Crude Hydroalcoholic Extract Research Articles

Investigation of Euphorbia nivulia-HAM for Enzyme Inhibition Potential in Relation to the Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents and Radical Scavenging Activity.

Euphorbia nivulia-Ham (EN) is a neglected medicinal plant traditionally used for a number of pathologies, but it has not been explored scientifically. In the current study, its various fractions were assessed for their phenolic and flavonoid content, radical scavenging, as well as its enzyme inhibitory potential. The hydro-alcoholic crude extract (ENCr) was subjected to a fractionation scheme to obtain different fractions, namely n-hexane (ENHF), chloroform (ENCF), n-butanol (ENBF), and aqueous fraction (ENAF). The obtained results revealed that the highest phenolic and flavonoid content, maximum radical scavenging potential (91 ± 0.55%), urease inhibition (54.36 ± 1.47%), and α-glucosidase inhibition (97.84 ± 1.87%) were exhibited by ENCr, while the ENBF fraction exhibited the highest acetylcholinestrase inhibition (57.32 ± 0.43%). Contrary to these, hydro-alcoholic crude as well as the other fractions showed no significant butyrylcholinestrases (BChE) and carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity. Conclusively, it was found that EN possesses a significant radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory potential. Thus, the study may be regarded a step forward towards evidence-based phyto-medicine.

Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activities of Hydro-Alcoholic Crude Extract of the Shoot Tips of Crinum abyssinicum Hochst. ex A. Rich (Amaryllidaceae) in Mice.

BackgroundDespite the availability of synthetic antihyperglycaemic medications on the market, diabetes is on the rise. Though not scientifically proven, the Crinum abyssinicum Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Amaryllidaceae) has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Crinum abyssinicum was tested in mice to see if it had anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties.MethodsThe hydro-alcoholic extract of Crinum abyssinicum shoot tips doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) were administered to normoglycemic, oral glucose-loaded mice, and single and repeated dose-treated streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Then, the blood glucose levels were measured for normoglycemic, oral glucose loaded and single dose treated streptozotocin model. Whereas in repeated dose-treated streptozotocin induced diabetic model, blood glucose level, body weight, and lipid profiles were measured.ResultsAfter oral administration, all extract doses (100 mg/kg (p < 0.01), 200 mg/kg (p < 0.001), and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001)) significantly reduced blood glucose level of normal mice as compared to the control group. Significant reduction of post-prandial glucose was achieved with crude extract at a tested dose of 100 mg/kg (p < 0.05) both at 1st and 2nd hours; 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01) at the 1st hour and (p < 0.001) 2nd hours, and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) at the 1st and 2nd hours as compared to the negative control. In diabetic mice, the crude extract 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg; and glibenclamide 5 mg/kg significantly reduced (p < 0.001) blood glucose level on the 14th day as compared to the negative control. All doses of crude extract significantly improved the lipid profiles and the bodyweight of diabetic mice.ConclusionThese findings revealed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of Crinum abyssinicum shoot tips possess significant antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and body weight improvements in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Besides, it showed hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic activities on normoglycemic and oral glucose loaded mice, respectively. These justify the claimed use of the plant in ameliorating diabetes mellitus in Ethiopian folk medicine.

Preliminary Quantitative Phytochemical, Physicochemical And In-Vitro Antioxidant Activity Of Senna Alata Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract

Many oxidative stress related diseases are as a result of accumulation of free radicals in the body. Present studies are directed towards finding natural antioxidants of plants origins. The present study was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents, its qualities and antioxidant activity of Senna alata hydroalcoholic leaf extract as per the standard pharmacopoeial protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activities and to screen for phytochemical constituents of Senna alata. The free radical scavenging activity of hydroalcoholic extract against various assay in terms of IC50 value were DPPH (2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay (715.26μg/ml), reducing power assay (715.26μg/ml), ABTS test (643.95μg/m) and Nitric oxide test (856.79μg / ml) was evaluated. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, anthroquinone, phenols, saponin, tannin and carbohydrates. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the amount of Alkaloid content (49.2%), Flavonoid content (6.96%) and Phenolic content (69.72%) present. Also the Physicochemical examination analysis were also carried out in Senna alata powdered sample which showed the presence of Total Ash (10.25 ± 0.04), Acid Insoluble Ash (2.75 ± 0.03), Water Soluble Ash (1.98 ± 0.02), Alcohol Extract Value (6.32 ± 0.03), Water Extract Value (11.19 ± 0.02), Loss on Dry (6.14 ± 0.03) and Foreign Matter (0.38 ± 0.01). Our findings provide evidence that the crude hydroalcoholic extract of S.alata is a potential source of natural antioxidants, and this justified its uses in folkloric medicines.

