Vernonia Anthelmintica Research Articles

Identification of active compounds in Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) willd by targeted metabolome MRM and kaempferol promotes HaCaT cell proliferation and reduces oxidative stress.

Introduction: Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. is a traditional treatment for vitiligo in Xinjiang. However, its therapeutic mechanism remains unclear owing to its complex composition and limited research on its chemical profile. Methods: We employed a targeted metabolome approach, combining selective reaction monitoring/multiple response monitoring (SRM/MRM) with high-performance liquid chromatography and MRM mass spectrometry to quantitatively analyze the flavonoid constituents of Vernonia anthelmintica. We also used network pharmacology and molecular docking to identify potential vitiligo-linked compounds and targets of V. anthelmintica seeds. Additionally, we assessed HaCaT cell proliferation by AAPH-induced, alongside changes in SOD activity and MDA content, following treatment with V. anthelmintica components. Finally, flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and ROS levels. Results and Discussion: We identified 36 flavonoid compounds in V. anthelmintica seeds, with 14 compounds exhibiting druggability. AKT1, VEGFA, ESR1, PTGS2, and IL2 have been identified as key therapeutic target genes, with PI3K/AKT signaling being an important pathway. Notably, kaempferol, one of the identified compounds, exhibited high expression in network pharmacology analysis. Kaempferol exhibited a strong binding affinity to important targets. Further, kaempferol enhanced HaCaT cell viability, inhibited apoptosis, reduced MDA levels, suppressed ROS activity, and upregulated SOD activity, increase the expression of cellular antioxidant genes, including HO-1, GCLC, GCLM, Nrf2, NQO1 and Keap1, providing significant protection against oxidative stress damage in vitro. Here, we present the first comprehensive study integrating SRM/MRM approaches and network analysis to identify active flavonoid compounds within V. anthelmintica (L.) Willd. Moreover, we revealed that its active ingredient, kaempferol, offers protection against AAPH-induced damage in keratinocytes, highlighting its potential as a clinical resource.

Study on the Protective Effect of Flavonoids in Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd on Oxidative Stress Damage of HaCaT Cells

Background: Vitiligo, a prevalent hypopigmented skin disorder, profoundly impacts patients’ psychological well-being and quality of life. Therefore, the development of more efficacious antivitiligo drugs is imperative. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of four flavonoids found in Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd such as Butin, Butein, Eriodictyol, and Liquiritigenin—against H2O2-induced oxidative stress damage in human immortalized epidermal cells (HaCaT cells). Materials & Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT kit. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured via the WST-1 method, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined using the thiobarbituric acid method. Transcription and protein expression of nuclear transcription-related factors (Nrf2), heme oxidase-1 (HO-1), and Quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) were analyzed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western Blotting. Results: Upon treatment with the four flavonoids, SOD activity exhibited a significant increase compared to the H2O2 induction model ( P < .01), and MDA content was significantly lower ( P < .01). This effect showed a dose-dependent relationship, with an increment in SOD activity and a reduction in MDA content. All four flavonoids upregulated the expression levels of nuclear transcription-related factor, HO-1, and NQO1 genes, as well as their corresponding proteins. Conclusion: The identified flavonoids in V anthelmintica (L.) Willd demonstrate a protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress damage in HaCaT cells.

Preparation and characterization of corn straw core-based composite films with excellent antioxidant, water vapor barrier, and mechanical properties

Corn straw core (CSC)/cellulose nanofibers (CNF) composite is researched as a food packaging material because of its better anti-ultraviolet (UV) and water vapor barrier properties. However, there are still some challenges, such as insufficient toughness, many gaps or pores inside the film, and a lack of antioxidant properties. To improve these properties, the composite films (CCP-VAE), with excellent anti-UV, antioxidant, blocking bacteria, water vapor barrier, and mechanical properties, were prepared by applying Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd extract (VAE) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO). The interaction of the raw materials and the structure of composite films were analyzed by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TG, and DSC. Compared to LDPE, PBAT, or PBSeT, the tensile strength of CCP-VAE-1 composite film was improved by 1.17 times, 1.37 times, or 2.75 times, respectively; compared with CNF/CSC, PP, LDPE, PBAT or PBSeT, the puncture load of this film was advanced by 2.59 times, 0.72 times, 0.64 times, 0.81 times or 2.54 times, respectively; the tearing strength of this film, compared with CNF, PP, LDPE, PBAT or PBSeT, was enhanced by 1.49 times, 2.59 times, 4.00 times, 0.89 times or 3.48 times, respectively; furthermore, compared with CNF, PBAT and PLA, the water vapor transmission coefficient (Pwv) of CCP-VAE-1.5/2 films had a lower value. All CCP-VAE composite films also presented excellent UV barriers and wonderful antioxidant properties. In practical packaging tests with fresh garlic and milk, the weight loss and spoilage caused by external influences were effectively prevented by CCP-VAE composite films, which indicated the potential as food packaging.

