Black Myrobalan Research Articles

TRIPHALA: Insilico ADME and Toxicity Prediction by Comparison of Existing Software

Abstract: Triphala is traditional indian medicine and it is made up of two words TRI+PHALA which means three fruits that are Indian gooseberry {Emblica officinalis} member of family Euphorbiaceae, Black myrobalan {Terminalia chebula} member of family combertaceae Haritaki {Terminalia chebulia] member of family combertaceae. It is a polyphenolic compounds under tannins category and its chemical constituents are Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Chebulinic acid, Chebulagic acid, Terflavin-A, Corilagin. It balances and rejenuvates the ‘Tridosha Rasayan ’,i.e, Vatta,Pitta and kapaha.The pharmacological action of Triphala is to potentiate therpeutic and preventive illness including cancer, cardiovascular disease ,neurodegenerative disorderand in aging. There is folk in India as no Mother it means as long as you have Trifala do not worry it can take care of body internal organ just like a mother take care of her offspring. The purpose of the research is to involve prediction of ADMET [Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Toxicity] properties of triphala by SWISS ADME,ADME2.0 ,SCHODRINGER software and determine its drug-likeness using Lipinski Rule

The Efficacy of a Herbal Syrup (Containing Plum, Jujube, Yellow Myrobalan, Golden Shower, Tamarind, Honey) in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris: A Triple- Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Many patients, chiefly teenagers, seek effective treatment for acne vulgaris. Besides topical treatments, antibiotics, and anti-androgens, herbal treatments have been used against it. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of an herbal combination based on Prunus domestica L., Tamarindus indica L., Terminalia chebula L., Ziziphus jujube L., and Cassia fistula L. on acne vulgaris. Methods: This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm parallel trial was conducted in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Patients were randomized, 55 in each group, to receive either herbal syrup or placebo (10 cc every 8 hours) for 12 weeks and were followed for 4 weeks. The severity of acne and participants’ psychological status was assessed by acne severity index (ASI) and Cardiff acne disability index (CADI), respectively. Results: No significant changes were observed up to the sixth week of treatment in both groups (P ≥ 0.05). From 6 weeks to 12 weeks, the outcomes indicated a significant reduction in the mean number of comedones (P < 0.030), papules (P < 0.045), pustules (P < 0.026), nodules (P < 0.044), and ASI (P < 0.001) in the herbal syrup group compared to the placebo group. Nevertheless, this did not continue after 4 weeks of follow-up (16th week). Conclusions: The herbal syrup could be an alternative treatment in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Indeed, more clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.

Substitution of metal ion mordant with biomordants: Effect on color and fastness of reseda dyed on wool yarns

The environmental production of handmade carpets considering the application of natural materials; fibers, dyes, and mordants helps us benefit from the advantages of using renewable sources of raw materials. Metal salts are frequently employed as mordants to improve the fastness qualities. This article aims to investigate the yellow appearance of handmade carpets achieved by applying biomordants instead of metallic ones through spectral and colorimetric analysis. This method involved using reseda as a natural dye, yellow and black myrobalan as biomordants, and alum as a metallic mordant. After pre-mordanting and dyeing of the wool yarns, the achieved colors, color strengths, and key fastness properties were compared. The findings showed that using biomordants leads to appropriate color strengths and fastness qualities in addition to expanding the color gamut. Gratefully, the outcomes of current research guarantee to achieve the yellow appearance in Iranian handmade carpets through totally the novel eco-friendly procedure.

