Tested Plant Materials Research Articles

Profile of secondary metabolites and genetic stability analysis in new lines of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench micropropagated via somatic embryogenesis

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench is a plant species important for the phytopharmaceutical industry and in horticulture. Currently, there is lack of standardized plant material with an increased content of secondary metabolites in purple coneflower. The following research meets the expectations of the industry, as new selected lines of purple coneflower were micropropagated by somatic embryogenesis. The plant lines were analyzed both in terms of the content of main secondary metabolites by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), as well as the genetic stability within the line and the genetic distance between lines using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) genetic markers. Significant differences were found in the relative percentage composition of individual phenolic acids in the tested plant material. Among six selected lines of Echinacea purpurea, three were characterized by a higher content of cichoric acid in relation to the other lines studied. A higher mean polymorphism rate (>90%) was found with the RAPD technique, with a total of 1427 scorable bands produced (142.7 products per one primer). Unlike the RAPD analysis, ISSRs detected mostly monomorphic loci (63.4%), followed by polymorphic ones (36.6%), while there were no specific loci present. Cluster analysis of both marker systems showed that the tested genotypes were grouped according to their respective lines.

Novel approach to combat antibiotic resistance: evaluation of some Armenian herb crude extracts for their antibiotic modulatory and antiviral properties.

One of the strategies to combat antibiotic resistance can be the use of plant materials in combination with antibiotics, taking into account that phytochemicals can act as antibiotic resistance-modifying agents. This can give a second life to the traditional antibiotics. The aim was to evaluate antibiotic modulatory effect of crude extracts from Agrimonia eupatoria, Hypericum alpestre, Rumex obtusifolius and Sanguisorba officinalis herbs towards several commercial antibiotics using some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antibiotic modulatory activity was tested by determining MICs of antibiotics in the absence and presence of plant crude extracts at subinhibitory concentrations. Antiviral potential of different extracts of tested plant materials was also explored by double overlay plaque assay. The tested plant crude extracts exhibited high modulatory activity towards used antibiotics. Particularly, high modulatory activity was observed with extracts of H. alpestre and R. obtusifolius. Many plant-antibiotic combinations induced the decrease in MICs of antibiotics up to ~fourfold indicating synergy. Moreover, the similar change was observed at both subinhibitory concentrations (MIC/2 and MIC/4) of the same plant crude extract. High anti-phage activity of plants with the exception of Lilium armenum against T4 phage of Escherichia coli C-T4 was also shown. Plant crude extract or commercial antibiotic combinations significantly increased the efficiency of antibiotics. Tested plant materials with exception of L. armenum have antiviral property. For the first time, antibiotic modulatory activity of tested herb extracts was shown, which could have potential in practical applications. Tested plant materials with exception of L. armenum could have prospective, as a source of new antiviral compounds.

BIOEFFICACY OF PLANT EXTRACTS AGAINST MUSTARD APHID AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES

The Bio-efficacy of eleven plant extracts namely viz.Neem Kernel; Rhizome of Ginger; Leaves of Datura, Gajarghas, Harsingar, Oak and Latjeera; Bulb of Garlic and Onion; Flowers of Chrysenthemum and Fruits of Chilli in the concentration of 5 percent and imidacloprid @ 40 g ai/ha was tested against mustard aphid, Lipaphiserysimi and their effect on D. rapae and Coccinellid beetle were tested in the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M.P.). All the tested plant materials and imidacloprid @ 40 g ai/ha were effective significanty in reducing the aphid population over control.The aphid population in treated plots ranged from 7.2 to 40.0 as against 85.4 aphid/twig in untreated control. Among the plant material, three sprays of Neem Kernel were found most effective followed by three sprays of chilli fruits.All the plant extracts were found significantly safer to D. rapae and coccinellid bettle in comparision to insecticide (imidacloprid).

Isoflavone concentrations in soybeans suitable for growing in Europe

Isoflavones are nutraceuticals with many different medical benefits found abundantly in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds. The prerequisite of utilising this valuable source of bioactive compounds and creating quality stock for the pharmaceutical and functional food industries is the screening of available soybean germplasm for isoflavone content. The objectives of this research were to determine the isoflavone concentrations (total isoflavones, daidzein, genistein, glycitein) in 22 high-yielding soybean genotypes, to investigate their variability and explore the effect of different weather conditions on isoflavone phenotypes. Field trials were set up as a randomised complete block design with two replicates in three consecutive years (2010 - 2012) at the Agricultural Institute Osijek (Osijek, Croatia). Chosen genotypes belonged to 00 - II maturity groups (MGs) suitable for growing in almost all European regions. Results showed the existence of genetic diversity among the tested plant material. The influence of genotype and year were both statistically significant. The divergence determined by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and confirmed by the pair-wise similarity based on the Euclidean distance, confirmed that this set of genotypes was suitable for the use in future crossing programmes aiming to produce cultivars superior in isoflavone content in comparison to the existing ones.