Culturable Diversity and Biological Properties of Bacterial Endophytes Associated with the Medicinal Plants of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd

As one of the important traditional medicinal plants listed in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd has been shown to possess various biological activities. In this study, we characterized culturable endophytic bacteria associated with the medicinal plant V. anthelmintica collected from Hotan within the Xinjiang autonomous region of China. Bacterial endophytes were identified via 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and compared to similar sequences from the GenBank. Isolated strains exhibited 99.08–100% similarity to Bacillus haynesii XJB-5, Bacillus proteolyticus XJB-16, Bacillus halotolerans XJB-35, Bacillus safensis XJB-71, Pseudomonas punonensis XJB-7, Lysinibacillus fusiformis XJB-17, Streptococcus lutetiensis XJB-66, Leclercia adecarboxylata XJB-12, Paenibacillus alvei XJB-14, and Pantoea agglomerans XJB-62. The ethyl acetate extracts of the bacterial endophytes demonstrated various pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activity, according to a melanin content assay and have shown tyrosinase activity in murine B16 cells. A crude extract of B. halotolerans XJB-35 displayed more powerful biological activities than other bacterial endophytes; therefore, this strain was studied further in order to select the optimized parameters for enhancing the synthesis of bioactive compounds. The optimal culture medium was found to be nutrient broth (NB) medium, using peptone as its carbon source and yeast extract as its nitrogen source. A 24 h incubation time produced the optimal conditions for the maximum growth of B. halotolerans XJB-35 and the production of bioactive compounds. Moreover, we investigated the volatile chemical component of the dichloromethane fraction using GC-MS analysis. Our findings provide valuable information regarding the synthesize of bioactive natural products by B. halotolerans XJB-35 for use by the medicinal and pharmaceutical industries.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application towards As(V) removal from aqueous systems

Arsenic (As) contamination in one of the most serious water quality concern due to its toxic effects and worldwide availability. To avoid its poisoning effects, especially in the form of As(V), it is important to develop new techniques for its treatment. The current study was conducted to investigate the As(V) removal from aqueous systems using silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). The Ag NPs were synthesized through a simple method by using Vernonia Anthelmintica (L.) plant extract and characterized by using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The removal of As(V) was tested with respect to time, optimum dose, effect of light and pH, treatment with ultra-sonication and continuous flow process. The results showed that Ag NPs can effectively remove As(V) from aqueous systems in the presence of sunlight (100%), ultra-sonication process (100%), neutral pH (100%), and continuous flow (71.6%). While the same NPs could not show effective removal of As(V) with respect to low dose (15%), darkness (38.9%), low pH of 3.4 (21.4%) and high pH of 11 (11.1%). Using Ag NPs can reduce As(V) to the permissible limits set by World health organization (WHO). Moreover, the Ag NPs work efficiently in sunlight and in the neutral pH range, therefore adjustment of pH is not required to activate these NPs.

Secondary Metabolites and their Biological Activities from Endophytic Fungal Strain Aspergillus terreus XJA8 Associated with Vernonia anthelmintica

Two isocoumarins (6-methoxymellein and 6-hydroxymellein), one pyrrole compound (minaline), one lactone derivative (butyrolactone II), five phenolic acids (phenylacetic, veratric (3,4-dimethoxybenzoic), 4-hydroxyphenylacetic, 4-hydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acid), and two phenolic acid methyl esters ((2-hydroxyphenyl) acetic acid methyl ester and methyl 4-hydroxyphenylacetate), along with 1,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propan-2-one were isolated from the fungal strain Aspergillus terreus XJA8. The fungal strain was isolated from the root of the medicinal plant Vernonia anthelmintica for first time. All isolated secondary metabolites were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and melanin synthesis in murine B16 cells.