Protective effect of Myrcia pubipetala Miq. against the alterations in oxidative stress parameters in an animal model of depression induced by corticosterone

Depression is a debilitating disorder in humans that significantly affects quality of life. As such, alternative therapies are highly sought after by patients seeking treatment for depression. Experimentally, the chronic administration of corticosterone (CORT) in rodents has been reported to promote depressive-like behaviors. Herein, animals received saline or CORT for 21 days and, during the last 7 days, they were treated with the crude hydroalcoholic extract (CHE) of Myrcia pubipetala Miq (50, 100 or 150 mg/Kg), or vehicle (distilled water), by oral route. After 24 h, animals were subjected to the open field (OFT) and forced swimming tests (FST), and then sacrificed for the removal of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex for biochemical analysis. Results showed enhanced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as an elevated formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), in the cerebral cortex of CORT-treated mice. The chronic administration of the CHE (100 and 150 mg/Kg) reduced TBARS and the increased total sulfhydryl content, and also reversed the increase in TBARS induced by CORT. In the hippocampus, CORT increased CAT and SOD activities and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (C) activity, while Myrcia pubipetala Miq. CHE (100 and 150 mg/Kg) increased GSH-Px activity when administered alone and reversed decreased GSH-Px (100 and 150 mg/Kg) activity when given during CORT administration. Neither CORT administration nor CHE treatment significantly altered the immobility time of the animals in FST and no changes were observed in the locomotor activity of the animals in the OFT. Findings indicate that the CHE of Myrcia pubipetala Miq. exerts antioxidant effects in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice induced to depression by CORT. Since phenolic compounds are reported to have antioxidant effects in this species, the effects of the CHE may be, at least in part, mediated by the presence of these compounds in Myrcia extract.

Effect of Piper cubeba total extract and isolated lignans on head and neck cancer cell lines and normal fibroblasts

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the action of the crude hydroalcoholic extract of Piper cubeba fruits and isolated lignans (cubebin, dihydrocubebin, ethylcubebin, hinokinin and methylcubebin) on head and neck cancer cells. We evaluated the influence of the Piper cubeba extract and isolated lignans (10, 50 e 100 μg/mL) for 4, 24, 48 and 72 h, in the larynx (Hep-2) and oral (SCC-25) squamous cell carcinoma cells and normal fibroblasts, on morphology, cell proliferation and migration, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and gene and protein expression (PTGS2, PTGER3, PTGER4, MMP2, MMP9). The results showed that the P. cubeba extract and different lignans do not alter the cellular morphology, but decrease cell proliferation and migration, have low cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, probably due to the alteration of the expression of genes and proteins involved with inflammatory process. From these data, we can conclude that the lignans cubebin and methylcubebin had a greater effect on head and neck cancer cells in the antiproliferative, antimigratory and genotoxic action, and could be the target of the development of new therapies including possible new drugs as a therapeutic resource for the treatment of head and neck cancer due to its immense range of biological properties.

Anticonvulsant effects of Paeonia daurica subsp. macrophylla root extracts in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure models in mice

