Traditional Indian Medicinal Plant Research Articles

Quality Evaluation of Herbal Juice Developed from Traditional Indian Medicinal Plants Using Citrus limetta as Base

Lime juice, basil extract, ginger and sugar syrup were optimized and blended to form a herbal juice which was pasteurized at 90°C for 25 sec cooled and stored at refrigerated temperature 5°C for 20 days. Physic-chemical and sensory analysis was done. Marginal changes in pH, total soluble solids, acidity, vitamin C and antioxidant content were observed. The TSS increased during the storage period and was reported to be increased by 2.5°Brix. Addition of basil extract and ginger to lime juice greatly increased the antioxidant potential of the juice and also Vitamin C. Vitamin C and pH and subsequently decreased as the storage time increased. Ascorbic acid content was reported to decrease by 10-12 mg/100 gm in all the juice blends. The antioxidant potential gradually decreased during the storage period from 50.5 in 10% to 56.1 in 25% juice blends. The mean overall acceptability scores of more than 8 for juice blends samples up to 20% basil extract incorporation indicated the commercial scope for manufacturing good and nutritious juice blends, which will also be helpful in providing good antioxidant and nutraceutical potential to the consumer. Heat pasteurisation (90°C for 25 sec) and basil and ginger extract were more effective for inactivating the microbial flora. However the shelf life of the juice blends was established within 10 days, after this the acceptability decreased. The product is recommended children, youth and elderly persons to be used within 10 days.

Development and Quality Evaluation of RTS (Ready to Serve) Beverages Made from Traditional Indian Medicinal Plants

Kinnow juice, Basil extract, ginger and sugar syrup were optimized and blended to form a RTS beverage which was pasteurized at 90°C for 25 sec cooled and stored at refrigerated temperature 5°C for 20 days. Physic-chemical and sensory analysis was done. Marginal changes in pH, total soluble solids, acidity, vitamin C and antioxidant content were observed. The TSS increased during the storage period and was reported to be increased by 2.5°Brix. Addition of basil extract and ginger to know juice greatly increased the antioxidant potential of the juice and also Vitamin C. Vitamin C, pH and subsequently acidity decreased as the storage time increased. Ascorbic acid content was reported to decrease by 10-14 mg/100 gm in all the RTS (Ready to Serve) beverages. The antioxidant potential gradually decreased during the storage period from 54.2 in 10% to 60.1 in 25% RTS. The mean overall acceptability scores of more than 8 for beverage samples up to 20% basil extract incorporation indicated the commercial scope for manufacturing good and nutritious RTS beverage, which will also be helpful in providing good antioxidant and nutraceuticals potential to the consumer. Heat pasteurisation (90°C for 25 sec) and basil and ginger extract were more effective for inactivating the microbial flora. However the shelf life of the RTS was established within 10 days, after this the acceptability decreased. The product is recommended children, youth and elderly persons to be used within 10 days.

Antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of indigenous traditional Indian folk Medicinal Plant, Gnaphalium polycaulon

Antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of indigenous traditional Indian folk Medicinal Plant, Gnaphalium polycaulon

Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Action of Indian Traditional Medicinal Plants

Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Action of Indian Traditional Medicinal Plants

Geographical impact on essential oil composition of Limnophila rugosa (Roth.) Merr.

Limnophila rugosa (Roth.) Merr. is an important Indian traditional medicinal plant, used for the treatment of various diseases. Fragrant volatile oils isolated from the aerial parts of L. rugosa collected from two diverse localities in northern India (foothills and mid-hills) were investigated by gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The essential oil yields and chemical compositions of L. rugosa from the two localities differed significantly. The population collected from the mid-hills was rich in essential oil (0.44%) compared with the population from the foothills (0.25%). The essential oil of the foothill population was characterized by the dominance of methyl chavicol (76.6%), followed by (E)-anethole (19.1%). Conversely, the essential oil of the mid-hill population was dominated exclusively by (E)-anethole (88.5%). These genetic resources of L. rugosa can be utilized as a valuable source of the high-value aromachemicals, namely methyl chavicol and (E)-anethole.

