Expectorant Agent Research Articles

Screening and Partial Characterization of Secondary Metabolite of Salacia korthalsiana Miq. (Polipog) Root Decocted Extract

A cough is a sudden and often repetitive reflex that helps clear the air passages from secretions, irritants, and foreign particles, including microbes. Coughing can be due to a respiratory tract infection or choking, smoking, air pollution, asthma, chronic bronchitis, medications, and a variety of many other factors which becomes an emerging health problem in the globe. This study investigated the role of Salacia korthalsiana Miq. (Polipog) root decoction as anti-coughing agent through screening and partial characterization of secondary metabolite. The physical properties determined in the root sample were: boiling point 99.3 , brownish red in color with a pleasant odor; pH 5.86 and soluble in water and ethanol which makes the Polipog root extract polar. Phytochemical screening was used for the determination of active chemical properties for anti-cough. Further, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy were used to determine the active functional group for anti-cough. Among the chemical properties determined for anti-cough only steroids and saponins are present, which is an antitussive and expectorant agent. Fourier Transform Infrared analysis showed that the main functional groups present are: the amine and ethers, which are medically active for medicinal purposes. Therefore, Polipog roots are positively active for anti-cough.

Microbial Fibrinolytic Enzymes as Anti-Thrombotics: Production, Characterisation and Prodigious Biopharmaceutical Applications.

Cardiac disorders such as acute myocardial infarction, embolism and stroke are primarily attributed to excessive fibrin accumulation in the blood vessels, usually consequential in thrombosis. Numerous methodologies including the use of anti-coagulants, anti-platelet drugs, surgical operations and fibrinolytic enzymes are employed for the dissolution of fibrin clots and hence ameliorate thrombosis. Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes have attracted much more attention in the management of cardiovascular disorders than typical anti-thrombotic strategies because of the undesirable after-effects and high expense of the latter. Fibrinolytic enzymes such as plasminogen activators and plasmin-like proteins hydrolyse thrombi with high efficacy with no significant after-effects and can be cost effectively produced on a large scale with a short generation time. However, the hunt for novel fibrinolytic enzymes necessitates complex purification stages, physiochemical and structural-functional attributes, which provide an insight into their mechanism of action. Besides, strain improvement and molecular technologies such as cloning, overexpression and the construction of genetically modified strains for the enhanced production of fibrinolytic enzymes significantly improve their thrombolytic potential. In addition, the unconventional applicability of some fibrinolytic enzymes paves their way for protein hydrolysis in addition to fibrin/thrombi, blood pressure regulation, anti-microbials, detergent additives for blood stain removal, preventing dental caries, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic expectorant agents. Therefore, this review article encompasses the production, biochemical/structure-function properties, thrombolytic potential and other surplus applications of microbial fibrinolytic enzymes.

Identification of Flavonoids by LC-MS/MS in Leaves Extract From Protium heptaphyllum(Aubl.) March and Antioxidant Activity in Mice

Background: Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) March resin is accepted as an analgesic, healing, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and gastroprotective agent. However, there are no specific studies on leaves of this plant. Objective: This study identified the chemical composition and biological activity of crude ethanolic extract (EE) and ethyl acetate (EA) fraction from P. heptaphyllum. Methods: Mice were intoxicated with acetaminophen (PCM; 250 mg kg-1), and subsequently treated with EE and EA (100 mg kg-1) for 7 days via gavage. Plasma analysis and evaluation of liver and kidney homogenates of the animals were performed. Results: The extract and fraction showed the presence of phenols and flavonoids. Three main flavonoids were identified by HPLC-UV, LC-MS/MS fractionation, quercetin-3-β-D-glycoside, myricetin and quercetin. For total antioxidant potential tests, EE presented EC50 of 75 mg kg-1 and 100 μg mL-1 for EA. ALT, AST and ALP enzymes activity increased in the PCM-exposed plasma, but EA decreased these activities at control levels for ALT and AST. Animal glycemic levels decreased with EE and EA, which may be due to a possible hypoglycemic effect of the plant. In the liver tissue, SOD was unchanged, CAT, GSH and ASA decreased in the PCM group, but EA was able to reverse these effects. TBARS and PC were reduced by both treatments. In the renal tissue, EA fraction recovered the GST activity, GSH levels were restored by EE and EA and PC was reduced by treatments. Conclusion: This antioxidant effect may be due to the presence of the flavonoids identified, which are already well known for their antioxidant properties.

