Myrica Nagi Research Articles

Pharmacological Evaluation of Antiasthmatic Activity of Myrica nagi Bark Extracts.

The involvement of debilitating side effects of allopathic antiasthmatic drugs provides a strong impetus for the development of new herbal therapeutics. Myrica nagi Thunb. (Syn. Kaiphal) of Myricaceae family is a known drug of the Ayurveda system used for the treatment of several diseases including asthma. The present study deals with the preparation and phytochemical screening of polar, non-polar and methanolic extracts of Myrica nagi bark followed by the evaluation of their antiasthmatic activity using four different animal experimental models: acetylcholine induced bronchospasm in conscious guinea pigs, acetylcholine induced contraction on isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation, compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation using rat, and trypsin and egg albumin induced bronchospasm in conscious rat. Polar extract of M. nagi bark (200 mg/kg, p.o.) exerted strong antiasthmatic effects near to Ketotifen (1 mg/kg, p.o) as standard drug. Polar extract of M. nagi bark (200 µ.g/ml) significantly inhibited Ach induced contraction of isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation. Pre-incubation of rat peritoneal mast cells with test drugs (methanolic, non polar and polar extracts) showed dose dependent significant reduction of % mast cell degranulation. Polar extract (200mg/kg) & Methanolic extract (200mg/kg) of M. nagi bark treated animals showed significantly lesser serum bicarbonate level, higher tidal volume, lower level of eosinophils and neutrophils. The results of present investigation suggest that the polar extracts of Myrica nagi bark have better antiasthmatic activity than the non polar and methanolic extract.

Pharmacognostic standards of Katphala (Myrica Nagi Hook.f.non-Thumb ); A potent bark drug used in Indian systems of medicine

Background: Katphala bark of Myrica nagi Hook.f.non-Thumb. is a potent drug used in Indian system of medicine at many therapeutic conditions. As the tree is grown only at northern parts of India, market sample found adulterated with many other bark samples. Hence standard authentication features are found necessary for proper identification of the raw drug. Materials and methods: Bark sample collected from Shimla, cleaned properly and authenticated. Macro-microscopic study, physico-chemical standards and preliminary phytochemical study of test drug carried out as per standard methodology. Results: Longitudinally and transversely fissured, rough bark piece were the naked eye observations made from the raw drug. Multi layered cork with a wide zone of secondary cortex are found as two distinct characteristics in TS bark. Polygonal parenchymatous cells filled with tannin, and stone cells in secondary cortex region and phloem in the inner bark region are other diagnostic microscopic features. Physico-chemical standards measured in this test can be used as measure of purity of this drug. Alcoholic extract of bark sample has shown the presence of alkaloids, protein, phenol and tannin as secondary moieties.

In silico exploration of cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of natural compounds found in Myrica nagi using LC-MS

The process of inflammation is associated with several disorders such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and arthritis. Cyclooxygenase (COX) receptors play an important role in inflammation. COX-2 is an endogenous enzyme which catalyses and converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and thromboxanes. The prediction of the docking of small molecules at the active site, i.e. receptor binding site, and the projection of the binding affinity of the complex is a crucial part of computer-aided drug design. The current study evaluates the COX-2 inhibitory activity of compounds detected in Myrica nagi, an actinorhizal plant, using an in-silico approach. Liquid chromatography (LC-MS) studies of M. nagi leaf extract revealed the presence of 21 compounds. The known COX-2 inhibitor Celecoxib was used as reference. Silico docking studies were carried out using iGemdock and verified by discovery studio and autodock software. Three important parameters—binding energy, inhibition constant and intermolecular energy—were determined. The results showed that all selected compounds showed binding energies between −28.19 kcal/mol to −63.13 kcal/mol in iGEMDOCK. Myricetin (−63.13 kcal/mol) showed the best binding energy compared with the Celecoxib reference (−62.35 kcal/mol). Discovery studio and autodock also calculated the same patterns of binding energy. All selected compounds displayed COX inhibitory activity, probably due to their structural parameters. These molecular docking analyses may lead to the further development of potent COX inhibitors for the treatment of inflammation.

