Desmodium Gyrans Research Articles

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Capacity of Some Selected Medicinal Plants of Bangladesh

Medicinal plants are very much known for the presence of high amounts of different phytochemicals. Leaves of twelve medicinal plants, Andrographis paniculata, Blumea lacera, Caesalpinia bonduc, Codariocalyx motorius, Hyptis suaveolens, Vitex trifolia, Centella asiatica, Cynodon dactylon, Portulaca oleracea, Hyptis capitata, Acmella paniculata and Lippia alba grown in the Bangladesh Agricultural University Botanical Garden, had been selected to investigate the presence and status of different phytochemicals along with the antioxidant activity. This article revealed that all of these medicinal plants contained high amounts of different phytochemicals. The phenolics contents ranged from 118.98– 288.62 mg GAE/ 100 g FW, flavonoids (95.19– 198.51 mg QE/ 100 g FW), FRAP values (0.4523– 3.4390 µmol Fe2+/ g FW), IC50 values– amounts required to scavenge DPPH radicals (3.376– 38.56 mg/ mL), vitamin- C (10.418– 41.763 mg/ 100 g FW), total chlorophyll (0.7818– 4.2185 mg/ 100 g FW), carotenoids (0.4614– 1.8557 µg/ g FW), and among which, H. suaveolens and H. capitata from the Lamiaceae family showed the best performances regarding the most of the parameters. Based on the results of the present investigation, it may be concluded that these medicinal plants possess excellent amounts of different phytochemicals and are a good source of antioxidants, which indicates their potential in various ethnomedicinal studies and therapeutic uses. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(2): 373-380, 2024 (June)

The ‘Moving Plant of Bengal’: introduction to Western gardens, naming and early representation, poetic and graphic

The early history of the European ‘discovery’ of the ‘Moving Plant of Bengal’, now Codariocalyx motorius, but for long known as Desmodium gyrans, is discussed, as is its introduction to Western gardens and its scientific description. The pre-eminent role of James Kerr (1737–1782) in sending seeds and drawings by an anonymous Bengali artist to John Hope, John Fothergill and William Cullen is described, and the use of it made by Hope in his botanical lectures. References by the poets Erasmus Darwin and Maria Montolieu are discussed, as also its graphic representation by the engravers Frederick Polydore Nodder and Yves-Marie Le Gouaz, and in paper mosaic by Mary Delany. Also discussed is a paper by Pierre M. A. Broussonet in which the discovery of the plant was attributed to Lady Anne Monson.

Phytochemical screening, analgesic, anti-hyperglycemic and hepatoprotective potentials of Codariocalyx motorius (Houtt.) Leaves Extract

Phytochemical screening, analgesic, anti-hyperglycemic and hepatoprotective potentials of Codariocalyx motorius (Houtt.) Leaves Extract

Ultraconformable, Self‐Adhering Surface Electrodes for Measuring Electrical Signals in Plants

AbstractThe electrical signals in plant's physiological processes are of great interest in biology, biohybrid robotics, and sensors for interfacing the living organisms with an electronic readout and control. This paper reports on the application of conformable, self‐adhering surface electrodes for the measurement and bidirectional stimulation of electrical signals in plants. The inkjet‐printed poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate based electrodes are <3 µm thick, light‐weight, soft and flexible, and can be easily and non‐invasively transferred onto plant's outer organs for surface potential recordings due to their realization on tattoo transfer paper. The devices prove to be extremely versatile for analyzing electrical signals in Dionaea muscipula, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Codariocalyx motorius and for stimulating mechanical responses in D. muscipula. A benefit over traditional electrodes is the van der Waals self‐adherence of the thin electrodes, their intrinsic flexibility and adaptation also on small leaves while providing excellent readout. The same electrode allows long‐term multicycle measurements over at least 10 days and, moreover, straightforward recordings on fast‐moving organs such as snapping fly traps and endogenously oscillating leaflets. The results confirm that self‐adhering soft organic electronics are particularly suitable for plant electrical signal analysis when easy‐application, self‐adaptation, and long‐term performance are required in plant science, biohybrid robotics, and biohybrid sensors.

