Chloroform Soluble Fraction Research Articles

Drought Stress Signal Promote the Synthesis of more Reduced Phenolic Compounds (Chloroform Insoluble Fraction) in Tridax procumbens

Background: Plant’s are ability to manage with abiotic stress factors are mainly altered the metabolic pathways and produces a varied range of secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolite manufacture is a serious part of the defense response in stress circumstances. Objectives: The study was aim to find out the impact of drought stress factor on in vitro antioxidant potential of chloroform insoluble fraction (phenolics) of leaves and flowers extract of Tridax procumbens. Materials and Methods: The matured leaves and flowers of Tridax were collected widely from the four different locations;- Hilly dry-terrain; Hilly wet-terrain; Low dry–land; Low wet-land. The collected leaves and flowers of Tridax were washed with distilled water, shade dried, coarsely powdered and extracted using 70% ethanol and fractionated by chloroform to obtained chloroform insoluble fractions. The chloroform insoluble fraction then subjected into various in vitro free radical scavenging activities. Results: The drought stress significantly increased the sucrose content in the leaves, chloroform insoluble fractions (water soluble), total phenolics and decreased relative leaf water contents and chloroform soluble fractions when compared with well water state of Tridax. The in vitro free radical scavenging activities results revealed that drought had constructive effects on radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: In dry land of the Tridax procumbens (both hilly dry-terrain and low dry-land) induced drought stress-related metabolic alterations and free radical production. In this condition Tridax need oversupply of reduced phenolics for tolerance and prevent the oxidative damage of the cells. As a result the metabolic processes are shifted towards biosynthesis of highly reduced phenolics in the Tridax for better adaptation.

Beneficial Effects of Trillium govanianum Rhizomes in Pain and Inflammation.

Trillium govanianum rhizome is used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedy in traditional medicine in northern Pakistan. In an attempt to establish its medicinal value, the present research evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of T. govanianum. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of extract and fractions was investigated in the carrageenan induced paw edema assay. The in vitro suppression of oxidative burst of extract, fractions and isolated compounds was assessed through luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay. The in vivo analgesic activity was assayed in chemical and thermal induced nociceptive pain models. The crude methanol extract and its solvent fractions showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic responses, exhibited by significant amelioration of paw edema and relieve of the tonic visceral chemical and acute phasic thermal nociception. In the oxidative burst assay, based on IC50, the crude methanol extract and n-butanol soluble fraction produced a significant inhibition, followed by chloroform and hexane soluble fractions as compared to ibuprofen. Similarly, the isolated compounds pennogenin and borassoside E exhibited significant level of oxidative burst suppressive activity. The in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities as well as the in vitro inhibition of oxidative burst validated the traditional use of T. govanianum rhizomes as a phytotherapeutic remedy for both inflammatory conditions and pain. The observed activities might be attributed to the presence of steroids and steroid-based compounds. Therefore, the rhizomes of this plant species could serve as potential novel source of compounds effective for alleviating pain and inflammation.

Wild Cinchona (Neolamarckia cadamba) – Bioactivities of a Medicinal Plant of Bangladesh

The methanol extract of bark of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) and its organic and aqueous soluble partitionates were subjected to assays for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antimicrobial and analgesic activities. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the pet ether and carbon tetra chloride soluble partitionate of the methanolic extract demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 60.46 ?g/ml and 78.58 ?g/ml, respectively. On the other hand, the carbon tetrachloride and pet ether soluble fractions displayed the potential lethality to brine shrimps, having LC50 of 7.24 and 7.89 ?g/ml, as compared to standard vincristine sulphate (LC50 value of 0.45 ?g/ml). During assay for thrombolytic property, the carbon tetrachloride and aqueous soluble materials revealed 66.36 % and 64.25 % clot lysis of human blood, respectively. In the membrane stabilizing assay, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction inhibited 86.79 % haemolysis of human RBCs in hypotonic solution-induced condition, while the aqueous soluble partitionate inhibited 92.39 % haemolysis of RBCs in the heat-induced condition. The crude methanolic extract of bark of N. cadamba showed significant central and peripheral analgesic activity at both 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, whereas its chloroform soluble fraction mildly inhibited the growth of test microorganisms. Therefore, our studies suggest that wild cinchona should be subjected to extensive phytopharmacological investigation.Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 19(1): 32-36, 2016

Preliminary assessment of free radical scavenging, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing capabilities of organic fractions of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis.) skeels leaves.

