.1%). The administration of the extract resulted in improved haemoglobin and leucocytosis values in worm-infected sheep.