Implementation of a top five list to identify medical overuse in general practice according to patients\u2019 viewpoint in 2019 in France

BackgroundThere is a current trend to reassess the adequacy of care. Establishing top five lists by involving patients is one way to address medical overuse. The objective of this study was to establish a patients’ top five list in general practice in France. The secondary objective was to identify selection criteria.MethodPatients from the web-based cohort GrippeNet.fr were invited to establish their top five list from 15 care procedures previously selected by general practitioners on the basis of medical overuse. The care procedures were presented on a web-interface with guides written with the help of a patient association. A questionnaire was used to explore factors that may have influenced the choices of the participants.ResultsIn total, 691 patients established the following top five list: 1/ Prescription of antibiotics for acute bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, otitis media with effusion, or uncomplicated influenza; 2/ Prescription of benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-like agents for insomnia, generalised anxiety and all indications for older patients; 3/ Prescription of a homeopathic treatment (Influenzinum) for flu prevention; 4/ Prescription of antitussive or expectorant agents for acute cough or acute bronchitis care; 5/ Prescription of statins for the primary prevention of cardio-vascular risk in older patients. More than 70% of participants gave importance to the recommendations, effectiveness, and tolerance of the care procedures, whereas only half considered the cost.ConclusionThis study is the first to establish a patient’s top-five list in general practice. This list provides direction for deciding the main targets in limiting medical overuse.

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF PROCEDURE FOR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF SUM OF FLAVONOIDS IN STOCK OF Salvia stepposa

On the territory of the Russian Federation, about 80 species grow, both wild-growing and cultivated, plants of the genus sage Salvia L. family Lamiaceae. In scientific and folk medicine, they are widely used as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant and antispasmodic agents for the treatment and prevention of the upper respiratory tract, dentistry. However, many plant species of the genus Salvia L. are not yet sufficiently studied and are not in demand for medical use. In this regard, the problem of finding new plant species of the genus Salvia L., expanding the raw material base and developing highly effective drugs based on them, is quite urgent. Of scientific interest is a Salvia stepposa L., which grows in the Astrakhan region. To date, there is limited information in the literature about the chemical composition and quantitative content of some biologically active substances (BAV) of this plant. As a result of the experiment, a spectrophotometric technique for quantifying the sum of flavonoids in terms of rutin in the leaves of steppe sage harvested in the Astrakhan region was developed. Validation of the proposed methodology on indicators: correctness, convergence, reproducibility, specificity, linearity. The error of the single determination with 95% probability did not exceed ± 3.25%, the relative standard deviation did not exceed 3%. The content of the sum of flavonoids in terms of rutin ranged from 5.72 to 5.82%. Thus, the developed methodology can be recommended for inclusion in the FS project «Salvia stepposa L. leaves».

Study on clinical characteristics of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection in treatment of cerebral infarction in real world

In this study, the clinical characteristics and drug combination rules of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection in the treatment of patients with cerebral infarction were analyzed. The inpatient information of 2 857 patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection in HIS database of 20 grade Ⅲ class A hospitals in China was collected, and a model was established by description analysis and Apriori algorithm, in order to explore the clinical characteristics and drug combination rules of Danshen Chuan-xiongqin Injection in the treatment of cerebral infarction. The results showed that among patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection, 1 727 patients were older than 65 years old, accounting for 69.61%, and 1 610 were males, accounting for 63.59%. Commonly used drugs included lipid-lowering agents, anticoagulant thrombolytic agents, antiplatelet agents, stimulants of brain metabolism, vasodilators and other Western drugs, as well as traditional Chinese medicines, such as blood-activating agents, heat-clearing agents and expectorant agents. The Western medicine with the highest use frequency in combination with Danshen Chuan-xiongqin Injection was aspirin enteric-coated tablets(1 528 cases, 53.48%). The traditional Chinese medicine with the highest use frequency in combination with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection was Xingnaojing Injection, with a total of 378 cases, accounting for 13.23%. Among them, the most commonly used Western drugs combined with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection were anticoagulant thrombolytic and antiplatelet drugs, with a usage rate as high as 83.48%. In order to further explore the drug combination rules of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection, the association analysis of drug combination in patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection was carried out. In clinical combination of two Western drugs, Atorvastatin Calcium Capsules+Cerebral Proteolytic Injection were the most common combination, with a support of 27.10%. In clinical combination with 3 Western drugs, Clopidogrel Bisulfate Tablets+Atorvastatin Calcium Capsules+Cerebral Proteolytic Injection were most commonly used, with a support of 15.90%. The results showed that the patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection were mainly elderly males, and often complicated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and other basic diseases. The clinical application of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection was principally in line with the guidelines. In the treatment of cerebral infarction, it was often combined with Western medicine anticoagulant thrombolysis, antiplatelet drugs, traditional Chinese medicine blood-activating and stasis-dissolving prescription and other drugs with similar pharmacological effects, with an auxiliary therapeutic effect on patients of cerebral infarction complicated with other diseases, and can provide guidance for clinical medication.

Molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of volatile components of Ligularia fischeri (Ledeb) Turcz based on network pharmacology

BackgroundLigularia fischeri (Ledeb) Turcz (LFT) is a well-known expectorant and active anti-inflammatory agent in Chinese traditional medicine. LFT’s expectorant effect is closely related to its anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to evaluate the differential composition and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the volatile components in LFT from different production areas.MethodHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of volatile components, as well as chemometric methods, including similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and principal component analysis, were performed to identify LFT produced in different areas. The molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of these components was determined by network pharmacology analysis.ResultsWe observed significant differences in the chemical constituents and percentage contents in samples with different origins. Eighteen volatile components were identified in four different producing areas, among which the highest content of olefinic components was the main component of the aroma of LFT. The mechanisms of these pharmacological effects involved multiple targets and pathways. Twenty-seven potential target proteins and 65 signaling pathways were screened, and a “component-target-disease” interaction network map was constructed. The volatile components of the LFT function mainly by inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors.ConclusionThis study provides a theoretical framework for further development and application of LFT used in traditional Chinese medicine.Graphical abstract

Ancient Literature Literature study on Timing Medication for Chest Stuffiness and Pains Based on Chrono-Medicine(Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Objective Based on the analysis of the ancient literatures about chest stuffiness and pains in Chrono-Medicine of traditional Chinese medicine,to study the content of timing medication in chest stuffiness and pains. Methods According to the database of Chinese Medical Code, searching the ancient literatures and establishing the database, extracting the contents of chest stuffiness and pains’s prescription which covering timing medication. And the statistical analysis and content discussion were carried out according to the choice of taking medicine. Results The 67 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine included were qi regulating agent, dispelling cold agent, expectorant agent and blood regulating agent. Besides,the time of taking medicine is used to be3:00-5:00,7:00-9:00,11:00-13:00,17:00-19:00, 19:00-21:00, 21:00-23:00.Take medicine once a day in the morning, twice a day, three times a day, three times a day and once a night. It is recommended that timing medication in clinical should be increased in time of 21:00-23:00 and 11:00-13:00, and paying more attention to the heart channel corresponding and the heart pericardium channel in time of 11:00-13:00 and 19:00-21:00. Conclusion Timing medication is beneficial to the optimization of therapeutic effect and minimization of toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine, which needs to provide the best evidence for further multi-center clinical trial research, and promote the popularization of timing medicine in clinical practice. Key words: Chrono-Medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine); Chest stuffiness and pains; Timing Medication; Ancient literature

Production of saponins from in vitro cultures of Astragalus glycyphyllos and their antineoplastic activity

In the last decade the need of plant-derived cytotoxic compounds exceeds the possibilities for obtaining them from naturally grown sources. In vitro plant biotechnology offers a unique and often invaluable alternative for production of complex biologically active substances without harming the flora. Astragalus glycyphyllos L. (Fabaceae) is a plant native to Bulgaria that has been reported to contain triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids. It is used in folk medicine as an antihypertensive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, laxative, expectorant agent, etc. The aim was to study the saponin content of A. glycyphyllos cultures grown in vitro and their antiproliferative activity. Three types of cultures were developed: callus, shoot and suspension cultures. Murashige and Skoog’s, as well as other media, supplemented with various concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators and different photoperiods were used. In all cultures the saponin content was determined by a novel liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. Compared to the wild grown species, in vitro shoot cultures accumulated double the amount of the main saponin (225.00 ng/mg dw) found in the plant. Saponin-rich fractions obtained from shoot cultures were tested for cytotoxicity in a panel of various malignant human cells and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined. Interestingly, the saponin-rich fractions showed higher efficacy against urinary bladder cancer cells with constitutive high expression level of the xenobiotic pump gp170 (MDR1). In vitro cultures of A. glycyphyllos could serve as an alternative way for production of saponins, with promising antineoplastic activity, which deserves further detailed characterization.

Efficacy of nebulized acetylcysteine for relieving symptoms and reducing usage of expectorants in patients with radiation pneumonitis.

