Comparative Analysis of the Essential Oil of the Underground Organs of Valeriana spp. from Different Countries

Valeriana officinalis L.is a plant from the Caprifoliaceae family,which is widely distributed in various parts of the world,especially in Europe and Asia.All species of Valeriana are distinguished by their ability to synthesize essen-tial oil,which has a powerful effect on the physiological and mental aspects of the human body.The aim was to study the qualitative and quantitative composition of essential oil from valerian roots,collected in different coun-tries,using the gas chromatography method,and to establish marker compounds for valerian species.13 samples of commercial roots with rhizomes of V.officinalis from nine countries of the world and a sample of Valeriana pratensis and Valeriana stolonifera growing in Ukraine were selected for the study.The essential oil was obtained from dried valerian roots by the distillation method described in the European Pharmacopoeia.To determine the component composition of the essential oils of the selected samples,the methods of gas chromatography with a mass spectrometric detector and capillary gas chromatography were used.The commercial samples of V.offici-nalis from different countries yielded 0.21%–1.03%of essential oil.Only six of 13 samples contained essential oil in an amount that satisfies the requirement of the European Pharmacopoeia standard(not less than 4 mL/kg).150 compounds were identified in the essential oils of 13 samples of V.officinalis essential oils.The range and average content and coefficients of variation of the identified compounds were determined.The principal com-pounds of V.officinalis essential oils were bornyl acetate(1.6%–27.1%),valeranone(0.5%–17.9%),valerenal(0%–14.7%),camphene(0%–14.6%),α-fenchene(0%–10.6%),and valerenic acid(0%–8.5%).The samples of V.pratensis and V.stolonifera yielded rather high levels of essential oil(1.18%and 0.93%,respectively).Three chemotypes of V.officinalis samples were determined-bornyl acetate/valerenal,valeranone,and isovaleric acid.The composition of the three essential oils compared was rather similar.Based on the study results,we propose the following marker compounds for V.officinalis consistently present in all 16 examined samples:bornyl acetate(1.6%–27.1%),limonene(0.2–2.3),and valeranone(0.5%–17.9%).The study of samples from Ukraine indicates the prospects of using these species of the genus Valeriana with the aim of expanding the raw material base and creating potential herbal preparations with a sedative effect,which are extremely necessary for the population of the country in the war and post-war periods.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Study on the Dry Extract of Matricaria discoidea DC. herb and Its Amino Acids Preparations

Pineappleweed(Matricaria discoidea DC.,Asteraceae)herb is an essential oil containing raw material with spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activity.It is also rich in phenolics,which may be used in pharmaceutical practice.This study aimed to investigate the phenolic and amino acid composition and the hyporific and analgesic effects of the M.discoidea aqueous-ethanolic extract and its amino acid modifications.In addition,we developed a polyethylene oxide gel formulation with M.discoidea extracts for the 3D-printed oral solid dosage preparations.In M.discoidea extracts,16 phenolic substances and 14 amino acids were established.The extract and its amino acid preparations revealed both analgesic and soporific activity in the studies with rodents.Amino acids enhanced these effects.Arginine,β-alanine,glycine,valine,and lysine potentiated the analgesic activity by 27%–64%,whileβ-alanine,glycine,and valine increased the soporific activity by 136%,176%,and 129%,respectively.The composition of the polyethylene oxide(PEO)printing gel with the M.discoidea extract was developed,and its printability was confirmed.The proposed 3D-printed medicines could be implemented for sleep disorders and painful conditions.

Variation in the Composition of the Essential Oil of Commercial Salvia officinalis L.Leaves Samples from Different Countries

Salvia officinalis L.(Lamiaceae)leaves and its essential oil is used for mouth and throat disorders,skin disorders,minor wounds,and gastrointestinal disorders,and is widely used worldwide.The research aimed to conduct a comparative study of the composition of S.officinalis essential oils from commercial samples,and their main chemotypes.The volatile constituents from S.officinalis leaves were investigated using gas chromatography(GC).The commercial samples of sage leaves were obtained from retail pharmacies in nine mainly European countries.The yield of essential oil in S.officinalis commercial leaves was between 10.0 and 24.8 mL/kg.The principal components(>5%)among the main identified 25 compounds were 1,8-cineole(8.3%–45.3%),α-thujone(3.0%–34.0%),сamphor(11.3%–29.3%),β-thujone(1.5%–12.9%),viridiflorol(1.1%–10.4%),camphene(2.6%–7.1%),andα-pinene(1.3%–5.8%).In seven(Estonia,England,France,Hungary,Belgium,Ukraine,Georgia)samplesα-thujone dominated.Four samples(Estonia,Georgia,England,Hungary)belong to the most common chemotypeα-thujone>camphor>1,8-cineole.Eight chemotypes of S.officinalis essential oils have been found.Toxic thujones are widespread compounds among them.