Desmodium gyrans dc modulates lipid trafficking in cultured macrophages and improves functional high-density lipoprotein in male wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE:High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol-mediated atherosclerotic plaque regression has gained wide therapeutic attention. The whole plant methanolic extract of the medicinal plant Desmodium gyrans Methanolic Extract (DGM) has shown to mitigate hyperlipidemia in high fat- and-cholesterol fed rats and rabbits with significant HDL enhancing property. The study aimed to assess the functionality and mechanistic basis of HDL promoting effect of DGM.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Macrophage cholesterol efflux and foam cell formation assays were performed in THP-1 macrophages. Male Wistar rats were given DGM extract over 1 month and assessed the serum HDL, Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1), and paraoxonase activity. Quantitative Polymerase chain reaction was carried out to assess the expression level of Apo-A1, SR-B1 (Scavenger receptor B1), and Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) on cDNA of HepG2 cells exposed to DGM.RESULTS:Pretreatment of DGM inhibited uptake of oxidized lipids and enhanced the lipid efflux by THP-1-derived macrophages. Oral administration of DGM (100 and 250 mg/kg) progressively enhanced the serum HDL, Apo-A1 level, and associated paraoxonase activity in normal male Wistar rats. In support to this, DGM exposed HepG2 cells documented dose-dependent increase in the expression of SR-B1 and Apo-A1 mRNA, while reduced the CETP expression.CONCLUSION:Overall the results indicated that DGM modulates lipid trafficking and possesses functional HDL enhancing potential through increased Apo-A1 levels and paraoxonase activity. Further, reduced CETP expression and increased expression of SR-B1 suggest the reverse cholesterol transport promoting role of DGM.

The Unique Nutriceutical Components of the Ethnic Medicinal Plant-Codariocalyx Motorius

Codariocalyx motorius (alias Desmodium motorium or D. gyrans or Hedysarum gyrans), also known as telegraph plant, dancing plant, or semaphore plant D Amato..

The effect of Buddhist pirith chanting and Western pop music on growth performance of “Pranajeewa”, <i>Codariocalyx</i> <i>motorius</i> (Houtt.) H. Ohashi

Response of Codariocalyx motorius to Western pop music and Pirith chanting was examined by conducting an experiment with three months old C. motorius saplings, kept in a sound proof confined chamber. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used with five replicates. One week after planting, plants were exposed to three treatments; Western pop music, Pirith and silence. Music and Pirith were played separately for an hour, 30 cm distance away from plants with a sound level of 58 – 63 dB for two months continuously, maintaining equal environmental conditions. Measurements on growth performance were taken once in a fortnight. Percentage difference of parameters was calculated and data were analysed using ANOVA. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the treatment of Pirith and Western pop music were observed for plant height, leaf width, leaf area, and chlorophyll content and leaflet length. However,thin layer chromatographic profiles observed under UV light and Anisaldehyde spray reagent exhibited no difference in chemical components. Magnitudes of the percentage difference between measured parameters of C. motorius under Pirith chanting and Western pop music indicated that there was discernible effect of Pirith chanting on the measured plant parameters in the study implying that rhythmic chanting of Pirith is the most appropriate type of music which improved the growth performance of C. motorius.

Removal efficiency and mechanisms of formaldehyde by five species of plants in air-plant-water system

ABSTRACTThe foliar uptake and transport rates of formaldehyde as well as the abilities of leaf extracts to breakdown formaldehyde were investigated to discuss the formaldehyde removal efficiency and mechanism by five species of plants from air. Results showed that formaldehyde could be transported from air via leaves and roots to rhizosphere water. When exposed to 0.56 mg·m−3 formaldehyde, the formaldehyde removal rate ranged from 18.64 to 38.47 μg·h−1g−1 FW (fresh weight). According to the mass balance in the air–plant–water system, the main mechanism of the formaldehyde loss was its breakdown in plant tissues caused by both enzymatic reaction and redox reaction. Higher oxidation potentials of the leaf-extracts of Wedelia chinensis and Desmodium motorium corresponded well to higher abilities to breakdown added formaldehyde than other plants. Based on the different abilities of fresh and boiled leaf-extracts to dissipate formaldehyde, the enzymatic reaction in Chenopodium album L. was the dominant mechanism while the redox reaction in Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. and Silene conoidea L. was the main formaldehyde breakdown mechanism when exposed to low-level formaldehyde in air. The redox mechanism suggested that the formaldehyde removal may be increased by an increasing level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by the environmental stress.

Partially Purified Aqueous Fraction of Desmodium gyrans DC Improves Reverse Cholesterol Transport and Lipoprotein Metabolism in Wistar Rats Fed with High Fat Diet.