BackgroundRadiation pneumonitis is one of the most harmful and clinically significant complications of radiotherapy. This study investigated the benefits of nebulized acetylcysteine for lung cancer patients diagnosed with radiation pneumonitis after radiotherapy.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled and followed 25 patients with radiation pneumonitis who used nebulized acetylcysteine three times a day for 12 weeks. We also reviewed the medical records of 106 control patients who had undergone radiotherapy for lung cancer but had not used acetylcysteine. We evaluated the effects of nebulized acetylcysteine by comparing visits 1 and 4 among nebulizer users and by comparing the acetylcysteine group with the control group.ResultsTwenty‐five acetylcysteine group patients and 101 control group patients were included in the analyses. The mean patient‐rated severity score associated with sputum production decreased in the acetylcysteine group between visits 1 and 4 (from 1.10 to 0.95; P = 0.08). None of the patients used additional expectorant agents after using nebulized acetylcysteine and critical adverse events were not reported. The acetylcysteine group had a shorter mean duration of expectorant use among patients whose radiation pneumonitis required steroid therapy and covered > 10% of a single lung field on computed tomography (37.2 vs. 78.1 days, respectively; P = 0.07).ConclusionsThe beneficial effects of nebulized acetylcysteine for patients with radiation pneumonitis included relieving sputum severity and minimizing expectorant use, especially in severe cases. Further investigation is required to clarify and expand on the benefits of nebulized acetylcysteine for patients with radiation pneumonitis.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ФЕНОЛЬНЫХ СОЕДИНЕНИЙ НАДЗЕМНОЙ ЧАСТИ ХАТЬМЫ ТЮРИНГЕНСКОЙ, ПРОИЗРАСТАЮЩЕЙ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ АЛТАЙСКОГО КРАЯ

Lavatera thuringiaca L. family Malvaceae (Malvaceae) contains a rich complex of biologically active compounds and is widely used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, enveloping, expectorant agent. The goal of this research is to study of phenolic compounds in aboveground part of Lavatera thuringiaca, growing in the Altai Region. To achieve the goal needs to solve the following problem: conducting qualitative reactions to flavonoids, separation and identification of phenolic compounds by TLC and HPLC. The results of qualitative reactions allowed to sugges the presence in the raw material of flavonoids groups flavonol, flavone, flavanone. Using the method of thin layer chromatography in the system ethyl acetate - acetic acid - water (70:10:20) detected flavonoids flavone and flavonol groups. Then prepared ethanolic extraction and separation was divided into fractions: ether, ethylacetate and butanolic. By HPLC in the ester fraction were identified caffeic acid, coumaric derivatives and ferulic acid, flavonoids of flavone, trimethoxyflavone, isoflavone groups, chalcone derivative; in ethyl acetate fraction - caffeic acid, gallic derivatives and ferulic acids, flavonoids of flavone, trimethoxyflavone groups; in butanol fraction - flavonoid of group flavone, apigenin and catechol derivatives. The research aimed at studying the possibility of applying the aboveground part of the Lavatera thuringiaca in medicine. It is planned to develop standard documentation on medicinal plant raw material.

Development of a new ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of ambroxol hydrochloride in serum with pharmacokinetic application

Ambroxol hydrochloride is an expectorant agent, successfully applied in mucolytic therapy for acute and chronic bronchopulmonary diseases. The drug regulates not only mucus secretion but also showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic properties. To supplement the pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies of ambroxol, a rapid ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantitation of ambroxol in rabbit serum was developed. A validation of the method was performed as per the ICH guidelines for the validation of bioanalytical methods. The chromatographic separation was achieved in a submicron Kinetex RP - C18 - column (2.1 mm x 50 mm, 1.3?m) using the no buffer mobile phase. The ESI mass spectrometry in the MRM mode was used with a typical transitions m/z 378.9?263.8 for ambroxol and m/z 455.2?165.0 for IS. Linearity was determined with an average coefficient of determination >0.999 over the dynamic range from 0.5 - 200 ng/mL with LOD and LOQ of 0.25 ng/mL and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. The results of the intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy determined in different days were all found to be within the acceptable limits ?15%. The present method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study in the rabbits after a single oral dose administration.