Mechanisms of 4-Dimethylamino-4'-Methoxy Chalcone in Promoting Melanin Synthesis

Background and aims: Vitiligo, a pigmentation-associated disease, affects 1–2% of the global population andis difficult to treat. The pathogenetic mechanism of vitiligo remains unclear. Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. extract for vitiligo treatment was initially recorded 300 years ago. Itschalcone compounds are believed to play essential roles in this treatment. In a previous study, chalcones were shown to enhance melanin production and tyrosinase activity inmouse B16 cells. Materials and methods: In this study, the effects were investigated of 4-dimethylamino-4'-methoxy chalcone (DMC) on theexpression of tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, tyrosinase-relatedprotein (TRP)-2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)on murine B16 cells. Moreover, the signaling pathways of melanogenesis regulation,and the effects of DMCon the AC/cAMP/PKA/CREB (CREB and p-CREB), p38mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, ERK andp-ERK), Wnt/β-catenin (β-catenin), and SWI/SNF pathways (SOX-10) proteinexpression levels were examined by Western blot. Results: The data showed that DMCcould promote melanin production by upregulating the p-CREB, p-p38,p-ERK and β-catenin proteins.

Synthesis of Silver Nano particles by Green method Using Vernonia anthelmintica and its Antibacterial activity.

In the modern years, there is an enlarged use of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in industrial and in the field of medical practice significantly, still, their high risk and lethal outcome have not been studied considerably. The aim behind this research work was to incorporate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Vernonia anthelmintic seeds extract and to assess its antibacterial activity. AgNPs were properly synthesized by the green method and the evolution of AgNPs was firmed by optical color change and UV (ultraviolet) spectroscopy. Synthesized AgNPs were decontaminated and characterized by using Silver Content Estimation-Inductive Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), Zeta potentiometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV peak at 453.5 nm confirmed the formation of AgNPs. XRD studies disclosed the crystalline nature of AgNPs. ICP-AES studies showed the presence of silver in colloidal dispersion and images were recorded by using HRTEM. Synthesized AgNPs were found to be potent against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonasaeruginosa, E. coli, and MRSA. However, these SNPs are cytotoxic in nature and could obey as a superior antibacterial for therapy of bacterial infections in this period of multiple drug defiance.

Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) willd extract alleviates cognitive deficits and neurodegeneration induced by infusion of amyloid beta (1–42) in rats

Background: There is a constant hunt for the development of new therapeutic alternative to address Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its failing attempts in the evolution of new therapies and suboptimal results from the existing pharmacological interventions for the treatment of this severe neurodegenerative disease. Vernonia anthelmintica is an extensively used medicinal plant in Indian traditional medicine with wide range of therapeutic values. However, there is insufficient scientific documentation available for its protective effect against cognitive disorders. Objectives: The objective of the current investigation is to explore the neuroprotective activity of methanolic extract of V. anthelmintica (MEVA) in amyloid-beta (Aβ) (1–42) infused sporadic model of AD. Materials and Methods: Adult healthy male Wistar rats were treated orally with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of MEVA for 28 days, after a week from intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) infusion of Aβ (1–42) peptides followed by assessment of neurobehavioral deficits. Subsequently, animals were euthanized and brains were collected for estimation and quantification of neurochemical biomarkers including antioxidant enzymes, neurotransmitters, plaque load, and inflammatory mediators. Results: Dose-dependent reversal of cognitive impairment was observed upon MEVA treatment in amyloid intoxicated rats as corroborated by improved learning and memory and diminished oxidative stress, cholinergic hypofunction, and neuroinflammation induced by Aβ (1–42). Conclusion: Collectively, evidence-based data suggested the promising neurotherapeutic potential of V. anthelmintica and thereby can stand as a novel entity for curbing AD pathology.

Asteraceae Plants used in Homoeopathic System of Medicine, Cultivated in the Center of Medicinal Plants Research in Homoeopathy (CMPRH), Emerald, the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu

