Methanol Extract Of Rhizomes Research Articles

Protection against neurodegenerative diseases of Iris pseudopumila extracts and their constituents

The present study describes for the first time the in vitro properties of Iris pseudopumila flowers and rhizomes extracts and their constituents. The methanolic extract of rhizomes showed significant anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NO production in the murine monocytic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Among the isolated compounds, those which most effectively inhibited LPS-induced NO production were irisolidone and 7-methyl-tectorigenin-4'-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside], with IC(50) values of 23.6 microM and 29.4 microM respectively. Isoorientin and isovitexin exhibited the most promising activity against AChE with IC(50) of 26.8 microM and 36.4 microM, respectively. The same compounds exhibited also the higher activity against BChE.

Antinociceptive and anthelmintic activity of Canna indica

Dried, coarsely powdered leaves, flowers, rhizomes and seeds of Canna indica were successively extracted with benzene and methanol in Soxhlet apparatus. The effect of benzene and methanol extracts of various parts of C. indica on nociceptive response using writhing test and hot plate method in mice was examined. All the extracts of C. indica showed significant central and peripheral analgesic activity in hot plate method and acetic acid-induced writhing test, respectively, at the dose of 50 mg kg−1 intraperitoneally. Methanolic extract of leaves of C. indica showed highest increase in reaction time in hot plate method while benzene extract of leaves of C. indica showed more inhibitory effect on writhing induced by acetic acid. Anthelmintic activity of these extracts was evaluated on Pheritima posthuma. Results showed that the methanolic extract of rhizomes of the plant took less time to cause paralysis of the earthworms.

In vitro trypanocidal activity of methanolic extract of Picrorrhiza kurroa rhizomes against Trypanosoma evansi

In the course of screening of medicinal plants for possible antitrypanosomal drug against important flagellate blood protozoan parasite of the genus Trypanosoma, Picrorrhiza kurroa rhizomes were screened for their antitrypanosomal activity and cytotoxicity. Reports of the resistance to currently used trypanocides are on the increase in different parts of the world. No new drug has been introduced in the market for more than half a century and prospect for a vaccine remains elusive due to high genetic variability of trypanosomes. Vero cell line maintained in Dubecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) in ELISA plates was incubated with Trypanosoma evansi for more than 12h. Methanolic plant extract (MPE) of Picrorrhiza kurroa was solubilized in 1% dimethylsulphoxide. MPE was added to the Vero cell culture medium at different concentrations (250–1000µg/ml) and incubated at appropriate conditions. Cytotoxicity test of MPE was carried out on Vero cell line at different concentrations (1.56–100µg/ml) dissolved in the same medium and incubated at same conditions for 72h. For acute toxicity testing MPE at concentration of 2000mg/kg body weight was administered to mice which were observed for more than two weeks. In vitro, Picrorrhiza kurroa induced immobilization and killing of the parasites in concentration-time dependent manner. At 250µg/ml of the test MPE, concentration of trypanosomes was reduced from 40.00±.00 to 4.667±0.67. But at 500µg/ml, trypanosomes were completely killed at 4h of incubation which was same as diminazine aceturate (50µg/ml), standard reference drug with significant difference (P ≤0.01).

Determination of 6-gingerol in ginger (Zingiber officinale) using high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

A sensitive and accurate High-Performance TLC (HPTLC) method has been developed to determine the quantity of 6-gingerol in rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (family: Zingiberaceae), commonly known as ginger. Methanol extracts of rhizomes from three different sources were used for HPTLC, n-hexane, and diethyl ether (40:60 v/v) as the mobile phase. The Rf of 6-gingerol was found to be 0.40. The calibration plot was linear in the range of 250-1200 ng of 6-gingerol and the correlation coefficient of 0.9997 was indicative of good linear dependence of peak area on concentration. The mean quantity of 6-gingerol was found to be 60.44+/-2.53 mg/g of ginger extract. The method permits reliable quantification of 6-gingerol and good resolution and separation of 6-gingerol from other constituents of ginger. To study the accuracy and precision of the method, recovery studies were performed by the method of standard addition. Recovery values from 99.79 to 99.84% showed the excellent reliability and reproducibility of the method. The proposed HPTLC method for quantitative monitoring of 6-gingerol in ginger can be used for routine quality testing of ginger extracts.

