Fractionation Of Methanol Extract Research Articles

In vivo anti-typhoid and safety evaluation of extracts of Ximenia americana on experimental rats

BackgroundTyphoid fever is an infectious disease of serious public health concern. The anti-typhoid efficacy and safety of Ximenia americana stem bark extracts on the nephrocytes, hepatocytes, and haematological parameters of Salmonella typhi infected Wistar albino rats was evaluated. MethodologyExperimental rats in their respective groups were infected with S. typhi via oral administration of infective dose (0.5 ml of 1.5 × 104 cfu/ml) of cultured S. typhi, while group 1 were uninfected. Group 2 were untreated, group 3 were treated with the standard drug (ciprofloxacin), while groups 4, 5, 6 were treated with (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) body weight of the methanol extract of X. americana stem bark, and groups 7, 8 and 9 were treated with (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) body weight of the ethyl-acetate fraction of X. americana stem bark administered orally for 7 days. Acute toxicity test was carried out using standard methods and signs accompanying toxicity such as drowsiness, respiratory distress, diarrhoea, and possible death of animals were monitored for 24 h in an interval of 2 h. Physical parameters were also monitored to check symptom amelioration as the treatment progresses. ResultsAcute toxicity test showed that experimental rats administered the methanol extract and ethyl-acetate fraction of X. americana had no clinical signs of toxicity such as drowsiness, respiratory distress, diarrhoea, and death. The Physical examination of rats in all the treatment groups showed improvement in symptoms following Salmonella infection as treatment progressed when compared to the untreated group. Salmonella infection led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum urea, sodium, chloride levels, bilirubin concentration, total white cell count and activities of the liver enzymes as compared to normal and apparently healthy rats. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in PCV, haemoglobin concentration, RBC count, serum potassium, total protein and creatinine levels of the infected groups was observed as compared to the normal uninfected group. The methanol extract at the dose of 300 mg/kg body weight had 15%, 37%, 52% reduction in sodium, urea, and alkaline phosphatase respectively and 57% increase in potassium while the ethyl-acetate fraction (300 mg/kg body weight) had 46% and 47% increase in PCV and haemoglobin and 36% reduction in ALT. ConclusionThe administration of the methanol extract and ethyl-acetate fraction of X. americana was accompanied by a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent decrease in serum electrolytes and alkaline phosphatase in the treated groups. X. americana could be a safe natural alternative therapeutic source for enteric fever management.

The Cosmetic Potential of The Medicinal Halophyte Tamarix Gallica L. (Tamaricaceae) Growing in The Eastern Part of Algeria: Photoprotective and Antioxidant Activities.

Currently, the use of ingredients from natural sources has gained great attention in the cosmetic field, especially for the development of new photoprotective formulations. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the cosmetic potential of the crude methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of the medicinal halophyte Tamarix gallica L. (Tg) growing in the area of Tebessa in the eastern part of Algeria, by assessing their phenolic and flavonoid contents, photoprotective and antioxidant activities. The research approach consisted of determining phenolic and flavonoid contents of aerial parts via Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was measured through two in vitro methods, DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity test (TAC). The in vitro photoprotective effect was evaluated according to the parameter SPF (Sun Protection Factor) by using the UV spectroscopic method in the UV-B region (290-320 nm). The methanol extract (Tg-MeOH) and ethyl acetate (Tg-EtOAc) fraction showed good antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 14.05±0.66, 27.58±1.98 μg/mL respectively in the DPPH test. Furthermore, both extracts displayed strong total antioxidant capacity (287.01±7.85, 246.7±1.12 mg AAE/g, respectively) in the TAC test. Both extracts exhibited high photoprotective activity, with sun protection factor (SPF) values 37.03±0.22 and 36.08±0.03. The antioxidant and photoprotective activities of these extracts were probably related to polyphenols content (190.27±0.74 mg AGE /g and 121.77±1.29 mg AGE /g, respectively) and flavonoids (78.75±0.06 mg QE /g and 58.67±1.19mg/g). Our findings show that extracts of Tamarix gallica L. could be a promising source to be mixed as a natural sunscreen and antioxidant agents into photoprotective cosmetic formulations.