Green-Routed Carbon Dot-Adorned Silver Nanoparticles for the Catalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes

Herein, a simple, cost-effective, and in-situ environmentally friendly approach was adopted to synthesize carbon dot-adorned silver nanoparticles (CDs@AgNPs) from yellow myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) fruit using a hydrothermal treatment without any additional reducing and or stabilizing agents. The as-synthesized CDs@AgNP composite was systematically characterized using multiple analytical techniques: FESEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, ATR-FTIR, XPS, and UV-vis spectroscopy. All the results of the characterization techniques strongly support the idea that the CDs were successfully made to adorn the AgNPs. This effectively synthesized CDs@AgNP composite was applied as a catalyst for the degradation of organic dyes, including methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO). The degradation results revealed that CDs@AgNPs exhibit a superior catalytic activity in the degradation of MB and MO in the presence of NaBH4 (SB) under ambient temperatures. In total, 99.5 and 99.0% rates of degradation of MB and MO were observed using CDs@AgNP composite with SB, respectively. A plausible mechanism for the reductive degradation of MB and MO is discussed in detail. Moreover, the CDs@AgNP composite has great potential for wastewater treatment applications.

Preparation of mouthwash by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and triphala: alternative to chlorhexidine gluconate

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered as a reservoir of oral cavity. This bacterium is present in nosocomial infections with high morbidity and mortality. This bacterium is an initial step in pathogenesis of pulmonary infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. When these species interact with other species of periodontal pathogens has greater chances of having aggressive periodontitis. Chlorhexidine gluconate is been widely used in many mouthwashes and is known for its antibacterial activity. It has certain side effects such as staining, alteration in taste, tartar formation. The alternative to Chlorhexidine is triphala which helps in maintaining oral health and helps prevent periodontitis. In previous studies it was been observed that triphala is more effective than Chlorhexidine. Moreover, Chlorhexidine treats gingivitis, not periodontitis, whereas triphala fights against both gingivitis as well as periodontitis. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, non-pathogenic yeast, is a potential probiotic. It has significant antibacterial activity and immunomodulatory activity. Triphala preparation is made from Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), belleric myrobalan (Terminalia bellirica) and black myrobalan (Terminalia chebula). It is an ancient herbal remedy with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. It improves oral health by preventing plaque, gingivitis, heals mouth sores. It shows antibacterial activity except probiotic organisms. In this study, effect of triphala and S. cerevisiae against P. aeruginosa was evaluated by agar-well diffusion method. Triphala solution and S. cerevisiae effectively showed antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa individually. Therefore, triphala and S. cerevisiae together were tested at various concentrations against P. aeruginosa. The result showed the clear zone of inhibition showing successful inhibition of P.aeruginosa. Therefore, mouthwash that contains triphala and S. cerevisiae can be efficiently use for maintaining oral health and this mouthwash can be alternative to chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwashes and triphala can be a promising therapeutic agent in treatment of periodontitis and gingivitis without any side effects on long term use. Keywords- P. aeruginosa, periodontitis, gingivitis, chlorhexidine gluconate, triphala, S. cerevisiae

Consumption Pattern of Black Myrobalan for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 and People’ Attitude Towards it in Qom, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Black myrobalan drug, known as “Imam Kazem drug” in Iran, is used by most of Iranian people to prevent and treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to investigate the consumption pattern of black myrobalan by people in Qom, Iran and their attitudes towards it. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1077 patients referred to health centers in Qom, Iran in 2021 participated. They completed a demographic form and a researcher-made questionnaire assessing the consumption pattern of black myrobalan and people’s attitudes towards this drug. Data were analyzed in SPSS v. 20 software using chi-square test, Fisher test, Spearman correlation test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Out of 1018 patients who responded to the questionnaire, 660 (64.8%) were familiar with the drug and 491 (48.2%) had used the drug during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, 409 (83.2%) had used the drug for prevention and 166 (33.9%) for treatment of COVID-19. The attitude of participants towards this drug was positive in 515 patients (50.6%). The consumption pattern of black myrobalan was significantly correlated with occupation and attitude of people. It was found out that 83 patients (16.9%) reported mild side effects following drug use. Conclusion: A significant percentage of people in Qom city use black myrobalan, and have positive attitude towards it. This requires that its efficacy and side effects be investigated in clinical studies.

