Comparison of bioactive compounds content, free radical scavenging and anti-acne inducing bacteria activities of extracts from the mangosteen fruit rind at two stages of maturity

Contents of bioactive components, free radical scavenging and anti-acne producing bacteria activities of young and mature fruit rind extracts of mangosteen were compared. The young fruit rind extract contained significantly higher contents of phenolics and tannins and promoted higher free radical scavenging activity than the mature fruit rind extract, while the later extract contained higher contents of flavonoids and α-mangostin xanthone and gave higher anti-acne producing bacteria activity than the young fruit rind extract. Thus, the young and mature stages of mangosteen fruit rind should be beneficial for further development of antioxidant and anti-acne pharmaceutical preparations, respectively.     

A new norlignan from Taxodium ascendens

A new norlignan, (2R,3R,4S,5S)-2,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-tetrahydropyran (1), together with 9 known compounds were isolated from the branches and leaves of Taxodium ascendens. Their structures were mainly determined on the basis of MS, IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectral evidences. Methanol extract showed inhibitory activity on carbonic anhydrase II with an IC₅₀ value of 4.27 µg/ml, acetone extract and methanol extract inhibited activity of cathepsin B with IC₅₀ values of 2.12 and 3.71 µg/ml, respectively.     

Anti-nociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves

Anti-nociceptive and anti-oedematogenic effects of the aqueous extract from the leaves of Erythrina velutina were tested through experimental models of nociception in mice and paw oedema induced by carrageenin in rats. The extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) did not change the carrageenin-induced paw oedema. In the hot plate test the extract also did not alter the latency time for mice liking the rear paws. Moreover, the extract (600 mg/kg) decreased by 96.5% the paw liking time in the second phase of the formalin test. This effect was antagonized by naloxone (5 mg/kg). In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhing by 88.8% and 96.4%, respectively. Our present results demonstrated that the crude extract from the leaves of E. velutina has anti-nociceptive but not anti-oedematogenic properties.     

Antidepressant-like activity of the Gastrodia elata ethanol extract in mice

The hydroalcoholic extract of Gastrodia elata was evaluated for the antidepressant-like activity by means of behavioral models that included forced swimming, tail suspending and open-field tests. According to the results, G. elata extract is effective as an antidepressant drug.     

Antifungal activity of the stem bark of Ailanthus excelsa

The methanol extract of stem barks of Alianthus excelsa was partitioned with chloroform. The chloroform extract showed fungistatic and fungicidal activity against Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, Penicillium frequentence, P. notatum and Botrytis cinerea.     

Antinociceptive effect of Melastoma malabathricum ethanolic extract in mice

The antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract of Melastoma malabathricum (MME) was investigated using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test and hot-plate test in mice. It was demonstrated that the extract (30-300 mg/kg, i.p.) strongly and dose-dependently inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing with an ED(50) of 100 (78-160) mg/kg i.p. It also significantly increased the response latency period to thermal stimuli. Furthermore, the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone blocked the antinociceptive effect of the extract in both tests, suggesting that M. malabathricum may act both at peripheral and central levels.     

Antimicrobial activity of Leucas aspera flowers

The methanol extract of Leucas aspera flowers, its fractions, the alkaloidal residue and the expressed flower juice, tested for antimicrobial activity, showed good antibacterial activity for methanol extract and methanol fraction with maximum activity for the alkaloidal residue.     

CNS activity of Alstonia macrophylla leaf extracts: an ethnomedicine of Onge of Bay Islands

Methanol extract at 100-200 mg/kg p.o. and major nonpolar fraction B at 50 mg/kg of Alstonia macrophylla leaves caused a significant reduction in spontaneous activity, remarkable decrease in exploratory behavioural pattern, a reduction in muscle relaxant activity and also significantly potentiated phenobarbitone sodium-induced sleeping time. The phytochemical study of crude leaf extract revealed the presence of tannin, triterpenoid, flavonoid, sterol, alkaloid and reducing sugars. Further fractionation and purification of the n-butanol part of methanol extract yielded fraction A, fraction B and fraction C along with some minor fatty acids as the major compounds.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Onosma argentatum and Rubia peregrina

The n-hexane-dichloromethane (1:1) extract of the roots of Onosma argentatum and the methanol extract (partitioned between water and chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively), of the underground parts (roots and rhizomes) of Rubia peregrina were tested in vitro for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The highest antioxidant activity (98%) was observed at 0.1% concentration for the roots of O. argentatum. It was 96% at 0.25% concentration on the ethyl acetate fraction of R. peregrina. O. argentatum extract was effective on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of R. peregrina were effective on S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. These two species did not have any antifungal activity.     