Antiplasmodial Activity of Griffipavixanthone and Morelloflavone the Main Compounds from Garcinia Chromocarpa Engl. (Clusiaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe genus Garcinia is a rich source of species mostly used in traditional medicine to treat a many diseases. Bioactive constituents from this genus have been used as antimicrobial, anticancer, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anti-HIV. The methanol stem bark extract from Garcinia chromocarpa has been fractionated using preparative HPLC and column chromatography to identify major compounds of this plant and to evaluate their antiplasmodial activity.Aim of the studyThis study was aimed to report the antiplasmodial activity of Griffipavixanthone and Morelloflavone isolated for the first time from G. chromocarpa. And the absence of cytotoxicity at the highest tested dose (100 µg/mL) have been demonstrated. This aspect could justify their use in traditional medicine.Materials and methodsChromatographic fractionation of the stem bark methanol extract led to the isolation of major compounds, identified by NMR and MS spectroscopic techniques. The crude extract and pure compounds were used for the in vitro evaluation of the malaria parasite growth inhibition by colorimetric method (p-LDH assay), of the antiradical activities and of their cytotoxicity through WST1 assay.ResultsBased on the chromatographic profile two major compounds were isolated. They were characterized by spectroscopic analysis interpretation and comparison with the data in the literature: one biflavonoid (1) and one xanthone (2). The compound 2 (Griffipavixanthone, IC50 ± S.D = 5.80±0.32 μg/mL) was found to be more active against the malaria parasite, chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) strain of P. falciparum, than the compound 1 (Morelloflavone, IC50 ± S.D = 9.20±0.96 μg/mL). The antiradical activities connected to the ability to scavenge free radicals were determined for the ethanol crude extract of the stem bark, and the leave of G. chromocarpa.ConclusionsThis work demonstrated for the first time the antiplasmodial activity of G. chromocarpa and its isolated major compounds. These latest are known in the genus Garcinia but, here, firstly described in G. chromocarpa Engl.

PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT, TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT, CYTOTOXIC, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITIES OF HYOSCYAMUS INSANUS

Abstract Hyoscyamus insanus (family Solanaceae) was traditionally used for treatment of asthma, relieving pain and increasing female body weight. The present projects was intended to assess the phytochemicals, total phenolic content, cytotoxic, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Hyoscyamus insanus leaves methanolic extract and its special fractions. After extraction, the methanolic extract was sequentially fractionated with hexane, chloroform and water followed by phytochemicals analysis of each sample. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay, Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent, DPPH, ABTS•+, H2O2 and α-amylase inhibition assay were employed for the assessment of cytotoxic property, total phenolic contents, antioxidant and anti-diabetic potency of methanolic extract and its fractions. Amino acids and protein, carbohydrates, flavonoids and saponins were found in the methanolic extract and aqueous fraction while chloroform fraction exhibited carbohydrates, flavonoids and saponins. The highest cytotoxic activity (80.6±1.2%) was exhibited by methanolic extract while maximum phenolic contents (21.93±1.17 mg GAE/g) were found in the chloroform fraction. The employed antioxidant assays expressed different results i.e. methanolic extract demonstrated highest 83.99%, 74.19% and 51.15% free radical scavenging characteristics in ABTS, DPPH and H2O2 assays respectively. The methanolic extract showed significant (53.44%) antidiabetic properties. The correlation of total phenolic contents with percentage antioxidant and anti-diabetic capabilities of methanolic extract and its special fractions was observed to be non-significant (P> 0.05). It is concluded that the Hyoscyamus insanus is a potential source of phenolic, cytotoxic, antioxidant and antidiabetic compounds.

UPLC-HRESI-MS and GC-MS analysis of the leaves of Nicotiana glauca.

