Lour Research Articles

Acute toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive investigations of extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr (Vitaceae) rhizomes

Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr (Vitaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso in the treatment of wounds, edema, drops, infections. This study focused on pharmacological investigations effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts from Ampelocissus africana (Lour) Merr rhizomes. The acute toxicity of the extracts from Ampelocissus africana was performed under OECD 423 guidelines. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vivo using carrageenan-induced paw edema of mice at the doses to 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 mg/kg body weight (bw). The antinociceptive activity of the extracts was determined using acetic acid, formalin nociception models in mice at the doses to 50, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg bw. The involvement of ATP-sensitive K + channel pathway and opioid system were tested using glibenclamide, and naloxone respectively at the unique dose (400 mg/kg). No mortality of mice were observed at dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. The lethal dose (LD 50 ) value estimated to 5000 mg/kg b.w. The tests were showed that the extracts exerted significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory responses in the paw induced by carrageenan (from 37 to 72.90 percent inhibition), antinociceptives in acetic-induced abdominal contractions (from 25.10 to 63.08%), and in formaldehyde-induced paw licking (from 9.27 to 71.77%) tests. The pretreatment with naloxone and glibenclamide did not affect the antinociceptives effects. The results suggested that the extracts from the rhizomes of Ampelocissus africana possessed anti-inflammatory and antinociception effects in mice. These effects could justify the uses of this plant in traditional medicine.

Optimization of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng Extraction Process using Microwave-Assisted Technique

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng is a medicinal herb with bioactive compounds and known to have pharmacological properties. To obtain the extract of this herb, efficient extraction technique with high extraction rates is needed. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is a green extraction technique with shorter irradiation time, less solvent used and lower CO2 emission compared to other conventional extraction methods. The objective of the study was to determine the optimum operating extraction condition of P. amboinicus using MAE by varying the irradiation time, solvent concentration and solvent-to-solid ratio to obtain optimum yield extract and conducted using response surface methodology (RSM). The extract obtained at optimum condition was characterized for its antioxidant properties. The RSM results show that the optimum condition of P. amboinicus extraction was at 2 min, 30 % ethanol concentration and solvent-to-solid ratio at 30 mL/g with yield extract obtained at 39.81 wt %. The result antioxidants activity of the P. amboinicus extract showed IC50 value of 4.63 mg/mL while the inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging activity from the trolox standard was 5.48 ± 0.77 mg trolox equivalents (TEQ)/g extract. The study proved MAE is a better alternative compared to conventional extraction method with 16.8 % higher yield and the extract of P. amboinicus can be potentially applied in healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

Determination of triterpenes in Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. from different producing areas by HPLC

Objective To develop a HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of three terpenoids in Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. (asiatic acid, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid). Methods The chromatographic column was set with waters SunFire C18 column (4.6 mm×150 mm, 5 μm); the moving phase was acetonitrile -0.1%H3PO4; the column temperature was 30 ℃; the detection wavelength was 200 nm; the flow rate was 0.6 ml/min; and the sample volume was 25 μl. Results A good linear relationship was observed in the range of 0.310-6.200 μg (r=0.999 9), 0.405-8.100 μg (r=0.999 9), 0.169-3.375 μg (r=0.999 8) for asiatic acid, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid respectively, with the average recovery rates of 102.08%, 101.81%, 102.22%. Conclusions The established method is convenient and sensitive, repeatability and stability, quality evaluation for Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. Key words: Chromatography, high pressure liquid; Melastoma dodecandrum Lour.; Asiatic acid; Betulinic acid; Oleanolic acid

Qualitative and Quantitave Phytochemical Screening of Secondary Metabolites in Seeds of Schleichera Oleosa (Lour.) Oken

Qualitative and Quantitave Phytochemical Screening of Secondary Metabolites in Seeds of Schleichera Oleosa (Lour.) Oken

The experimental study of the effect of Dracaena cochinchinesis (Lour.) S. C. Chen on survival of random skin flaps in rats

Objective To study the influence of Dracaena cochinchinesis (Lour.) S. C. Chen on the survival of random skin flap in rats. Methods A 7.0 cm×1.5 cm random pattern skin flap was lifted on the back of 30 male Sprague Dawley rats, and then orthotopically sutured. These rats were randomly divided into two groups: the model group and Dracaena cochinchinesis (Lour.) S. C. Chen group (DC group). Rats in the DC group were given Dracaena cochinchinesis (Lour.) S. C. Chen suspended in 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (8 g/kg) by intragastric administration. Rats in the model group were given sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution of the same volume. The flap survival rate was measured 7 days after model creation. Flap tissues were sampled for histological sections and HE staining to observe microvessel density. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected. Results The survival rate of flaps in the DC group was (67.91±6.81)%, being significantly higher than that in the model group which was (49.65±9.39)%. Histological observations showed that, compared to tissues in the model group, tissues in the DC group had significantly reduced neutrophils infiltrating, better dermal integrity, and more vascular and fibroblast regeneration. Tissues in the DC group also had higher content of SOD and EGF and lower MDA level compared to tissues in the model group. However, there was no difference between the VEGF levels in the two groups. Conclusion Dracaena cochinchinesis (Lour.) S. C. Chen can improve the survival rate of random skin flap. Its mechanism is related to free radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation reduction, and enhanced angiogenesis and improved blood supply. Key words: Surgical flaps; Rats; Dracaena cochinchinesis (Lour.) S. C. Chen

