Chelidonium Majus Extracts Research Articles

An optical DNA-based biosensor for the analysis of bioactive constituents with application in drug and herbal drug screening

The efficient and rapid detection of bioactive compounds in complex matrices of different origins (natural or synthetic) is a key step in the discovery of molecules with potential application in therapy. Among them, molecules able to interact with nucleic acids can represent important targets. In this study, an optical DNA biosensor, based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transduction, has been studied in its potential application as new analytical device for drug screening. This device was applied to the analysis of pure synthetic or natural molecules and also to some fractions obtained by chromatographic separation of an extract of Chelidonium majus L. (great celandine), a plant containing benzo[ c]phenanthridinium alkaloids having intercalating properties. The ability of these molecules to interact with the double stranded nucleic acid (dsDNA) immobilised on the sensor surface has been investigated. The optical sensing relies on the SPR-based bench instrument Biacore X™ and represents an example of multiuse sensor. The results obtained demonstrate the potential application of this device for the rapid screening of bioeffective compounds. The characteristics of the biosensor offer the possibility to be coupled to chemical analysis as in hyphenated technologies.

Effect of a homeopathic drug, Chelidonium, in amelioration of p-DAB induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice.

BackgroundCrude extracts of Chelidonium majus, and also purified compounds derived from crude extracts of this plant, have been reported to exhibit anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-microbial properties both in vitro and in vivo. Chelidonium is a homeopathic drug routinely used against various liver disorders including cancer in humans. Two potencies of Chelidonium (Ch-30, Ch-200) have been tested for their possible anti-tumor and enzyme modulating activities in liver and anti-clastogenic effects during p-DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice compared to suitable controls.MethodsSeveral cytogenetic and enzymatic protocols were used at three fixation intervals; at 60 days, 90 days and 120 days of treatment. Different sets of healthy mice were fed: i) hepatocarcinogen, p-DAB plus phenobarbital (PB), ii) only PB, iii) neither p-DAB nor PB (normal control). One set of mice fed with p-DAB plus PB was also fed Ch-30 (iv) and another set Ch-200 (v). All standard currently used methods were adopted for cytogenetical preparations and for the enzyme assays.ResultsAll group (i) mice developed tumors in liver at all fixation intervals, while none of group (ii) and (iii) mice developed any tumors. About 40% mice in group (iv) and group (v) did not show tumor nodules in their liver. Feeding of Chelidonium to group (iv) and (v) mice reduced genotoxic effects to a significant extent (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).ConclusionThe homeopathic drug Chelidonium exhibited anti-tumor and anti-genotoxic activities and also favorably modulated activities of some marker enzymes. Microdoses of Chelidonium may be effectively used in combating liver cancer.

Immunomodulatory activity of protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from Chelidonium majus.

In the course of searching immunomodulators from natural sources, the protein-bound polysaccharide, CM-Ala, has been isolated from the water extract of Chelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae). The immunostimulatory characteristics have been investigated in several experiments such as generation of activated killer (AK) cells, proliferation of splenocytes, activation of macrophages and granulocyte macrophage-colony forming cell (GM-CFC) assay. Of the fractions obtained using Sephacryl S200 column chromatography, CM-Ala was the most effective fraction that augmented the cytotoxicity against Yac-1 tumor cells from 0.88% to 34.18% by culturing with splenocytes for 5 days. CM-Ala also enhanced nitric oxide production by two fold in peritoneal macrophages and exhibited antitumor activity. It showed mitogenic activity on both spleen cells and bone marrow cells. CM-Ala induced proliferation of splenocytes by 84 fold and increased GM-CFC numbers by 1.48 fold over than the non-treated. On the contrary, CM-Ala had cytotoxic activity to a diverse group of tumor cells. From the above results, we proposed that CM-Ala has a possibility of an effective antitumor immunostimulator.