Evaluation of antioxidative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanolic extract of Myrica nagi leaves - an animal model approach

Myrica nagi (family Myricaceae) is commonly known as Kathphal (Hindi) and Bayberry (English) and it has a long history of usage in traditional medicine. It is popular actinorhizal plant for its symbiotic relationship with Frankia. This study was taken in force to estimate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities of methanolic extract of Myrica nagi (MMN) in an animal model. Anti-oxidative property of MMN was assessed by free radical scavenging assay (DPPH method). The acute toxicity test of methanolic extract of MMN revealed that the median lethal dose (LD50) was found to be 2080 mg/kg body weight in mice. The anti-inflammatory property was evaluated by carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats by measuring rat paw volume at different time intervals and toxicological analysis using mice. The analgesic effect was measured in Wistar rats using the acetic acid-induced writhing test and MMN at 200 mg/kg BW showed 54.56 % inhibition of writhing. MMN showed higher anti-oxidant activity in DPPH assays as compared to standard. High dose of MMN showed a significant reduction (21.71 %) in inflammation after 4 h of treatment, which was comparable to diclofenac (10 mg/kg BW; 32.75 %)-treated group. Significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the levels of inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and TNF-α) markers were also observed in serum of MMN-treated animals as compared to control. Taken together, the phenolic compounds of MMN may serve as potential herbal drug for amelioration of acute inflammation due to their modulatory action on free radicals.

Phytometabolomic fingerprinting of selected actinorhizal fruits popularly consumed in North-East India

The biodiversity hub at north-eastern region of India contains actinorhizal plants like Elaeagnus pyriformis, Myrica nagi and Myrica esculenta which serve as functional food for the natives. Apart from having immense nutritional value, fruits of these plants have been utilized in traditional medicine and have displayed antioxidant behavior as observed from our previous findings. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical fingerprints of the fruit juices of some actinorhizal plants using GC-MS method and correlate the data with the therapeutic value of the fresh fruit juice. The results established the abundance of several chemical species with potential medicinal properties such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective activities. However, further studies are needed to isolate and identify the specific phyto-compounds involved in managing various diseases.

Development of Appetizer from Box Myrtle (Myrica nagi) and its Quality Evaluation during Storage

Box myrtle (Myrica nagi), a wild fruit is a rich source of antioxidants like phenols and anthocyanins, and has commercial importance because of higher sugar content. Investigations were conducted to develop a commercial appetizer (spiced squash) and evaluate its quality during storage. Different combinations of juice and sugar syrup were tried to standardize a proper combination for appetizer. The appetizer prepared by the optimize recipe was packed in glass and PET bottles and stored for six months under ambient and refrigerated temperature conditions. Appetizer could be safely stored for a period of six months under both the ambient and refrigerated conditions without much change in various quality characteristics. However, the changes in the quality characteristics of the appetizer were slower in refrigerated storage conditions as compared to ambient conditions. Both the packaging materials viz., PET and glass bottles were found suitable, with comparatively lesser changes occurring in glass bottle under refrigerated conditions than others.

Mast cell stabilizing activity of Myrica nagi bark

Myrica nagi Hook. (Myricaceae), commonly known as box berry (English), possesses diverse pharmacological activities in animals, little is known about its mast cell stabilizing activity. The present study evaluated the mast cell stabilizing activity of ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of bark of M. nagi using compound 48/80 and egg albumin induced allergy tests. Adult Wistar albino rats were subjected to compound 48/80 and egg albumin induced allergy tests. The effects of ethyl acetate and aqueous extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg showed slightly better protection of mast cell degranulation 45 and 62% respectively, than the standard drug prednisolone (65%) in egg albumin induced degranulation of mast cells in rats. These extracts also showed better mast cell stabilizing activity 70 and 78% respectively, than the standard drug (65%) when peritoneal mast cells are treated with compound 48/80. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids and steroids. The results of the study for the first time show that the plant possesses mast cell stabilizing activity, confirming the traditional claims. Future research should focus on the identification and the mast cell stabilizing activity of the constituents from this plant. Key words: Mast cell stabilization, Myrica nagi, compound 48/80, egg albumin.

Taxonomic resolution of actinorhizal Myrica species from Meghalaya (India) through nuclear rDNA sequence analyses.