Using morphology and genomic template stability (GTS) tracking herbicide effect on some submersed aquatic plants

The biodiversity are related to environmental status, the natural ponds contained more aquatic plant diversity than paddy field. Some species were found only in paddy fields e.g. Najas Graminea Del., while, some species were found only in natural water pond such as Ceratophyllum demersum Linn. Therefore these major species were selected for herbicide effect testing. The effect of glyphosate and butachlor on aquatic plant was observed in experiment, the color and morphology showed changing related to higher dose treatment. The RAPD profiles was analyzed for genomic template stability (GTS), the results indicated that GTS of Hydrilla verticellata was lowest (7.14%GTS), follow by Utricularia aurea lour (30.77 % GTS), Najas Graminea Del (38.71 %GTS), and Nitella sp. (59.38%GTS), respectively. The results indicated that these herbicides caused abnormally morphology and DNA instability, the RAPD profile cloud be used as biomarker for detection of herbicide contamination in aquatic ecological system.

Seven new combinations in Phanera (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae: Cercideae)

Seven new combinations in Phanera Lour. are made for species which were either described in Lasiobema (Korth.) Miq. or later transferred to Lasiobema from Bauhinia L.

In vitro regeneration and hyperhydricity reduction of Lobelia Chinenss Lour

In vitro regeneration and hyperhydricity reduction of Lobelia Chinenss Lour

Phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activities of quercetin from methanol extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis (LOUR.) Merr. tuber

Five compounds including quercetin (AC01), asparagine (AC02), sucrose (AC03), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (AC04) and β-sitosterol (AC05) were isolated from the methanol extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. tuber collected in Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province of Vietnam. Their structures were elucidated by NMR (1D and 2D-NMR). Quercetin (AC01) was subjected to the assay for antioxidant and anticancer activities. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay was employed for determining the antioxidant activity, while sulforhodamine B (SRB) method was applied for evaluating the anticancer activity against four selected human cancer cell lines. Quercetin had strong antioxidant activity with IC50 = 14.52 ± 2.12 µg/ml (as compared to standard vitamin C with IC50 = 10.49 ± 2.00 µg/ml). Meanwhile, quercetin (AC01) exhibited strong cytotoxicity against the HeLa, human cervical cancer cell line with IC50 = 5.78 ± 0.36 µg/ml, followed by lung cancer cell line (NCI–H460), lung cancer cell line with IC50 = 12.57 ± 1.19 µg/ml and liver cancer cell line (Hep-G2) liver cancer cell line with IC50 = 20.58 ± 0.85 µg/ml. The anticancer activity of quercetin against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), breast cancer cell line was recorded with IC50 = 31.04 ± 3.14 µg/ml. Key words: Asparagus cochinchinensis, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), sulforhodamine B (SRB), human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), lung cancer cell line (NCI-H460), breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), liver cancer cell line (Hep-G2).

OCCURRENCE OF BEET WESTERN YELLOWS VIRUS IN JAPANESE HOP (HUMULUS SCANDENS) IN CHINA

Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) naturally infects Beta vulgaris, Raphanus sativus, Capsella bursa-pastoris and a number of common weed species. In autumn 2011, Japanese hop [Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr] plants showing mosaic symptoms on young leaves were observed in the West Campus of the China Agricultural University of Beijing (China). Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic leaves and screened by RT-PCR with degenerate primer pairs to detect poty-, potex-, tobamo-, cucumo-, polero- and tospoviruses. A specific RT-PCR product (1,384 bp) was obtained only with polerovirus primers designed to amplify a fragment including the partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene, an intergenic non coding region and the coat protein (CP) gene (Zhou et al., 2011). Sequence analysis (GenBank accession No. KC210049) confirmed the presence of BWYV in the analysed samples. The CP gene of the BYWV isolate under study had the highest identity with a BWYV isolate from Inner Mongolia (92.1%) (EU636991) and another BWYV isolate from Beijing (90.6%) (ADR74372.1). whereas the partial RdRp sequence had the highest identity with a BWYV isolate from Beijing (98.3%) (EF051249.1). No RT-PCR products were obtained from healthy plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the natural occurrence of BWYV in H. scandens. As H. scandens is one of the most common weeds in China, management of BWYV in or near sugar beet fields or other crop hosts should include the removal of this weed.