Development of a rapid and high frequency Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation protocol for Ocimum tenuiflorum

A rapid and efficient Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated transformation system for Ocimum tenuiflorum L., a traditional Indian medicinal plant that occurs in red and green forma, was developed. The plant is a repertoire of several pharmaceutically and nutraceutically important metabolites. Three different types of explants i.e. leaves, hypocotyls and excised shoots, obtained from shoot cultures of in vitro germinated red and green forma plants were transformed using Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC 15834. The transformation efficiency was equal between similar explants of both forma. Transformation efficiency was best in leaves of 4 days while excised shoots and hypocotyls had 6 and 8 days respectively. Transformation frequency of green forma leaves was the highest (70.6%) among all explants. Excised shoots of green forma plants exhibited better transformation (58.3%) than the red forma excised shoots (42.59%). Red forma hypocotyl explants displayed marginally better (26.27%) transformation frequency than green hypocotyl explants (21.14%). Transformation with hairy root was confirmed by the presence of rolC gene through PCR amplification and Southern hybridization. The development of hairy root-based transgenic system for O. tenuiflorum will pave the way for in vitro production of important secondary metabolites.

Andrographolide prevents human breast cancer-induced osteoclastic bone loss via attenuated RANKL signaling

Bone metastasis is a common and serious complication in advanced cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma. Agents that prevent bone loss could be used to develop an alternative therapy for bone metastasis. RANKL, a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, has been shown to play a significant role in cancer-associated bone loss. In this study, we examined the efficacy of the natural compound andrographolide (AP), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from the traditional Chinese and Indian medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata, in reducing breast cancer-induced osteolysis. AP prevented human breast cancer-induced bone loss by suppressing RANKL-mediated and human breast cancer cell-induced osteoclast differentiation. Molecular analysis revealed that AP prevented osteoclast function by inhibiting RANKL-induced NF-κB and ERK signaling pathway in lower dose (20 μM), as well as inducing apoptosis at higher dose (40 μM). Thus, AP is a potent inhibitor of breast cancer-induced bone metastasis.

Andrographolide suppresses RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevents inflammatory bone loss in vivo

Osteoclasts play a pivotal role in diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and tumour bone metastasis. Thus, searching for natural compounds that may suppress osteoclast formation and/or function is promising for the treatment of osteoclast-related diseases. Here, we examined changes in osteoclastogenesis and LPS-induced osteolysis in response to andrographolide (AP), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from the traditional Chinese and Indian medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata. Effects of AP on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption were measured in vitro. Western blots and RT-PCR techniques were used to examine the underlying molecular mechanisms. The bone protective activity of AP in vivo was assessed in a mouse model of osteolysis. AP concentration-dependently suppressed RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro and reduced the expression of osteoclast-specific markers, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, calcitonin receptors and cathepsin K. Further molecular analysis revealed that AP impaired RANKL-induced NF-κB signalling by inhibiting the phosphorylation of TGF-β-activated kinase 1, suppressing the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, and subsequently preventing the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit. AP also inhibited the ERK/MAPK signalling pathway without affecting p38 or JNK signalling. AP suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through attenuating NF-κB and ERK/MAPK signalling pathways in vitro, thus preventing bone loss in vivo. These data indicated that AP is a promising natural compound for the treatment of osteoclast-related bone diseases.

Phytochemical and ethno-pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC.: A review

Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. is a well explored traditional Indian medicinal plant used to treat neurological imbalances. Recent pharmacological studies established its multi-directional therapeutic significance as anti-leishmanial, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective drug. Moreover, it has detoxifying, blood purification property which might be attributed to its immunomodulatory activity. Phytochemical research revealed the plant is rich in alkaloids, pterocarpans, phospholipids, sterols and flavanoids. The review emphasizes primarily on folkloric uses, pharmacological activities of the extracts, biological activities of isolated compounds, toxicity and safety profile of Desmodium gangeticum to provide a comprehensive data for researchers to hit upon new chemical entity responsible for its claimed traditional uses and further clinical trials.