Apart from the conventional hypolipidemic therapy, plaque regression through enhanced reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) has emerged as novel approach in atherosclerotic drug development. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) mimetics as well as agents that augment the functional HDL and RCT pathways are under intense exploration. Desmodium gyrans (Fabacea) has been shown to have hypolipidemic efficacy, with an HDL-enhancing property. In this study, a chromatographically purified active fraction of D. gyrans (DGMAF) significantly decreased the serum and lipid profiles as well as lipotoxicity in liver in Wistar rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD). Except for the marginal deposition of liver lipids, all other organs showed no weight gain due to lipid accumulation. A lower level of lipid peroxidation and a reduced atherogenic index suggests the hypolipidemic efficacy of DGMAF, which was comparatively higher than clinically used atorvastatin. Furthermore, the DGMAF-treated animals had enhanced levels of HDL, associated ApoA-1, and paraoxonase activity. The mRNA levels of ApoA-1 and SR-B1 were upregulated, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) was downregulated. Overall, the results of this study indicate that D. gyrans augments the RCT pathway and improves the lipid metabolism in rats fed an HFD.

Co-occurrence of tannin and tannin-less vacuoles in sensitive plants.

Vacuoles of different types frequently coexist in the same plant cell, but the duality of the tannin/tannin-less vacuoles observed in Mimosa pudica L. is rare. In this plant, which is characterized by highly motile leaves, the development and original features of the double vacuolar compartment were detailed in primary pulvini from the young to the mature leaf stage. In young pulvini, the differentiation of tannin vacuoles first occurred in the epidermis and progressively spread toward the inner cortex. In motor cells of nonmotile pulvini, tannin deposits first lined the membranes of small vacuole profiles and then formed opaque clusters that joined together to form a large tannin vacuole (TV), the proportion of which in the cell was approximately 45%. At this stage, transparent vacuole profiles were rare and small, but as the parenchyma cells enlarged, these profiles coalesced to form a transparent vacuole with a convexity toward the larger-sized tannin vacuole. When leaf motility began to occur, the two vacuole types reached the same relative proportion (approximately 30%). Finally, in mature cells displaying maximum motility, the large transparent colloidal vacuole (CV) showed a relative proportion increasing to approximately 50%. At this stage, the proportion of the tannin vacuole, occurring in the vicinity of the nucleus, decreased to approximately 10%. The presence of the condensed type of tannins (proanthocyanidins) was proven by detecting their fluorescence under UV light and by specific chemical staining. This dual vacuolar profile was also observed in nonmotile parts of M. pudica (e.g., the petiole and the stem). Additional observations of leaflet pulvini showing more or less rapid movements showed that this double vacuolar structure was present in certain plants (Mimosa spegazzinii and Desmodium gyrans), but absent in others (Albizzia julibrissin, Biophytum sensitivum, and Cassia fasciculata). Taken together, these observations strongly suggest that a direct correlation cannot be found between the presence of a tannin vacuole and the osmoregulated motility of pulvini.

Antihyperglycemic effect of Codariocalyx motorius modulated carbohydrate metabolic enzyme activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In the present study, the effects of ethanolic root extract of Codariocalyx motorius (CMRt) on blood glucose, insulin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were studied in experimental diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received CMRt orally at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw daily for 30 days. CMRt treatment showed decrease in blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin with improved serum insulin levels. We observed increase in carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes including hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase and glycogen content in liver of CMRt-treated rats with reduction in the levels of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. Further, immunohistochemical staining of insulin showed preservation of pancreatic β-cells in CMRt-treated diabetic rats. RP-HPLC analysis indicated the presence of chlorogenic acid, myricetin, quercetin and gallic acid. Hence, this study clearly demonstrates the antidiabetic effect of CMRt by normalizing the key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism and restoring the functions of pancreas thus proving its traditional value.