BackgroundCallistemon citrinus (Curtis.) (Family- Myrtaceae) is a popular evergreen shrub in Bangladesh. In the present study, the leaves of this plant have been assessed comprehensively for free radical scavenging, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing activities.MethodsThe leaves were collected, powdered and extracted with methanol. The extract was then concentrated and successively fractionated into petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions. The extractives were investigated for free radical scavenging, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing activities.ResultsIn case of 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assays, the crude methanol extract of the leaves showed the highest free radical scavenging activity among the tested materials including standard ascorbic acid (p = 0.0000). Besides, this extract was also found significantly rich (p = 0.0000) in phenolics and flavonoids compared to other organic fractions. In thrombolytic study, the petroleum ether fraction exhibited significantly stronger thrombolysis (p = 0.024) than other leaf extractives but was weaker than the standard streptokinase. In membrane stabilizing assay, the activity of chloroform fraction was similar to that of standard acetylsalicylic acid (p = 1.000) in hypotonic solution induced hemolysis. However, membrane stabilization activity of this chloroform fraction was found significantly stronger than that of the standard (p = 0.0000) in heat induced hemolysis.ConclusionThis study has revealed the medicinal capabilities of different organic fractions of C. citrinus displaying free radical scavenging, thrombolysis and membrane stabilizing antiinflammatory potentials. Further bioactivity guided isolation is required to obtain pharmacologically secondary metabolites.

Cytotoxic potential of selected medicinal plants in northeast Brazil.

BackgroundGreat biodiversity is a highlight of Brazilian flora. In contrast, the therapeutic potentialities of most species used in folk medicine remain unknown. Several of these species are commonly used to treat cancer. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic activity of 18 plants from 16 families that are found in the northeast region of Brazil.MethodsThe following species were studied: Byrsonima sericea DC. (Malpighiaceae), Cupania impressinervia Acev. Rodr. var. (revoluta) Radlk (Sapindaceae), Duranta repens Linn. (Verbenaceae), Helicostylis tomentosa (Poepp. & Endl) Rusby (Moraceae), Himatanthus bracteatus (A.DC.) Woodson (Apocynaceae), Ipomoea purga (Wender.) Hayne (Convolvulaceae), Ixora coccinea Linn. (Rubiaceae), Mabea piriri Aubl. (Euphorbiaceae), Miconia minutiflora (Melastomataceae), Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae), Ocotea glomerata (Nees) Mez (Lauraceae), Ocotea longifolia Kunth (Oreodaphne opifera Mart. Nees) (Lauraceae), Pavonia fruticosa (Mill.) Fawc. & Rendle (Malvaceae), Psychotria capitata Ruiz & Pav. (Rubiaceae), Schefflera morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin (Araliaceae), Solanum paludosum Moric. (Solanaceae), Xylopia frutescens Aubl. (Annonaceae) and Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. (Rutaceae). Their dried leaves, stems, flowers or fruits were submitted to different solvent extractions, resulting in 55 extracts. After incubating for 72 h, the cytotoxicity of each extract was tested against tumor cell lines using the alamar blue assay.ResultsThe B. sericea, D. repens, H. bracteatus, I. purga, I. coccinea, M. piriri, O. longifolia and P. capitata extracts demonstrated the most potent cytotoxic activity. The chloroform soluble fractions of D. repens flowers and the hexane extract of I. coccinea flowers led to the isolation of quercetin and a mixture of α- and β-amyrin, respectively, and quercetin showed moderate cytotoxic activity.ConclusionThe B. sericea, D. repens, H. bracteatus, I. purga, I. coccinea, M. piriri, O. longifolia and P. capitata plants were identified as having potent cytotoxic effects. Further investigations are required to determine the mechanisms of cytotoxicity exhibited and their in vivo activities. This work reinforces the need to understand the therapeutics potentialities of Brazilian medicinal plants.