Comparative Chemical Research in Essential Oils from Six Apiaceae Species Growing in the Northern Region of Vietnam

Our study aimed to compare the essential oil(EO)concentration and composition of several Apiaceae species growing in the Northern region of Vietnam.The yields of EOs from materials ranged from 0.03%(root EO of Angelica acutiloba and aerial parts EO of Heracleum bivittatum)-0.27%(leaf EO of Xyloselinum vietnamense).Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)allowed the identification of 74 components in the EOs of six Apiaceae species,making up 94.4%–100.0%of the oils.In EO from Angelica acutiloba,(Z)-ligustilide accounted for an extremely large proportion(94.9%).EO of Angelica pubescens was dominated by six character-istic components includingα-pinene(21.5%),β-phellandrene(18.1%),p-cymene(12.2%),3-methylnonane(8.7%),o-cymene(8.1%),and D-sylvestrene(6.2%).The EO from Cryptotaenia japonica was characterized by high amounts ofα-selinene(48.7%),β-selinene(23.7%),and trans-β-farnesene(5.4%).The EOs from leaves and stems of Xyloselinum vietnamense were characterized by high concentrations of sabinene(69.8%and 33.8%),4-terpineol(8.7%and 7.4%)andβ-pinene(4.0%and 6.5%)while EOs from aerial parts and root of Xylo-selinum leonidii comprise four characteristic monoterpenes includingα-pinene(28.2%and 52.8%),β-pinene(7.9%and 10.3%),β-phellandrene(7.6%and 15.3%),and sabinene(3.0%and 4.1%).Additionally,cryptone is also one of the major components in the EO of Xyloselinum leonidii(13.2%in the aerial parts oil and 2.8%in the root oil).In the EOs isolated from the aerial parts and root of Heracleum bivittatum,α-pinene(22.5%and 70.2%)andβ-pinene(43.2%and 20.0%)were the predominant monoterpenes.Sabinene appeared in the EO from aerial parts of Heracleum bivittatum with a relatively high concentration(13.5%)while bornyl acetate(5.1%)was also one of the main components in the EO from its aerial parts but was not detected in other Apiaceae species in the present study.These databases help identify and control the quality of plant material studied from the family Apiaceae growing in Vietnam.

Prevention and treatment of hypoxia-induced colorectal cancer damage in albino Wister rats

Background:In the early metastasis of colon cancer,cancer cells detach,migrate,and infiltrate surrounding tissues,including lymph vessels and blood vessels.Tumor heterogeneity arises from both tumor cells and distinct microenvironments.Maldistribution of blood vessels,creates hypoxic regions within the tumors,fostering cancer stem cell-like properties due to reduced oxygen and nutrient supply.Under hypoxia,tumor cells shift to a glycolytic pathway,producing more lactic acid that acidifies the microenvironment and leads to unstable heart rate variability(HRV)factors,weight disparity,and a higher incidence of aberrant crypt foci(ACF).These hypoxic-induced parameters promote cancer cell invasion,increase radiation resistance,and facilitate cancer cell migration.Methods:In this study,we induced hypoxia-preneoplastic colon damage in albino Wister rats by administrating 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine(DMH).After successfully creating a hypoxic environment in albino Wister rats,resulting in preneoplastic colon damage,we randomly allocated Wistar albino rats into seven groups,each containing 8 animals,and conducted a 6-week study.Group 1-Normal control(administered 1 mM EDTA+saline,2 ml/kg/day,p.o.);group 2-Toxic control(administered DMH,30 mg/kg/week,s.c.);group 3-Standard treatment(DMH,30 mg/kg/week,s.c.for 6 weeks),followed by 5-fluorouracil and Leucovorin(25 mg/kg each on 1^(st),3^(rd),7^(th),and 10^(th) days,i.p.after 6 weeks administration of DMH);group 4-Low dose of P1(DMH,30 mg/kg/week,s.c.+P1,2 mg/kg,i.v.,weekly for 3 weeks);group 5-High dose P1(DMH,30 mg/kg/week,s.c.+P1,4 mg/kg,i.v.,weekly for 3 weeks),group 6-Low dose of P2(DMH,30 mg/kg/week,s.c.,+P2,2 mg/kg,i.v.,weekly for 3 weeks),group 7-High dose of P2(DMH,30 mg/kg/week,s.c.,+P2,4 mg/kg,i.v.weekly for 3 weeks).Results:DMH-treated rats exhibited alterations in HRV factors,weight disparity,elevated gastric pH,increased total acidity,a higher incidence of ACF,and changes in antioxidant markers(TBARs,SOD,catalase,GSH).Brightfield microscopy at 40x magnification revealed the presence of large crypts within aberrant crypt foci in the toxic control group.Conclusion:Treatment groups P1 and P2 containing triazine derivatives initiated proteasomal degradation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α(HIF-1α)by activating Prolyl Hydroxylase(PHDs)pathways.HIF-1αunder a hypoxic environment is responsible for activating a multitude of genes involved in angiogenesis,metastasis,invasiveness,pH changes,metabolic reprogramming,stem cell maintenance,resistance to radiation,and downstream regulation of the immune system.Treatment with P1 and P2 groups helped minimize the ACF count and restored HRV factors,weight disparity,pH levels,total acidity,and oxidative balance.Our findings emphasize the potential role of 1,2,4-triazine derivatives in suppressing hypoxia-induced colon carcinogenesis.

