Radioprotective and In-Vitro Cytotoxic Sapogenin from Euphorbia neriifolia (Euphorbiaceae) Leaf

Purpose: Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) plant is traditionally used in the treatment of abdominal troubles, bronchitis, tumours,  leucoderma, piles, inflammation, and enlargement of spleen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of a sapogenin isolate of this plant. Methods: Euphol was isolated as a major constituent from the triterpenoidal sapogenin fraction of E. neriifolia leaf. Its in-vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by reducing power assay, 1,1 – diphenyl –2- picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, as well as  hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical scavenging activities. Radioprotective activity was assessed against radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations and cytotoxicity on murine F1 B16 melanoma.Results: The sapogenin exerted moderate antioxidant activity with highly significant (p < 0.001) reduction of gamma radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations (33.5 % compared to 71.5 % for radiation treatment alone at 4 Gy). It also exhibited cytotoxic activity on melanoma cell lines (IC50 = 173.78 μg/ml). Conclusion: The sapogenin fraction showed antioxidant, radioprotective and cytotoxic activities. This study provides a scientific basis for the claimed traditional anticarcinogenic potentials of E. neriifolia.Keywords: Euphorbia neriifolia; Euphol; Sapogenin; Antioxidant; Radioprotective; Melanoma; Chromosomal aberratio

Evaluation of the antiulcer avtivity of wrightia tinctoria bark extract in induced acute gastric ulcers in rat

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 10 () 2006: pp.36-4

Effects of Ocimum sanctum Gestational Administration on Physiological and Behavioral Aspects of Mice Offspring

Aims: Prenatal maternal stress and anxiety affect the offspring causing low birth weight, decreased motor activity, and developmental delays. Ocimum sanctum is cherished as the holiest herb in India and possesses strong adaptogenic, memory enhancer, and anti-stress properties. This study aimed to assess the effect of O. sanctum leaf aqueous extract on preventing pregnancy related stress impact on the mice offspring.&#x0D; Methodology: Pregnant female mice were treated with O. sanctum leaf aqueous extract throughout the gestation period at 100 mg/kg, p.o, while exposed to resident–intruder social stress paradigm. Physiological, morphological, and behavioral aspects of offspring were observed for 6 weeks.&#x0D; Results: Pups of O. sanctum treated mothers showed significantly (P &lt; 0.05) improved body weight, body length, and head length. O. sanctum treatment has significantly reduced eye opening and pinna detachment period (P &lt; 0.05-0.01), and duration for gaining surface righting and mid-air righting refluxes (P &lt; 0.05). O. Sanctum has significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05-0.01) number of correct entries in radial arm maze and line crossing in open field performance.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study outcome proves the beneficial role of O. Sanctum in ameliorating prenatal stress and anxiety induced deleterious effect on offspring.</jats:p

Pharmacognostical and physicochemical standardization of ethnopharmacologically important seeds of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Lepidium sativum </i>Linn. and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Wrightia tinctoria </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">R. Br<i>. </i> </span>

464-471Quality control standardizations of the various medicinal plants used in traditional medicine is becoming more important today in view of the commercialization of formulations based on these plants. Lepidium sativum Linn. seeds are used as tonic, carminative in chronic liver enlargement and spleen diseases. The bruised seeds mixed with lime juice are applied to the relief the local inflammation and rheumatic pain.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Wrightia tinctoria R. Br. seeds are astringent, acrid, thermogenic, carminative, digestive, stomachic, antidysenteric, constipating, depurative, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, febrifuge and diuretic. WHO recommends various physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation parameters for quality control of medicinal plants. In view of their medicinal importance and taxonomic confusion, morphology and microscopy, physico-chemical parameters, fluorescence analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and quantitative estimation were performed to establish the salient diagnostic characters. The morphological, microscopical and physicochemical standards developed in this study will provide referential information for identification of these crude drugs and standardization. </span