In vitro membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic and antioxidant potentials of Drynaria quercifolia L., a remedial plant of the Garo tribal people of Bangladesh.

BackgroundDrynaria quercifolia L. (Family- Polypodiaceae) is a fern grows in Bangladesh used in traditional healing by the Garo tribe of Mymensingh district. In the current study, rhizomes and fertile foliage fronds of this plant have been investigated comprehensively to assess their in vitro membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic and antioxidant properties.MethodsRhizomes and fertile foliage fronds of D. quercifolia were collected, dried, powdered and extracted with methanol. Later on, crude methanol extracts of the plant parts were fractionated into petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions. The extractives were then subjected to membrane stabilizing, thrombolytic and antioxidant assays.ResultsIn membrane stabilizing assay, crude methanol extracts of rhizomes and fertile foliage fronds and their petroleum ether fractions were found to be very effective for stabilizing erythrocyte membrane in hypotonic solution. In case of thrombolytic study, crude methanol extract of rhizomes and its aqueous fraction exhibited noticeable clot lysis. However, in antioxidant assays, crude methanol extracts of the tested plant parts and their aqueous fractions exhibited potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide and 2, 2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. Besides, these extractives also displayed substantial ferric reducing potential in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Crude methanol extracts of the plant parts and their aqueous fractions were also found rich in phenolics.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the medicinal potentials of D. quercifolia and justifies the local uses of it by the Garo tribal people of Bangladesh for multiple disease management.

Thrombolytic, Membrane stabilizing, Antidiarrhoeal, and Antimicrobial Properties of Bioactive Compounds Isolated from leaves of Sesbania grandiflora Naturally Growing in Bangladesh

Abstract Sesbania grandiflora leaves are extensively used locally since ancient time as in traditional systems. Base on mainly folkloric use, we investigated to know the potential of Sesbania grandiflora leaves extracts through biological works in vivo and in vitro. The ethanolic extract of S. grandiflora leaves was partitioned into ethyl acetate soluble fraction (ESF), petroleum ether soluble fraction (PSF), carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTSF), chloroform soluble fraction (CSF) and aqueous soluble fraction (AQSF). The extracts were evaluated for their thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antimicrobial and antidiarrhoeal activities and the results were compared with standard drugs; streptokinase for thrombolytic, acetyl salicylic acid for anti-inflammatory, kanamycin for antimicrobial activities and loperamide against diarrhoea. In thrombolytic investigation, among all partitionates, the ESF showed highest % of clot lysis (59.57%) as compared to (69.23%) and (3.07%) exhibited by the standard streptokinase and water. In case of membrane stabilizing study, ESF also significantly inhibited the haemolysis of human erythrocyte membrane both induced by hypotonic solution (64.30 ± 0.64%) and by heat (57.21 ± 0.69%), respectively as compared to (70.12 ± 26%) and (73.90 ± 0.29%) demonstrated by acetyl salicylic acid. In the antidiarrhoeal assay, the ethanolic extract (EE) inhibited the mean number of defecation by 24.97% and 41.05% at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. In antibacterial activity, it was exhibited by the extracts, was comparatively more prominent on the gram negative bacteria than the gram positive bacteria. Our study revealed that satisfactory amount of flavonoid and tannin presence showed a significant and positive correlation between total phenolic compound contents with pharmacological activities of S.grandiflora.

Studies on the Antimicrobial Activity and Brine Shrimp Toxicity of the Leaves Extract of Ageratum Conyzoides

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of the leaves extracts of Ageratum conyzoides L. Ageratum conyzoides has been utilized for the treatment of various ailments. The crude methanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides, n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extracts were screened for their antimicrobial activity against a number of gram positive and gram negative bacteria by disk diffusion method. The crude extract and n-hexane soluble fraction of crude extract showed significant to moderate antimicrobial activity and chloroform, ethyl acetate soluble fraction of crude extract showed moderate to mild antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The zones of inhibition produced by the crude extract (methanolic extract), n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions were found to be 14.89 mm - 19.40 mm, 14 mm - 19.40 mm, 10.66 mm - 13.50 mm and 9.50 mm - 13.26 mm respectively at a concentration of 30 mg/disc. Chloroform, n-hexane and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides were screened for antitumor properties using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. A reputed cytotoxic agent vincristine sulphate was used as a positive control. From the results of the brine shrimp lethality bioassay it can be well predicted that nhexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extract of Ageratum conyzoides possess cytotoxic activity on shrimp nauplii. The median lethal concentration (LC50, the concentration at which 50% mortality of brine shrimp nauplii occurred) of n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate were 245.42 mg/ml, 92.61 mg/ml and 6.35 mg/ml, respectively, comparison with positive control vincristine sulphate with 0.839 mg/ml.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 29, Number 2, Dec 2012, pp 98-103