The alkaloid-rich fraction obtained by fractionation of the crude methanolic extract of the leaves of wild tobacco tree Nicotiana glauca Graham (Solanaceae) was analyzed using UPLC-MS and GC-MS. Anabasine, a piperidine alkaloid, was identified as the major constituent with approximately 60 % (m/m) of the alkaloid-rich fraction. In addition to anabasine, six secondary metabolites were identified using high-resolution UPLC-MS. Anabasine was quantified in the leaves to be 1 mg g-1 dry plant material. The GC-MS analysis revealed five compounds with anabasine as the major component, while nicotine was not detected. Moreover, GC-MS was used for the analysis of the volatile oil that was obtained by hydro-distillation from the leaves of N. glauca. The volatile plant oil was found to be rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (e.g., β-bisabolol) and carboxylic acids and esters (e.g., ethyl linoleate and hexadecanoic acid), whereas anabasine was not detected.

Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak dan Fraksi dari Ekstrak Metanol Daun Manggis (Garcinia mangostana) pada Bakteri Penyebab Ulkus Diabetik

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a degenerative disease due to metabolic disorders with acute to chronic hyperglycemic conditions. The complication of this disease is peripheral neuropathy exacerbated by bacterial infection, causing ulcers (sores) on the feet, hands, knees, back, and other parts of the body. The mangosteen plant (Garcinia mangostana) is empirically believed to have antidiabetic and cure diabetic ulcers. This study aims to compare the antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions of methanol extract of mangosteen leaves at concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% against the bacteria causing diabetic ulcers in vitro. The research began with the maceration of mangosteen leaf powder extraction using methanol as a solvent. The fractions were obtained by the vacuum liquid chromatography (KCV) method. The bacteria that cause diabetic ulcers are obtained from ulcer specimens of diabetic ulcer patients. Antibacterial activity of extracts and fractions at 5 concentration series was tested using the disc diffusion method with 10% DMSO negative control and positive controls, namely Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Cefotaxime, Gentamycin, Erythromycin, and Doxycycline. Antibacterial activity was expressed by the large area of the inhibition zone on the media inoculated with ulcer bacteria and incubated for 24 hours at 370 C. The results showed that there were 5 dominant bacteria found in the diabetic ulcer specimens, namely Escherichia spp, Klebsiella spp, Staphylococcus spp, salmonella spp, and Shigella spp. The results of the antibacterial sensitivity test showed that ciprofloxacin had the largest area of inhibition zone compared to Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cefotaxime, Gentamycin, Erythromycin, and Doxycycline so that Ciprofloxacin could be used as a positive control. The results of the antibacterial activity test for the methanol extract of mangosteen leaves with a concentration of 100% produced the largest inhibition zone, namely 27.10 mm ± 0.1 compared to methanol extract, fractions A, B, and C in all concentration series. However, the inhibition zone of the 100% concentration of mangosteen leaves methanol extract was smaller than the positive control of ciprofloxacin 5 μg / disk, which was 35.01 mm ± 0.1.

Exploration of carbonic anhydrase inhibition of bioactive metabolites from Pistacia integerrima by molecular docking and first-principles investigations

Bioassay guided fractionation of Pistacia integerrima crude methanolic extract gave Pistacide-A (1) and Pistacide-B (2), along with ten known phytochemicals (3–12). Biochemical analysis of crude plant extract, in-vitro and in-silico carbonic anhydrase inhibitory potential of newly isolated compounds Pistacide-A (1) and Pistacide-B (2) were performed. The cytotoxicity of extract in methanol, ethylacetate and n-butanol against Artemia salina brine-shrimp was 34.98 g/ml, 160.81 g/ml, and 135.77 g/ml, respectively. The significant antimicrobial activity was exhibited by crude, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions. Compounds 1 (IC50 = 6.51 ± 0.42 mM) and 2 (IC50 = 2.85 ± 0.09 mM) showed good carbonic anhydrase inhibition compared with standard zonisamide drug (IC50 = 1.87 ± 0.003 mM). In addition, we have also clarified the electronic properties, absorption wavelengths, molecular electrostatic potential and Hirshfeld analysis by first-principles studies. The coherent intra-molecular charge transfer was seen from occupied to unoccupied molecular orbitals. The absorption wavelengths calculated at time dependent B3LYP/6-31G** level in methanol provided excellent accord with the experimental evidence. Molecular docking score revealed that Pistacide-B would be an efficient drug than its other counterpart that is rational to the experimental data.