Targeting Epac2 and GluA3-containing AMPARs:a novel therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a neurodegenerative disease that manifests progressive decline in memory and cognition.In the early stage of AD,memory retrieval is impaired preceding memory acquisition and consolidation(Roy et al.,2016).Prior to the onset of symptoms,pathological amyloid-β(Aβ)plagues and tau protein tangles accumulate in extracellular and intracellular spaces,respectively,leading to neurodegeneration.Among these hallmark pathologies,Aβ is proposed to be the primary etiology by triggering a cascade of pathogenic events,including neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,tau hyperphosphorylation,synaptic/neuronal dysfunction,and neuronal death(Zhang et al.,2023b).

8-bromo-7-methoxychrysin-induced apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells involves ROS and JNK

AIM:To investigate whether the apoptotic activities of 8-bromo-7-methoxychrysin(BrMC) involve reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation and c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK) activation in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells(HCC).METHODS:HepG2,Bel-7402 and L-02 cell lines were cultured in vitro and the apoptotic effects of BrMC were evaluated by flow cytometry(FCM) after propidium iodide(PI) staining,caspase-3 activity using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis.ROS production was evaluated by FCM after dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCHFDA) probe labeling.The phosphorylation level of JNK and c-Jun protein was analyzed by Western blotting.RESULTS:FCM after PI staining showed a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of the sub-G1 cell pop-ulation(P < 0.05),reaching 39.0% ± 2.8% of HepG2 cells after 48 h of treatment with BrMC at 10 μmol/L.The potency of BrMC to HepG2 and Bel-7402(32.1% ± 2.6%) cells was found to be more effective than the lead compound,chrysin(16.2% ± 1.6% for HepG2 cells and 11.0% ± 1.3% for Bel-7402 cell) at 40 μmol/L and similar to 5-flurouracil(33.0% ± 2.1% for HepG2 cells and 29.3% ± 2.3% for Bel-7402 cells) at 10 μmol/L.BrMC had little effect on human embryo liver L-02 cells,with the percentage of sub-G1 cell population 5.4% ± 1.8%.Treatment of HepG2 cells with BrMC for 48 h also increased the levels of active caspase-3,in a concentration-dependent manner.z-DEVD-fmk,a caspase-3specific inhibitor,prevented the activation of caspase-3.Treatment with BrMC at 10 μmol/L for 48 h resulted in the formation of a DNA ladder.Treatment of cells with BrMC(10 μmol/L) increased mean fluorescence intensity of DCHF-DA in HepG2 cells from 7.2 ± 1.12 at 0 h to 79.8 ± 3.9 at 3 h and 89.7 ± 4.7 at 6 h.BrMC did not affect ROS generation in L-02 cells.BrMC treatment failed to induce cell death and caspase-3 activation in HepG2 cells pretreated with N-acetylcysteine(10 mmol/L).In addition,in HepG2 cells treated with BrMC(2.5,5.0,10.0 μmol/L) for 12 h,JNK activation was observed.Peak JNK activation occurred at 12 h post-treatment and this activation persisted for up to 24 h.The expression of phosphorylated JNK and c-Jun protein after 12 h with BrMC-treated cells was inhibited by N-acetylcysteine and SP600125 pre-treatment,but GW9662 had no effect.SP600125 substantially reduced BrMC-induced cell death and caspase-3 activation of HepG2 cells.N-acetylcysteine and GW9662 also attenuated induction of cell death and caspase-3 activation in HepG2 cells treated with BrMC.CONCLUSION:BrMC induces apoptosis of HCC cells by ROS generation and sustained JNK activation.

