Linn Seeds Research Articles

Assessment of the in-vivo and in-vitro antioxidant potential of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds in Freunds adjuvant induced arthritic rats

The Indian system of medicine provides Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds for the treatment of various ailments like jaundice, bronchitis, diabetes, renal and vesicle calculi, conjunctivitis, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery etc. The present study involves the effect of crude powder (SPP) and aqueous extract (SPE) of S. potatorum Linn seeds on in vivo antioxidant defense system against Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis in rats at the dose of 200 mg/kg/p.o for 14 and 28 days and in vitro antioxidant activity against Ferrous thiocyanate (FTC) and Thiobarbiturate (TBA) induced lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant defense system parameters studied in plasma and tissues of arthritic rats were found to be altered significantly. These alterations observed in arthritic rats may be due to the increased oxidative stress in the tissues, which were significantly reduced in SPP and SPE treated arthritic rats. The results reveal that, the drug treatment decreased the LPO levels in plasma and tissues, either by interception of the formation or by scavenging the active oxygen species. The raise in enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants level may be due to the sparing effect of antioxidant defense system as the drugs SPP and SPE have scavenged the free radicals by various antioxidant phytochemicals like steroids, triterpenes and polyphenolics present in it either by individual or by combined action. In in vitro total antioxidant analysis by FTC and TBA methods, SPE was found to show higher antioxidant activity when compared with SPP. Key words: Strychnos potatorum, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants, free radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation.

Evaluation of antiarthritic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn seeds in Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rat model.

BackgroundStrychnos potatorum Linn (Loganiaceae) is a moderate sized tree found in southern and central parts of India, Sri Lanka and Burma. In traditional system of medicine, Strychnos potatorum Linn seeds were used for various ailments including inflammation, diabetes etc. To investigate the folkloric use of the seeds the present study was carried out on Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rats.MethodsThe present study states the effect of the aqueous extract (SPE) and the whole seed powder (SPP) of Strychnos potatorum Linn seeds on the Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritic rat paw edema, body weight changes and alterations in haematological and biochemical parameters in both developing and developed phases of arthritis. Histopathology of proximal interphalangeal joints and radiology of hind legs were studied.ResultsIn FCA induced arthritic rats, there was significant increase in rat paw volume and decrease in body weight increment, whereas SPP and SPE treated groups, showed significant reduction in paw volume and normal gain in body weight. The altered haematological parameters (Hb, RBC, WBC and ESR) and biochemical parameters (blood urea, serum creatinine, total proteins and acute phase proteins) in the arthritic rats were significantly brought back to near normal by the SPP and SPE treatment at the dose of 200 mg/kg/p.o in both developing and developed phases of arthritis. Further the histopathological and radiological studies revealed the antiarthritic activity of SPP and SPE by indicating fewer abnormalities in these groups when compared to the arthritic control group.ConclusionIn conclusion, both SPP and SPE at the specified dose level of 200 mg/kg, p.o. showed reduction in rat paw edema volume and it could significantly normalize the haematological and biochemical abnormalities in adjuvant induced arthritic rats in both developing and developed phases of FCA induced arthritis. Further the histopathological and radiological studies confirmed the antiarthritic activity of SPP and SPE.

Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) Protects Against Selenite-Induced Oxidative Stress in Experimental Cataractogenesis

Cataract is the opacification in eye lens and leads to 50% of blindness worldwide. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anticataract potential of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn seeds (fenugreek) in selenite-induced in vitro and in vivo cataract. In vitro enucleated rat lenses were maintained in organ culture containing Dulbecco's modified Eagles medium (DMEM) alone or in addition with 100 microM selenite and served as the normal and control groups, respectively. For the test group, the medium was supplemented with selenite and T. foenum-graecum aqueous extract. The lenses were incubated for 24 h at 37 degrees C. After incubation, the lenses were processed for the estimation of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde), and the antioxidant enzymes. In vivo selenite cataract was induced in 9-day-old rats by subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (25 micromol/kg body weight). Animals in the test group were injected with different doses of aqueous extract of T. foenum-graecum 4 h before the selenite challenge. A fall in GSH and a rise in malondialdehyde levels were observed in control as compared to normal lenses. T. foenum-graecum significantly (P < 0.01) restored glutathione and decreased malondialdehyde levels. A significant restoration in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01), catalase, (P < 0.01), glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.01), and glutathione-S-transferase (P < 0.01) was observed in the T. foenum-graecum supplemented group as compared to control. In vivo, none of the eyes was found with nuclear cataract in treated group as opposed to 72.5% in the control group. T. foenum-graecum protects against experimental cataract by virtue of its antioxidant properties. Further studies are warranted to explore its role in human cataract.