Partial Resistance Stability of Some Common Potato Cultivars to Natural Late Blight Infection Caused by Phytophthora infestans under Egyptian Conditions

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most devastating diseases on potato worldwide. Partial resistance (PR) to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans was studied for ten potato cultivars in Beheira, Gharbia and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates in Egypt. Final disease severity (FDS%), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and rate of disease increase (r-value) were used as epiphytotic parameters to estimate PR during the growing seasons of 2016 and 2017. The cvs. Burren, Cara and Bellini exhibited the highest levels of PR to late blight, where they showed lowest values of FDS (%), AUDPC and r-value in both seasons of evaluation. Four measures i.e., means x, regression coefficient (b1), standard deviation (S2d) and ecovalance (wi) were used for determining the partial stability resistance of the tested potato cvs., to late blight infection. Stability parameters clearly showed that cv. Bellini was the most stable to late blight under wide range of environmental conditions. The stability analysis can help breeders to monitor the level of resistance of the tested plant material as well as to monitor the disease pressure in different environments.

High correlation of chemical composition with genotype in cryptic species of the liverwort Aneura pinguis

Chemical constituents of cryptic species detected within the liverwort Aneura pinguis were identified using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Fibre coating with divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) was used. A total of 48 samples of A. pinguis were analysed. The studied plants were identified genetically based on barcode DNA sequences and represented three cryptic species (A, B and F) of A. pinguis. Cryptic species A and B are genetically diverse; both represent three evolutionary lineages: A1, A2, A3 and B1, B2, B3, respectively. The cryptic species F that was recently detected is not diverse. The most characteristic compounds in analysed samples were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (up to 17.7% for A1; 15.7% for A2; 20.6% for A3; 7.7% for B1; 2.0% for B2; 3.7% for B3; 10.2% for F), oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (up to 68.0% for A1; 54.7% for A2; 52.6% for A3; 63.5% for B1; 88.7% for B2; 82.7% for B3; 78.8% for F), and linear aliphatic hydrocarbons (up to 14.8% for A1; 1.1% for A2; 12.1% for A3; 6.9 for B1; 5.2% for B2; 1.1% for B3; 7.0% for F). The dominant compound in the studied samples was pinguisone. The second dominant compound present in the tested plant material was deoxopinguisone, except for lineage B2, where only a small relative concentration of this compound was found. A high content of deoxopinguisone in cryptic species A (lineages A1, A2 and A3) was accompanied by the presence of isopinguisone and methyl norpinguisonate, whereas these two compounds were not detected in cryptic species B (lineages B1 and B3) and F. The chemical compounds detected in the studied samples of A. pinguis were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that the chemical composition depends mainly on the genotype of the plant and slightly on the habitat. However, there was no clear correlation between the volatile compounds and the date of collection of the studied plants.

Evaluation of Lavandula stoechas L. subsp. stoechas L., Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata L. essential oils and their main components against sinusitis pathogens.

Abstract Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas and Mentha spicata subsp. spicata are used for the treatment of sinusitis in Turkish folk medicine. The components of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation were determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Major components of L. stoechas and M. spicata oils were determined as camphor (46.7%) and carvone (60.6%), respectively. The antibacterial activity of essential oils and their main components were tested against the common selected sinusitis pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using in vitro agar diffusion, microdilution, and vapor diffusion methods. As a result, the tested plant materials, which are locally and natively used against sinusitis, were relatively mild antibacterial (in vitro MICs 310–1250 μg/mL) in action. To use essential oils and their components safely in sinusitis therapy, further detailed in vivo experiments are needed to support their efficacy.