Investigation of phytochemicals and anti‑convulsant activity of the plant Coleus amboinicus (lour.)

Objectives: The present study has been designed to evaluate the comparative anticonvulsant activity of different parts of Coleus amboinicus as it has been mentioned in the various literatures regarding the use of this plant in the treatment of epilepsy, but no specific scientific reports are available in this regard. Materials and Methods: The in vitro anticonvulsant activity of leaf, stem and roots of C. amboinicus has been evaluated by maximal electric shock‑induced seizures (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‑induced seizures models in Swiss albino mice. The drug/extracts were administered through intra‑peritoneal route (100 mg/ml), in both experimental models and the effect was compared with Phenytoin in MES and PTZ‑induced convulsion. Results: All the three studied extracts have shown significant anticonvulsant activity in both the models. However, the alcoholic leaf extract has shown highest activity by abolishing the MES‑induced convulsions after 60 minutes of drug administration. The duration of convulsions in PTZ model was also significantly reduced (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The alcoholic leaf extract of the C. amboinicus has shown the significant anticonvulsant activity in both the studied models, followed by stem and root extracts. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins in these extracts may be responsible for this activity. Key words: Anti‑convulsant, Coleus amboinicus, maximal electric shock, Pentylenetetrazole, Phenytoin

Research Regarding the Planting Density Influence upon the Growth, Development and Yield of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica campestris var. pekinensis (Lour.) Olson) in Early Protected Crops in Transylvanian Tableland Specific Conditions

In the spring of 2011 a research was organized in the experimental field which belongs tothe Vegetable Growing Department, from Faculty of Horticulture of the University of AgriculturalSciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. The main purpose of this experiment was the study oftwo varieties of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. pekinensis (Lour.) Olson) planted atdifferent densities in early crops from polyethylene tunnels in Transylvanian Tableland specificconditions. In this research were used two varieties (‘Vitimo F1’ and ‘Granat’), and three plantingdensities (100 thousand plants/ha, 80 thousand plants/ha and 66.7 thousand plants/ha). The resultsshowed that best results were obtained at a density of 80 thousand plants/ha, thereby the highestweight of plants was recorded at ‘Vitimo F1’, while the heaviest cabbage heads were measured at‘Granat’ variety, planted at the same density. There were no bolted plants at ‘Vitimo F1’ hybrid, whileat ‘Granat’ variety the bolting percentage reached even the value of 35%. The highest yield, 97.47t/ha, was registered at ‘Granat’ variety.

Differentiation rule of Amomum villosum Lour floral bud

Objective To study the differentiation rule of Amomum villosum Lour floral bud.Methods The stolon network of Amomum villosum Lour was classified into a few grades,The stolon length was measured.The stolon node and floral bud numbers were calculated.Results Flowers distributed from 6th to 10th nodes of stolon,but mainly on the 7th,8th,and 9th nodes.The 7th node was the most favorable position for flower differentiation.There were differences among the three breeds in floral bud numbers,node numbers and the ratio.Conclusions The node number within a grade of stolon network is a breed characteristic.The ratio is an indicator for the extent of floral bud differentiation and clear the differentiation rule of Amomum villosum Lour. Key words: Amomum villosum Lour; Stolon; Floral bud; Differentiation

Anti-inflammatoty constituents from the stems of Aglaia odorata Lour.

Anti-inflammatoty constituents from the stems of Aglaia odorata Lour.

Comparative study of essential oil composition of Buddleja asiatica and Buddleja davidii aerial parts

Aerial parts of the plants, Buddleja asiatica Lour. and Buddleja davidii Franchet. were studied with a focus on essential oil composition by using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. A total of 15 and 17 components were identified representing 83.46% and 86.83% of the total oil of B. asiatica and B. davidii respectively. The major constituents in B. asiatica oil were n-tridecane (55.87%), 5-methylundecane (10.62%), n-dodecane (2.84%) and n-hexadecanol (2.76%), while B. davidii essential oil was found to contain n-dodecane (55.15%), 5-methylundecane (13.67%), iso-acorone (4.32%) and n-undecane (2.64%) as major components. Both the essential oils were found to contain hydrocarbons as major compounds. The major component detected in B. asiatica essential oil was found as minor component in B. davidii essential oil and vice versa. The plants can be further studied for their biological activities and to identify various chemotypes.