Biotechnology Applications of Plant Callus Cultures

In ethnopharmacology, and especially in traditional Chinese medicine, medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years. Similarly, agricultural plants have been used throughout the history of mankind. The recent development of the genetic engineering of plants to produce plants with desirable features adds a new and growing dimension to humanity’s usage of plants. The biotechnology of plants has come of age and a plethora of bioengineering applications in this context have been delineated during the past few decades. Callus cultures and suspension cell cultures offer a wide range of usages in pharmacology and pharmacy (including Chinese medicine), as well as in agriculture and horticulture. This review provides a timely overview of the advancements that have been made with callus cultures in these scientific fields. Genetically modified callus cultures by gene technological techniques can be used for the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites and for the generation of plants with improved resistance against salt, draft, diseases, and pests. Although the full potential of callus plant culture technology has not yet been exploited, the time has come to develop and market more callus culture-based products.

Puerarin enhances superoxide dismutase activity and inhibits RAGE and VEGF expression in retinas of STZ-induced early diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of puerarin on the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), and expressions of advanced glycation end-product(AGE) receptor(RAGE) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in retinas of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced early diabetic rats. Methods:Diabetic rat models were established by inducing diabetes via intra-peritoneal injection of STZ.Rats were randomly divided into normal(control),diabetic(DM),and DM+ puerarin groups.After intra-gastric administration of puerarin(500 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks),levels of SOD and malondialdehyde(MDA) were determined in serum and retina.mRNA and protein expression levels of RAGE and VEGF in retinas were determined by real-lime polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)(mRNA) and Western blot analysis(protein levels).Results:There was significantly lower SOD activity and significantly higher MDA in serum and retinas of the DM group compared with the two other groups(P【0.05).After treatment with puerarin,SOD activity increased and MDA content decreased in this group(P【0.05).mRNA and protein expression levels of RACE and VECF in the DM group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P【0.05),and decreased after puerarin treatment(P【0.05).Conclusions:Puerarin is able to enhance SOD activity,and inhibit RAGE and VEGF expressions in retinas of STZ-induced early diabetic ruts.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor regulates proliferation of gastric cancer cells via the PI3K/Akt pathway

AIM:To investigate the effects of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) on proliferation of human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells and expression of cyclin D1 and p27Kip1 in them,and further determine whether the effects are related to the PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway. METHODS:Gastric cancer MGC-803 cells were cultured and then treated with 50 μg/L recombinant human MIF (rhMIF) with and without a PI3K inhibitor,LY294002 (25 μmol/L). MTT assay was used to detect the prolifer-ation of MGC-803 cells. Cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Expression of cyclin D1 and p27Kip1 mRNA was by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt),Akt,cyclin D1 and p27Kip1 was examined by immunocyto-chemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS:rhMIF signifi cantly stimulated the prolifera-tion of MGC-803 cells and cell cycle progression from G1 phase to S phase in a concentration-and time-de-pendent manner. After the MGC-803 cells were treated with rhMIF for 24 h,the expression of cyclin D1 was signifi cantly up-regulated compared with the cells not treated with rhMIF at both mRNA and protein levels(0.97 ± 0.02 vs 0.74 ± 0.01,P = 0.002; 0.98 ± 0.05 vs 0.69 ± 0.04,P = 0.003). The p27Kip1 was down-regulated but only statistically significant at the protein level. rhMIF significantly increased the expression of p-Akt,which reached the peak at 30 min,but did not affect the expression of Akt. However,LY294002 inhibited all the effects of rhMIF.CONCLUSION:Macrophage MIF increases the proliferation of gastric cancer cells,induces the expression of cyclin D1 at the transcriptional level and inhibits the expression of p27Kip1 at the post-transcriptional level via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Role of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in management of inflammatory bowel disease: Current perspectives