Extracts of Peppermint, Chamomile and Lavender as Antioxidants

This paper is devoted to the studies of total polyphenol content and antiradical activity of peppermint, chamomile and lavender grown in local backyard gardens of Latvia. Different solvents (96, 70 and 40% ethanol) and extraction methods (maceration at room temperature at dark or under day-light irradiation, as well as reflux) were tested. All extracts were analyzed for total polyphenol content (Folin–Ciocalteu method), as well as for antiradical activity (DPPH and GO assays). It was found out that local peppermint and chamomile is as good source of polyphenols as those plants grown in southern countries; however, the total polyphenol content of lavender is lower than that mentioned in literature. The highest polyphenol content for all plant materials was achieved, when 70% ethanol was used for extraction. Peppermint extracts were found as most powerful free radical scavengers among all tested plant materials. 96% Ethanol extract of peppermint and chamomile demonstrated the highest antiradical activity, while 70% ethanol was the most suitable for preparation of lavender extract with optimal free radical scavenging activity.

Detection of Blast Resistant Gene in Rice by Host-pathogen Interaction and DNA-Marker

Rice blast disease caused by Pyricularia oryzae is a major disease in Bangladesh. In the search of resistant source against P. oryzae, resistant gene (R-gene) was assessed by (i) host-pathogen interaction and (ii) PCR-based screening at the laboratory of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. One hundred and forty four plant materials were classified into 10 cultivar groups (CG) based on their reaction patterns to four distinct blast isolates (SDBI; standard differential blast isolate) H-11-64, H-1-8, H-1-1 and H-11-67. The reaction patterns of plant materials to these four standard blast isolates indicated presence of Pish, Pi9, Pita2 and Pita genes and their combination in the genetic background of tested plant materials. Gene specific primer 195R-1/195F-1, Pita440 (YL153)/Pita440 (YL154), OSM89 and AOL45/AOL48 were used to identify and confirm the presence of Pi9, Pita, Pita2 and Pish genes in plant materials, respectively through PCR-based assay. Plant materials, H13, H23, H25, H35, H47, H49, H136, H138 harbored all three genes, Pita, Pita2 and Pish in their genetic background. The Pi9 gene together with Pita2 was detected in local rice cultivar H100 and H129, which were confirmed by DNA analysis in PCR assay. These materials could be used in gene pyramiding in promising high yielding cultivar for durable blast resistance.

The Impact of Copper Ions on Oxidative Stress in Garden Cress Lepidium sativum

Abstract Normal oxygen metabolism is an endogenous source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The source of ROS are also many environmental factors including heavy metals. In certain concentration range, the presence of ROS is necessary to maintain proper cell function. Thus, cells have many mechanisms, which role is focused on maintaining a constant concentration of ROS. Imbalance between the formation of ROS and action of a protective antioxidant system leads to oxidative stress. This may results with a damage to the structure of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, which in turn can lead to disturbances in the functioning of the cell and even to the death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of copper ions on the metabolic activity of garden cress Lepidium sativum L. The action of copper ions with different concentrations was treated seeds. After four, six and eight days after planting in the leaves of garden cress were determined the specific activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX), lipid peroxidation and protein content. Additionally intake of copper ions was determined using adsorption spectrometry technique. The results revealed that the applied doses of copper ions affected the activity of guaiacol peroxidase. The highest enzyme activity was found in plant material, which was treated with dose of copper ions 1000 mg/dm3 regardless of day. In the same samples the lowest level of lipid peroxidation was found. The highest concentrations of total proteins was found in samples treated with the highest dose of copper ions. The copper content in the tested plant material is correlated with the applied dose of copper ions. Our results indicate reliable correlations between copper content and values of oxidative stress biomarkers in plant tissues.

Screening of antinutrients in leaves, fruit pulp and seeds of Gishta (Annona spp.) of Ethiopia, North East Africa

<div><p><em>Graviola or Gishta (Annona spp. of Ethiopia) are generally useful for human consumption were analysed for the presence of potentially harmful chemicals (antinutrients) and for their toxicity. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the Graviola or Gishta (Annona spp. of Ethiopia) leaves, fruit pulp and seed extracts were safe for human consumption. Chemical analysis showed that none of tested parts contained cyanogenic glycosides, however all the three tested plant materials contained oxalic acid in high concentrations and also contained negligible amounts of phytic acid, saponins and alkaloids. Tested plant samples also found to inhibit trypsin activity. These chemical analyses were carried out in duplicate.</em></p></div>

Comparative investigation of 11 Achillea collina Becker accessions concerning phenological, morphological, productional features and active agent content