The objective of the present study is to survey and document of homeopathic medicinal plants cultivated in the Center of Medicinal Plants Research in Homoeopathy (CMPRH), Emerald, Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India. To prepare the documentation of homoeopathic Medicinal plants of Asteraceae in the Nilgiris District, the present study was conducted during the year 2019–2020. The plants collected were pressed, poisoned, mounted, and stitched on herbarium sheets and deposited at the Centre of Medicinal Plants Research in Homoeopathy herbarium (Acronym SMPRGH). The present study deals with the 29 species belonging to 26 genera of Asteraceae family viz. Achillea millefolium L., Anthemis nobilis L., Artemisia abrotanum L., Artemisia dracunculus L., Artemisia annua L., Bellis perennis L., Calendula officinalis L., Cichorium intybus L., Chrysanthemum parthenium L., Cynara scolymus L., Echinacea purpurea L., Eclipta prostrata (L.)L., Erigeron canadensis L., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Gnaphalium polycepalum L., Helianthus annuus L., Lactuca sativa L., Leucanthemum vulgare (Vahill.) Lam., Matricaria chamomilla L., Parthenium hysterophorus L., Senecio cineraria DC., Sigesbeckia orientalis L., Silybum marianum (L) Gaertner., Solidago virgaurea L., Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni., Taraxacum officinnale Wigg. Vernonia anthelmintica (L.)Willd., Xanthium indicum Koenig and Xanthium spinosum L. The present article gives the scientific name, common name, homeopathic drug name, original author citation, English name, phenology, distribution, short description, and part of plant used for preparing homoeopathic medicine. Details such as indigenous or exotic and uses are also given. Reported 29 homoeopathic medicinal plants are used in homoeopathic medicinal system to treat various diseases. Present study also reveals the importance of conservation and sustainable utilization. The documented information is useful for Homeopathic practitioners, scientists, drug developers, medicinal plant enterprises and other scientific bodies which deal with isolation of active ingredients for effective treatment.

Biological Activity of Endophytic Fungi from the Roots of the Medicinal Plant Vernonia anthelmintica.

Endophytic fungi were first isolated from the fresh root of the Chinese medicinal plant Vernonia anthelmintica collected from the Hotan Prefecture within the Xinjiang Autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China. This plant has been used in Uyghur traditional medicine to treat vitiligo, a skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. In total, fifteen fungal strains were isolated. Among these, four endophytic fungi were identified by their DNA sequences and registered to GenBank with accession numbers. The isolates were identified as Schizophyllum commune XJA1, Talaromyces sp. XJA4, Aspergillus sp. XJA6, Aspergillus terreus XJA8. Ethyl acetate extracts of all fungal strains were used to quantify melanin content and to identify in vitro biological activity assays including antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic and tyrosinase activity on B16 cells. Among the extracts of all four identified strains, the ethyl acetate extract of the Aspergillus sp. XJA6 was chosen for further characterization because it presented the highest biological activity against these tests. In addition, twenty four volatile compounds from the petroleum ether fraction were characterized by GC–MS.

The network pharmacological mechanisms of four anti-vitiligo Uyghur medicines based on Phlegmatic temperament theory

To explore the network pharmacological mechanisms of four anti-vitiligo Uyghur medicines based on the Phlegmatic temperament theory. First, The anti-vitiligo Uyghur medicine formulas based on Phlegmatic temperament theory were collected. The pharmacokinetic characteristic of main compounds in four anti-vitiligo Uyghur medicines were obtained by using admetSAR. The targets of active compounds were predicted via bSDTNBI (balanced substructure-drug-target network-based inference model) method. Then, biological process (BP) and molecular function (MF) enrichment analysis of targets were analysed via DAVID database. Constructing anti-vitiligo Uyghur medicine formula-Uyghur medicines network model (FMI network) and Uyghur medicines-active compounds-targets-BP-Hilit network model (MCTBHI network), we utilized closeness centrality to analyse key Uyghur medicines, active compounds, key targets as well as Hilit. Finally, the in vitro melanin production model of C57BL/6 mice was used to verify the ability of the active compounds to improve melanogenesis. The results showed that Psoralea corylifolia, Vernonia anthelmintica, Syzygium aromaticum and Anacyclus pyrethrum were the key Uyghur medicines in the FMI network. There were 22 active compounds with a relatively higher bioavailability interacted with 58 therapeutic targets. These active compounds were mainly composed of coumarins and flavonoids. In the MCTBHI network, the MF of 58 therapeutic targets was related to steroid hormone receptor activity, heme binding and enzyme binding functhon. Classification of the Hilit according to the BP of 58 therapeutic targets, the first place was the blood, followed by the lymph, the cerebrospinal fluid and digestive juice. It was found that the expression of some targets located in the skin was closed to the heart muscle, lymph node, spleen, cerebral cortex and so on, which were the main places for Hilit. In particular, ESR1, PTGS2, PPARA, PPARG, PTGS1 and CA2 were regulated by the flavonoids (kaempferide and isorhamnetin). The in vitro melanin production model showed that kaempferide and isorhamnetin could promote the melanin production in C57BL/6 mice ear skin. Based on admetSAR and bSDTNBI, we used network pharmacological method to construct a systematic means of studying anti-vitiligo Uyghur medicines, providing clues for the further study of the modern molecular mechanisms of Phlegmatic temperament.