Syk/Src-targeted anti-inflammatory activity of Codariocalyx motorius ethanolic extract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCodariocalyx motorius (Houtt.) H. Ohashi (Fabaceae) is one of several ethnopharmacologically valuable South Asian species prescribed as an herbal medicine for various inflammatory diseases. Due to the lack of systematic studies on this plant, we aimed to explore the inhibitory activity of Codariocalyx motorius toward inflammatory responses using its ethanolic extract (Cm-EE). Materials and methodsLipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages and a HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis model were used for evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Cm-EE. HPLC and spectroscopic analysis were employed to identify potential active components. Mechanistic approaches to determine target enzymes included kinase assays, reporter gene assays, and overexpression of target enzymes. ResultsCm-EE strongly suppressed nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release. Cm-EE-mediated inhibition was observed at the transcriptional level in the form of suppression of NF-κB (p65) translocation and activation. This extract also lowered the levels of phosphorylation of Src and Syk, their kinase activity, and their formation of signalling complexes by binding to the downstream enzyme p85/PI3K. In accord with these findings, the phosphorylation of p85 induced by overexpression of Src or Syk was also diminished by Cm-EE. Orally administered Cm-EE clearly inhibited gastritic ulcer formation and the phosphorylation of IκBα and Src in HCl/EtOH-treated stomachs of mice. By phytochemical analysis, luteolin and its glycoside, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, and scutellarein-6-O-glucuronide were identified as major components of Cm-EE. Among these, it was found that luteolin was able to strongly suppress NO and PGE2 production under the same conditions. ConclusionSyk/Src-targeted inhibition of NF-κB by Cm-EE could be a major anti-inflammatory mechanism contributing to its ethno pharmacological role as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine.

In vitro evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of Codariocalyx motorius root extract

ObjectiveTo determine the phenolic content in Codariocalyx motorius root extract and to evaluate its antioxidant properties using various in vitro assay systems. MethodsThe antioxidant activity was evaluated based on scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, reducing power and by inhibition of lipid peroxidation which was estimated in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. ResultsThe root extract of the Codariocalyx motorius (C. motorius) exhibited potent total antioxidant activity that increased with increasing amount of extract concentration, which was compared with standard drug such as quercetin, butylated hydroxytoluene, tocopherol at different concentrations. The different concentrations of the extracts showed inhibition on lipid peroxidation. In addition, the extracts had effective reducing power, free radical scavenging, super oxide anion scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation, and total phenolic content depending on concentration. High correlation between total phenolic contents and scavenging potential of different reactive oxygen species (r2=0.831–0.978) indicated the polyphenols as the main antioxidants. ConclusionsCodariocalyx motorius (C. motorius) root possess the highly active antioxidant substance which can be used for the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of &lt;i&gt;Desmodium Motorium&lt;/i&gt; Merr.

The n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane soluble fractions of methanol extract of the whole plant of Desmodium motorium were subjected to antioxidant activity by indicated method, inhibition of microbial growth by disc diffusion method and cytotoxicity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The methanol i.e., crude extract showed highest antioxidant activity having IC50 9.5 ?g/ml as compared to 9.0 ?g/ml for standard agent BHT. The n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride and dichloromethane soluble fraction showed moderate inhibitory activity to microbial growth, while all the extractive exhibited strong cytotoxic property with the carbon tetrachloride soluble materials revealed the strongest cytotoxicity with LC50 1.54 ?g/ml.© 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i1.10955 J. Sci. Res. 5 (1), 201-205 (2013)

Evaluation of Ethanolic Extract of Desmodium Gyrans DC Leaves on Wound Healing Activity in Rats

Desmodium gyrans DC is a well-known herb for its antidote, cardiac-tonic and wound healing activities. The present study was aimed for wound healing potential of the ethanol extract of Desmodium gyrans leaves in the form of simple ointment using two types of wound models in rats, viz. excision wound and dead space wound. The results were comparable to standard drug ciphadin ointment, in terms of wound contraction, tensile strength, histopathological and hydroxy proline content. Histopathological study showed significant increase in fibroblast cells, collagen fibres and blood vessels formation. All parameters were observed significant (p<0.01) in comparison to control group.

Somatic embryogenesis in the medicinal legume Desmodium motorium (Houtt.) Merr.

An efficient protocol was established for regeneration of Desmodium motorium via somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic calli were induced from cotyledon segments (6 mm, 16 days old) lacking embryo axis, excised from seedlings grown in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (2.9 μM) in combination with 6-benzyladenine (BA) (4.44 and 8.88 μM). Differentiation of embryogenic calli into globular and heart-shaped somatic embryos was achieved on transfer to hormone-free MS medium. When incubated for 4 days on MS medium supplemented with BA (8.88 μM), 95% of the globular and heart-shaped somatic embryos matured into torpedo and cotyledonary stages with minimum (10%) abnormalities. Modified MS basal medium without hormones and containing half-strength macronutrients and 0.88 M sucrose was suitable for germination of mature somatic embryos. Regenerated plantlets were successfully transferred to earthen pots with survival rate of 50%. Secondary embryogenesis was observed when pre-existing somatic embryos at globular and heart-shaped stages were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of BA, adenine sulphate (AdS) and abscisic acid (ABA) individually.

