Polygonum Glabrum Research Articles

Investigation on antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic leaf extract of <i>Polygonum glabrum</i> Willd. on carbon tetrachloride - induced hepatotoxicity in rats

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Polygonum glabrum in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. METHODS: Rats were pretreated orally for 8 days with the ethanolic leaf extract of P. glabrum (200 and 400 mg/kg) and curcumin (100 mg/kg) as the standard prior to CCl4 (1ml/kg body weight, intraperitonial) intoxication. Hepatoprotective action was assessed based on the decrease in the levels of hepatic serum markers such as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB) and increased total protein levels. Further, liver tissue was subjected to histopathological studies and also assessed for oxidative parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels. RESULTS: Pretreatment with curcumin and ethanolic leaf extract of P. glabrum significantly inhibited CCl4 induced increase of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, TB and DB levels in serum and decrease in total protein levels. Significant and dose dependent increase in the hepatic SOD, CAT, GSH activities along with decrease in MDA levels were observed in the curcumin and P. glabrum extract pretreated animals. The liver histological examination also showed lowered damage in the extract pretreated animals. CONCLUSION: The ethanolic leaf extract of P. glabrum exhibited significant hepatoprotective effect which could be attributed to its antioxidant activity.

Anthelmintic properties of Polygonum glabrum.

A pure anthelmintic substance (PGA) has been isolated from the methanol-aqueous extract of the leaf of Polygonum glabrum Willd., a semi-aquatic Sudanese species of the family Polygonaceae. The antiparasitic in-vitro activity of several fractions isolated from the plant, has been examined comparatively with that of PGA. PGA also showed molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria glabrata and Limnea truncatula Müll. Structural determination of PGA was attempted following data analysis of UV, IR, 13C NMR, 1H NMR and MS spectra and suggests that PGA is a terpenoid.

Environmental Reservoirs for Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in South Asian Gangetic Riverine System

Forecasting diarrheagenic E. coli contamination of aquatic resources to prevent outbreaks largely depends on rapid and accurate diagnostic testing in a few hours. Real-time PCR is widely used for quick culture-free quantitative enumeration of pathogenic bacteria in environmental samples. In this study, real-time PCR in molecular beacon format was used for detection and culture-free quantitative enumeration of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) harboring LT1 gene in a sewage-impacted south Asian Gangetic riverine system. The quantitative budget for ETEC in surface water was observed to vary significantly (DMRT, p < 0.05) among the sites. Aquatic flora (Eichhornia crassipes, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus sceleratus, Polygonum glabrum, Pontederia cordata, Najas indica and strands of Spirogyra spp.) collected between sites 1 and 9 exhibited significant high levels of ETEC in comparison to their representatives collected from pristine area. The level of ETEC harboring LT1 gene observed in leafy vegetables cultivated along the banks was in the following order: mint leaves > coriander > spinach > methi leaves. The study suggests that the aquatic flora and cultivated leafy vegetables in the south Asian Gangetic riverine system are environmental reservoirs for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Four biologically active sesquiterpenes of the drimane type isolated from Polygonum glabrum

Four new diesters of 2,3-dihydroxyisodrimeninol were isolated from the herb Polygonum glabrum, which is used as an anthelmintic agent in the traditional medicine of Sudan. Since the new compounds differed only in one of the acid residues, the structural elucidation was carried out essentially on one of the compounds, using 1D and 2D NMR techniques as well as mass spectroscopy (El + CI).

Anti-inflammatory studies on Polygonum glabrum

Anti-inflammatory studies were conducted on a hot water decoction and on an ethanol extract of the stems of Polygonum glabrum. Effective anti-inflammatory activity was demonstrated against acute carrageenan-induced paw oedema, exudate and granuloma formation in the granuloma pouch test, acute and delayed reactions in formaldehyde arthritis, and acute primary and delayed secondary reactions in adjuvant-induced polyarthritis in albino rats. The acute toxicity in albino mice and 1-month studies on subacute toxicity in rats suggested a good margin of safety. The extract was more effective parenterally than by oral administration.

Pharmacognostic Studies on Stem ofPolygonum glabrumWilld

AbstractPharmacognostic studies on the stem of Polygonum glabrum Willd. have been carried out along with fluorescence characteristics and ash values.