Comparative phytochemical study of root versus small branches ofDesmodium gangeticumusing High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic UV detection Method

Desmodium gangeticum belongs to family Leguminoceae. It is a versatile plant with many features and considerable prospective. Whole plant is employed as traditional medicine for the treatment of several disorders. D. gangeticum is a traditional Ayurvedic plant used for centuries as an anthelminthic, anti-catarrahal, diuretic, expectorant, astrin-gent, febrifuge, nervine tonic, anti diarrheal, bronchodilator, vasopressor, analgesic, antipyretic, cardio tonic, stimulant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Chromatographic fingerprint and similarity measurement could efficiently identify and distinguish between root and small branches of D. gangeticum. The phytochemical fingerprint profiling of root and small branches of D. gangeticum were found similar as an official part of D. gangeticum plant i.e. root, therefore small branches may be used in place of root and vice-versa after comparison and confirmation of same pharmacological activities.

A Short Review ofCressa cretica

The satisfactory and safer solution to the problems of the public health care requires tremendous attention of the researchers to explore out medicinally efficacious plants and isolate potent molecules from them. Evaluation of such molecules could generate broader spectrum of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters with least toxicity. Cressa cretica (Linn) belonging to family Convolvulaceae. It is commonly known as Rudravanti. Traditionally root and leaves of Cressa cretica are commonly used as expectorant and antibilious agent. It is a holophytic dwarf shrub used in folklore medicine. This article gives the updated information on its properties.

Chemical Components of the Fibrous Root of Ophiopogon japonicus

The rhizome of Ophiopogon japonicus is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that has been employed as an expectorant, anti-cough medicine, and tonic agent [1]. Previous chemical analyses of the rhizomes of O. japonicus have led to the isolation of several components including steroidal saponins [2–6], homoisoflavonoids [7, 8], a cis-eudesmane sesquiterpene glycoside [9], and a spirostan-containing sulfate [10]. In this study, we are not interested in studying the rhizome, but rather its root; indeed, the chemical constituents of the root of this plant are understudied [11]. The present study is a complete investigation of the chemical compositions of the root of O. japonicus. A total of 10 substances were isolated: flavonoids (1–4), sesquiterpenes (5–8), and lignans (9 and 10). Their structures were identified mainly by referencing the published 13C NMR spectral data. The natural lignan 2-(3 -methoxy-4 hydroxybenzyl)-3-(3 -methoxy-4 -hydroxybenzyl)-butyrolactone was isolated for the first time from the fibrous root of Ophiopogon japonicus.

Quantitative Analysis of Paracetamol, Acetylcysteine and Guaifenesin in Commercial Cold Medicines by UV-Vis Spectroscopy

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a painkiller and antipyretic agent. Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agents and it is N-acetylated derivative of L-Cysteine, which is a natural amino acid. Guaifenesin (glyceryl guaiacolate) is an expectorant agent. All these three agents are active ingredients of several cold and pain killer medicines sold in Turkish market today (Parol, Asist Plus, Cinetix, Mucoplus and Vicks Vapo Expectorant). A spectroscopic quantitative determination method not requiring a derivation process has been developed successfully for all these agents and their amounts in these trade preparations were determined. Finally, bioanalytical method validation was performed for the developed method and main validation parameters were determined.

LC–MS/MS determination and pharmacokinetic study of bergenin, the main bioactive component of Bergenia purpurascens after oral administration in rats

Bergenin, a C-glucoside of 4-O-methyl gallic acid from Bergenia purpurascens, is a naturally antitussive and expectorant agent. A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the determination of the active component—bergenin, in rat plasma after oral administration of aqueous B. purpurascens extract. The plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile and chromatographic separation was achieved on a Diamonsil® C18 column (150mm×4.6mm, 5μm) with isocratic elution using a mobile phase consisting of water–methanol (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.6mL/min. The detection was accomplished by a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning via an electrospray ionization (ESI) source operating in the negative mode. The optimized mass transition ion-pairs (m/z) for quantitation were 327.3/192.0 for bergenin, and 431.1/311.1 for IS. The time for each analysis run was only 3.5min between injections. The calibration curve exhibited good linearity (r2>0.99) over a range of 1.00–2000ng/mL for bergenin. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 1.00ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions were no more than 11.8%, and relative errors (RE) were within the range of 0.0–4.4%. The validated method was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of bergenin after oral administration of B. purpurascens extract in rats.