Immunomodulatory effects of the methanolic extract of Epimedium alpinum in vitro

The effect of the methanolic extract of root and rhizome of Epimedium alpinum (MEEA) on phenotype and functions of rat lymphocytes in vitro was studied. It has been found that MEEA at lower concentrations (0.1 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml) significantly enhanced proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes triggered by concanavalin A (Con A), whereas higher concentrations of the extract (50 μg/ml–500 μg/ml) were inhibitory. The stimulatory effect of MEEA on Con A-induced proliferation of splenocytes correlated with the up-regulation of interleukin-2 receptor α (IL-2Rα) expression. In addition, increased production of IL-2 was observed when a blocking IL-2Rα monoclonal antibody (mAb) was added to cell cultures. MEEA-suppressed proliferation of splenocytes was due to the inhibition of IL-2 production, the down-regulation of IL-2Rα expression and the induction of apoptosis. Cellular proliferation in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of MEEA higher than 50 μg/ml could not be restored by the addition of exogenous IL-2.

Antibacterial and allelopathic activity of methanolic extract from Iris pseudopumila rhizomes

The methanolic extract of rhizomes of Iris pseudopumila was tested for its antibacterial and allelopathic activity. The extract was shown to have antibacterial effects. The allelopathic effect was tested against Raphanus sativus seed germination. The extract caused a decrease in the percentage of seed germination and root and epicotyl growth.

Determination and locational variations in the quantity of hydroxyanthraquinones and their glycosides in rhizomes of Rheum emodi using high-performance liquid chromatography

Locational variations in the quantity of five hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives (emodin glycoside ( 1), chrysophanol glycoside ( 2), emodin ( 3), chrysophanol ( 4) and physcion ( 5)) in the rhizomes of Rheum emodi are described. A simple and reliable method was developed for quantitation of compounds ( 1– 5) in the methanolic extract of rhizomes of R. emodi using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photo-diode array detector (PDA). The separation was carried out using a Purospher ®-Star RP-18e column (4.6 mm i.d. × 250 mm, 5 μm) under the following conditions: acetonitrile:methanol (95:5, v/v) (solvent A) and water:acetic acid (99.9:0.1, v/v) (solvent B) as mobile phase with a linear gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 290 nm. Regression equation revealed a linear relationship ( r 2 > 0.9901) between the mass of hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives injected and the peak areas. The detection limits ( S/N = 3) ranged from 0.56 to 3.50 ng/mL and the recoveries ranged from 95.7 to 103.5% for five hydroxyanthraquinone derivatives. Compound 2 was found in maximum quantity (up to 2.23%) in the rhizomes from all the three locations (L 1, L 2 and L 3) while compound 5 was found in the least quantity (up to 0.19%).

Immunostimulatory effect of methanol extract of Curculigo orchioides on immunosuppressed mice

The methanol extract of rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (Amaryllidaceae) holds potential as a protective agent against cytotoxic drugs. The extract when studied on humoral and cell mediated immunity in normal, as well as cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice produced an increase in humoral antibody (HA) titre, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and levels of WBC in a dose dependent manner.