Eleven Achillea collina Becker accessions of different origin were tested in open field plots during three years for their phenological, morphological, productional features and active material content in Budapest, Hungary. Among the tested plant materials European selected cultivars, Hungarian cultivated stocks and populations from wild growing habitats were investigated. Concerning flowering time, two types (early and late) were distinguished. Flowering time of the less abundant late type, represented by Hungarian variety ‘Azulenka’ and ‘Gb22’, started approximately 2 weeks later than that of the early flowering type. Plant height and length of flowering horizon varied only slightly among taxa, and increased after the first year of cultivation. The proportion of useful plant organs in the drug was stable. Biomass and drug production of the investigated genotypes was variable, late flowering types providing higher yields. Essential oil, proazulene, total phenolic and flavonoid content varied on a large scale among accessions and years. Results demonstrate the high intraspecific variability of A. collina and also the role of valuable genotypes in drug production. Selected cultivars may provide stable and good yields and drug quality under particular environmental conditions, while genotypes of wild origin may be valuable sources of future breeding programs.

Influence of Different Plant Materials in Combination with Chicken Manure on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Contents and Vegetable Yield

The use of plant materials as soil amendments is an uncommon practice amongst major farming communities in Ghana, although it is necessary for soil fertility improvement. An examination of the effects of soil amendments is necessary to encourage the use of under-utilized organic resources in Ghana. Thus, a field experiment was conducted using 8 different tropical plant materials mixed with chicken manure as soil amendments for growth of tomato as a test crop. The plant materials included Leucaena leucocephala, Centrosema pubescens, Sesbania sesban, Gliricidia sepium, Mucuna pruriens, Pueraria phaseoloides, Azadirachta indica, and Theobroma cacao. There were two other treatments: one with equivalent amounts of chemical fertilizers and the other with no-fertilizer input (control). Plant materials were mixed with chicken manure to obtain a uniform carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 5:1. Except the no-fertilizer control, all treatments received the same amount of nitrogen (N). To clarify the decomposition pattern of the plant materials in soil, an incubation experiment was conducted using only the plant materials before the field experiment. The Gliricidia treatment released significantly more mineral N than the other plant materials in the incubation experiment. However, the tomato fruit yield was not enhanced in the Gliricidia treatment in the field experiment. The known quality parameters of the tested plant materials, such as total N, total carbon (C), C:N ratio, and total polyphenols, had minimal effects on their mineralization dynamics. Azadirachta showed the best synergistic effect with chicken manure through significantly increasing soil microbial biomass and fruit yield of tomato. This result provides insights into the possible adoption of Azadirachta in combination with chicken manure as a soil amendment in small-scale agricultural holdings.

The impact of R1and R3a genes on tuber resistance to late blight of the potato breeding clones

Abstract Potato breeding clones were evaluated for resistance to late blight (agent Phytophthora infestans) using tuber inoculation tests and for presence of the resistance alleles of R1 and R3a genes in polymerase chain reaction tests. Among clones tested those expressing high, moderate and low resistance were identified. The data were analysed for the impact of R1 and R3a genes on tuber resistance to late blight in tested plant material. In previous evaluations performed on smaller amount of clones the tuber resistance levels significantly depended on presence/absence of the resistance allele of R3a gene and did not depend on presence of R1 gene allele. In the current study the statistical analyses did not prove the significant difference in resistance levels depending on presence of the resistance alleles, neither of R1 gene, nor of R3a gene. Tuber resistant clones bearing R3a gene resistance alleles still noticeably prevailed over the clones bearing the alleles of R1 gene as well as over the clones bearing the no resistance alleles of both genes. In several cases the resistance of clones with detected resistance allele of R1 gene was higher compared to those derived from the same crosses and showing amplification of the allele of R3a gene or those with no resistance alleles. Clones accumulating the resistance alleles of both (R1 and R3a) genes expressed high tuber resistance accompanied by necrotic reaction.

SCREENING OF Gmelina arborea (Yemane) LEAF EXTRACTS FOR ANTIMICROBIAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PESTICIDAL PROPERTIES