The Anti-inflammatory Effect of Gnaphalium affine Through Inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells and Analysis of Its Phytochemical Components.

Gnaphalium affine is an annual herbaceous plant that is used as a traditional medicine in some Latin American and Asian countries. However, systematic studies on its anti-inflammatory activity and signaling pathways have not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of G. affine methanol extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells and fractioned the methanol extract into hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butyl alcohol (BuOH), and distilled water (DW) by measuring the generation of nitric oxide (NO). G. affine inhibited the generation of NO and prostaglandin E2. The chloroform-soluble fraction most effectively inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production. We also examined the cytotoxicity of G. affine in three normal cell lines: RAW264.7, HEK293, and HaCaT. Cell viability assays showed that the methanol extract and chloroform-soluble fraction of G. affine had no cytotoxic effect on normal cell lines. The expression of pro-inflammatory mediators was also investigated. Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that G. affine reduces the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and MAPKs, as well as activation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. RT-PCR showed that G. affine also negatively regulates inflammatory cytokines at the gene expression level. Taken together, G. affine exerts its anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NO generation as a result of inhibiting NF-κB and MAPKs-related inflammatory signaling pathways. In addition, the result of GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of nineteen different types of constituents including guaiacol in the chloroform-soluble fraction of G. affine.

Efficient Use of a Crude Drug/Herb Library Reveals Ephedra Herb As a Specific Antagonist for TH2-Specific Chemokine Receptors CCR3, CCR4, and CCR8.

Chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR4 are preferentially expressed by TH2 cells, mast cells, and/or eosinophils, all of which are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Therefore, CCR3 and CCR4 have long been highlighted as potent therapeutic targets for allergic diseases. Japanese traditional herbal medicine Kampo consists of multiple crude drugs/herbs, which further consist of numerous chemical substances. Recent studies have demonstrated that such chemical substances appear to promising sources in the development of novel therapeutic agents. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that Kampo-related crude drugs/herbs would contain chemical substances that inhibit the cell migration mediated by CCR3 and/or CCR4. To test this hypothesis, we screened 80 crude drugs/herbs to identify candidate substances using chemotaxis assay. Among those tested, Ephedra Herb inhibited the chemotaxis mediated by both CCR3 and CCR4, Cornus Fruit inhibited that mediated by CCR3, and Rhubarb inhibited that mediated by CCR4. Furthermore, Ephedra Herb specifically inhibited the chemotaxis mediated by not only CCR3 and CCR4 but CCR8, all of which are selectively expressed by TH2 cells. This result led us to speculate that ephedrine, a major component of Ephedra Herb, would play a central role in the inhibitory effects on the chemotaxis mediated by CCR3, CCR4, and CCR8. However, ephedrine exhibited little effects on the chemotaxis. Therefore, we fractionated Ephedra Herb into four subfractions and examined the inhibitory effects of each subfraction. As the results, ethyl acetate-insoluble fraction exhibited the inhibitory effects on chemotaxis and calcium mobilization mediated by CCR3 and CCR4 most significantly. In contrast, chloroform-soluble fraction exhibited a weak inhibitory effect on the chemotaxis mediated by CCR8. Furthermore, maoto, one of the Kampo formulations containing Ephedra Herb, exhibited the inhibitory effects on the chemotaxis mediated by CCR3, CCR4, and CCR8. Taken together, our data suggest that these crude drugs/herbs might be useful sources to develop new drugs targeting TH2-mediated allergic diseases.