Experimental evidence supports the fact that changes in the bowel microflora due to environmental or dietary factors have been investigated as implicating factors in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).The amassing knowledge that the inhabited microbiome regulates the gut physiology and immune functions in IBD,has led researchers to explore the effectiveness of prebiotics,probiotics,and synbiotics in treating IBD.This therapeutic approach focuses on restoring the dynamic balance between the microflora and host defense mechanisms in the intestinal mucosa to prevent the onset and persistence of intestinal inflammation.Numerous microbial strains and carbohydrate blends,along with their combinations have been examined in experimental colitis models and clinical trials,and the results indicated that it can be an attractive therapeutic strategy for the suppression of inflammation,remission induction,and relapse prevention in IBD with minimal side effects.Several mechanisms of action of probiotics(for e.g.,Lactobacillus species,and Bifidobacterium species)have been reported such as suppression of pathogen growth by releasing certain antimicrobial mediators(lactic and hydrogen peroxide,acetic acid,and bacteriocins),immunomodulation and initiation of an immune response,enhancement of barrier activity,and suppression of human T-cell proliferation.Prebiotics such as lactulose,lactosucrose,oligofructose,and inulin have been found to induce the growth of certain types of host microflora,resulting in an enriched enteric function.These non-digestible food dietary components have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α-related cytokines while augmenting interleukin-10 levels.Although proand prebiotics has established their efficacy in healthy subjects,a better understanding of the luminal ecosystem is required to determine which specific bacterial strain or combination of probiotics and prebiotics would prove to be the ideal treatment for IBD.Clinical trials,however,have given some conflicting results,requiring the necessity to cite the more profound clinical effect of these treatments on IBD remission and prevention.The purpose of this review article is to provide the most comprehensive and updated review on the utility of prebiotics,probiotics,and synbiotics in the management of active Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis/pouchitis.

Crosstalk of liver immune cells and cell death mechanisms in different murine models of liver injury and its clinical relevance

BACKGROUND： Liver inflammation or hepatitis is a result of pluripotent interactions of cell death molecules, cytokines, chemokines and the resident immune cells collectively called as microenvironment. The interplay of these inflammatory mediators and switching of immune responses during hepatotoxic, viral, drug-induced and immune cell-mediated hepatitis decide the fate of liver pathology. The present review aimed to describe the mechanisms of liver injury, its relevance to human liver pathology and insights for the future therapeutic interventions.DATA SOURCES： The data of mouse hepatic models and rele- vant human liver diseases presented in this review are system- atically collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Web of Science databases published in English. RESULTS： The hepatotoxic liver injury in mice induced by the metabolites of CC14, acetaminophen or alcohol represent ne- crotic cell death with activation of cytochrome pathway, for- mation of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and mitochondrial damage. The Fas or TNF-a induced apoptotic liver injury was dependent on activation of caspases, release of cytochrome c and apoptosome formation. The ConA-hepatitis demonstrat- ed the involvement of TRAIL-dependent necrotic/necroptotic cell death with activation of RIPK1/3. The a-GalCer-induced liver injury was mediated by TNF-a. The LPS-induced hepatitis involved TNF-a, Fas/FasL, and perforin/granzyme cell death pathways. The MHV3 or Poly（I：C） induced liver injury was mediated by natural killer cells and TNF-a signaling. The necrotic ischemia-reperfusion liver injury was mediated by hypoxia, ROS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, necroptotic cell death was found in partial hepatectomy. The crucial role of immune ceils and cell death mediators in viral hepatitis （HBV, HCV）, drug-induced liver injury, non-alcohol- ic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease in human were discussed. CONCLUSIONS： The mouse animal models of hepatitis provide a parallel approach for the study of human liver pathology. Blocking or stimulating the pathways associated with liver cell death could unveil the novel therapeutic strategies in the management of liver diseases.

Synthesis and Anticancer Effect of gem-Difluoromethylenated Chrysin Derivatives

Ten gem-difluoromethylenated chrysin derivatives were prepared and their anticancer activities in vitro were evaluated by the standard MTT method. The results of biological test showed that some of gem-difluoromethylenated chrysin derivatives had higher anticancer activity than chrysin.

In vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extracts of Daucus carota seeds in experimental animals

Objective:To assess the In vivo anlioxid Fanl and hepaloproleclive activity of metlianolic exlracl of Daucus carota(D.carota) seeds in experimental animals.Methods:Methanolic extracts of D.carota seeds is used for hepatoproleclion assessment.Oxidative stress were induced in rats by thioacetamide 100 nig/kg s.c.in four groups of rats(two test,standard and toxic control). Two test groups received D.carota seeds extract[DCSE) at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Standard group received silymarin(25 mg/kg) and toxic control received only thioacetamide. Control group received only vehicle.On the 8th day animals were sacrificed and liver enzyme like serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase(SGPT),serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(SCOT) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)were estimated in blood serum and antioxidant enzyme like superoxide disnuituse(SOD),cululase(CAT),glutathione reductase(CKD),glutathione peroxidase(GPX),glutalhione-S-transferase(GST)and lipid peroxidation(LPO)were estimated in liver homogcnatc.Results:A significant decrease in SGPT,SCOT and ALP levels was observed in all drug treated groups as compared to thioacetamide group(P<0.001) and in case of antioxidant enzyme a significant(P<0.001) increase in SOD.CAT,GRD,GPX and GST was observed in all dmg treated groups as compared with thioacetamide group.But in case of LPO a significant(P <0.001) reduction was observed as compared to toxic control group.Conclusions:DCSE has contributed lo the reduction of oxidative stress and the protection of liver in experimental rals.

Hepatoprotective activity of Sapindus mukorossi and Rheum emodi extracts: In vitro and in vivo studies

AIM: To study the hepatoprotective capacity of Sapindus mukorossi (S. mukorossi) and Rheum emodi (R. emodi) extracts in CCl4 treated male rats. METHODS: The dried powder of S. mukorossi and R. emodi was extracted successively with petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, and ethanol and concentrated in vacuum. Primary rat hepatocyte monolayer cultures were used for in vitro studies. In vivo, the hepatoprotective capacity of the extract of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi and the rhizomes of R. emodi was analyzed in liver injured CCl4-treated male rats. RESULTS: In vitro: primary hepatocytes monolayer cultures were treated with CCl4 and extracts of S. mukorossi & R. emodi. A protective activity could be demonstrated in the CCl4 damaged primary monolayer culture. In vivo : extracts of the fruit pericarp of S. mukorossi (2.5 mg/mL) and rhizomes of R. emodi (3.0 mg/mL) were found to have protective properties in rats with CCl4 induced liver damage as judged from serum marker enzyme activities. CONCLUSION: The extracts of S. mukorossi and R. emodi do have a protective capacity both in vitro on primary hepatocytes cultures and in in vivo in a rat model of CCl4 mediated liver injury.

Estimation of total phenolic content,in-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of flowers of Moringa oleifera

Objective:To evaluate and compare the antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of flowers of Moringa oleifera(M.oleifera)grown in Oman.Methods:Flowers of M.oleiferawere collected in the month of December 2012 and identified by a botanist.Alcoholic extract of the dry pulverized flowers ofM.oleiferawere obtained by cold maceration method.The ethanolic flower extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening as the reported methods.Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was used to estimate total phenolic content.DPPH was used to determinein-vitroantioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of flowers was investigated by protein denaturation method.Results:Phytochemical analysis of extract showed presence of major classes of phytochemicals such as tannins,alkaloids,flavonoids,cardiac glycosidesetc.M.oleiferaflowers were found to contain 19.31 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent of total phenolics in dry extract but exhibited moderate antioxidant activity.The anti-inflammatory activity of plant extract was significant and comparable with the standard drug diclofenac sodium.Conclusions:The results of our study suggest that flowers ofM.oleiferapossess potent anti-inflammatory activity and are also a good source of natural antioxidants.Further study is needed to identify the chemical compounds responsible for their anti-inflammatory activity.

Therapeutic potential of snake venom in cancer therapy:current perspectives

Many active secretions produced by animals have been employed in the development of new drugs to treat diseases such as hypertension and cancer.Snake venom toxins coutributed significantly to the treatment of many medical conditions.There are many published studies describing and elucidating the anti-cancer potential of snake venom.Cancer therapy is one of the main areas for the use of protein peptides and enzymes originating from animals of different species.Some of these proteins or peptides and enzymes from snake venom when isolated and evaluated may bind specifically to cancer cell membranes,affecting the migration and proliferation of these cells.Some of substances found in the snake venom present a great potential as anti-tumor agent.In this review,we presented the main results of recent years of research involving the active compounds of snake venom that have anticancer activity.