Enzymatic in vitro Anti-diabetic Activity of Few Traditional Indian Medicinal Plants

Enzymatic in vitro Anti-diabetic Activity of Few Traditional Indian Medicinal Plants

Abstract 2248: Anti-leukemic activities of alcoholic extracts of two traditional Indian medicinal plants.

Abstract Background: In recent years there has been a re-awakening of interest in the identification of Medicinal plants and their derivatives for the treatment of human diseases including cancer. The present work aims to investigate the in-vitro activity of two plants used in traditional Indian medicine - Zingiber Officinale Rose(Rhizome) and Nerium Oleander L(Leaves) against a human leukemic cell line. Method: The plants were extracted with methanol and ethanol using soxalate apparatus. In-vitro anti-cancer activity was screened against leukemic cell line K562 using the SRB and MTT assay. Apoptosis and DNA fragmentation were characterized by PI staining flow cytometry and Gel electrophoresis, respectively. Results: Notable cancer cell growth inhibition was observed for extracts from Zingiber Officinale Rose and Nerium Oleander L with IC50 values ranging between 10 -28 μg/ml. Furthermore, treatment of cells with both the extracts was shown to produce cell cycle arrest and DNA damage indicating that the observed cytotoxicity was mediated via apoptosis. Conclusion: Extracts of Ginger and Oleander has anti-cancer activity against the K572 cell line in an in-vitro system. Based upon this initial screening work reported here, further studies aimed at the identification of active components of these extracts are planned. The activity of these agents against cell lines developed from actual patient samples are also planned. Citation Format: Hemant Malhotra, Bharti Malhotra, Shipra Bhargava, Om Singh Rathode, Pratibha Sharma, Ashwin Mathur, Sandeep Jasuja, Shubha V. Chiplunkar. Anti-leukemic activities of alcoholic extracts of two traditional Indian medicinal plants. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2248. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2248

Enhanced Resistance toSpodoptera liturain Endophyte Infected Cauliflower Plants

Endophytic fungi, which live within host plant tissues without causing any visible symptom of disease, are important mediators of plant-herbivore interactions. These endophytes enhance resistance of host plant against insect herbivores mainly by productions of various alkaloid based defensive compounds in the plant tissue or through alterations of plant nutritional quality. Two endophytic fungi, i.e., Nigrospora sp. and Cladosporium sp., were isolated from Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers, a traditional indian medicinal plant. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) plants were inoculated with these two endophytic fungi. The effect of endophyte infected and uninfected cauliflower plants were measured on the survival and development of Spodoptera litura (Fab.), a polyphagous pest. Endophyte infected cauliflower plants showed resistance to S. litura in the form of significant increase in larval and pupal mortality in both the fungi. Inhibitory effects of endophytic fungi also were observed on adult emergence, longevity, reproductive potential, as well as hatchability of eggs. Thus, it is concluded that antibiosis to S. litura could be imparted by artificial inoculation of endophytes and this could be used to develop alternative ecologically safe control strategies.

In vitro conservation of Bacopa monnieri (L.) using mineral oil

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., a traditional Indian medicinal plant with high commercial potential, is used as a potent nervine tonic. A slow growth protocol was developed for medium-term conservation using mineral oil (MO) overlay. Nodal segments of B.monnieri (two genotypes; IC249250, IC468878) were conserved using MO for 24 months. Single node explants were implanted on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg l−1 BA and were covered with MO. Subculture duration could be significantly enhanced from 6 to 24 months, on the above medium. Normal plants regenerated from conserved cultures were successfully established in soil. On the basis of 20 random amplified polymorphic DNA and 5 inter-simple sequence repeat primers analyses and bacoside A content using HPLC, no significant reproducible variation was observed between the controls and in vitro-conserved plants. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using MO for medium-term conservation of B.monnieri germplasm without any adverse genetical and biochemical effects.