Antibacterial activity of Cichorium intybus

Antibacterial activity of the water, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Cichorium intybus was investigated. All the tested extracts showed antibacterial activity, the ethyl acetate extract being the most active. Water extract inhibits Agrobacterium radiobacter sp. tumefaciens, Erwinia carotovora, Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. aeruginosa.     

Larvicidal activity of Cybistax antisyphilitica against Aedes aegypti larvae

The larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae of a stem wood hexane extract of Cybistax antisyphilitica was evaluated. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extract, monitored by larvicidal assay, led to the isolation of a natural quinone identified as 2-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1.4-naphthoquinone (lapachol). This compound was quite potent against A. aegypti larvae (LC50 26.3 microg/ml).     

Free radical scavenging activity of three Equisetum species from Fruska gora mountain

The scavenger activities of Equisetum arvense, Equisetum ramosissimum and Equisetum telmateia aboveground parts phosphate buffer (pH 7) extracts were evaluated using three different methods: DPPH assay, ESR and NO radical inhibition assay. Total reducing power was determined by FRAP assay. The E. telmateia extract demonstrated the most relevant scavenger and antioxidant properties. ESR signal of DMPO-OH radical adducts in the presence of E. telmateia phosphate buffer (pH 7) extract was reduced to 98.9% which indicated that E. telmateia could be a useful source of antioxidants with huge scavenger ability.     

Comparative effects of Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oil and piperitone on Callosobruchus maculatus development

The insecticidal activity of crude essential oil extracted from Cymbopogon schoenanthus and of its main constituent, piperitone, was assessed on different developmental stages of Callosobruchus maculatus. Piperitone was more toxic to adults with a LC(50) value of 1.6 microl/l vs. 2.7 microl/l obtained with the crude extract. Piperitone inhibited the development of newly laid eggs and of neonate larvae, but was less toxic than the crude extract to individuals developing inside the seeds.     

Antimicrobial activity of Andrographis paniculata

The antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract, andrographolides and arabinogalactan proteins from Andrographis paniculata were evaluated. The aqueous extract showed significant antimicrobial activity, which may be due to the combined effect of the isolated arabinogalactan proteins and andrographolides.     

Preliminary antinociceptive, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Leucas aspera root

The ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera root was subjected to acetic acid induced writhing inhibition, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and brine shrimp lethality bioassay for screening of antinociceptive, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity, respectively. The extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. The extract showed a significant free radical scavenging activity with an IC(50) of 8 microg/ml. The extract showed significant lethality to brine shrimp with an LC(50) value.     

Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of aqueous extract of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) seeds

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) seeds aqueous extract was screened for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant activities (reducing power, DPPH and liposome model system) showed a good antioxidant activity. The extract was also found to possess antibacterial activity with a MIC values with respect to Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica found to be 750 and 1000 ppm, respectively. The antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of the extract implicate its potential for natural preservation.     

In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Rhaphidophora pertusa stem

Methanol extract of Rhaphidophora pertusa stem was analyzed for its antioxidant (DPPH, reducing power and Fe(3+) metal chelation methods) and antibacterial activities. The extract was found effective against the three antioxidant test models and exhibited strong and moderate antibacterial activity against the tested pathogenic bacteria.     

Effects of treatment with St. John's Wort on blood glucose levels and pain perceptions of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

This present study was undertaken to examine treating effects of St. John's Wort (SJW) extract on nociceptive perception of STZ-diabetic animals based on its potential antidiabetic and antinociceptive activities. One week administrations of SJW extract (125 and 250 mg/kg) induced significant decrease in high blood glucose levels of three weeks STZ-diabetic rats and improved their dysregulated metabolic parameters. In addition, SJW extract treatment caused restoration in the mechanical hyperalgesia of diabetic animals. These findings provide a rationale for the traditional use of SJW against diabetes and display the potential of this plant as a new drug candidate/source for the treatment of diabetic pain.     

Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of the aqueous leaf and seed extract of Phyllanthus amarus in mice

The effect of the aqueous leaf and seed extracts of Phyllanthus amarus at oral dose of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg was investigated for their antidiabetic and anti-lipidemic potentials. The extract produced a dose-dependent decrease in the fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol, and reduction in weights in treated mice. The results suggest that the extract could be enhancing peripheral utilization of glucose but the mechanisms on how this works remain unclear.     

Antihyperglycemic effect of Cucurbita ficifolia fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In the present study, the antihyperglycemic effects of Cucurbita ficifolia fruit extract were investigated on streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes in rats. Oral administration of the extract (300 and 600 mg/kg body weight, day) for 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and an increase in plasma insulin and total haemoglobin. The effect was compared with 150 mg/kg b.w. tolbutamide.