Crude Extract of Terminalia Chebula Fruit Effect on Gastro Intestinal Disorders Using Different Animal Models

Terminalia chebula is an ancient medicinal herb. it is also known as Haritaki, Yellow myrobalan, Chebulic myrobalan, Yellow myrobalan, and Terminalia chebulabe longs to Combretaceae family is a major Ayurvedic medicine that is native to South Asia, predominantly from India. Apart from Ayurveda, it is commonly used in Unani and Homeopathic medicine systems. Because of the broad variety of pharmacological activities connected with the biologically active constitutents found throughout this herb, it is included in conventional medicine. The fruit contains main pharmacological activities such as Hepatoprotective activity, Cytoprotective activity Cardioprotective activity, Antidiabetic and renoprotective activity, Antibacterial activity, Antifungal activity, Antiviral activity, Antiprotozoal activity, Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, Anticarcinogenic activity, Antimutagenic, radioprotective and Chemopreventive activity, Hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic activity, Adaptogenic and anti anaphylactic activities, Gastrointestinal motility improving and anti-ulcerogenic activity, Antispasmodic activity, Wound healing activity, Anticaries activity, Immunomodulatory activity any many are reported with scientific evidence. All these ancient applications of Terminalia chebula as home remedies have been confirmed in preclinical trials. The current evidence on the effect of Terminalia chebula intake or consumption on gastrointestinal disorders and diseases is scientifically based on preclinical and clinical trials. All these ancient applications of Terminalia chebula as home remedies have been confirmed in preclinical trials. The current evidence on the effect of Terminalia chebula intake or consumption on gastrointestinal disorders and diseases is scientifically based on preclinical and clinical trials. Study indicates different dosage of Terminalia chebula is effective to get relief from gastrointestinal troubles. Due to less number of gastrointestinal studies, there is no scientific report to consume a specific amount of dose. To prove that Terminalia chebula and its standard extracts are effective as a gastroprotective agent, more comprehensive preclinical and clinical trials are required. To reliably evaluate the appropriate dosages for specific disorders and preparation of extract of Terminalia chebula fruit in prospective human trials procedures, dose-finding preclinical studies should be conducted. There is an evident need for more patient and physician education concerning specific therapies, legislation to regulate the quality of pharmaceutical preparations, and, in particular, more clinical and pre-clinical trials to determine the value and safety of such medicaments in digestive and other disorders.

Evaluating the effect of black myrobalan on cognitive, positive, and negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Schizophrenia, as a chronic and disabling mental disorder, causes a wide range of symptoms, including cognitive impairments, positive, negative, and mood symptoms. There are no effective treatments for cognitive symptoms. Black myrobalan (Terminalia chebula Retz.), a medicinal plant of the Combretaceae family, exerts antioxidant, antiacetylcholinesterase, and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects can lessen the symptoms of schizophrenia. So, this study was conducted to evaluate black myrobalan's impact on cognitive impairments and negative/positive symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which participants were divided into treatment and placebo groups. They received six 500 mg capsules of black myrobalan or placebo in two divided doses for 4 weeks. Patients' cognitive impairments, positive, negative, depression/anxiety, and excitement/activity symptoms were assessed using the Screen for Cognitive Impairments in Psychiatry (SCIP) and the relevant subscales of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) pretreatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Cognitive impairments (SCIP) (p value .004), negative symptoms (PANSS subscale) (p value .017), and excitement/activity (PANSS subscale) (p value .003) were significantly improved in the black myrobalan group compared with the control group after 4 weeks. No serious adverse effects were reported. Black myrobalan could improve cognitive impairments, negative and excitement/activity symptoms in chronic schizophrenic patients.