High-performance thin layer chromatography method for quantitative determination of four major anthraquinone derivatives in Rheum emodi

A high-performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the rapid and simple quantification of the four major anthraquinone derivatives i.e. physcion, chrysophanol, emodin and chrysophanol glycoside in Rheum emodi is described. HPTLC of anthraquinone derivatives was performed on pre-coated RP-18 F 254S HPTLC plates. For achieving good separation, the mobile phase of methanol–water–formic acid (80:19:1, v/v/v) was used. The densitometric determination of anthraquinone derivatives was carried out at 445 nm in reflection/absorption mode. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 20–100 ng for physcion, 80–400 ng for chrysophanol and emodin, and 200–1000 ng for chrysophanol glycoside. The method was found to be reproducible and convenient for quantitative analysis of anthraquinone derivatives in the methanolic extract of rhizomes of R. emodi collected from three different locations of Western Himalaya, India.

Dimeric phenanthrenoids from Juncus acutus

Two new dimeric phenanthrenoids have been isolated by the methanol extract of rhizomes of Juncus acutus. The structures have been determined on the basis of their spectroscopic properties and by chemical correlation. The compounds showed in vitro phytotoxicity against Selenastrum capricornutum, a microalga used in aquatic tests.

Yeast and mammalian α-glucosidase inhibitory constituents from Himalayan rhubarb Rheum emodi Wall.ex Meisson

The methanolic extract of rhizome of Himalayan rhubarb Rheum emodi displayed mild yeast as well as mammalian intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, further fractionation of active extract led to the isolation of several potent molecules in excellent yields, displaying varying degrees of inhibition on two test models of α-glucosidase. Rhapontigenin, desoxyrhapontigenin, chrysophanol-8-O–β-d-glucopyranoside, torachrysone-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside displayed potent yeast α-glucosidase inhibition. However chrysophanol-8-O–β-d-glucopyranoside, desoxyrhaponticin and torachrysone-8-O–β-d-glucopyranoside displayed potent to moderate mammalian α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Other compounds displayed mild activity on both the tests. Except desoxyrhapontigenin and rhapontigenin that increased Vmax, other compounds including crude extract decreased the Vmax significantly (p<0.02) in yeast α-glucosidase test. Further kinetic analysis on mammalian α-glucosidase inhibition showed that chrysophanol-8-O–β-d-glucopyranoside, desoxyrhaponticin and torachrysone-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside may be classified as mixed-noncompetitive inhibitors. However, desoxyrhapontigenin and rhapontigenin may be classified as modulators of enzyme activity. Presence and position of glycoside moiety in compounds appear important for better inhibition of mammalian α-glucosidase. This is the first report assigning particularly, mammalian intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activity to these compounds. Chrysophanol-8-O–β-d-glucopyranoside, desoxyrhaponticin, desoxyrhapontigenin and rhapontigenin have been isolated in substantial yields from R. emodi for the first time. Therefore, these compounds may have value in the treatment and prevention of hyperglycemia associated diabetes mellitus.

Antimicrobial activity of Amomum cannicarpum

The petroleum ether and methanol extracts of rhizomes of Amomum cannicarpum exhibited moderate inhibiting activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. None of the extractives was active against the tested moulds.

Glycosides of Atractylodes lancea.

Five sesquiterpenoid glycosides (two guaiane-type glycosides and three eudesmane-type glucosides) and a glucoside of an acetylene derivative were newly isolated from the water-soluble portion of the methanolic extract of Atractylodes lancea rhizome together with 26 known compounds. Their structures were characterized as atractyloside A 14-O-beta-D-fructofuranoside, (1S,4S,5S,7R,10S)-10,11,14-trihydroxyguai-3-one 11-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (5R,7R,10S)-isopterocarpolone beta-D-glucopyranoside, cis-atractyloside I, (2R,3R,5R,7R,10S)-atractyloside G 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and (2E,8E)-2,8-decadiene-4,6-diyne-1,10-diol 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic investigation. The presence of six characteristic guaiane-type glucosides in both rhizomes of A. lancea and Atractylodes japonica suggested a close chemotaxonomic relationship between them.