IntroductionIn the present study, anticonvulsant effects of aqueous extract (AE), hydro-alcoholic crude extract (HE), and its fractions (F-CHCl3, F-EtOAc, F-MeOH) of Paeonia daurica subsp. macrophylla (P. daurica ssp. macrophylla) root examined by using a pentylenetetrazol-induced model (PTZ) on mice. MethodsHE and its fractions as well as AE, in concentrations of (100, 200 and 400mg/kg), valproate (Val) (100 and 200mg/kg), and saline (negative control) (10mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30min before PTZ (80mg/kg, i.p.). The time taken before the onset of myoclonic convulsions (MC), MC duration, time taken before the onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), the duration of GTCS, and the percentage of GTCS and mortality protection recorded. The plant's anticonvulsant mechanisms were assessed using flumazenil (5mg/kg, i.p.) before AE (100, 200, and 400mg/kg, i.p.) injection. GraphPad Prism software was used to compare the differences between various treatment groups with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey–Krammer multiple comparison tests. ResultsAll the plant samples except F-EtOAc significantly delayed the onset and decreased the duration of PTZ-induced MCS and GTCS, and significantly reduced the GTCS and mortality rate. Pretreatment with flumazenil diminished the significant anticonvulsant effects of AE against PTZ-induced seizures. ConclusionsIt can report that extract of P. daurica ssp. macrophylla might be a helpful guide for future studies in the treatment of epilepsy.

Spasmolytic effect of Lonicera japonica extracts on isolated uterus smooth muscle contractions

Introduction: Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is an ornamental flowering plant with numerous traditional medicinal uses. It has been claimed to have anti-spasmodic activities, but only limited studies have been done to support this. The objective of this research was to investigate anti-spasmodic effect of L. japonica flower extract on uterus contractions. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared using the maceration technique. In addition, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions were prepared using a solvent in solvent fractionation technique. Essential oils were collected using the hydro-distillation technique. Rat isolated uterus was suspended in an organ bath and contracted with oxytocin, acetylcholine (ACh), KCl, or application of electrical field stimulation (EFS). The relaxant effects of the extract, its fractions, and nifedipine were examined on uterine contrition induced by the above-mentioned stimuli. Results: Nifedipine in a concentration-dependent manner inhibited uterine contraction induced by oxytocin, KCl, ACh, and EFS. L. japonica flower extract also exhibited an inhibitory effect on the isolated rat uterus. Comparison of the hydroalcoholic extract with its chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed that the chloroform fraction was the most potent and the ethyl acetate the weakest part of the plant with antispasmodic activity. The relaxant effect of essential oil had close similarities to that of chloroform extract. Conclusion: Lipophilic compounds isolated by the chloroform partition of crude hydroalcoholic extract of L. japonica flower exhibited the most antispasmodic activity. Ethyl acetate partition of the same extract exhibited the least activity. Therefore, it can be concluded that the spasmolytic constituents of L. japonica flower reside in chloroform partitioning. The nonpolar essential oils may also have a contribution.

Evaluation of Antiplasmodial Activity of Hydroalcoholic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Zehneria scabra Roots Against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss Albino Mice

BackgroundSince drug resistance makes controlling malaria parasites a major challenge, these pioneering researchers explore and discover new novel drugs from a variety of sources. As a result, this study aimed to assess the anti-plasmodial activity of hydroalcoholic crude extract and solvent fractions of Zehneria scabra roots in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.MethodsThe antimalarial activity and safety profile of Zehneria scabra extracts were tested in a mouse model using four-day suppressive, prophylactic, and rane’s tests against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei. Mice were divided into five groups at random: group I received distilled water (10 mL/kg), group II, III, and IV received 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, and group V received chloroquine (25 mg/kg). The antimalarial activity of the extract was determined using parasitemia levels, survival time, rectal temperature, and weight variation.ResultsAt all dose levels, the crude extract and solvent fractions of Zehneria scabra showed significant (p<0.05 to p<0.001) chemosuppression, with the crude extract and butanol fraction showing the highest chemosuppression (73.09% and 74.09%, respectively). Apart from suppressing parasitemia, the extract also increased survival time and secured packed cell volume reduction substantially (p<0.05 to p<0.001), while the crude extract had no significant impact on body weight or rectal temperature reduction in four-day suppressive and prophylactic models.ConclusionThe result designated that Zehneria scabra is endowed with significant antimalarial activity. These results thus support the traditional use of Zehneria scabra, for the treatment of malaria.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Alpinia zerumbet and A. purpurata nonpolar fraction of leaf extract

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of fractions of leaf hydroalcoholic crude extracts: hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanolic of Alpinia zerumbet and A. purpurata by the agar drop diffusion method in order to screen the main compounds involved in antimicrobial activity. Leaves of A. zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt et R.M. Sm. and A. purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum adult plants were collected and then dried and macerated in 70% ethanol. Leaf extracts were further partitioned using solvents in increasing polarity. Dichloromethane fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major compound in the dichloromethane fraction of both species was the hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid). By drop diffusion assay, the antimicrobial activity of crude extract, as well as fractions of hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanolic, was evaluated against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. No bacteria were inhibited. However, the dichloromethane fraction exhibited promising antifungal activity against the following fungi tested: Cryptococcus neoformans, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Trichophytoon rubrum, Microsporium canis and M. gypseum.