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of the essential oils of plants species from Brazil against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Essential oils obtained from the leaves of Myrcia ovata Cambess. , Psidium guajava L., Spondias purpurea L. and Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. were gotten by hydrodistillation, analyzed by GC-MS and GC, and tested against third-instar Aedes aegypti larvae. The essential oils exhibited significant larvicidal activity with LC 50 values ranging from 24.7 to 192.1 µg/ml. Larvicidal activities of 1,8-cineole and carvacrol, the major compounds of the essential oil from P. guajava and P. amboinicus were also evaluated and their LC 50 values were 47.9 ± 0.3 and 58.9 ± 0.4 µg/ml, respectively. The results of this study showed that these essential oils and their major compounds may be potent source of natural larvicides.

Characterization of the volatiles and active components in ethanol extracts of fruits of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography- olfactometry (GC-O)

Currently extracts fruits of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) (FLC) is mainly used as natural remedies, perfumery ingredients and food additives. This study reports characterization of the extracts from FLC, which widely distributes in southern China, Japan, and other parts of southeast of Asia. The ethanol extracts of FLC were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), GC-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), and GC-olfactometry (GC-O). A total of 29 compounds were identified and quantified. Among them, the predominant compounds in ethanol extracts of FLC were d-limonene (8.52%), α-citral (26.15%), β-citral (33.16%). It also contains abundant of hydrocarbon monoterpenes, monoterpenes oxide and aliphatic acids and esters. The most frequent descriptors of the ethanol extracts components assessed by GC-O were “citrus”, “lemon”, “sweet”, “spicy”, “pine”, “green”. p-Cymene, thujanol, d-limonene, linalool, caryophyllene, α-citral and β-citral are the most important contributors to the aroma of the extracts. Key words: Litsea cubeba, aroma, extracts, citral.

STUDI KERAGAMAN JENIS, KANDUNGAN GIZI ESENSIAL DAN KALSIUM OKSALAT DIOSCOREA DI PULAU BALI DAN LOMBOK

Dioscorea tuber has many benefits, for example as food or as traditional medicine. The high carbohydrate and protein contents make this plant suitable as a food. However, the presence of crystal oxalate, that causes irritation is an disadvantage aspect on the development of this species. Both of wild and cultivated species will assure the gene flow which is important in efforts to improve the tuber quality should be examine further. This research aimed to observe the biodiversity of Dioscorea in Bali and Lombok, to recognize the utilization and to reveal their nutrients (carbohydrate, protein and fat) and also the contents of calcium oxalate. The results showed that there are five Dioscorea spesies, namely Dioscorea alata L. (ubi) (11 cultivars), Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burkill (ubi aung), Dioscorea hispida Dennst. (gadung), Dioscorea bulbifera L. and Dioscorea pentaphylla L. The highest carbohydrate content (87,42% ) is found in D. alata (ubi ungu cultivar) from Lombok, while the highest protein content (5,05%.) is found in D. alata (ubi dadap cultivar) from Singaraja, Bali. Furthermore, the highest percentage of fat content (0,85%) is found in D. bulbifera from Karangasem, Bali, whereas the high quantity of glaucomannan (44,52%.) id found in D. pentaphylla from Tabanan, Bali, while D. esculenta from Jembarana, Bali has the highest calcium oxalate (0,57%), and D. alata (ubi injin cultivar) from Karangasem, Bali has the least calcium oxalate (0,18%).

Research Concerning the Planting Period of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis (Lour) Hanelt), in Polyethylene Tunnels, in Transylvanian Specific Conditions

As the name implies, Chinese cabbage is native to eastern Asia and possibly Japan. The plant is mentioned in Chinese literature from the 5th century A.D., but was used much earlier than that. In the present research, which took place in 2010, from January to May, was studied Chinese cabbage behavior in Transylvanian area specific conditions, to establish optimal planting period, so that the production achieved to be high.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and phytochemical screening of four Philippine medicinal plants

The crude methanol extracts of four Philippine medicinal plants namely Brucea amarissima (Lour.) Merr. Bark, Intsia bijuga (Coebr.) O. Kuntze, Laportea meyeniana Warb, and Pipturus arborescens (Link) C.B. Rob leaves were examined for their antioxidant (radical scavenging) activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, and cytotoxicity using brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). LC50 values for BSLA ranged from 37.7 to 89.5 µg/ml, with B. amarissima having the lowest value and therefore the most potent, and L. meyeniana having the highest value. EC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity ranged from 343 to 1846 µg/ml, with B. amarissima and I. bijuga having the lowest and highest values, respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, steroids, anthraquinones, anthrones, flavonoid glycosides, and coumarins, which could be responsible for the bioactivities shown by these plants. Key words: Philippine medicinal plants, DPPH radical scavenging activity, brine shrimp lethality assay, phytochemical screening.