Antidiabetic Potential of Potentilla fulgens Roots in Validated Animal Models of Diabetes

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antidiabetic potential of tap roots of Potentilla fulgens in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat models. The crude powder, ethanolic, ethanolic: aqueous and aqueous extracts of tap roots were administered to normoglycemic- and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats in a single dose study. The ethanolic extract showed significant improvement in oral glucose tolerance and antihyperglycemic effect on sucrose loaded normal rats and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Of the isolated aqueous, n-butanol, chloroform and n-hexane soluble fractions of the active ethanolic extract of the roots, the aqueous fraction (100 mg/kg body weight) showed significant blood glucose lowering effect on STZ-induced diabetic rats. In a multiple dose study, aqueous fraction of ethanolic extract of P. fulgens roots significantly improved the body weight, percent glycated hemoglobin (%HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), serum insulin, lipid profile, liver and kidney parameters in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous fraction also showed marked improvement in OGTT and serum insulin level in neonatal STZ-induced diabetic rats for 30 consecutive days. The aqueous fraction of the roots also inhibited the activity of alpha (α)-glucosidase enzyme in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, the finding suggested that an aqueous fraction of tap roots of P. fulgens possessed potential antidiabetic activity.

Cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and anti-oxidant activities of <i>Hygrophila schulli</i>

<p class="Abstract">The crude methanol extract of Hygrophila schulli and its petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous soluble Kupchan partitionates were investigated for in vitro cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and anti-oxidant activities. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the petroleum ether soluble extract of H. schulli showed significant cytotoxicity (LC<sub>50</sub> = 0.1 µg/mL and LC<sub>90</sub> = 15 µg/mL) as compared to vincristine sulfate (LC<sub>50</sub> = 0.4 µg/mL and LC<sub>90</sub> = 9 µg/mL). Among all the partitionates, chloroform soluble fraction demonstrated the highest thrombolytic activity with 10.5% clot lyses. Moreover, in hypotonic- and heat-induced conditions, the chloroform soluble extractive inhibited hemolysis of human erythrocyte by 113.7% and 14.3%, respectively as compared to 71.9% and 42.2% demonstrated by standard acetylsalicylic acid. On the other hand, in anti-oxidant activity test, chloroform soluble fraction revealed mild antioxidant activity (IC<sub>50</sub> = 195.1 µg/mL) as compared to standard tert-butyl-1-hydroxytoluene (IC<sub>50</sub> = 27.5 µg/mL).</p><p> </p>

Antitumor, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Glochidion multiloculare (Rottler ex Willd) Voigt

The antitumor, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract (MEGM) of Glochidion multiloculare and its petroleum ether (PEFGM), carbon tetrachloride (CTFGM) and chloroform (CHFGM) soluble fractions were investigated. The antitumor activity of the extract/fractions was determined against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) in mice at 20 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Increase of survival time by 24 ± 0.12, 26 ± 0.40, 21 ± 0.12 and 27 ± 0.42 days was observed by the MEGM, PEFGM, CTFGM and CHFGM treated tumor bearing mice compared to the control group (20 ± 0.12 days). Hematological studies revealed that heamoglobin (Hb) content was decreased in EAC treated mice whereas restoration to normal levels was observed in extract/fractions treated animals. Significant decrease in RBC and increase in WBC counts were observed in extract/fractions treated animals when compared to EAC affected animals. Both extract and fractions at the dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. significantly increased the pain threshold in tail immersion method and reduced the writhing caused by acetic acid induced method. The MEGM, PEFGM, CTFGM and CHFGM showed anti-inflammatory activities at 100 mg/kg b.w. This is the first report of antitumor, analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of G. multiloculare.Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 18(2): 142-148, 2015

Pharmacological Evaluation of Stem Bark of Callicarpa arborea Roxb.