Punica granatum L. extract contributes to phytopathogens control and enhances Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. germination in vitro and in vivo

The study aimed to investigate antimicrobial activity of the hydroalcoholic crude extract from the fruit peel of Punica granatum (Pp) and punicalagin compound (Pg) on phytopathogenic bacterial isolates and its potential use as a sustainable alternative in treatment of vegetable seeds. The antimicrobial activity in vitro was tested by agar well diffusion assay and through viability tests in liquid medium. In vivo treatment with Pp was tested on Eruca vesicaria seeds infected with Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Pp induced the formation of large inhibition zones to the growth of the tested pathogens (35.33 mm – 6.66 mm), with dose-dependent effect. Viability tests confirmed the antimicrobial activity of the Pp on X. campestris pv. campestris and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 μg/mL. Punicalagin compound presented MIC of the 31.25 μg/mL. The seed treatment with Pp indicated control of pathogen-induced symptoms in seedlings of the E. vesicaria and positive effect in seed germination, emergence and in stomatal functionality. The results indicate strong potential of the extract from the fruit peel of P. granatum and Punicalagin for formulating botanical pesticides for plant disease control.

Phytochemical Analysis, HPLC Profiling and Anti-oxidant Potential of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham

Euphorbia nivulia (EN) one of the members of Euphorbiaceae family, is a medicinal plant of Cholistan Desert (Punjab, Pakistan) that is traditionally used for a number of diseases. The plant is enriched with many phyto-constituents including flavonoids, triterpenes and polyphenols. In present study, crude extract as well as various fractions were assessed for phytochemical analysis, HPLC profiling, radical scavenging property and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Hydro-alcoholic (70%) crude extract of EN was subjected to fractionation using different solvents including n-hexane, chloroform, butanol and aqueous. After performing the phytochemical screening and HPLC profiling, antioxidant activity was estimated by using DPPH and FRAP assays. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents were also estimated. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids and polyphenols like quercitin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid and ferulic acid in crude extract as well as butanol and aqueous fractions. Results revealed that butanol fraction showed maximum phenolic (143.26±2.65 mg/g GA/g) and crude extract showed maximum flavonoid (69.80±1.212 mg/g Q) contents. Maximum antioxidant potential was displaced by butanol fraction which was IC50=0.04±0.02 by DPPH and 1193.77±12.4 μmol TE/ml by FRAP respectively. Current study is the first information about the HPLC profiling of phenolic compounds in EN and its antioxidant potential that could be a step forward towards ethno-pharmacological based phyto-medicine.

Integrated analytical workflow for chromatographic profiling and metabolite annotation of a cytotoxic Phorbas amaranthus extract

Phorbas is a widely studied genus of marine sponge and produce structurally rich cytotoxic metabolites. Still, only few studies have assessed metabolites present in Brazilian species. To circumvent redundancy, in this work, we applied and herein report the use of a scouting liquid chromatographic system associate to the design of experiment produced by the DryLab® software to obtain a fast and efficient chromatographic separation of the active hexane fraction, further enabling untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data. To this end, a crude hydroalcoholic extract of the sponge Phorbas amaranthus collected in Brazilian coast was prepared and partitioned. The cytotoxicity of the crude extract and the fractions was evaluated using tumor cell culture models. Fragmentation pathways assembled from HRMS data allowed the annotation of 18 known Phorbas metabolites, while 17 metabolites were inferred based on Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS), matching with a further 29 metabolites annotated through molecular subnetwork. The workflow employed demonstrates that chromatographic method development can be accelerated by the use of automated scouting systems and DryLab®, which is useful for profiling natural product libraries, as well as data curation by molecular clusters and should be incorporated to the tools of natural product chemists.