Sensitivity of Fusarium strains to Chelidonium majus L. extracts

Ten Fusarium strains were tested for their sensitivity to extracts of Chelidonium majus L. Growth inhibition was measured either in solid or in liquid media. Aqueous extracts had considerable inhibitory action but methanolic extracts showed the best results. Root extracts were more inhibitory than shoot extracts. On the basis of growth inhibition the Fusarium strains were aggregated into five classes, the extremes being Fusarium culmorum plus Fusarium graminearum (quite resistant) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (very sensitive), with the other seven strains occupying the three intermediate classes. The high resistance of most Fusarium strains to conventional fungicides led us to propose C. majus as a good source of substances useful for the treatment of fungal infections, with special importance for those caused by Fusarium.

Reduction of ACh-induced contraction of rat isolated ileum by coptisine, (+)-caffeoylmalic acid, Chelidonium majus, and Corydalis lutea extracts.

The crude extracts of Chelidonium majus and Corydalis lutea were examined for antispasmodic activity against acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction on isolated rat ileal smooth muscle. Further, coptisine and caffeolmalic acid as components of the alkaloid and the hydroxycinnamic acid ester fraction of both plants were similarly investigated. The ACh-induced contraction was found to be antagonized weakly by caffeolymalic acid (6.9%; 2.5 x 10(-5) g/ml/organ bath), C. majus extract (12.7%; 2.0 x 10(-4) g/ml), and a higher concentration of coptisine (16.5%; 1.0 x 10(-5) g/ml) whereas the antispasmodic activity of C.lutea extract reached 45% (2.0 x 10(-4) g/ml). Antagonism by papaverine as a positive control amounted to 83.2%.

Antihepatotoxic Activity ofChelidonium majus

AbstractThe efficacy of an alcohol extract of Chelidonium majus as an antihepatotoxic agent was tested on rats with CC14-induced hepatic injury. CCl4 (1 ml/kg; twice a week) and extract (125 mg/kg/day) were administered simultaneously. The parameters studied to assess liver damage were. plasma ALAT, ASAT. AIP, LDH, bilirubin, cholesterol and liver histology. Significant protection toward CC14-induced elevation of plasma enzymes, changes in bilirubin, cholesterol. and microscopic liver damage was observed. These results indicate the hepatoprotective action of the extract.

Structural changes in phi thickenings during primary and secondary growth in roots. 1. Apple (Pyrus malus) Rosaceae

Whole roots and freehand cross sections of apple roots, cleared and stained with a root extract of Chelidonium majus L., revealed the presence of a uniseriate layer of phi thickenings. The layer, externally adjacent to the endodermis, consisted of cells with a heavy deposition of lignin in the thickened midportions of their transverse and radial walls. The thickenings were completely developed within 3–5 mm from the root tip. Lateral root primordia emerged through the phi layer by means of openings in the layer resulting from the removal of entire phi thickenings from the cortical cells. The layer was not continuous from the main to the lateral roots unlike the Casparian band of the endodermis. During secondary growth, the middle lamellae of the cells of the phi layer split, disrupting the regular appearance of the layer. Ultimately, the epidermis and cortex were sloughed off as the periderm, arising in the pericycle, developed to form the most external tissue of the mature root. However, remnants of the phi thickenings were persistent in many areas of the mature root.

THE LATEST METHODS OF TREATING CARCINOMA BY HYPODERMIC INJECTION.

The partial success of Professor Coley's treatment of sarcoma by the injection of the toxins of erysipelas and of the bacillus prodigiosus has aroused interest, and induced surgeons both sides of the ocean to experiment with other articles. One of these is the extract of chelidonium majus. This is the ancient semi-domestic remedy called celandine. It is an acrid irritant having such energy that applied to the skin it causes inflammation and blisters, and applied to warts is said to destroy them by acting like a caustic. Dr. Denicenco of Russia (<i>Wratsch, St. Petersburg</i>) experimented with it first in epithelioma of the lip, and having produced cures (by sloughing) he was led to use it in inoperable cancers of various parts of the body. He gives it internally by the mouth, applies it on the surface, and injects it into the tumor itself. Probably the whole effect comes from the