Three different morphological variants of genus Myrica L. (Myricaceae) are found in Meghalaya, India. There is a dispute regarding their classification. Some authors treat them as two separate species (Myrica nagi Thunb. and Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) whereas others feel that M. nagi and M. esculenta are synonyms. In an effort to resolve this dispute, we investigated the nuclear rRNA genes segment of DNA of these variants utilising the amplicon restriction patterns, nucleotide sequences and secondary folding of the 5.8S rRNA. It is proposed that M. nagi and M. esculenta be treated as two separate species.

Anxiolytic Properties of Myrica nagi Bark Extract

Myrica nagi Hook (syn. Myrica esculenta Buch. & Ham) (Myricaceae) is commonly known as box berry. The bark of Myrica nagi is used in the treatment of mental illness by different ethnic groups of the rural region of Orissa (India). In the present work, the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of an ethanol extract of M. nagi were analyzed at three different dosages (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) by elevated plus-maze, light/dark exploration test, tail suspension test, and the forced swimming model. Oral administration of the ethanol extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) of M. nagi showed significant (p < 0.01) and dose-dependent anxiolytic activity by increasing time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze and in the lit box indicating an anxiolytic effect. Nevertheless this treatment was unable to exhibit an effect identical to antidepressants in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests. Altogether, these results suggest an anxiolytic effect of the ethanol extract of M. nagi.

Bioprospecting of Wild Edibles for Rural Development in the Central Himalayan Mountains of India

Abstract Despite abundant wild edible plant resources with immense potential for economic development, Uttaranchal, a newly created hill state situated in the Central Indian Himalaya, remains underdeveloped, owing primarily to inaccessibility and poor infrastructure. Development initiatives show little concern for mountain perspectives. Yet the region is rich in resources and underutilized plant species with potential food value, about which there is little knowledge. For the present study, 13 potentially exploitable wild fruit species and 1 semidomesticated species with good potential for exploitation were selected; 6—Aegle marmelos (bael or Bengal quince), Berberis asiatica (barberry), Hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn), Myrica nagi (box myrtle), Rubus ellipticus (yellow Himalayan raspberry), and Prunus armeniaca (apricot)—were examined closely in terms of economic potential. A variety of value-added edible products such as jam, jelly, juice, and squash were made to generate income from these wild fru...

Myrica nagi attenuates cumene hydroperoxide-induced cutaneous oxidative stress and toxicity in Swiss albino mice.

In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to identify new chemopreventive agents which could be useful for man. Myrica nagi, a subtropical shrub, has been shown to possess significant activity against hepatotoxicity and other pharmacological and physiological disorders. We have shown a chemopreventive effect of Myrica nagi on cumene hydroperoxide-induced cutaneous oxidative stress and toxicity in mice. Cumene hydroperoxide treatment at a dose level of 30 mg/animal/0.2 ml acetone enhances susceptibility of cutaneous microsomal membrane for iron-ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation and induction of xanthine oxidase activity which are accompanied by decrease in the activities of cutaneous antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and depletion in the level of cutaneous glutathione. Parallel to these changes a sharp decrease in the activities of phase II metabolizing enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase has been observed. Application of Myrica nagi at doses of 2.0 mg and 4.0 mg/kg body weight in acetone prior to that of cumene hydroperoxide (30 mg/animal/0.2 ml acetone) treatment resulted in significant inhibition of cumene hydroperoxide-induced cutaneous oxidative stress and toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Enhanced susceptibility of cutaneous microsomal membrane for lipid peroxidation induced by iron ascorbate and xanthine oxidase activities were significantly reduced (P<0.05). In addition the depleted level of glutathione, the inhibited activities of antioxidants, and phase II metabolizing enzymes were recovered to a significant level (P<0.05). The protective effect of Myrica nagi was dose-dependent. In summary our data suggest that Myrica nagi is an effective chemopreventive agent in skin and capable of ameliorating cumene hydroperoxide-induced cutaneous oxidative stress and toxicity.