Phytochemical, pharmacological, and In-silico molecular docking studies of Strobilanthes glutinosus Nees: An unexplored source of bioactive compounds

Strobilanthes glutinosus (family: Acanthaceae) is one of the important medicinal plants and the current research work was carried out to assess the phytochemical, biological, and in-silico evaluations of different solvent extracts of S. glutinosus. The phytochemical composition was assessed by determining qualitative phytochemical testing, total bioactive contents, and GC-MS analysis. For biological evaluation, antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP), antibacterial, and enzyme inhibition (urease) potential were determined. The methanol extract was found to contain the highest total phenolic (247.85 mg GAE/g extract), and flavonoid content (71.91 mg QAE/g extract), which can be correlated to the observed higher antioxidant potential of this extract. On the contrary, the n-hexane extract presented maximum anti-urease activity with IC50 value of 0.244 mg/ml, whereas, in the case of antibacterial assays, a dose-dependent activity was observed. Similarly, the GC-MS investigation of methanol extract and n-hexane fraction revealed the tentative identification of several important classes of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the main compounds as identified by GC-MS were further studied for in-silico molecular docking studies in order to highlight any interactions between the compounds identified and the urease enzyme. Overall, the present investigation highlighted the studied plant extracts to be considered further for the isolation of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical and food industry.

Evaluation of Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activity of Leaf Extract and Solvent Fractions of Hypoestes forskaolii (Val) (Acanthaceae) in Mice.

BackgroundCurrently, there is a demand for new antidiabetic drugs from natural therapeutic agents, and diabetes mellitus disease is global epidemic. The leaf of Hypoestes forskaolii has been used in the traditional health system for the management of diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and in vitro antioxidant activity of leaf extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of H. forskaolii (Vahl) in mice.MethodsThe blood glucose-lowering activities of leaf extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of H. forskaolii were screened in the normoglycemic, glucose loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models. In the treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with leaf extract and solvent fractions, weight and lipid profile was measured. Antioxidant activity of the plant leaf extract was determined using DPPH assay.ResultsThe leaf extract of H. forskaolii showed significant blood glucose reduction in the normoglycemic model and glucose loaded test at doses of 200 mg/kg (34.1%, p < 0.001 and 55.5%, p < 0.001), respectively, as compared to the normal control. In the streptozotocin-induced diabetic model, extract and solvent fractions significantly (p < 0.001) reduced blood glucose level at all tested doses (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) on the 14th day as compared to diabetic control. In addition, a significant reduction (p < 0.001) of serum TC, VLDL, LDL, TG was observed. In the antioxidant activity test, the IC50 values of extract and a standard drug (ascorbic acid) were 4.87µg/mL and 15.7µg/mL, respectively.ConclusionThe present study showed that the methanolic leaf extract and solvent fractions of H. forskaolii have antidiabetic, and antioxidant activity that provides a scientific support for the local use of the plant leaves in the treatment of diabetes.

Optimization of the culture medium and characterization of antioxidant compounds of a marine isolated microalga as a promising source in aquaculture feed