Effect Of CARICAPRYL-99 Seed Alkaloid Extract On The Serum Levels Of Sex Hormones And Pituitary Gonadotrophins In Male Albino Rats

Activity of alkaloid extract of caricapryl-99 seeds [Carica papaya Linn seeds] on the serum levels of steroid hormones was studied in adult male albino rats. Three tolerated doses obtained from the graph of percentage toxicity [10, 50 and 150 mg/kg] were separately administered orally, daily for three days to three groups of male rats [n=5] while group four of 5 rats received the vehicle [corn oil] as control. The results showed that 10 mg/kg/d caused increase serum levels of FSH and estrogen but decrease in the serum levels of LH and testosterone compared to control; 50 mg/kg/d elevated the serum levels of FSH, estrogen but inhibited testosterone; while 150 mg/kg/d pretreatments caused a significant decrease [p<0.01] in the serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone. The results suggest that caricapryl-99 treatment inhibited the serum level of the androgen, testosterone which might result in a male infertility.

Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Abrus precatorius Linn Seeds in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT The possible hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potentials of an aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius seeds was investigated in diabetic Wistar rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ). An extract treatment dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight to the diabetes-induced rats resulted in significant reduction (p < 0.05) in blood glucose levels. Use of the extract also prevented the decrease in body weight observed in the diabetic rats as compared with non-diabetic controls. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels observed in the STZ-induced diabetic rats approached normal levels in animals treated with A. precatorius extract. The strong antihypoglycemic and antihypolipidemic potential A. precatorius seeds reduced the atherogenic risk predictor indices HDL-C/TC and LDL-C/HDL-C in the STZ-induced diabetic rats to near normal. The action of A. precatorius was dose-dependant.

Antiulcerogenic potential of Strychnos potatorum Linn seeds on Aspirin plus pyloric ligation-induced ulcers in experimental rats

Strychnos potatorum (Fam: Loganiaceae) Linn seeds are useful in the treatment of gastropathy in Indian traditional system of medicine. The present study describes the antiulcerogenic potential of S. potatorum Linn seeds on aspirin plus pyloric ligation (Aspirin+PL)-induced gastric ulcer model to substantiate its folklore claim. The seed powder (SPP) and aqueous extract of the seeds (SPE) at two doses 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o. prevented ulcer formation by decreasing acid secretory activity and increasing the mucin activity in rats. The antiulcerogenic potential was further confirmed by the histopathological studies of stomach mucosa. The results indicate that SPP and SPE exhibit antiulcerogenic activity by both antisecretory and mucoprotective actions. The mucoprotective action of SPP and SPE may be due to the presence of polysaccharides in seeds. The antiulcerogenic potential of SPP and SPE was compared with the standard antiulcer drug, ranitidine.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Strychnos potatorum. Seeds on Acute and Subacute Inflammation in Experimental Rat Models

The anti-inflammatory effect of seed powder [SPP I (100 mg/kg) and II (200 mg/kg) p.o.] and aqueous extract [SPE I (100 mg/kg) and II (200 mg/kg) p.o.] of Strychnos potatorum. Linn (Loganiaceae) seeds was studied in carrageenin-induced hind paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models. In carrageenin-induced rat paw edema model, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited mild inhibition at 1 h and maximum inhibition at 2.5 h in a dose-dependent manner. In the cotton pellet granuloma model, both wet and dry weights of the cotton pellets were significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited by SPP and SPE at both dose levels, whereas a maximum (p < 0.001) inhibition of wet and dry weights was found at 200 mg/kg, p.o. Both SPP and SPE were found to normalize the increased alkaline, acid phosphatases, and lipid peroxide levels indicating their membrane stabilization and free radical scavenging properties, respectively. In conclusion, both SPP (I and II) and SPE (I and II) exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in acute and subacute inflammatory models, whereas SPE-II was found to possess maximum activity and its effect was also comparable with the standard drug diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg, p.o.).

A Novel Antiproliferative and Antifungal Lectin from Amaranthus viridis Linn Seeds

A lectin from the seeds of Amaranthus viridis Linn has been purified by affinity chromatography on asialofetuin-linked amino activated silica. Amaranthus viridis lectin (AVL) has a native molecular mass of 67 kDa. It is a homodimer composed of two 36.6 kDa subunits. The lectin gave a single band in non-denaturing PAGE at pH 4.5 and pH 8.3 and a single peak on HPLC size exclusion and cation exchange columns. The purified lectin was specific for both T-antigen and N-acetyl-D-lactosamine, markers for various carcinomas, in addition to N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, asialofetuin and fetuin. This lectin reacted strongly with red blood cells (RBCs) from human ABO blood groups and rat. It also reacted with rabbit, sheep, goat and guinea pig RBCs. The lectin is a glycoprotein having no metal ion requirement for its activity. Denaturing agents such as urea, thiourea and guanidine-HCl had no effect on its activity when treated for 15 minutes. AVL showed significant antiproliferative activity towards HB98 and P388D1 murine cancer cell lines. It also exerted antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cincerea and Fusarium oxysporum but not against Rhizoctonia solani, Trichoderma reesei, Alternaria solani and Fusarium graminearum.