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF POLYALTHIA LONGIFOLIA (SONN.) BENTH. AND HOOK. F. AGAINST RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds which are also called as a secondary metabolite. Different types of secondary metabolites synthesized by plants which are play important role in biotechnological application and also in antimicrobial activity. In the present study were carried out to determine in vitro the antifungal activity of alcoholic, hydroalcoholic and aqueous crude extracts of Polyalthia longifolia leaf against Rhizoctonia solani fungus. All these extracts i.e., 100% aqueous, 100% alcohol and 50% hydro alcohol used as 10mg/ml concentration with acetone solvent to control of Rhizoctonia solani. The results revealed that the extract that most effectively inhibited growth was found to be 100% alcoholic leaf extract. Finding in this study confirmed that plant extracts can be used as to develop the plant extract-based bio-formulation to control plant pathogens to reduce the dependence on the synthetic fungicides which are ecological safe and cheap.

EVALUATION OF ANTI ULCER ACTIVITY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT OF LEUCAS ASPERA

The main aim of the study was to determine the phytoconstituents present in Leaves of Leucas aspera. The present study was therefore carried out to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of Hydroalcoholic (70% methanol) leaf extract of Leucas aspera in rats. The effect of Leucas aspera extract on gastric ulcer in rats in indomethacin induced gastric ulcers model and ethanol-induced models was studied using single dosing (100, 200 mg/kg) and repeated dosing (200 mg/kg for 5 days) approaches. Ranitidine (50 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) were used as the standard drugs. Depending on the model, outcome measures were volume ulcer index. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and P&lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Leucas aspera significantly (P&lt;0.001) reduced gastric ulcer, respectively, in indomethacin induced gastric ulcers model and ethanol-induced models at the 200 mg/kg dose, which is comparable to the standard drugs. 5 days pre-treatment with Leucas aspera 200 mg/kg exhibited significant (P&lt;0.001) ulcer inhibition. Leucas aspera possesses both dose-dependent and time-dependent anti-ulcer effect in the two models. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) is estimated to be higher than 2000 mg/kg for the crude hydroalcoholic extract, and secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, and saponins were present. The findings of this study confirmed that Leucas aspera has anti-ulcer pharmacologic activity due to one or more of the secondary metabolites present in it. Therefore, this study validates its anti-ulcer use in Ethiopian folk medicine. Further investigations on isolation of specific phytochemicals and elucidating mechanisms of action are needed.

In vitro and In vivo Anticonvulsant Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Clutia abyssinica in Mice Model

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people of all ages worldwide. In the search of safe and effective antiepileptics traditional treatment practices are one area of research to obtain novel molecules. Research is also needed to validate and standardize the traditional claim. Clutia abyssinica leaves were one of the medicinal plants claimed for use against epilepsy and evil eye and other diseases in different parts of Ethiopia. But there was no scientific research evidence for the claimed use of the plant. Therefore this work was designed to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Clutia abyssinica leaves.&#x0D; Methods: The dry residue of the plant extract was used for the test. In vitro 0Mg2+ mice model at dose 0.7 mg/kg of extract, diazepam (3μM) and untreated brain slice groups were used to compare the presence of seizure like event (SLE). In vivo pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) model with 85 mg/kg subcutaneously was used to compare the seizure onset time with two extract doses and diazepam 5 mg/kg. The data was presented with mean± standard error. In maximum electric shock (MES) model 54 mA was passed for 0.2 second transauricularly in mice. The mean time of hind limb extension was recorded for doses 400 mg/kg and 800mg/kg of the extract and 10 mg/kg phenytoin. The means were compared for statistical significance using one way ANOVA post hoc LSD whereas proportions were compared using Fishers exact test with P-value &lt; .05. &#x0D; Results: In vitro anticonvulsant tests C. abyssinica extract effect was not statistically significant compared to negative control (P&gt;0.05).A positive control using the known anticonvulsant diazepam (3μM), showed significant anticonvulsant activity (P&lt;0.05). The in vivo PTZ test showed no statistically significant effect in plant extract at all dose levels (P&gt;0.05). In the in vivo MES test the extract of Clutia abyssinica both low and higher dose didn't show statistically significant effect (P&gt;0.05) compared with the negative control. But the extract improved survival (p&lt;0.05). The qualitative secondary metabolite test evidenced the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavanoids, phenols, saponins, sterols and terpeoids in Clutia abyssinica extract.&#x0D; Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic crude extract result of the C. abyssinica as anticonvulsant is weak based on the models used in this study. For most of the local preparation are mixes of different plants it may have synergistic action with other plants. Or it may have action with other models of chronic epilepsy.