The ethanol extract of stem bark of Callicarpa arborea and its different fractions were investigated for various pharmacological properties. In the acetic acid-induced writhing inhibition assay, the ethanol extract and its chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight significantly inhibited writhing response with 42.7%, 70.3% and 32.8% of inhibition, respectively. In the antioxidant assay by DPPH, the ethanol extract and its pet ether and chloroform soluble partitionates demonstrated significant free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 41.53, 14.59 and 71.2 ?g/mL, respectively. In the disc diffusion method, the carbon tetrachloride soluble materials showed potential antimicrobial activity against all the tested organisms with zone of inhibition ranging from 19-22 mm at a concentration of 400 ?g/disc. On the other hand, the pet ether soluble fraction induced significant clot lysis (30.43%) when compared to negative control. Our findings from the studies clearly indicate that the stem bark of C. arborea possesses potential antinociceptive, antioxidant, antimicrobial and thrombolytic activities, which further warrant its systematic chemical investigation in order to isolate the biologically active molecules.Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 14(1): 111-116, 2015 (June

Bioactivities of Murraya koenigii (Linn.) and Adina cordifolia (Roxb.)

The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts and different organic soluble partitionates of leaves of Murraya koenigii and bark of Adina cordifolia. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, the chloroform soluble fraction of methanol extracts of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia revealed the highest free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 6.9 ± 0.78 ?g/ml and 6.83 ± 0.29 ?g/ml, while the methanolic crude extract of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia displayed the highest cytotoxic potential having LC50 values of 1.94 ± 0.36 ?g/ml and 0.88 ± 0.64 ?g/ml, respectively as compared to standard vincristine sulphate (LC50 value of 0.45 ?g/ml). During assay for thrombolytic activity, the crude extracts of M. koenigii and A. cordifolia showed 8.6 ± 0.48 % and 9.25 ± 0.84% clot lysis, respectively. In the membrane stabilizing assay, the methanol extract of M. koenigii inhibited 62.80 ± 0.81 % and 21.23 ± 0.84 % hypotonic solution- and heat-induced haemolysis of RBCs as compared to 72.2 % and 42.2 % inhibition by acetyl salicylic acid (0.10 mg/ml), respectively. On the other hand, the methanol extract of A. cordifolia demonstrated 42.04 ± 0.57 % and 21.57 ± 0.22 % inhibition of hypotonic solution- and heat-induced hemolysis, respectively. The extractives of A. cordifolia exhibited antibacterial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 8.0 to 26.0 mm against the test microorganisms with the highest zone of inhibition (26.0 mm) against Salmonella Typhi. Although the methanol extract of leaf of M. koenigii as well as its pet ether and aqueous soluble fractions demonstrated no antimicrobial activity, the carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction (CTC) revealed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (16.0 mm).Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 18(1): 25-29, 2015

Evaluation of cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of different fractions of methanolic extract of Baccaurea ramiflora (Lour.) fruits

Chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions of the crude methanolic extract of the fruits of Baccaurea ramiflora (Lour.) have been investigated for the evaluation of cytotoxic and antioxidant activity. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity and free radical scavenging activity method was used to evaluate antioxidant activity. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the chloroform soluble fraction showed greater cytotoxic activity (LC50 value 74.2 µg/ml) than petroleum ether soluble fraction (LC50 value 129 µg/ml) compared to the standard drug vincristine sulfate (LC50 value 0.54 µg/ml). In free radical scavenging activity method (DPPH assay method), the chloroform soluble fraction showed greater antioxidant activity (IC50 value 49.78 µg/ml) than petroleum ether soluble fraction (IC50 value 75.31 µg/ml) compared to the standard antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (IC50 value 24.51µg/ml). This study reveals that Baccaurea ramiflora fruit possesses cytotoxic and antioxidant activity hence can be a potential source for the isolation of active principle(s) for different therapies.International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, May 2015, 4(6): 386-389

Evaluation of acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of Baccharoides schimperi (DC.) in experimental animals

Background: Steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most commonly used to treat inflammation, and shown to have severe side effects. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity effects of Baccharoides schimperi (DC.) in order to get new anti-inflammatory agents of natural origin.Materials and methods: The aerial part of the plant was dried under shade, ground and extracted with 96% alcohol (BSE). It was further fractionated in sequence to n-hexane (BSH), chloroform (BSC) and methanol (BSM) soluble fractions. Acute toxicity was evaluated by oral administration of plant and hind paw induced-edema method in rats was used for the anti-inflammatory evaluation.Results: The BSE was found safe up to the dose level of 3 g/kg b.w. and showed LD50 value 7.250 g/kg body weight (b.w.) in mice. BSE showed significant anti-inflammatory effect (62.91%) at 500 mg/kg b.w. Further the n-hexane, chloroform and methanol fractions of BSE were tested for antiinflammatory activity. The n-hexane fraction (BSH) exhibits significant activity (64.87%) at 400 mg/kg b.w. The methanol fraction (BSM) showed dose dependent activity, highest activity (60.42%) was observed at higher dose 400 of mg/kg b.w. In chloroform fraction (BSC) no significant activitywas observed.Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that the plant is safe to the experimental model and recommended as a potential source of antiinflammatory agent.Key words: Acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory activity, Baccharoide schimperi (DC.)