The antioxidant analysis and α-glucosidase inhibition activities of spices and herbs (22 species) in Asian traditional beverages

Spices and herbs are used in Asian traditional beverages (ATB) mainly for gastronomic purposes, i.e., main flavoring, aroma enhancer, and colorant, but not for health functionality. Twenty-two selected spices and herbs used in ATB were evaluated for their antioxidant level, antidiabetic potential, and the possible risk of coumarin toxicity. Pattern recognition methods were applied to the data collection using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) to investigate the assay and spices and herbs inter-relationship. The evaluation made can help in the future selection of spice and herb ingredients with high antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and a safe limit of coumarin to be used in developing a reformulated ATB. The spice and herb selections were based on the determination of polyphenol content, antioxidant (DPPH, ORAC, and FRAP analyses) levels, AGI activities, and coumarin content aqueous extracts. Five out of 10 aqueous extracts of main flavoring spices (Ceylon cinnamon, cassia, clove, star anise, and mace), 1 out of 7 extracts of aroma enhancers (rose), and 2 out of 5 colorant extracts (sappan heartwood and black myrobalan) exhibited profound antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition (AGI) activities. PCA and HCA indicated that the black myrobalan extract had the most distinct and potent antioxidant and AGI activities among the tested extracts (DPPH IC50 37.61 ± 1.48 mg/mL, DPPH 126.15 ± 0.65 Trolox equivalent μg/mL, FRAP 52.66 ± 0.8 Trolox equivalent mM/mL, ORAC 18,213.33 ± 298.91 Trolox equivalent μM/mL; and AGI 1306.98 ± 21.38 tannic acid equivalent μg/mL). On the contrary, cardamom extract showed the least of both activities. Ambrette seed and cassia extracts had considerably high coumarin contents, which is higher than the permissible limit of 10 mg/kg. This study revealed that black myrobalan is an indispensable functional ingredient in an Asian traditional beverage. However, the use of cassia and ambrette seeds shall be a caution to lower the risk of possible coumarin toxicity. PCA and HCA enabled the visualization of the complicated relationship between the antioxidant - antidiabetic properties and each spice/herb ingredient. This recognition method eased the functional ingredient selection in the next polyherbal formulation step.

Green Dyeing of Wool Yarns with Yellow and Black Myrobalan Extract as Bio-mordant with Natural Dyes

ABSTRACT The main topic of this study is Green and environmentally wool dyeing. For this purpose, yellow and black myrobalan extract as green mordants and madder and resedaluteola as natural dyes were used. The FTIR-ATR spectra of the washed wool yarns, mordanted wool yarns and dyed wool yarns confirmed bonding of wool yarns with the green mordant and dyes through comparing chemical structures. The effective linkage between yarn, mordant and dye molecules removes the C-N peaks in FTIR-ATR spectra. After dyeing process, fastness and dyeing properties of dyed wool yarns were investigated. The K/S values of dyed wool yarns with extracted madder and resedaluteola were quantified values; and fastness properties including light, wash, and rubbing fastness were defined as per ISO standard methods. The research pointed out that the myrobalan extraction as a potential route for the development of eco-friendly dyeing in green production of dyed yarns.

Green Dyeing of Wool Fibers with Madder: Study of Combination of Two Biomordant on K/S and Fastness

Nowadays, using sustainable dyeing process has become a necessity, but does not meet performance requirements. Application of biomordants was recommended to enhance the quality of dyeing. Tannin-based biomordants appeared advantageous in green dyeing; meanwhile, unconditional affinity towards fibers of different types has attracted the attention of researchers. We introduce the idea of using combination of natural mordant as a new technique for sustainable dyeing of wool and a model natural fiber. In this study, Iranian madder was used as green dye and Yellow Myrobalan (YM) and Black Myrobalan (BM) employed as biomordant. FTIR-ATR spectra of the washed, mordanted, and mordanted-dyed wool fibers confirmed appropriate bonding among wool fibers, green mordant, and dye molecules. The superior color strength of wool fibers dyed with 4 %YM+6 %BM and 40 % madder was featured by K/S value of 35.77 and was obviously higher than that of madder by sumac, 9.5. Fastness properties (light, wash, and rub fastness) of wool dyed with combination of YM and BM were good.