POLYPHENOL CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil. et al.) Hieron. ex Niederl. AND Cupania vernalis Cambess. (SAPINDACEAE)

ABSTRACT Allophylus edulis and Cupania vernalis (Sapindaceae) are Brazilian native trees used as medicinal plants for the treatment of respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and skin diseases. Ubiquitously distributed in the Brazilian territory, these species are indicated for mixed plantations aimed at the recovery of degraded ecosystems. In this study, the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), and the antioxidant activity of extracts and fractions obtained from A. edulis and C. vernalis leaves were assessed. The TPC and TFC was determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The extracts were obtained by two methods: maceration (method 1) and Soxhlet (method 2). Solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) were used to obtained the fractions. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction from A. edulis, obtained from the maceration method, had the highest TPC (442.0 ± 18.2 mg GAE g-1) and TFC (58.1 ± 0.4 mg RUE g-1), and antioxidant activity (EC50 = 43.6 ± 2.6 µg mL-1). By C. vernalis, superior results were obtained with the n-butanol fraction (TPC = 126.1 ± 5.8 mg GAE g-1, TFC = 37.7 ± 0.6 mg RUE g-1). The highest antioxidant potential was found in the crude hydroalcoholic extract (EC50 = 816.1 ± 50.9 µg mL-1) and butanol fraction (1,156.4 ± 3.8 µg mL-1). The results of this study show that the fractions obtained by maceration and liquid-liquid partition with more polar solvents (ethyl acetate and n-butanol) are the richest in TPC and TFC, and presented the greater antioxidant activity. Comparing the two plants, A. edulis showed the best results, with a high content of TPC, TFC, and antioxidant potential, and therefore may be used to treat diseases related to oxidative stress.

Antimalarial Activity of Seed Extracts of Schinus molle Against Plasmodium berghei in Mice.

Background.Malaria is a major public health problem in developing countries. In Ethiopian, the seeds of Schinus molle are used for the management of malaria. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity of hydro-alcoholic crude extract and solvent fractions of Schinus molle seeds in Plasmodium berghei infected mice.Methods.An 80 percent of methanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of Schinus molle seeds were tested for antimalarial activity at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. The parasitemia level, packed cell volume, body weight, survival of date and rectal temperature were used to evaluate the anti-malarial activity of the extracts. One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s HSD multiple comparison test was employed and the result was expressed in mean ± SEM (standard error of the mean).Results.The curative activity of the highest dose of crude extract and aqueous fraction of Schinus molle seeds was 69.86% and 73.82% (p < 0.001), respectively. In the prophylactic test, aqueous fraction had 72.39% (p < 0.001) suppression antimalarial activity. Among solvent fractions, only chloroform fraction was significantly attenuated packed cell volume reduction. The mice treated with crude extract and aqueous fraction had longer survival date than vehicle-treated mice (p < 0.001).Conclusion.The experiment finding showed that the crude extract and solvent fractions of Schinus molle seeds had significant curative and prophylaxis anti-plasmodial activity. This result revealed that the Schinus molle seeds extract has promising antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei. However, further confirmatory studies, isolation and characterization of the active constituents are recommended.