Bioactive composites produced in situ on the basis of calcium phosphates and lactic acid oligomers

Composites based on lactic acid oligomers, calcium hydrophosphate and hydroxyapatite synthesized under the action of microwave radiation were obtained in situ. The appearance of a new band associated with stretching vibrations of >C=O in spectra of the chloroform-insoluble fraction is indicative of the chemical interaction between lactic acid and hydroxyapatite. To determine whether a calcium phosphate layer can be formed on the surface of composite samples, biomimetic studies in a physiological SBF solution were carried out during 28 days at 37°C. It was found that all samples containing calcium phosphates promote active formation of a new calcium phosphate layer, whereas lactic acid oligomer in samples containing no inorganic component undergoes destruction in the SBF solution as a result of hydrolysis. The estimate of the resorption rate demonstrated that the solubility of calcium phosphates contained in the composites at 20°C in the physiological solution is 3–7 times that of pure hydroxyapatite.

English

The roots of Aconitum brachypodum Diel are used clinically in traditional medicine of China. However, it is also found very toxic and to date, few detoxication strategies are available to completely eliminate its toxicity. The present study was conducted to observe the cellular neurotoxicity of A. brachypodum Diels and discuss the detoxication effect of baicalin and glycyrrhetic acid, two compounds from Chinese herbal Baical skullcap root and Radix Glycyrrhizae, respectively. The cellular neurotoxicity of A. brachypodum Diels on PC12 cell was estimated and assessed. The results showed that low doses of chloroform-soluble fraction (CFA) displayed little toxicity on PC12 cells. However, long term of high doses (300 to 400 μg/ml) exposure to CFA could lead to significant cell damage, mainly including cell apoptosis and necrosis, increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondria dysfunction and redox imbalance. Pre-incubation of baicalin and glycyrrhetic acid could both decrease the cytotoxicity of PC12 induced by CFA. The present study strongly demonstrated the pro-oxidant effects of CFA and suggested that increased intracellular ROS and calcium have mediated a significant time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in PC12 cells exposed to CFA via a mitochondrial dependent pathway, which could be effectively reduced by baicalin and glycyrrhetic acid. Key words: Aconitum brachypodum Diel, baicalin, glycyrrhetic acid, PC12, detoxication.

Screening of antimicrobial potential and brine shrimp lethality bioassay of the whole plant extract of Spilanthes paniculata Wall. ex DC

Bangladesh possesses a rich flora of medicinal plant. Out of the estimated 5000 species of phanerogams and pteridophytes growing in this country, more than a thousand are regarded as having medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp lethality of the whole plant extracts of Spilanthes paniculata, a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. The crude extract, n-Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fraction of crude extract showed significant to moderate antimicrobial activity against three Gram positive and three Gram negative microorganisms. The zones of inhibition produced by the crude extract (methanolic extract), n-hexane, choloform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions were found to be 14.89 mm-19.40 mm, 14 mm-19.40 mm, 10.66 mm-13.50 mm and 9.50 mm-13.26 mm, consecutively at a concentration of 30 µg/disc. N-Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extract of Spilanthes paniculata were screened for antitumor properties using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. From the results of the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, it can be well predicted that n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanolic extract possess mild cytotoxicity on shrimp naupalii. The median lethal concentration (LC50, the concentration at which 50% mortality of brine shrimp nauplii occurred) of n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate were 48.978 mg/ml, 92.61 mg/ml and 216.770 mg/ml, respectively, comparison with positive control vincristine sulphate with 0.839 mg/ml. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjm.v3i1.22743 Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.3(1) 2013: 1-5