Underutilized, yet potential medicinal plants of Western Ghats

Plants have been used as a source for medicine since a long time. India is endowed with a variety of natural resources. All along the western coast, the Western Ghats are sprawling and the entire region is known for its biodiversity, richness and endemism of different species. The number of plants having confirmed therapeutic properties or yielding clinically useful chemical compounds thus lays around 700 species. Among many flowering plants, more than thousand plants are endemic to Western Ghats and 483 are listed as threatened by human activities (Vijaya, 2005). The nux vomica (Strychnos nuxvomica), black myrobalan (Terminalia chebula), crab's eye (Abrus precatorius), jivanti (Leptadenia reticulata), prickly chaff (Achyranthes aspera), ghanera (Nothapodytes nimmoniana) and Indian birthwort (Aristolochia indica) are few important underutilized plants from Western Ghats having potential medicinal properties. Local healers of the Western Ghats area use nux vomica seeds, black myrobalan fruits and jivanti stem extracts to treat cardio-vascular diseases. The flowers of prickly chaff, leaves of crab's eye, stem of jivanthi and ghanera fruits were used to cure cancer and its related problems. Nux vomica seed, black myrobalan fruits and jivanthi stem extracts are also used to cure hypertension, to control diabetes, obesity and its related problems. Although, many plants of Westerns Ghats have prime medicinal value, we have not been able to utilize these plants as they are not easily accessible. To overcome these problems, there is a need to conserve these plants in situ and ex situ in addition to standardizing propagation techniques, cultural practices and developing superior quality plants through crop improvement. Further, there is a need to create awareness among farmers about cultivation of these crops and marketing facilities will help in exploiting medicinal properties of these crops in curing various ailments of humans in addition to improving socio-economic status of the growers.

Pharmacological Profile of Terminalia chebula Retz. and Willd. (Haritaki) in Ayurveda with Evidences

The medicinal plant Terminalia chebula Retz. and Willd. Commonly known as Yellow myrobalan or Chebulic myrobalan or Haritaki is one among the major drug in the Ayurvedic system of medicine which is native to South Asia mainly from India. Apart from its use in Ayurveda, it is extensively used in Unani, Amchi/Tibetan, Homeopathic systems of medicine. This is used in traditional medicine due to the wide spectrum of pharmacological activities associated with the biologically active chemicals present in this plant. It is a medium to large sized tree and fruit is the main officinal part. Detail description available in Ayurvedic texts about its pharmacological actions and medicinal uses in various dosage forms alongwith its side effects and contraindications. The purpose of this review is to gather the available traditional knowledge in the texts as well as published information on pharmacological and phytochemical analysis of the extracts and some of the isolated compounds of this plant as well as their toxic effects for highlighting the importance of this important medicine for use in human medical problems and maintenance of health. The main pharmacological activities observed are Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, Anticarcinogenic activity, Antimutagenic, radioprotective and Chemopreventive activity, Hepatoprotective activity, Cardioprotective activity, Cytoprotective activity, Antidiabetic and renoprotective activity, Antibacterial activity, Antifungal activity, Antiviral activity, Antiprotozoal activity, Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity, Anti-allergic activity, Adaptogenic and antianaphylactic activities, Hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic acivity, Gastrointestinal motility improving and anti-ulcerogenic activity, Antispasmodic activity, Anticaries activity, Wound healing activity, Purgative property, Immunomodulatory activity etc. Further, extensive investigation is needed to exploit its therapeutic ability to combat other various medical situations. More research study required for its bioactivity, mechanism of action, pharmacotherapeutics, toxicity, standardization, pre clinical trials and clinical trials for global safe use of this drug.

Evaluation of a Naturally-derived Deflocculant (Terminalia Chebula) in Bentonite Dispersions