Neuroprotective Effects of Bacopa monnieri in Experimental Model of Dementia

Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by dementia that begins as mild short term memory deficit and culminates in total loss of cognitive and executive functions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of Bacopa monnieri (BM), an Indian traditional medicinal plant effective against cognitive impairment, in colchicine-induced dementia. Intracerebroventricular administration of colchicine (15μg/5μl) induced cognitive impairment in rats as assessed by elevated plus maze. This was accompanied by a significant increase in oxidative stress in term of enhanced levels of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls. Concomitantly, decrease in activity of antioxidant enzymes was observed in colchicine treated animals. BM (50mg/kg body weight) supplementation reversed memory impairment observed in the colchicine treated rats. BM administration attenuated oxidative damage, as evident by decreased LPO and protein carbonyl levels and restoration in activities of the antioxidant enzymes. The activity of membrane bound enzymes (Na(+)K(+) ATPase and AChE) was altered in colchicine treated brain regions and BM supplementation was able to restore the activity of enzymes to comparable values observed in controls. The results suggest therapeutic potential of BM in the treatment of AD associated cognitive decline.

In vitro screening of dry fruit extracts of Piper attenuatum for antioxidant and anticancer activity

Indian traditional medicinal plant Piper attenuatum (Buch-Ham) has been investigated for its antioxidant and anticancer activity. Three extracts were prepared using ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol. In vitro antioxidant activity was performed by ABTS {2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)} free radical scavenging method. All three extracts reduced the free radicals produced by ABTS in a concentration-dependent manner which could be compared to the standard (gallic acid). Invitro anticancer activity of all extracts was carried out by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay method against MCF7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) cell lines. None of the extract showed anticancer activity when compared with the standard (mitomycin C) indicating that P. attenuatum is deprived of antiproliferative or cytotoxic components.

Abstract 566: Withaferin A causes autophagy in normal as well as cancerous human breast cells

Abstract Withaferin A (WA), a promising anticancer constituent of traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicinal plant Withania somnifera, inhibits growth of MDA-MB-231 (estrogen-independent) and MCF-7 (estrogen-responsive) human breast cancer cells in culture and MDA-MB-231 xenografts in vivo in association with apoptosis induction. We have shown recently that WA-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells is initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Because ROS are frequently implicated in induction of autophagy, which is an evolutionary conserved process for bulk-degradation of macromolecules including organelles, we raised the question of whether WA treatment causes autophagy. In the present study, we have addressed this question using MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, a spontaneously immortalized and non-tumorigenic normal human mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A), and MDA-MB-231 xenografts from control and WA-treated mice. WA treatment resulted in autophagy induction in cancerous (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) as well as normal mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) as judged by transmission electron microscopy, cleavage of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), formation of acidic vesicular organelles, and punctate pattern of LC3 localization. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed markedly higher expression of LC3 in MDA-MB-231 xenografts from female athymic mice administered i.p. with 4 mg/kg WA compared with control. Autophagy is a protective mechanism against apoptosis by several agents. Interestingly, inhibition of WA-induced autophagy either by a pharmacological agent (3-methyladenine) or siRNA knockdown of critical autophagy regulating proteins ATG5 or Beclin1 did not have any meaningful impact on growth inhibition or apoptotic cell death resulting from WA exposure in MDA-MB-231 or MCF-7 cells. Collectively, these results indicate that WA induces autophagy in breast cancer cells regardless of estrogen receptor expression and this response is not unique to cancerous breast cells. In addition, unlike many other agents, autophagy induction by WA has no influence on its ability to inhibit cell growth or cause apoptosis at least in breast cancer cells. This investigation was supported by US PHS grant CA142604 awarded by the National Cancer Institute. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 566. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-566

Karyotype analysis of three important traditional Indian medicinal plants, Bacopa monnieri, Tylophora indica and Withania somnifera

Most of the Software industries are demonstrating absorption in Software Process Improvement (SPI) in Small and Medium Enterprises. In the modern world, software development and improvement is an important area that permits organizations to develop applications in house. Traditionally, waterfall system is used to administer software development. The traditional, waterfall model counted upon linear, sequential stages, well explained features, sign of documentation and widespread coverage. The outcome of the study is to formulate a holistic model for customization of agile practices for small and medium organizations. This paper has demonstrated a case study emphasizing on tailoring agile methods including tailored XP (extreme programming) focusing Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) for software process improvement. This framework is for software processes being implemented by SME merging agile methods XP, Scrum and defines the handover in pre-transition and post order.