The Effect of Volatile Oil from Vernonia anthelmintica Seeds on Melanin Synthesis in B16 Cells and Its Chemical Analysis by GC-QTOF-MS.

Vernonia anthelmintica Willd. seeds have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of leukoderma in Xinjiang, China, for more than 300 years. The promoting activities of its volatile oil (AVO) in melanogenesis and its chemical composition were investigated in this paper. The bioactivities of AVO were examined by melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity assay in B16 cells. Using GC-QTOF-MS technology, each compound of AVO contains a single separated peak in GC and the retention indices of every GC peak were calculated by the retention times of C7~C30 n-alkanes that were injected at the same chromatographic conditions. Then each individual peak was identified by comparing its mass spectrum with the MS library (NIST 14). As a result, AVO increased the melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 10-30μg·mL−1. The 64 compounds were identified in AVO which occupied 95.15% of total peak area in GC. They mainly contained caryophyllene (23.73%), sabinene (18.15%), α-thujene (6.57%), thymol (5.29%), 4-epi-α-acoradiene (4.98%), limonene (4.92%), anethole (3.44%), etc. According to the results the AVO can promote melanogenesis and upregulate tyrosinase activity in B16 cells.

Network pharmacological mechanisms of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) in the treatment of vitiligo: Isorhamnetin induction of melanogenesis via up-regulation of melanin-biosynthetic genes

BackgroundVitiligo is a long-term skin disease characterized by the loss of pigment in the skin. The current therapeutic approaches are limited. Although the anti-vitiligo mechanisms of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) remain ambiguous, the herb has been broadly used in Uyghur hospitals to treat vitiligo. The overall objective of the present study aims to identify the potential lead compounds from Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) in the treatment of vitiligo via an oral route as well as the melanogenic mechanisms in the systematic approaches in silico of admetSAR and substructure-drug-target network-based inference (SDTNBI).ResultsThe results showed that the top 5 active compounds with a relatively higher bioavailability that interacted with 23 therapeutic targets were identified in Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) using admetSAR and SDTNBI methods. Among these compounds, Isorhamnetin and Kaempferide, which are methyl-flavonoids, performed 1st and 2nd. Isorhamnetin and Kaempferide significantly increased the expression of melanin-biosynthetic genes (MC1R, MITF, TYR, TYRP1 and DCT) and the tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells. Isorhamnetin and Kaempferide significantly increased the mRNA-expression of melanin-biosynthetic genes (MC1R, MITF, TYR, TYRP1 and DCT), the protein level of MITF and the tyrosinase activity. Based on the SDTNBI method and experimental verification, Isorhamnetin and Kaempferide effectively increased melanogenesis by targeting the MC1R-MITF signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway (PPARA, PPARD, PPARG), arachidonic acid metabolism pathway (ALOX12, ALOX15, CBR1) and serotonergic synapses (ALOX12, ALOX15) in the treatment of vitiligo from a network perspective.ConclusionWe identified the melanogenic activity of the methyl-flavonoids Isorhamnetin and Kaempferide, which were successfully predicted in a network pharmacological analysis of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) by admetSAR and SDTNBI methods.

Inventorization of some ayurvedic plants and their ethnomedicinal use in Kakrajhore forest area of West Bengal