Microalgae as photosynthetic microorganisms can be grown under controlled conditions that make them a potential source of highly valuable compounds utilized in aquaculture feed and different nutraceutical industries. The main objective of this research was to optimize the culture medium of Picochlorum sp. RCC486 as a new marine isolate for improving its growth in a microplate system using the Taguchi method. The methanol extract showed maximum FRAP activity with a value increased to 455.88 μM Fe 2+ at the concentration of 1 mg/mL. Also, the antioxidant activity of all 8 fractions purified from the methanolic extract by the TLC method was evaluated. The potent activity was observed for two fractions T1 and T2 with 544.68 μM Fe 2+ and 449.08 μM Fe 2+ at the concentration of 1 mg/mL. The GC-MS analysis was performed to identify various constituents of fractions with strong reducing power. The presence of Hexadecane: Dodecane (8.97%), and Tetradecane: Nonadecane (7.01%) in T1 fraction, and ((1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methyl propyl) ester (12.37%), Dodecane (2.84%), Hexadecane (1.03%) and Decane: Undecane (0.74%)) in T2 fraction of methanol extract of Picochlorum sp. Contribute directly to the antioxidant effect that makes the microalga as a promising feedstock for future studies in aquaculture feed or nutraceutical industries. • KNO 3 and phosphate meaningfully affect the growth of isolated microalga. • The hexane extract showed the most DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. • The methanol extract showed maximum FRAP activity and fractionated using TLC. • Identify various constituents of the more active fractions using GC-MS analysis. • Determing the compounds that contribute directly to the antioxidant effect.

Antibacterial activity and phytochemical characterisation of Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don.

The study demonstrates that S. gossypiphora contain number of secondary metabolites such as steroids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, carbohydrates, saponins, and amino acids. Methanolic extract (MESG) of the plant contained highest quantity of phenolics, flavonoids and has greater antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity in comparison to other extracts. Moreover, acute toxicity studies revealed that none of the extracts produced any toxic symptoms and mortality when administered orally to mice at a dose of 2000mg/kg b. w. Furthermore, in MESG, the SG-4 fraction exhibited the highest antibacterial activity than other isolated fractions against all tested bacterial strains in a dose-dependent manner. SG-4 fraction showed significant anti-inflammatory effect (60.91%) as evident by maximum inhibition of Carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rat model. The HPTLC analysis confirmed the presence of apigenin and luteolin in the SG-4 fraction of methanolic extract. A noticeable number of mineral elements were also found to be present in S. gossypiphora. Conclusively, our study reveals that Saussurea gossypiphora contains plethora of bioactive compounds that contributes to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity. Apigenin and luteolin possibly being one of them. Besides, the presence of ample minerals hints is utilisation as nutritionally valuable herb.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Urtica simensis Hochst. ex. A. Rich. (Urticaceae) Leaves against Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi

Medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of infectious diseases since a long time. Urtica simensisHochst. ex. A. Rich. is one of the endemic medicinal plants used for the treatment of bacterial and fungalinfections in Ethiopian folklore medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activityof 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of the leaves of U. simensis. The 80% methanol extract wasprepared by maceration and the solvent fractions were obtained by successive fractionation of the 80%methanol extract with chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and distilled water. The antimicrobial activity ofthe extracts was evaluated on eight bacterial and two fungal species using agar well diffusion method atconcentrations of 200, 400 and 800 mg/ml. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined bybroth microdilution method. From the gram positive bacteria tested, the most susceptible species wasStreptococcus pneumoniae (MIC of 1.36 mg/ml), while Klebsiella pneumoniae and Aspergillus niger weremost susceptible gram negative bacterial and fungal species with MIC values of 2.54 and 3.13 mg/ml,respectively. The least values of MIC, MBC and MFC were 1.36, 5.21 and 6.25 mg/ml, respectively. Resultsof the present study revealed that the 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions, of the leaves of U.simensis, with the exception of the aqueous fraction, possess activity against the growth of selected pathogenic bacterial and fungal species. Among the solvent fractions, the n-butanol fraction was the most active fraction against the gram positive bacteria tested, while the ethyl acetate fraction was the most active fraction against the other tested organisms. Further studies are needed to isolate the active principles, elucidate the mechanism of antimicrobial action, determine in vivo antimicrobial activity and effect of the extracts on other pathogens including clinical isolates.