Myrica nagi Attenuates Cumene Hydroperoxide‐Induced Cutaneous Oxidative Stress and Toxicity in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract:In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to identify new chemopreventive agents which could be useful for man. Myrica nagi, a subtropical shrub, has been shown to possess significant activity against hepatotoxicity and other pharmacological and physiological disorders. We have shown a chemopreventive effect of Myrica nagi on cumene hydroperoxide‐induced cutaneous oxidative stress and toxicity in mice. Cumene hydroperoxide treatment at a dose level of 30 mg/animal/0.2 ml acetone enhances susceptibility of cutaneous microsomal membrane for iron‐ascorbate‐induced lipid peroxidation and induction of xanthine oxidase activity which are accompanied by decrease in the activities of cutaneous antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and depletion in the level of cutaneous glutathione. Parallel to these changes a sharp decrease in the activities of phase II metabolizing enzymes such as glutathione S‐transferase and quinone reductase has been observed. Application of Myrica nagi at doses of 2.0 mg and 4.0 mg/kg body weight in acetone prior to that of cumene hydroperoxide (30 mg/animal/0.2 ml acetone) treatment resulted in significant inhibition of cumene hydroperoxide‐induced cutaneous oxidative stress and toxicity in a dose‐dependent manner. Enhanced susceptibility of cutaneous microsomal membrane for lipid peroxidation induced by iron ascorbate and xanthine oxidase activities were significantly reduced (P&lt;0.05). In addition the depleted level of glutathione, the inhibited activities of antioxidants, and phase II metabolizing enzymes were recovered to a significant level (P&lt;0.05). The protective effect of Myrica nagi was dose‐dependent. In summary our data suggest that Myrica nagi is an effective chemopreventive agent in skin and capable of ameliorating cumene hydroperoxide‐induced cutaneous oxidative stress and toxicity.

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Frankia and related genera and emendation of the family Frankiaceae.

The members of the actinomycete genus Frankia are nitrogen-fixing symbionts of may species of woody dicotyledonous plants belonging to eight families. Several strains isolated from diverse actinorhizal plants growing in different geographical areas were used in this study. The phylogenetic relationships of these organisms and uncharacterized microsymbionts that are recalcitrant to isolation in pure culture were determined by comparing complete 16S ribosomal DNA sequences. The resulting phylogenetic tree revealed that there was greater diversity among the Alnus-infective strains than among the strains that infect other host plants. The four main subdivisions of the genus Frankia revealed by this phylogenetic analysis are (i) a very large group comprising Frankia alni and related organisms (including Alnus rugosa Sp+ microsymbionts that are seldom isolated in pure culture), to which Casuarina-infective strains, a Myrica nagi microsymbiont, and other effective Alnus-infective strains are related; (ii) unisolated microsymbionts of Dryas, Coriaria, and Datisca species; (iii) Elaeagnus-infective strains; and (iv) "atypical" strains (a group which includes an Alnus-infective, non-nitrogen-fixing strain). Taxa that are related to this well-defined, coherent Frankia cluster are the genera Geodermatophilus, "Blastococcus," Sporichthya, Acidothermus, and Actinoplanes. However, the two genera whose members have multilocular sporangia (the genera Frankia and Geodermatophilus) did not form a coherent group. For this reason, we propose that the family Frankiaceae should be emended so that the genera Geodermatophilus and "Blastococcus" are excluded and only the genus Frankia is retained.

Wild fruits as a contribution to sustainable rural development: a case study from the Garhwal Himalaya

SUMMARY Garhwal Himalaya is an important source of wild fruit species. These wild fruit trees grow abundantly across an altitudinal gradient of Himalaya and the majority of them bear fruits during summer. Fruit varieties are eaten raw by the local inhabitants of the region and whilst they are a rich source of protein, carbohydrate, fat and other elements, compared to cultivated fruits, they have not yet been considered as a source of alternative food products. About 13 potentially exploitable species of wild fruits and one semi-domesticated species having high potential for exploitation were selected for study; six (Aegle marmelos, Berberis asiatica, Hippophae rhamnoides, Myrica nagi, Rubus ellipticus and Prunus armeniaca) were examined in detail for their economic potential. Among the wild fruits, Hippophae rhamnoides was found to be economically efficient, followed by Aegle marmelos, Rubus ellipticus and Myrica nagi, respectively. Prunus armeniaca, a semi-domesticated and less utilized fruit of the high...