Leaves of Gmelinaarborea were extracted using ethanol, methanol, and distilled water. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of fats and oils, hydrolysable tannins, 2 deoxysugars, saponins and tannins. The agar disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial and antifungal activity on three Gram (+) bacteria B. cereus, B. subtilis, and S. aureus ), two Gram (--) bacteria E. coli and S. typhi) and a fungus ( C. albicans). The highest activity was shown by the aqueous extract with a mean diameter of inhibition zone ranged from 15.33 24.67 mm followed by ethanol which had 14 23.67 mm and lastly was observed in methanol which had 14 22.33 mm. The minimuminhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts for E. coli, S. typhi and C. albicans was 56 mg/mL, for B. cereus, B. subtilis, and S. aureus ranged from 14 mg/mL 28 mg/mL. Pesticidal activity screening was determined using a Brassica juncea (mustasa) and lethal dosage was assessed using sawfly (Athalia lugens proxima). Lethal dosage was carried out using four concentrations (70%, 80%, 90% and 100%) for each of the extracts, which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worm. The best activity was found in aqueous extract having 90% mortality rate in just 18 seconds, followed by ethanol and methanol both having 80% mortality rate in 25 and 29 seconds respectively. These promising findings suggest the presence of antibacterial and antifungal agents in the tested plant material, exhibited by its bioactive compounds, and serving them as an alternative antimicrobial agent against the tested microorganisms, furthermore, alcoholic and aqueous extract significantly demonstrated death of sawfly especially at higher concentration of the extract making this plant a potential agent as an organic pesticide.

In-vitro comparative study of cytotoxic and thrombolytic effects of methanolic extract of Cissus pentagona and Thunbergia grandiflora (Roxb.) leaves

Objective: To compare cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity of crude methanolic extract of Cissus pentagona (C. pentagona) and Thunbergia grandiflora Roxb. (T. grandiflora) leaves. Methods: The screening of cytotoxic activity was done by using brine shrimp lethality bioassay while the thrombolytic activity was evaluated by using the in vitro clot lysis model. In brief, venous blood from five healthy volunteers was allowed to form clots which were weighed and treated with the tested plant materials to disrupt the clots. Weight of clot before and after treatment provided a percentage of clot lysis and the results with streptokinase as positive control and water as negative control were compared. Results: Moderate cytotoxicity was found for both methanol extracts, and it was compared with the standard drug vincristine sulfate in the brine shrimp bioassay. In the present study, the LC50 values of the methanol crude extract of C. pentagona as well as T. grandiflora and vincristine sulfate were 291.33, 243.37 and 12.59 μg/mL, respectively. In thrombolytic study, it was found that C. pentagona and T. grandiflora showed (24.27 ± 2.61)% and (19.56 ± 2.98)% of clot lysis, respectively. Among the herbs studied, C. pentagona showed very significant (P < 0.001) percentage of clot lysis than T. grandiflora, compared with reference drug streptokinase ((63.54 ± 2.61)%). Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrated that the leaf of the plants contains preliminary cytotoxic effect on brine shrimp and promising thrombolytic activity in vitro when it is tested on human blood. However, further study is needed to evaluate its potential as a

Morphological effects at radicle level by direct contact of invasive Acacia dealbata Link

Seeds of Lactuca sativa L. (model plant) and Quillaja saponaria Mol. (native tree) were subjected to germination in direct contact with leaves, pods and seeds from invasive Acacia dealbata Link. (Fabaceae) to reveal whether morphological changes occur at radicle level. Bioassays were carried out with plant material deposited underneath A. dealbatás canopy under natural conditions at Mediterranean ecosystem in South America. Segments of radicle tip, cell elongation zone and root hair zone were analyzed under scanning electron microscopy. The three plant parts from A. dealbata inhibited the formation of root hairs and altered the rhizodermis (deformation and tissue destruction) of the two recipient species. In the case of Q. saponaria, an increase in thickness in the cell elongation zone was observed and internal tissues up to the vascular cylinder in the root hair zone were intensely damaged. The root cap and meristematic region suffered structural changes and damage resulting from the contact with leaves and pods. All morphological effects have been attributed to the impact caused at root level by potential allelochemicals released by different tested plant materials of A. dealbata. These results suggest that the morphological changes and damage produced by A. dealbata at the radicle level may pose a threat to the growth and survival of the recipient species.

Quantification of tannins and related polyphenols in commercial products of tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla).