Apricot kernel possesses in vitro cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell lines

In the search for potential anticancer agents from fruits, the present research work was carried out to examine the in vitro cytotoxic potential of kernel part of Prunus armeniaca (apricot) against eight distinct human cancer cell lines from six different tissues: lung (A-549), colon (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7, MDAMB-231), pancreatic (MIAPaCa-2, Panc-1), prostrate (PC- 3) and CNS (N2A). Methanolic extract and subsequent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol) were used as test material and anticancer activity was determined via SRB assay at 100g/mL. Results revealed that chloroform fraction of kernel suppressed the proliferation of human breast cancer cellline with growth inhibition of 89%. The fraction of kernel was then evaluated at lower concentrations of 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10g/mL. Further IC50 value was calculated and it was observed that the fraction showed IC5038.66. To conclude, kernel part of Prunus armeniaca possesses certain constituents with cytotoxic properties that can be used to develop anticancer agents especially for breast cancer therapy and to provide a great service to cancer patients.Further studies are required for the isolation of active ingredients from the kernel part.

Cytotoxicity and Sedative Activity of Steam Bark of Dillenia indica L.

The study aims to assess the cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract (CME) and various fractions from the bark of Dillenia indica L (Family: Dilleniaceae) using brine shrimp lethality bioassay and sedative activities using hole cross, open field, and elevated-plus maze (EPM) test in Swiss albino mice. In brine shrimp assay, the LC50 for CME, pet-ether (PETF), chloroform (CHF) and aqueous (AQF) fraction were found to be 110, 24.55, 85 and 14.45 μg/ml, respectively, indicating significant cytotoxicity of PETF and AQF when compared to the standard vincristine sulfate (7.5 μg/ml). In open field test, the number of movements per min (after 120 min) was 40.90, 12.43, 5.45, 3.66, and 29.74 for control, standard diazepam, CME, CHF and AQF, respectively, indicating strong activity of the chloroform soluble fraction compared to the other test samples of D. indica. Similar data was observed in hole cross test where the number of movements per minute after 120 min were 3.60, 5.56, 4.77, and 7.99 for the standard, CME, CHF and AQF, respectively. In EPM test, the CME showed a significant decreased percentage of entries of mice into the open arms of EPM as well as the percentage of time spent in the open arms. The result indicates that the CHF significantly suppressed the locomotor activity than that of methanol and aqueous fractions. These findings will be helpful for bioassay-guided isolation of active principles responsible for cytotoxicity and sedative activities. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 24(2): 105-110, 2021

Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Methanolic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern (Asteraceae) in Mice.

BackgroundMedicinal plants play an important role in treating various diseases. Vernonia auriculifera Hiern is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally for the management of wounds. However, there were no scientific reports documented so far on the wound healing activities to substantiate the claim. Thus, the present study provides a scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of the crude extract as well as solvent fractions of the leaves of Vernonia auriculifera Hiern.MethodsExtraction was carried out by maceration using 80% methanol and part of the crude extract fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous solvents. Simple ointment bases were prepared using hard paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin and wool fat according to British Pharmacopoeia. Then, two types of ointment formulations were prepared from the extract, ie, 5% w/w and 10% w/w. Mice and rats were employed for wound healing study and dermal toxicity test, respectively. Wound healing effects were evaluated by percent of wound contraction, period of epithelialization, tensile strength, and histological analysis as parameters in excision, incision, and burn wound models. Finally, the data were expressed as mean ± SEM, and the results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey-test.ResultsIn the excision wound model, the 10% w/w crude extract ointment showed significant wound contraction (P < 0.001) from day 4 to day 18 as compared to the negative control. Both the 5% w/w (P < 0.001) and 10% w/w (P < 0.05) crude extract ointments have showed statistically significant difference in epithelialization period as compared to the negative control. Groups treated with the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions ointments in incision wound model showed a statistically significant (P < 0.001) increase in tensile. The 10% w/w and 5% w/w ointments of the crude extract showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in breaking strength compared to simple ointment and the untreated control groups. In burn wound model, significant reduction in epithelialization period was observed in 5% w/w (P < 0.05) and 10% w/w (P < 0.001), and the percentage of wound contraction was significantly increased in most of post wounding days by 10% w/w (P < 0.001) and 5% w/w (P < 0.05) crude extract ointments and compared to the negative control.ConclusionThe crude, aqueous, and ethyl acetate fraction of Vernonia auriculifera leaves possess wound healing activities. This finding justifies the use of the leaves of this plant for wound healing as claimed in the traditional medicine literature.