Pterocarpus marsupium extract (Vijayasar) prevented the alteration in metabolic patterns induced in the normal rat by feeding an adequate diet containing fructose as sole carbohydrate

Insulin resistance (hyperinsulinaemia) is now recognized as a major contributor to the development of glucose intolerance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. Sedentary lifestyle, consumption of energy-rich diet, obesity, longer lifespan, etc., are important reasons for this rise (J. R. Turtle, Int J Clin Prac 2000; 113: 23). Aqueous extracts of Pterocarpus marsupium Linn bark (PM), Ocimum sanctum Linn leaves (OS) and Trigonella foenumgraecum Linn seeds (FG) have been shown to exert hypoglycaemic/antihyperglycaemic effect in experimental as well as clinical setting. As no work has been carried out so far to assess the effect of PM, OS and FG on fructose-induced hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia, we undertook this study to assess whether these extracts attenuate the metabolic alteration induced by fructose-rich diet in rats. Five groups of rats (eight each) were fed chow diet, 66% fructose diet, 66% fructose diet + PM leaves extract (1 g/kg/day), 66% fructose diet + OS leaves extract (200 mg/kg/day) and 66% fructose diet + FG seeds extract (2 g/kg/day) for 30 days. Fructose feeding to normal rats for 30 days significantly increased serum glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels in comparison with control. Treatment with all the three plants extract for 30 days significantly lowered the serum glucose levels in comparison with control group. However, only PM extract substantially prevented hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperinsulinaemia, while OS and FG had no significant effect on these parameters. Results of this study, in addition to previous clinical benefits of PM seen in NIDDM subjects, are suggestive of usefulness of PM bark (Vijayasar) in insulin resistance, the associated disorder of type 2 diabetes; however, OS and FG may not be useful. Though several antidiabetic principles (-epicatechin, pterosupin, marsupin and pterostilbene) have been identified in the PM, yet future studies are required to certify their efficacy and safety before clinical scenario.

Anti-cataract activity of Pterocarpus marsupium bark and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds extract in alloxan diabetic rats

Long-term complications are frequently encountered in diabetes mellitus and are difficult to treat. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of three antidiabetic plants on the development of cataract in rats. An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Linn bark (PM, Hindi name: Vijaysar) (1 g kg −1 day −1), Ocimum sanctum Linn leaves (OS, Hindi name, Tulsi) (200 mg kg −1 day −1) and alcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn seeds (FG, Hindi name, Methi) (2 g kg −1 day −1) were given to alloxan (120 mg kg −1) diabetic rats until the development of cataract. Serum glucose and body weight were monitored at regular intervals while cataract was examined through naked eye as well as slit lamp at 75, 100 and 115 days after alloxan administration. Administration of all the three plant extracts exerted a favorable effect on body weight and blood glucose, the effects were best with PM followed by FG and OS. On the course of cataract development, PM followed by FG exerted anti-cataract effect evident from decreased opacity index while OS failed to produce any anti-cataract effect in spite of significant antihyperglycemic activity.

Studies on the Effect of Biofertilizers on the Germination of Acacia Nilotica Linn seeds

Forests protect and enrich the soil mantle by reducirQ soil erosion and nutrient loss and by facilitating nutrient recycling and microbiological activities. They act as 'sink' for atmospheric C02 a nd release large arnounts of 02. Forests also sere as c unique storehouse of plant and animal genetic resources and contribute significantly the biological diversity Of the country which inturn serves as an insurance against food crisis and as an asurance for health care. The forest Of India occupy about 22% of geographical area and recent aerial survey has indicated that only about is under funcfi0nalf0rest area.

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity of the Volatile Oil of &lt;i&gt;Nigella Sativa&lt;/i&gt; Linn Seeds

The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of the Volatile oils of Nigella Sativa Linn Seeds was tested against fifteen pathogenic microbial strains includung three gram-positive, eleven gramnegative and a yeast Candida albicans. The volatile oil showed strong sensitivity to all the organisms. The zone of inhibition was found 13-32mm at a dose of 600μg/disc. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the volatile oil was also determined against Staph. Aureus ATCC and E.coli ATCC were found 187μg/ml and 375μg/ml respectively. doi: 10.3329/taj.v18i2.3177 TAJ 2005; 18(2): 109-112

Cassia Tora Linn Seed in Poultry Rations

Cassia tora Linn, a leguminous plant, grows in abundance throughout the country immediately the monsoon sets in. Kehar and Murty (1950) reported the use of Cassia tora Linn seeds in the rations of ruminants. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the possibility of incorporating the seeds in poultry rations.The experiment was conducted on twelve adult healthy male birds, housed in individual cages with raised wire screen flooring. The control group consisted of four birds maintained on the basal ration consisting of 7 parts of fish meal and 93 parts of an all vegetable mash consisting of yellow maize, 48%: wheat bran 30%: ground oats 10%: groundnut cake 11.5%: and salt 0.5%. The same mash with fish meal in which 10% is replaced by crushed Cassia tora Linn seeds constitutes the ration given to the eight experimental birds. The chemical composition of the control and experimental rations are given …