Anticonvulsant properties of the methanolic extract of Cyperus articulatus (Cyperaceae)

The methanolic extract of rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus, a plant used in traditional medicine in Africa and Latin America for many diseases, possesses anticonvulsant activity in mice. This extract protected mice against maximal electroshock (MES)- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures. It also delayed the onset of seizures induced by isonicotinic acid hydrazide and strongly antagonized N-methyl- d-aspartate-induced turning behavior. The ED 50 for protection against seizures was 306 (154–541) mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) for the PTZ test and 1005 (797–1200) mg/kg i.p. for the MES test. The ED 50 of methanolic extract against N-methyl- d-aspartate-induced turning behavior was 875 (623–1123) mg/kg i.p. C. articulatus L. methanolic extract protected 54% of mice from seizures induced by strychnine at the dose of 1000 mg/kg i.p. but had no or a moderate effect only against picrotoxin- or bicuculline-induced seizures. With these effects, the rhizome of C. articulatus L. possesses anticonvulsant properties in animals that might explain its use as a traditional medicine for epilepsy in Africa.

Hypoglycemic effect of the rhizomes of Smilax glabra in normal and diabetic mice.

The hypoglycemic effect of the rhizomes of Smilax glabra ROXBURGH (Liliaceae) was investigated in normal and KK-Ay mice, one of the animal models of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with hyperinsulinemia. The methanol extract of rhizomes of Smilax glabra ROXBURGH (SM, 100 mg/kg body weight) reduced the blood glucose of normal mice 4 h after intraperitoneal administration (p<0.05), and also significantly lowered the blood glucose of KK-Ay mice under similar conditions (p<0.001). However, SM did not affect the blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, one of the animal models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with hypoinsulinemia. SM also suppressed epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia in mice. SM-treated KK-Ay mice significantly decreased the blood glucose in an insulin tolerance test. We concluded that the hypoglycemic effect of SM raised insulin sensitivity.

Studies on psychopharmacological effects of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. rhizome extract

Methanolic extract of rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera (NNRE) was investigated for different psychopharmacological actions in rats and mice. The extract was found to cause reduction in spontaneous activity, decrease in exploratory behavioural pattern by the head dip and Y-maze test, reduction in muscle relaxant activity by rotarod, 30° inclined screen and traction test and potentiated the pentobarbitone induced sleeping time in mice significantly.

Hypoglycemic Action of the Rhizomes ofPolygonatum officinalein Normal and Diabetic Mice

The hypoglycemic effect of the rhizomes of Polygonatum officinale (Liliaceae) was investigated in both normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The methanol extract of rhizomes of Polygonatum officinale (PO) (800 mg/kg) reduced the blood glucose of normal mice from 170 +/- 3 to 136 +/- 5 mg/100 ml 4 hours after intraperitoneal administration (P < 0.001), and also significantly lowered the blood glucose of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice from 696 +/- 60 to 407 +/- 35 mg/100 ml under similar conditions (P < 0.01). PO also suppressed epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia in mice. In addition, the n-butanol fraction of the methanol extract elicited a significant decrease in the blood glucose level of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice after 4 hours (P < 0.05).

Anti-emetic principles of Magnolia obovata bark and Zingiber officinale rhizome.

Magnolol and honokiol, biphenyl compounds, were isolated as anti-emetic principles from the methanolic extract of Magnolia obovata bark. [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-shogaols and [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-gingerols were isolated from the methanolic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizome as anti-emetic principles. Some phenyl-propanoids with allyl side-chains were found to show the same activity. They inhibited the emetic action induced by the oral administration of copper sulfate pentahydrate to leopard and ranid frogs.

New Cinnamoyl Esters of Quinic Acid from Meumathamanticum

Abstract Two new cinnamoyl quinic acid esters were isolated from the methanolic extract of Meumathamanticum rhizome. They were identified as l-trans-O-caffeoyl quinic acid methyl ester and l-trans-O-feruloyl quinic acid methyl ester by the spectral data of the natural products and those of the acetylated derivatives.

Determination of glycogen in small tissue samples.

Determination of glycogen in small tissue samples.