Avaliação biológica de Foeniculum vulgare (Mill.) (Umbelliferae/Apiaceae)

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. é espécie herbácea da família Umbelliferae, nativa da região do Mediterrâneo e da Ásia Menor, amplamente distribuída em todo o território brasileiro. É conhecida popularmente como funcho ou erva-doce e usada na medicina como analgésico, digestivo, carminativo, diurético, expectorante, lactígeno, anti-inflamatório, e antiespasmódico. O extrato bruto etanólico para a verificação das atividades biológicas foi preparado a partir de sementes compradas no comércio. Para a realização do perfil fitoquímico foi utilizada a cromatografia em camada delgada analítica; a atividade antimicrobiana foi determinada pelo teste de difusão em disco de papel e da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM); a atividade antinociceptiva foi realizada pelo método de contorções abdominais em cobaias. Os micro-organismos testados foram isolados clínicos multirresistentes obtidos do Setor de Bacteriologia do Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco. O estudo fitoquímico identificou a maioria dos compostos secundários presentes na fração metanólica das sementes, sendo eles: triterpenos, glicosídeos de flavanóides, terpenos menores (monoterpenóides, sesquiterpenóide e diterpenóides), e açúcares redutores. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o extrato etanólico apresentou maior atividade frente à Micrococcus spp. (CIM=250µg/mL). Os resultados da avaliação da atividade antinociceptiva demonstraram que apenas a dosagem de 298 mg/Kg quando comparado com o padrão indometacina conseguiu uma redução significativa no número de contorções abdominais dos animais. Estudos posteriores deverão ser realizados para a identificação e isolamento de alguns compostos secundários, bem como a realização de outros protocolos de analgesia.

Anti-inflammatory effects of ethanolic extracts from Micromeria species

Micromeria species are traditionally used as expectorant, antispasmodic and stimulant agents as well as condiments [1]. Our study aimed to evaluate in vitro modulation effects of three Micromeria ethanolic extracts on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in comparison with hydroxycinnamic acids. IL-6 is a cytokine with various essential biological activities. It plays important roles in the regulation of immune response and inflammation [2]. Total contents of hydroxycinnamic acids were spectrophotometrically determined in aerial plant parts of M. croatica (6.8%), M. juliana (5.4%) and M. thymifolia (5.3%). TLC analysis showed the presence of caffeic, chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids in studied plant extracts. Modulation of IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated male Balb/C mice splenocytes by plant extracts (18.75–300 μg/mL), as well as caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid (125-2000 μM) was exhibited using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). None of the investigated samples showed cytotoxic effect or inhibition of cell growth of human THP-1 and HepG2 cell lines, as well as on mouse splenocytes (where we observed increased absorbance) by MTS citotoxicity test. In tested concentrations, all extracts and hydroxycinnamic acids inhibited production of IL-6 in the range of 9.5-100% and 30.6-100%, respectively. Among the extracts, the activity decreased in order M. juliana > M. croatica > M. thymifolia, percentages of inhibition were 56.6%, 54.3% and 42.1% at concentration of 75 μg/mL. These findings suggest that Micromeria ethanolic extracts possess anti-inflammatory activity, which could be attributed to the presence of hidroxycinnamic acids.

패모(Fritillaria thunbergii Miquel)의 항균,항혈전 및 항산화 활성 평가

Beimu (Fritillaria thunbergii Miquel), a bulbous plant of Liliaceae found in Korea, Japan and China, has been used as an antitussive and expectorant agent, and is also useful in alleviating stonsillitis and bronchiolitis. Most researches have been focused on micropropagation and plant regeneration, component analysis, and dormancy relieving of beimu. Reports regarding the biological activity of beimu, such as anti-Helicobacter pyroli or platelet aggregation inhibition activity, are few and not widely available. In this study, methanol extract and its organic solvent fractions were prepared from Fritillaria thunbergii Miquel and their antimicrobial, antithrombin, and antioxidant activities were evaluated, respectively. The methanol extract contained lots of water- soluble materials (58.98%) and hexane-soluble oils (14.85%). The ethylacetate and butanol fraction at 500 ㎍/disc concentration showed strong antibacterial activity against tested bacteria, except Escherichia coli. Antifungal activity was not observed in methanol extract and its fractions. The hexane, ethylacetate and butanol fractions showed strong antithrombin activity at 4.8 ㎎/㎖ concentration. Especially, the ethylacetate fraction showed 95.4 sec of thrombin time at a concentration of 1.2 ㎎/㎖, which is comparable to aspirin, a widely used antithrombosis agent. For antioxidation activity, the ethylacetate and butanol fraction showed good 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity (IC?? of 344∼368 ㎍/㎖). In superoxide dismutase-like activity and reducing power, the fractions showed 20∼25% of vitamin C, and 51∼54% of butyl hydroxytoluene, respectively.