The unwanted addition of salt to drilling causes flocculation which has an adverse effect on mud rheological properties. To treat the flocculated mud chemical, deflocculants are commonly used; however, their disadvantages such as negative environmental effects, lower tolerance to contamination, and toxicity motivated scientists to search for effective additives. Using plant derived additives instead of commercial additives could help resolve the mentioned weaknesses, because they are nontoxic, cheap, easily accessible, and act multi-functional. In this paper the effect of black myrobalan rheological properties of flocculated bentonite mud was investigated and its performance was compared with chrome lignosulfonate (CLS). Rheological and filtration tests were conducted and properties such as plastic viscosity, yield point, gel strength, thixotropy, and apparent viscosity were calculated. It was perceived that by increasing black myrobalan concentration to 0.6 wt.%, rheological parameters and filtration loss decreased by 50% and 66.3% respectively, but they increased at higher concentrations, which indicated that black myrobalan acted as a deflocculant up to 0.6 wt.%. The deflocculation behavior of black myrobalan at low concentrations is attributed to ellagitannic acid and tannic acid. The comparison of the enactment of black myrobalan with chrome lignosulfonate showed that black myrobalan had a stronger decreasing effect on the rheological parameters and filtration compared to CLS.

Naturally occurring inhibitors against the formation of advanced glycation endproducts and Maillard reaction products in Korean food and health (647.29)

We have screened natural plants against formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), and selected yellow myrobalan (Terminalia chebula), Asiatic plantain (Plantago asiatica L.) and seaweed fulvescenes (Capsosiphon fulvescens). T. chebula, native to India and Southeast Asia, has been used for antidiabetic and cardioprotective effects. Hepatoprotective chebulic acid (CA) was isolated from T. chebula extract (TCE). The adhesion of THP‐1 monocytic cell adhesion to HUVEC with AGEs was reduced by the treatments of TCE or CA suggesting an effect for alleviating diabetic complications. In addition, the EtOAc‐soluble portion of TCE showed reduced the levels of blood glucose and serum lipids, and decreased the AGEs distribution in testis seminiferous tubules of rats. P. asiatica, is used as a folk medicine in Asian countries. From its extract, plantamajoside was isolated, and its glycation inhibitory activities were higher. In a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled parallel design, the human data showed reductions of plasma free fatty acid levels, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein levels and DNA damage in lymphocytes with high‐dose Asiatic plantain. Pheophorbide a (PhA) from C. fulvescens demonstrated significant activities of glycation inhibition, monocyte adhesive inhibition and down regulation of AGEs‐stimulated cytokines related to inflammation of the endothelium.Also, models of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were applied to experimental batch‐type simulator models imitating human intestinal conditions, and affected the growth of gut commensal bacteria, particularly lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, whose levels increased significantly. There was a corresponding shift in the bacterial metabolites with increased level of lactate and decreased level of butyric acid with MRPs suggesting a health‐promoting effect in humans. In addition, MRPs showed immune‐modulating effects contribute to host immune defense through enhancing innate immune activity.

Antibacterial activity of Terminalia chebula Retz., against Escherichia coli

Terminalia chebula Retz. belongs to the family Combretaceae and is commonly known as Black myrobalan. In the present study fruits of Terminalia chebula were screened for potential antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacterial strain Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity was determined in aqueous, methanol, ethanol and acetone extracts by using disc diffusion ( Kirby-Bauer) method. The activity was carried out for different concentrations of plant extracts i.e. 100, 200 and 400 mg/ml and the relative solvents were used as control for respective extracts. Ciprofloxacin was used as positive control. The antibacterial activity of Terminalia chebula gave encouraging results.

Inhibitory effect of yellow myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) extract on fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in rat liver

Ethyl acetate layer of methanol extract (TCE) of yellow myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) contains 2.4% of chebulic acid, a standard compound in TCE, which have a strong anti-oxidative effect and was reported in our previous study. Thirty-one male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (normal control, CCl4 control, TCE control, CCl4+high dose TCE, and low dose TCE). Liver fibrosis was induced by i.p. injection of CCl4 and TCE were orally administrated. TCE decreased the up-regulated malondealdehyde value and increased the down-regulated ratio of GSH/GSSG content and activities of GRd, GPx, and GST compared to the CCl4 control group. Decreased dysfunction and inflammatory reaction in liver was confirmed by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, relative liver weight and infiltration of neutrophils. Also, TCE inhibited phenotype change of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) by reducing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) gene expression and protein production. Inhibition of collagen 1A1 gene expression and protein production were also confirmed. From these results, TCE may be a useful material for preventing liver fibrosis.