13-Oxomyricanol, a new [7.0]-metacyclophane from Myrica nagi

A new [7.0]-metacyclophane has been isolated from the root bark of Myrica nagi. On the basis of spectroscopy the constitution of the new compound is proposed to be 13-oxomyricanol. A new [7.0]-metacyclophane has been isolated from the root bark of Myrica nagi. On the basis of spectroscopy the constitution of the new compound is proposed to be 13-oxomyricanol.

ChemInform Abstract: KONSTITUTION UND ABSOLUTE KONFIG. VON META, META‐UEBERBRUECKTEN GESPANNTEN BIPHENYLEN AUS MYRICA NAGI, ROENTGENSTRUKTURANALYSE VON 16‐BROM‐MYRICANOL

Chemischer InformationsdienstVolume 3, Issue 5 Isocyclic Compounds ChemInform Abstract: KONSTITUTION UND ABSOLUTE KONFIG. VON META, META-UEBERBRUECKTEN GESPANNTEN BIPHENYLEN AUS MYRICA NAGI, ROENTGENSTRUKTURANALYSE VON 16-BROM-MYRICANOL M. J. BEGLEY, M. J. BEGLEYSearch for more papers by this authorR. V. M. CAMPBELL, R. V. M. CAMPBELLSearch for more papers by this authorL. CROMBIE, L. CROMBIESearch for more papers by this authorB. TUCK, B. TUCKSearch for more papers by this authorD. A. WHITING, D. A. WHITINGSearch for more papers by this author M. J. BEGLEY, M. J. BEGLEYSearch for more papers by this authorR. V. M. CAMPBELL, R. V. M. CAMPBELLSearch for more papers by this authorL. CROMBIE, L. CROMBIESearch for more papers by this authorB. TUCK, B. TUCKSearch for more papers by this authorD. A. WHITING, D. A. WHITINGSearch for more papers by this author First published: February 1, 1972 https://doi.org/10.1002/chin.197205079AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume3, Issue5February 1, 1972 RelatedInformation

Constitution and absolute configuration of meta,meta-bridged, strained biphenyls from Myrica nagi; X-ray analysis of 16-bromomyricanol

Chemical and spectroscopic studies lead to the [7,0]metacyclophane structures (2) and (3) for myricanol and myricanone, phenolic extractives from Myrica nagi. X-Ray analysis of the meta-bridged biphenyl, 16-bromomyricanol (nitromethane solvate), by the heavy-atom method, confirmed these assignments, and gave the absolute configuration of myricanol. The compound crystallises in the monoclinic space group P21 with Z= 2 in a unit cell of dimensions a= 6·02, ± 0·01, b= 17·34 ± 0·02, c= 11·22 ± 0·02 A, and β= 98·4°± 0·2°; the structure was refined to R 0·057 for 1075 independent reflections. C.d. measurements suggest that myricanol prefers the same conformation in solution as in the crystalline state. The biphenyl nucleus in 16-bromomyricanol is deformed by meta,meta-bridging. Similar strain in myricanone (3) is relieved by rearrangement with Lewis acids to the ortho,meta-bridged ketone (13). The natural phenols may be biogenetically related to diarylheptanoids.

Isolation and structure of new meta-bridged biphenyls from Myrica nagi

Isolation and structure of two natural m-bridged biphenyls (II) and (III) is reported; the biphenyl (III), tensed by the bridge into approximate planarity, rearranges to the twisted (VII) on treatment with Lewis acids.

A new proanthocyanidin from the stem bark of Myrica nagi thumb.

From the acetone extract of the stem-bark of Myrica nagi a new proanthocyanidin has been isolated. O boiling with alcoholic hydrochloric acid it gave delphinidin chloride and (+)-catechin and other complex products. The methyl ether does not consume periodic acid under conditions in which synthetic leucocyanidin methyl ether consumes one mole. From this and the analytical and spectral data (IR, NMR and mass spectra) it is concluded that in the ne proanthocyanidin the 4-position of the flavan-3,4-diol is involved in the C-C linkage with the 8-position of the catechin part.

LXXVI.—The colouring principle contained in the bark of Myrica nagi. Part I

LXXVI.—The colouring principle contained in the bark of Myrica nagi. Part I