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMedicinal Plant resources of forest origin are extensively used in India for various systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Allopathy, Siddha and Ethnic etc. The tribal communities around the Kakrajhore forest in West Medinipur district of West Bengal have their own traditional knowledge based system of curing many diseases using the forest based plant resources similar to ayurveda. The forest comprises of one of the unique treasure and rich source of diversified ethno-botanical wealth and therefore extensive studies is required for proper documentation including ethnomedicinal knowledge of local tribes. Aim of the studyThe present study was initiated with an aim to inventorize the ayurvedic medicinal plant recourses and explore the traditional knowledge of tribal people of Kakrajhore forest to treat several diseases along with the sustainable management and conservation of medicinal plants. MethodsThe information on the medicinal plant resources were gathered through floristic inventorization with proper sampling method in the study area (N22°42′57.05″, E86°34′58.02″) during the year 2015. For floristic inventorization the study area of 312 ha was delineated by using GPS Receiver. Then total mapped area was divided by virtual grid of 100m apart in both East-West and North-South direction to allocate 60 sample plots by random sampling. In addition to inventorization, the use value (UV) of the species was determined and the informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated for the medicinal plants found in the study area based on personal interview. Further exploration was carried out to establish linkage with Ayurveda. ResultsThe present survey has identified 57 numbers of ethno-medicinal plants belonging to 39 families, used for preparing medicinal remedies. The habit of the plants includes 35% trees, 28% shrubs, 23% herbs and 14% climbers. The most frequently utilized plant parts were the Roots & Tuber roots (26%), Stem which includes Bark, Tubers, Bulb, Rhizome, Gum, Wood & Young shoots (24%), Leaves (18%), Fruits (13%), and Seeds (10%). The most frequent happening ailments are asthma and bronchitis, constipation and dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery, ulcer, rheumatism, arthritis, fistula and piles troubles. Most of the Plants (88%) had more than a single therapeutic use. The most important plant species on the basis of use value were Smilex ovalifolia, Emblica officinalis, Curculigo orchioides, Croton roxburghii, Asparagus racemosus, Ziziphus nummularia, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Cisssus adnata, Buettneria herbacea, Litsea glutinosa, Vernonia anthelmintica and Chlorophytum borivilianum. There was a strong agreement among the informants related to the usage of the plants (ICF 0.65–0.93). As per the standard literature in Ayurveda, maximum numbers of documented species (33) are found to be used for ‘digestive system disorder’ which is analogous to ethnomedicinal use (30), followed by ‘skin related problem’ i.e. 13 and 20 respectively. ConclusionsResults show that people living around Kakrajhore forest area hold valuable knowledge of the uses of plant resources and some of the ayurvedic plants represent an important component in local livelihood. Though the Kakrajhore Forest area is rich in medicinal plant resources but the species are susceptible to be endangered by intense exploitation by human communities. More in-depth investigations are required for plants with high UV values on their possible phytochemical and pharmacological activity. Apart from this, sustainable management approach and proper conservation strategy for the area is recommended by involvement of local communities and forest department.

Flowering and Fruiting Phenology of some Herbs, Shrubs and Undershrubs from Girnar Reserve forest, Gujarat, India

The present study was carried out on 26 species of 13 different botanical families in Girnar Reserve Forest near Junagadh, Gujarat, India, for their reproductive phenological events, viz. flowering and fruiting from August 2008 to August 2011. Flowering and fruiting phenology varied significantly (P < 0.01). Mean values of percentage of species in flowering event indicated highest peak in September followed by August; the highest peak for fruiting (83.3%) was observed in December followed by January (57.7%). Sida cordifolia L. showed highest pooled average of 179 days for flowering. However, Vernonia anthelmintica L. pooled the lowest average of 33.3 flowering days. Highest and lowest pooled average number of fruiting days were recorded for Cassia auriculata L. and Cassia occidentalis Linn. with 279.7 and 35.7 days/year respectively. On the basis of flowering, three species were identified with long flowering duration whereas six species were identified with short flowering duration. In the case of fruiting, five and two species were screened for long fruiting duration and short fruiting duration respectively. Average deviation in flowering among all species was ± 15.5 days from the first to second year of study; however, this was ± 15.4 days for the second to third year, resulting in overall 16.4 days of deviation for the entire study period. In the case of fruiting, the deviation was ± 20.7 and ± 17.3 days respectively, from the first to second year and second to third year, whereas the pooled deviation was 19 days in fruiting.

Antidepressant Potential of Vernonia anthelmintica Willd Extracts in Experimental Animals

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antidepressant potential of Vernonia anthelmintica willd seed extracts in experimental animals. Methanolic and aqueous extract of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds were carried out by soxhlet extraction and maceration technique respectively. The extracts were administered at dose levels of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg orally. The antidepressant activity was evaluated by Tail suspension test and Forced swim test. Locomotor activity was carried out by activity cage meter. Fluoxetine at 10 mg/kg was used as standard antidepressant drug. Vernonia anthelmintica extracts showed the stimulant effect in locomotor activity. The duration of immobility time is reduced in dose dependent manner after repeated treatment with Vernonia anthelmintica extracts for 7 days in Forced swim test and Tail suspension Test. In the present study, Vernonia anthelmintica methanolic and aqueous extract showed significant antidepressant activity in dose dependent manner. The phytoconstituents present in the Vernonia anthelmintica may be responsible for its antidepressant activity.