Inhibitory Effects of Chinese Medicinal Herbs on Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria and Identification of the Active Components from Gallnuts of Chinese Sumac

The aqueous extracts of 30 out of 67 Chinese medicinal herbs were shown to have inhibitory effects on growth of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria by a paper disc diffusion assay. The inhibitory substances with the strongest antibacterial activity were extracted from Chinese sumac gallnut and black myrobalan. The aqueous extract of gallnut inhibited the growth of eight of the tested plant-pathogenic bacteria, and that of black myrobalan inhibited five. The gallnut extract produced at least an 8-mm inhibition zone against Acidovorax citrulli, Ralstonia solanacearum, X. citri pv. citri, and X. euvesicatoria at a 10-fold dilution, and it was still active at 800- to 1,600-fold dilutions. The aqueous extract of gallnut was more inhibitory than the acetone-water extract. To identify the inhibitory compounds in the gallnut aqueous extract, the crude extract was chromatographed over a silica column, and the primary compounds in fractions 3 and 8 were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance as gallic acid and methyl gallate, respectively. The inhibitory effect of methyl gallate on the growth of four plant-pathogenic bacteria was 10 to 80 times that of gallic acid. The minimum inhibition and minimum bactericidal concentration tests showed that the inhibition effect of the original aqueous was higher than that of methyl gallate. These results indicate that methyl gallate in gallnut is an important compound that is inhibitory to plant-pathogenic bacterial growth, and there are other unidentified compounds that are also responsible for the antibacterial effects. This is the first report regarding the antibacterial effects of gallnut extract and its chemical components on plant-pathogenic bacteria.

Pharmacognostic studies on Terminalia citrina (Gaertn) Roxb. ex Fleming

Terminalia citrina (Gaertn.) Roxb. ex Fleming synonym Terminalia multiflora Merr. is commonly known as Yellow Myrobalan and Manahei in Manipuri. It is highly medicinal plant which is distributed in North East India and Car Nicobar Island. Its bark is diuretic and cardio tonic and fruits are used similar to Terminalia chebula and used in various drug preparations, which are sometimes adulterated with other plant materials. In order to standardize the drug, detail morphological, anatomical (T.S. of bark, petiole and leaf; T.S., T.L.S. and R.L.S. of wood and maceration of bark and wood) and dermatological studies were undertaken.T.S. of bark showed peculiarities as-bundles of fibre and patches of stone cells, compound crystals and compound starch grains. Maceration of bark showed unique branched phloem fibres, and thin and thick walled phloem parenchyma and various crystals. T.S. of bark showed Vessels in groups of 2-9. Parenchymatous rays mostly uniseriate, rarely biseriate, heterogenous with deposition of starch grains. Maceration of wood reveled the diagnostic features like-pitted xylem parenchyma, branched xylem fibres with pits, various types of vessel elements with oblique end walls with or without long beaks, pits alternate. Tracheids tubular, thick walled with small and few pits.It was observed that Terminalia citrina (Gaertn.) Roxb. ex Fleming can be easily standardized on the basis of combination of these parameters which are peculiar to this species.

Antibacterial activity of black myrobalan ( Terminalia chebula Retz) against Helicobacter pylori

The effect of ether, alcoholic and water extracts of black myrobalan ( Teminalia chebula Retz) on Helicobactor pylori were examined using an agar diffusion method on Columbia Agar. Water extracts of black myrobalan showed significant antibacterial activity and had a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacteriocidal concentration (MBC) of 125 and 150 mg/l, respectively. The extract was active after autoclaving for 30 min at 121°C. Plant powder (incorporated in agar) gave higher MIC and MBC values (150 and 175 mg/l, respectively). Water extracts of the black myrobalan at a concentration of 1–2.5 mg/ml inhibited urease activity of H. pylori. The results show that black myrobalan extracts contain a heat stable agent(s) with possible therapeutic potential. Other bacterial species were also inhibited by black myrobalan water extracts.