Hydroalcoholic Fractions Research Articles

Free-radical scavenging by Ouratea parviflora in experimentally-induced liver injuries

The antioxidant potential of crude extracts and fractions from leaves of Ouratea parviflora, a Brazilian medicinal plant used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, was investigated in vitro through the scavenging of radicals 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), hydroxyl radical (HO•), superoxide anion (O2•−), and lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate. The crude extract (CEOP) and hydro-alcoholic fraction (OP4) showed strong inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation induced by tert-butyl peroxide (IC50 = 2.3 ± 0.2 and 1.9 ± 0.1 μg/ml, respectively). The same products exhibited a strong concentration-dependent inhibition of deoxyribose oxidation (14.9 ± 0.2 and 0.2 ± 0.1 μg/ml, respectively), and also showed a considerable antioxidant activity against O2•−(87.3 ± 0.1 and 73.1 ± 0.4 μg/ml, respectively) and DPPH radicals (55.4 ± 0.3 and 38.3 ± 0.4 μg/ml, respectively). The protective effects of CEOP and OP4 were also studied in mouse liver. CCl4 significantly increased (by 90%) levels of lipid hydroperoxides, carbonyl protein content (64%), DNA damage index (133%), aspartate aminotransferase (261%), alanine aminotransferase (212%), catalase activity (23%), and also caused a decrease of 60% in GSH content. The results showed that CEOP and OP4 exerted cytoprotective effects against oxidative injury caused by CCl4 in rat liver, probably related to the antioxidant activity showed by the in vitro free radical scavenging property.

Antioxidant activity of fractionated extracts of rhizomes of high-altitude Podophyllum hexandrum: Role in radiation protection

Whole extract of rhizomes of Podophyllum hexandrum has been reported earlier by our group to render whole-body radioprotection. High-altitude P. hexandrum (HAPH) was therefore fractionated using solvents of varying polarity (non-polar to polar) and the different fractions were designated as, n-hexane (HE), chloroform (CE), alcohol (AE), hydro-alcohol (HA) and water (WE). The total polyphenolic content (mg% of quercetin) was determined spectrophotometrically, while. The major constituents present in each fraction were identified and characterized using LC-APCI/MS/MS. In vitro screening of the individual fractions, rich in polyphenols and lignans, revealed several bioactivities of direct relevance to radioprotection e.g. metal-chelation activity, antioxidant activity, DNA protection, inhibition of radiation (250 Gy) and iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO). CE exhibited maximum protection to plasmid (pBR322) DNA in the plasmid relaxation assay (68.09% of SC form retention). It also showed maximal metal chelation activity (41.59%), evaluated using 2,2'-bipyridyl assay, followed by AE (31.25%), which exhibited maximum antioxidant potential (lowest absorption unit value: 0.0389 +/- 0.00717) in the reducing power assay. AE also maximally inhibited iron/ascorbate-induced and radiation-induced LPO (99.76 and 92.249%, respectively, at 2000 microg/ml) in mouse liver homogenate. Under conditions of combined stress (radiation (250 Gy) + iron/ascorbate), at a concentration of 2000 microg/ml, HA exhibited higher percentage of inhibition (93.05%) of LPO activity. HA was found to be effective in significantly (p < 0.05) lowering LPO activity over a wide range of concentrations as compared to AE. The present comparative study indicated that alcoholic (AE) and hydro-alcoholic (HA) fractions are the most promising fractions, which can effectively tackle radiation-induced oxidative stress.

Study of Antinociceptive Effect of Isolated Fractions from Petiveria alliacea L. (tipi) in Mice

The acetate (FA), hexanic (FH), hydroalcoholic (FHA) and precipitated hydroalcoholic (FHAppt) fractions from the root of Petiveria alliacea L. were evaluated for antinociceptive effect using the abdominal constriction induced by acetic acid, hot-plate, formalin tests. The open field and rota rod tests were used to evaluate psychomotor function and myorelaxant activity. The fractions were administered intraperitoneally in mice at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. Inhibitions of abdominal constrictions were observed with all doses of the fractions, as compared to control. FH and FHAppt, at both doses, reduced the nociception produced by formalin in the 1st (0-5 min) and 2nd (20-25 min) phases, however FHA (100, 200 mg/kg) and FA 200 mg/kg presented significant inhibition on the 1st and 2nd phases, respectively, of this test. A reduction of the locomotor activity was observed in the open field test with all the fractions. These fractions failed to affect the motor coordination in the rota rod test. Results showed that the different fractions of Petiveria alliacea L. have different antinociceptive potentials as demonstrated in the experimental models of nociception in mice, supporting folk medicine use of this plant.

Antinociceptive effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss fractions in mice

Activity-guided fractionation of methanol:chloroform (1:1) extract of Zataria multiflora Boiss was performed in order to investigate the active component(s) responsible for antinociceptive activity. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated using hot-plate and writhing tests. Morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and diclofenac (10 mg/kg, i.p.) were used as positive controls. The methanol–chloroform (1:1) extract of the aerial parts of the plants was prepared and partitioned between methanol–water (9:1) and n-hexane. The more active hydroalcoholic fraction was concentrated and further partitioned between methanol–water (3:2) and chloroform. The hydroalcoholic layer showed a dose-dependent and significant activity compared to morphine and diclofenac. Further fractionation of the hydroalcoholic fraction on silica gel gave six fractions. Three fractions at 100 mg/kg showed activity comparable to those of morphine.