Phytochemical and ethno-pharmacological profile of Crataeva nurvala Buch-Hum (Varuna): A review

Crataeva nurvala Buch-Hum (Varuna) is well known traditional Indian medicinal plant used to treat various ailments in particular urolithiasis. During last two decades, numerous ethno-pharmacological and scientific reports have been cited in the literature to support its multi-directional therapeutic potential. The plant is rich in alkaloids, saponins, triterpenes, tannins, flavanoid glycosides, glucosinolates and phytosterols. The review emphasizes primarily on folkloric uses, biological activities of isolated compounds, pharmacological activities of the extracts, clinical studies and safety profile of Crataeva nurvala to provide a comprehensive data for researchers to hit upon new chemical entity responsible for its claimed traditional uses.

Evaluation of selected Indian traditional folk medicinal plants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with antioxidant and cytotoxicity study

ObjectiveTo evaluate different solvent extracts of selected Indian traditional medicinal plant against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, its antioxidant potential and cytotoxicity. MethodsAcacia catechu (L.) Willd (Root extract) and Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., leaf extracts of Aegle marmelos Corr., Andrographis paniculata Nees. and Datura metel L. were sequentially extracted in water, ethanol, chloroform and hexane and evaluated for their anti-tuberculosis (TB) activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis using agar diffusion assay. The zone of inhibition (at 20 and 40 mg/ml) was measured and MIC were calculated. The results were compared with Rifampicin as a standard anti TB drug. The extracts were also evaluated for DPPH and OH radical scavenging activities to understand their antioxidant potential. MTT based cytotoxicity assay was used for evaluating cytotoxicity of the selected samples against Chang liver cells. ResultsThe selected botanicals were sequentially extracted in water, ethanol, chloroform and hexane and tested for growth inhibition of M. tuberculosi. The hexane extract of A. catechu root and ethanol extract of A. paniculata leaf showed promising activity against M. tuberculosis while remaining extracts showed moderate anti TB activity. The samples were found to possess considerable DPPH and OH radical scavenging activities with no demonstrable cytotoxicity against Chang liver cells. ConclusionsFive traditional medicinal plants were selected for the present study. The selection of medicinal plants was based on their traditional usage for the treatment of tuberculosis, asthma and chronic respiratory diseases. Herein we report for the first time, the anti TB activity of root extracts of Acacia catechu and Ailanthus excelsa while leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata, Aegle marmelos and Datura metel. The study holds importance in the midst of multi drug resistance (MDR) crisis in the TB management, since it unravels the scientific basis of use of these plant species for the management of TB and related disorders which will be useful for searching the lead compounds from natural products as potential antimycobacterial agents.

Antibacterial activities of some Indian traditional plant extracts

ObjectiveTo evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of South Indian traditional medicinal plants Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum, Aegle marmelos, and Adhatoda vasica leaves against clinical pathogens of human origin. MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of different solvents crude extract of four medicinal plants used in traditional Indian medicine was tested by disc diffusion method against five bacterial pathogens: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi and klebsiella pneumoniae.. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined for evaluating the potential plant extract. ResultsThe antibacterial results showed methanol extracts (0.4 g/ml) of Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum sanctum showed maximum zone of inhibition (30 mm and 25.5 mm, respectively) against Salmonella typhi. MIC was tested at various concentrations from 0.625 mg/ml to 0.039 mg/ml for all the plant extracts. At the lowest concentration (0.039mg/ml) tested, methanol extracts of Ocimum gratissimum showed higher MIC against Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi where as the methanolic extracts of Ocimum gratissimum showed potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus at 0.078 mg/ml. Methanol extract (0.4 g/ml) of Aegle marmelos showed significant inhibitory activity of 22.5mm and MIC value of 0.156.mg/ml against E. coli strain. The Klebsiella spp was the most resistant strain of all and various concentrations Adhatoda vasica extract showed less activity against the tested pathogens. ConclusionsThe present screening result demonstrated that the Indian traditional medicinal plants Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum, Aegle marmelos methanol leaf extract has potent antibacterial activity and the studied plants may be new source for novel antibacterial compound discovery for treating drugs resistant human pathogens.