Screening of siddha medicinal plants for its in-vitro acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

Background:The plants selected for the study were traditionally used in siddha system of medicine in neurological disorders.Aim:The aim of the following study isto screen the plant species for both acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuchE) inhibition by in-vitro Ellman's method and a thin layer chromatography bioautographic assay for newer drug candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.Materials and Methods:Ellman's colorimetric method was performed in a 96 well micro plate for cholinesterases inhibition using galantamine as standard drug.Results:Present studies confirmed that out of all the tested extracts Hemidesmus indicus R.Br (HI) showed considerable IC50 values for AchE (28.40 ± 0.92 μg/mL) and BuchE (43.47 ± 0.64 μg/mL) inhibition which indicates that HI extract has considerable specificity toward AchE and BuchE compared with all the tested extracts and the activity was followed by Vernonia anthelmintica (VA) Willd and Saussurea lappa Clarke (SL). The bioautograms also confirmed the activity potent extracts.Conclusion:Besides various bioactivities HI, VA and SL exhibited considerable cholinesterases inhibition making it to consider these species for further investigation of new compounds.

Diversity of flora used for the cure of equine diseases in selected peri-urban areas of Punjab, Pakistan

BackgroundPlants have widely been used and documented for their therapeutic potential in many parts of the world. There are, however, few reports on the use of plants for the treatment of diseases of equines. To this end, participatory epidemiology and rapid rural appraisal techniques were used to document the plants having pharmacotherapeutic significance against different ailments of equines in selected population of Punjab, Pakistan.MethodsA survey was conducted to interview a total of 450 respondents (150 from each of the districts of Faisalabad, Lahore and Sargodha of Pakistan) to collect information about disease recognition of the equines and their treatment on a well − structured questionnaire. A total of 60 plants belonging to 40 families were documented. An inventory was developed depicting detailed information of plants used in treatment of different conditions of equines.ResultsThe top ten species of plants used were: Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale, Vernonia anthelmintica, Capsicum annum, Brassica campestris, Trachyspermum ammi, Anethum graveolens, Picrorhiza kurroa, Azadirachta indica, and Citrullus colocynthis. Seeds were the most frequently used (n = 16/60) parts, followed by leaves (n = 12/60) and fruits (n = 11/60) of plants. Based on the combination of different parts of plants used in different ratios and variation in their dose or mode of preparation led to a large number of recipes/remedies against wounds, lameness, bronchitis, colic, anorexia, dermatitis, weakness, parasitism (internal & external), fever, heat stress, urine retention, swelling, toxemia, and indigestion.ConclusionsThis study generated lot of data on phytomedicinal approach for the treatment of ailments in the equines in some selected areas. It would, therefore, be imperative to expand similar studies in other parts of Pakistan and elsewhere. Moreover, use of the documented plants may be validated employing standard scientific procedures, which may have their application in the drug discovery/development by the pharmaceutical industry.

Antibacterial spectrum of traditionally used medicinal plants of Hazara, Pakistan

The use of medicinal plants for treatment of infections is an old age practice. On the basis of this important practice, this study was initiated to evaluate the antibacterial effects of medicinal plants, commonly used by the community of Hazara region of Pakistan. Antibacterial spectrum of traditionally used medicinal plants was determined by disc diffusion method under incubation period of 24 to 48 h at 37°C. Four medicinal plants were tested against the different species of human pathogenic bacteria. It was observed that Incarvillea emodi have good activity against Proteus and significantly active against Staphylococcus . Vernonia anthelmintica revealed significant activity against Staphylococcus and Proteus . However, Pseudomonas is resistant to Adiantum capilus-veneries and this plant is negligibly active against other tested microorganism. Mentha longifolia is significantly active against Proteus , while negligibly active against other tested microorganisms. Escherichia coli is however, resistant to M longifolia . Keywords: Biological activity, medicinal plants, Incarvillea emodi , Vernonia anthelmintica , Adiantum capilus-veneries , Mentha longifolia , Hazara, Pakistan