Garcinia kola improves cognitive and motor function of a rat model of acute radiation syndrome in the elevated plus maze.

We reported recently that the elevated plus maze is a good tool for evaluating cognitive and motor functional changes in gamma-irradiated rats as a model for new drug evaluation and monitoring. The capacity of Garcinia kola to mitigate radiation-induced brain injury is currently unknown. We therefore assessed the effects of the neuroprotective medicinal plant Garcinia kola, on the cognitive and motor changes in this murine model of acute radiation syndrome. Wistar rats exposed once to an ionizing dose of Tc99m-generated Gamma radiation were treated with an ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seeds (content of 100 mg/kg of extract) for 9 weeks. Cognitive and motor function indicators were assessed in the elevated plus maze in these animals and compared with irradiated control groups (vitamin C- and vehicle-treated groups) and the non-irradiated control rats. The irradiated control group displayed cachexia, shaggy and dirty fur, porphyrin deposits around eyes, decreased exploratory activity, reduced social interactions and a loss of thigmotaxis revealed by a marked decrease in rearing episodes and stretch attend posture episodes close to the walls of elevated plus maze closed arm, an increased central platform time, and decreases in open arm time and entries. This group further displayed a decrease in head dips and grooming episodes. Treatment with Garcinia kola, and in a lesser extent vitamin C, significantly prevented the body weight loss (P < 0.001) and mitigated the development of elevated plus maze signs of cognitive and motor affections observed in the irradiated control group (P < 0.05). Altogether, our data suggest for the first time that Garcinia kola seeds have protective properties against the development of cognitive and motor decline in the acute radiation syndrome-like context. Future studies are warranted to characterize the molecular mechanisms and neuronal networks of this action.

Antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of various solvent fractions of methanol extract of Terminalia alata Heyne ex Roth trunk-bark

The antioxidant and hypoglycemic capacities of various solvent fractions from the trunk-bark methanol extract of Terminalia alata Heyne ex Roth (T. alata) were investigated. The DPPH radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity, and the methods for determination of digestive enzymes inhibitory activity and fasting blood glucose reduction capacity in diabetic rats were used to determine the hypoglycemic activity of the extract fractions. The results indicated that higher total phenolics content was measured with increasing polarity of extraction solvent and DPPH radical scavenging activity coincided with phenolics content. Ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), n-butanol fraction (BF), and water fraction (WF) were obtained. They possessed α-amylase inhibition with the IC50 values of 0.056 ± 0.001, 0.138 ± 0.005, and 0.022 ± 0.001 mg.mL-1, respectively, which were lower than acarbose (IC50 = 0.154 ± 0.02 mg.mL-1). In contrast, IC50 values of α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of these fractions were higher than those of acarbose. In addition, these fractions also lowered fasting blood glucose concentrations in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats at a dose of 200 mg.kg-1 bw (body weight) without inducing body weight loss, which was not observed when treating with acarbose. The EAF and WF of trunk-bark of T. alata are recommended as potent sources for further research on antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Mucuna pruriens Leaves

Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume native to Africa, India and Bangladesh and is widely cultivated in tropical countries. In this study, a crude methanolic extract of the leaves of M. pruriens was investigated for its chemical constituents and to explore the phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities using established protocols. From the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the crude methanol extract, three known compounds namely ferulic acid (1), 2-(5-methoxy-1-benzofuran-3-yl)-N-ethylethanamine (2) and stizolamine (3) were isolated and their structures were elucidated by the analysis of NMR spectral data. The crude extract was found to possess phenolic content of 216.16 μg/g whereas the concentration of flavonoid was found to 214.8 μg/g expressed in quercetin standard. Free radicals generated through DPPH were neutralized by crude methanolic extract and the IC50 value was obtained as 19.63 μg/ml. Regression analysis during brine shrimp lethality test enumerated LC50 value of crude methanolic extract at 10.72 μg/ml and was significant compared to the positive standard. The crude methanolic extract of leaf of M. pruriens did not show any significant antimicrobial activity against the organisms used in our test.&#x0D; Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(1): 103-109, 2021 (June)

In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Pharmacological Potential of Lasia spinosa Linn.

Lasia spinosa Linn. (Family: Araceae) is an important medicinal plant, which is traditionally used for treatment of different human ailments. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro thrombolytic, antiinflammatory and in vivo analgesic and hypoglycemic potentials of n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions of methanol extract of L. spinosa whole plant. Additionally, phytochemical screening was carried out by qualitative tests, which confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, tannins, saponin in this plant. During in vitro thrombolytic assay, the aqueous fraction at a dose of 500 μg/100 μl showed the maximum 33.15% lysis of the blood clot, as compared to the standard streptokinase (80.10%). The in vitro anti-inflammatory test was performed by inhibition of egg albumin denaturation assay and RBC membrane stabilization method. The chloroform fraction exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting 51.53% denaturation of albumin and by inhibiting 54.8% hemolysis of RBC membrane against hypotonic solution. Analgesic activity was evaluated by tail immersion method for central mechanism and by formalin-induced lick test for peripheral mechanism in mice. In tail immersion method, all the solvent fractions of L. spinosa at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight exhibited a significant (p&lt;0.05) elongation in pain reaction time. In peripheral analgesic activity test, the chloroform fraction at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight inhibited a maximum of 35.44% licking response induced by formalin, as compared to the standard aspirin (53.22%). In the hypoglycemic activity test, all the fractions showed a moderate effect in reducing the blood glucose level in mice treated with 10% glucose. In conclusion, the plant L. spinosa can be considered as a promising source of bioactive compounds for the development of new phytomedicine.&#x0D; Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(1): 111-119, 2021 (June)

The In Vitro α-Glucosidase Inhibition Activity of Various Solvent Fractions of Tamarix dioica and 1H-NMR Based Metabolite Identification and Molecular Docking Analysis.

The Tamarix dioica (T. dioica) is widely used medicinal plant to cure many chronic ailments. T. dioica is being used to manage diabetes mellitus in traditional medicinal system; however, very little scientific evidence is available on this plant in this context. The current study involves the fractionation of crude methanolic extract of T. dioica using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-butanol. The screening for antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was carried out. The in vitro antidiabetic potential was assessed by measuring α-glucosidase inhibition. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined for each fraction. The metabolites were identified using highly sensitive and emerging 1H-NMR technique. The results revealed the ethyl acetate fraction as the most potent with DPPH scavenging activity of 84.44 ± 0.21% and α-glucosidase inhibition with IC50 value of 122.81 ± 2.05 µg/mL. The total phenolic and flavonoid content values of 205.45 ± 1.36 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dried extract and 156.85 ± 1.33 mg quercetin equivalent per gram dried extract were obtained for ethyl acetate fraction. The bucketing of 1H-NMR spectra identified 22 metabolites including some pharmacologically important like tamarixetin, tamaridone, quercetin, rutin, apigenin, catechin, kaempferol, myricetin and isorhamnetin. Leucine, lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, serine, and tyrosine were the major amino acids identified in ethyl acetate fraction. The molecular docking analysis provided significant information on the binding affinity among secondary metabolites and α-glucosidase. These metabolites were most probably responsible for the antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential of ethyl acetate fraction. The study ascertained the ethnomedicinal use of T. dioica to manage diabetes mellitus and may be a helpful lead towards naturopathic mode for anti-hyperglycemia.