Tissue Culture and Rapid Propagation of Rare Plant in Codariocalyx motorius(Houtt.)

The aseptic seedings of Codariocalyx motorius(Houtt.)Ohashi were the materials of our study on issue culture and rapid propagation,MS and 1/2MS were the basic mediums.Impact of different conditions on the rapid propagation of C.motorius(Houtt.)was discussed and a tissue culture system of C.motorius(Houtt.)was initially established,the best callus adventitious and bud differentiation medium was MS+6-BA 2.0 mg·L-1+NAA 0.1 mg·L-1+sugar 30 g·L-1+VC 2.0 mg·L-1,the best medium for the shoot regeneration was MS+6-BA 2.0 mg·L-1+NAA 0.05 mg·L-1,the best rooting medium was 1/2MS+NAA 0.2 mg·L-1+IAA 0.5 mg·L-1.

Perturbations of the periodicity of plant leaflet oscillations caused by visible light

Lateral leaflet movements in the presence of blue and white light stimuli in the plant Desmodium gyrans have been studied. A strong effect, namely, the reduction of amplitude of the lateral leaflet movement and thus a shortening period was observed. The oscillations regained their same regularity over a few cycles after the stimulus was removed and they quickly halted when the lateral leaflets were exposed to a light of higher intensity. However, the blue light was found to be more effective than the white light in the perturbation of leaflet oscillations. The results were discussed by reviewing the investigations performed in this plant with other stimuli.

Light-dependent changes in the leaflet movement rhythm of the plant Desmodium gyrans.

The movements of the lateral leaflets of the Indian telegraph plant Desmodium gyrans (L. F.) DC, have earlier been studied in detail with regards to the effects of chemicals, DC currents, and static magnetic fields. In the present paper we have discussed the oscillation of the lateral leaflets under the influence of white light of various light levels (0-75 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)), produced by an array of LEDs (light emitting diodes). LEDs were used in contrast to fluorescense tubes as in earlier studies in order to minimize changes of wavelength when light intensity was decreased or increased. Furthermore, care was taken to ensure that the temperature in the experimental chamber was constant. When the oscillations were first monitored in bright light, the oscillations were found to be very rapid and with decreasing light intensity the oscillations slowed down. For light levels lower than about 20 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) the period of the oscillation of the lateral leaflets was almost constant (or even decreased slightly towards complete darkness). We also show that the oscillations could completely stop under prolonged darkness (for longer than about 6 h) and that such halted oscillations could be restarted in most of the leaflets when he light was turned back on. Such stopping of the oscillation of the lateral leaflets in prolonged darkness suggests that these short period oscillations of the lateral leaflets could have a daily component and in natural environment these oscillations could serve the purpose of optimising the amount of light falling on the leaflets or/and facilitating transpiration of water through stomata. Such a finding could have an implication for the answer to the long standing question of adaptive significance of short period oscillation of the Indian telegraph plant Desmodium gyrans (L. F.) DC.

Phase response curve for the ultradian rhythm of the lateral leaflets of Desmodium gyrans using DC current pulses.

In the present study the leaf movement rhythm was perturbed by the application of DC current pulses (15 microA, 10 seconds, voltage applied: 10 V) to the upper part of the pulvinus, passing through the pulvinus and its stalk. The pulses were applied at four different positions of the leaflets: when the leaves were at the lowermost position, when moving up, at the uppermost position and when moving down. The pre-perturbed and the post-perturbed rhythms were compared. We found that the rhythms were shifted in phase and the phase shifts observed at the four different positions of the leaflets were significantly different in magnitude as well as direction. Furthermore, we could also observe phase advances, which is in contrast to an earlier finding. A phase response curve (PRC) was constructed to illustrate the sensitivity of the oscillating leaflet system to DC pulses. Substantial delays of about 50 s (as compared to the period of about 200 s) were obtained when pulses were administered at the lowermost position and when leaflet were moving upwards, while advances or no phase shifts were recorded in the uppermost position and when leaflet were moving down respectively.