Potentilla tormentilla has many biological and pharmacological properties and can be used as an ingredient of some herbal medicines or beverages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of individual polyphenols, especially condensed and hydrolysable tannins in commercially available tormentil rhizomes and tinctures using chromatographic methods. A quantitative analysis (HPLC-PDA) was preceded by qualitative studies (UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS) and the isolation (CC) of the major tannin compounds. The tested plant material is characterised by a high content of tannins and related polyphenols, i.e. in rhizomes even at the level above 20% and in tinctures above 2%. The main components of tormentil rhizomes are procyanidin B3 (mean ~ 3.6%), procyanidin C2 (mean ~ 2.8%), agrimoniin (mean ~ 2.5%), 3-O-galloylquinic acid (mean ~ 1.7%), catechin (mean ~ 1.6%), other flavan-3-ol oligomers (mean ~ 0.5-1.1) and laevigatins (mean ~ 0.2-0.6%). Free ellagic acid and glycosides of ellagic and methylellagic acids are secondary components. Underground parts of tormentil are a source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins, but in smaller quantity of gallotannins. Monogalloylquinic acids are new identified compounds, which had not been described in Potentilla tormentilla before we started our research. In the analysed tormentil tinctures agrimoniin concentration is lower in relation to other tannins.

Effects of organic extracts and their different fractions of five Bangladeshi plants on in vitro thrombolysis.

BackgroundThe increasingly high incidence of ischemic stroke caused by thrombosis of the arterial vessels is one of the major factors that threaten people’s health and lives in the world. The present treatments for thrombosis are still unsatisfactory. Herbal preparations have been used since ancient times for the treatment of several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether herbal preparations possess thrombolytic activity or not.MethodsAn in vitro thrombolytic model was used to check the clot lysis effect of the crude extracts and fractions of five Bangladeshi plant viz., Trema orientalis L., Bacopa monnieri L., Capsicum frutescens L., Brassica oleracea L. and Urena sinuata L. using streptokinase as a positive control and water as a negative control. Briefly, venous blood drawn from twenty healthy volunteers was allowed to form clots which were weighed and treated with the test plant materials to disrupt the clots. Weight of clot after and before treatment provided a percentage of clot lysis.ResultsUsing an in vitro thrombolytic model, different fractions of five Bangladeshi medicinal plants namely T. orientalis, B. monnieri, C. frutescens, B. oleracea and U. sinuata showed various range of clot lysis activity. Chloroform fractions of T. orientalis, B. monnieri, C. frutescens, B. oleracea and U. sinuata showed highest significant (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001) clot lysis activity viz., 46.44 ± 2.44%, 48.39 ± 10.12%, 36.87 ± 1.27%, 30.24 ± 0.95% and 47.89 ± 6.83% respectively compared with positive control standard streptokinase (80.77 ± 1.12%) and negative control sterile distilled water (5.69 ± 3.09%). Other fractions showed moderate to low clot lysis activity. Order of clot lysis activity was found to be: Streptokinase > Chloroform fractions > Methanol (crude) extract > Hydro-methanol fractions > Ethyl acetate fractions > n-hexane fractions > Water.ConclusionsOur study suggests that thrombolytic activity of T. orientalis, B. monnieri and U. sinuata could be considered as very promising and beneficial for the Bangladeshi traditional medicine. Lower effects of other extracts might suggest the lack of bio-active components and/or insufficient quantities in the extract. In vivo clot dissolving property and active component(s) of T. orientalis and B. monnieri for clot lysis could lead the plants for their therapeutic uses. However, further work will establish whether or not, chloroform soluble phytochemicals from these plants could be incorporated as a thrombolytic agent for the improvement of the patients suffering from atherothrombotic diseases.

In vitro thrombolytic activity of Dhamasa (Fagonia arabica Linn.), Kushta (Saussurea lappa Decne.), and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia Thunb.).

Introduction:Thrombotic disorders are among the major fatal conditions affecting the society. Treatment modalities used for such disorders are either surgical interventions or use of drugs such as urokinase, streptokinase (SK), or tissue plasminogen activators to dissolve the blood clots. These modalities have their own limitations and side effects apart from being expensive. There is a need for safer and cost effective antithrombolytic agents.Aim:To evaluate in vitro thrombolytic property of Dhamasa (Fagonia arabica Linn.), Kushta (Saussurea lappa Decne.), and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia Thunb.) plant extract.Materials and Methods:Venous blood drawn from 20 healthy volunteers was allowed to form clots which was weighed and treated with the extract of test plant materials to disrupt the clots. Weight of clot after and before treatment provided a percentage of clot lysis. SK was used as a positive and water as a negative control.Statistical Analysis Used:The significance between % clot lysis of five groups by means of weight difference was tested by the one-way ANOVA.Results:Clot lysis observed were 68.06%, 14.85%, 25.01%, 92.54%, and 3.00% for Dhamasa, Kushta, Guduchi, SK, and distilled water, respectively.Conclusion:Herbal extracts possess thrombolytic properties and lyse blood clots in vitro.