Analytical Concentrations of Some Elements in Seeds and Crude Extracts from Aesculus hippocastanum, by ICP-OES Technique

The metal content in some samples of horse chestnut seeds (Aesculus hippocastanum) was monitored over time (years 2016–2019) considering the two most common and representative Mediterranean varieties: the pure species (AHP, which gives white flowers) and a hybrid one (AHH, which gives pink flowers). The selected elemental composition of the samples was determined by applying the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique. Several samples obtained from different preliminary treatments of the peeled seeds were examined, such as: (i) floury samples (wild-type) mineralized with the wet method; (ii) the ashes of both AHP and AHH varieties; (iii) the fraction of total inorganic soluble salts (TISS). Furthermore, the hydroalcoholic crude extracts (as a tincture) were obtained according to the official Pharmacopoeia methods, and the relevant results were compared with those of a commercial sample, an herbal product-food supplement of similar characteristics. The main characteristics of this research work underline that the two botanical varieties give different distinctive characters, due to the Fe content (80.05 vs. 1.42 mg/100 g d.s., for AHP and AHH wild-type flour samples, respectively), along with K, Ca, Mn, Ni and Cu, which are more abundant in the AHP samples. Furthermore, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the experimental dataset in order to classify and discriminate the samples, in relation to their similar botanical origin, but different for the color of the bloom. These results can be useful for the traceability of raw materials potentially intended for the production of auxiliary systems of pharmacological interest.

Anti-Epileptic Potential of Ziziphus Vulgaris and Ferula Asafoetida Extracts in Drug Induced Seizure Models of Experimental Mice

Background: Ziziphus vulgaris (ZV) and Ferula asafoetida (FA) have phenolic compounds with potential anti-epileptic activity.&#x0D; Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the anti-epileptic potential of hydroalcoholic (30:70) crude extracts of ZV and FA.&#x0D; Methods: Different doses (5 mg/ml, 15 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml) of extracts from ZV and FA were separately administered intraperitoneally to groups (7/group) of male albino mice (20-30 g). Phenytoin (15 mg/ml, intraperitoneal) was used as positive control. After 30 min, tonic-clonic seizures were induced by intraperitoneal administration of picrotoxin (6 mg/ml) and strychnine (4 mg/ml) in separate groups. Animals were monitored for 1 h and different parameters including onset and frequency of seizures and protection (against mortality &amp; seizures) were determined.&#x0D; Results: A dose dependent significant delay in onset and decrease in seizure frequency as well as mortality was observed in animals treated with plant extracts (ZV and FA). Positive control (phenytoin) also showed significant delay in seizure onset and decreased the seizure frequency.&#x0D; Conclusion: The plant extracts (ZV and FA) contain the phenolic compounds which may induce the GABAergic transmission that could be the most probable mechanism for their anti-epileptic activity. Molecular studies and histopathological analysis are required to elucidate the exact anti-epileptic mechanisms of ZV and FA extracts.

Evaluation of the Anti-Ulcer Activity of Hydromethanolic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Root of Rumex nepalensis in Rats.

BackgroundRumex nepalensis(RN) Spreng has been used to treat ulcer disease in Ethiopian folk medicine. This study aimed to determine the anti-ulcer activity of hydroalcoholic root crude extract and solvent fractions of R. nepalensis in rats.MethodsThe effect of R. nepalensis crude hydromethanolic extract and solvent fractions at doses (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day) and repeated dosing (200 mg/kg/day for 10 and 20 days) was examined on ulcers in rats in pyloric ligation-, cold restraint stress-, and acetic acid-induced ulcer models. Cimetidine (100 mg/kg/day) and/or Omeprazole (20 mg/kg/day) were used as standard drugs and served as a positive control. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA post hoc followed by a Tukey HSD test with SPSS software version 24.0, and P≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsIn the pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model, pretreatment with the crude extract significantly reduced the degree of gastric secretions, pH, total acidity, and ulcerations in a dose-dependent manner. Gastroprotection offered by the R. nepalensis 400 mg/kg test extract was comparable to that of the standard. Among fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction at 400 mg/kg had the highest protection of ulcer but the chloroform fraction was ineffective. In the cold restraint stress-induced ulcer model, R. nepalensis at 200 and 400 mg/kg reduced the lesion index significantly (P<0.01). With relevant chronic ulcer model treatment, a dose of R. nepalensis at 200 and 400 mg/kg healed ulcers significantly with a curative ratio of 53.22% and 54.59%, respectively.ConclusionFrom this study, it is concluded that hydromethanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of R. nepalensis root showed promising anti-ulcer activity. This upholds its folkloric use. Thus, it is considered as a possible source to develop a new anti-ulcer agent.