Consumption of purple sweet potato leaves modulates human immune response: T-lymphocyte functions, lytic activity of natural killer cell and antibody production

AIM： To study the immunological effects of physiologica doses of purple sweet potato leaves （PSPL）. METHODS： The randomized crossover study （two periods, each lasting for 2 wk） involved 16 healthy non-smoking adults of normal weight. The 6-wk study consisted of a run-in （wk 1） PSPL diet （daily consumption of 200 g PSPL） or a control diet （low polyphenols, with the amount of carotenoids adjusted to the same level as that of PSPL） （wk 2-3）, washout diet （wk 4）, and switched diet （wk 5-6）. Fasting blood was collected weekly in the morning. T-lymphocyte function was assessed via the proliferation and secretion of immunoreactive cytokines. Salivary IgA secretion and the specific cytotoxic activities of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer （NK） cells were determined. RESULTS： The plasma 13-carotene level increased with time in both groups, while the plasma polyphenol level decreased in the control group, and no significant difference was detected between the two groups. Although p^asma polyphenol levels did not significantly increase in the PSPL group at the end of the study, they were significantly elevated in urine. PSPL consumption produced a significant increase in proliferation responsiveness of peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） and their secretion of immunoreactive IL-2 and IL-4. As well, lytic activity in NK cells was elevated in a time-dependent fashion. Salivary IgA secretion significantly decreased in control group after 2 wk, and returned to baseline following dietary switch to PSPL. CONCLUSION： Consumption of PSPL modulates various immune functions including increased proliferation responsiveness of PBMC, secretion of cytokines IL-2 and IL-4, and the lytic activity of NK cells. The responsible determinants of PSPL remain to be elucidated, as does the biological significance of the present observations.

Antihyperglycemic activity,antihyperlipedemic activity,haematological effects and histopathological analysis of Sapindus mukorossi Gaerten fruits in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemie properties of hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of Sapindus mukorossi Caerlen and its beneficial effect on haeniatological parameters with histopathological analysis in streptpzotocin induced diabetic rats.Methods:Sapindus mukorossi fruits extract(250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and standard drug glybenclamide(0.5 mg/kg body weight) were administered to diabetic rats.Effect of extract on hyperglycemia,hyperlipidemia and hematological parameters was studied in diabetic rats.Histopathological changes in diabetic rat pancreas were also observed after extract and glybenclamide treatment.Results:Daily oral administration of Sapindus mukorossi fruits extract(250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and glybenclamide for 20 days showed beneficial effects on blood glucose level(P【0.01) and lipid level.The extract has a favorable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in streptozotocin induced diabetes.Conclusions: These findings reveal that the hydroalcoholic extract of Sapindus mukorossi fruits extract possesses antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemie properties.In addition.the extract can prevent various complications of diabetes and improve some haeniatological parameters.

Phytopharmacological evaluation and anti-asthmatic activity of Ficus religiosa leaves

Objective:To discuss phytopharmacological potential and anti-asthmatic activity of Ficus religiosa(F.religiosa)(L.).Methods:Fresh leaves of F.religiosa were obtained from Vastrapur Lake,Ahmedabad,and dried to obtain powder.Histamine and acetylcholine were used to guinea pigs to establish bronchospasm model.In in vivo study,the aqueous extract of F.religiosa leaves (AEFR) at doses of 150 and 300 mg/ kg was administrated to guinea pigs,and the broncho-protective activity of AEFR was compared with aminophylline at 25 mg/kg.While in in vitro study,and 10 g/mL,20 g/mL,30 g/mL of AEFRL was administrated to guinea pigs,respectively, and mast cell stabilizing activity of AEFR was compared with ketotifen at 10 g/mL.Results: In the in-vivo model,pre-treatment with aminophylline(25 mg/kg,ip.) could significantly delay the onset of histamine induced pre-convulsive dyspnea,compared with vehicle control. Administration of AEFRL(150 and 300 mg/kg,ip.) also produced significant effect on latency to develop histamine & acetylcholine induced pre-convulsive dyspnea.In the mast cell stabilizing model,AEFRL at 10,20 and 30μg/mL could significantly increase the number of intact cells. Conclusions:It can be concluded that AEFRL is effective on histamine & acetylcholine induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs.In addition,AEFRL can potentiate the number of intact cells in the mast cell stabilizing model._____________________________________________________