Clitoria ternatea root extract enhances acetylcholine content in rat hippocampus

Treatment with 100 mg/kg of Clitoria ternatea aqueous root extract (CTR), for 30 days in neonatal and young adult age groups of rat, significantly increased acetylcholine (ACh) content in their hippocampi as compared to age matched controls. Increase in ACh content in their hippocampus may be the neurochemical basis for their improved learning and memory.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Bouchea fluminensis

Dried leaves extract from Bouchea fluminensis was assessed in anti-inflammatory (mouse paw edema) and analgesic models (acetic acid-induced writhings and hot plate). Oral pretreatment of animals with a crude mixture (IG) and a purified mixture of ursolic, oleanolic and micromeric acids (IG-59) at doses ranging from 1 to 30 mg/kg, significantly inhibited carrageenin-induced edema formation. At the same doses, IG and IG-59 also exhibited peripheral and central analgesic activity. It seems that B. fluminensis triterpenes develop their analgesic effect through central opioid receptors, due to the observation that naloxone reverted analgesic activity on the hot plate model.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of cis-mulberroside A from Ramulus mori

This study examined the analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of cis-mulberroside A isolated from Ramulus mori in several models of inflammatory pain in mice. Cis-mulberroside A (25 and 50 mg/kg) given by p.o. route 30 min before challenge produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the acetic acid-induced pain and Evans blue leakage in mice. In addition, this compound exhibited significant systemic anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema in a concentration-related manner (33.1–68.5% inhibition), and similar results were achieved in formalin test. Suppressive effects of cis-mulberroside A on the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages were also assessed. Collectively, cis-mulberroside A showed high analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The above results will be the supporting evidence for the potential anti-rheumatoid activity of R.mori in Chinese traditional medicine.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of the topical preparation of Glaucium grandiflorum

The species of Glaucium have been used in Iranian herbal medicine in the treatment of dermatitis. Due to anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Glaucium grandiflorum methanolic extract in i.p. administration, these effects in topical administration were studied using carrageenan-induced edema and formalin test. Several formulations were prepared and the best cream was chosen as vehicle. Piroxicam gel and methyl salicylate ointment were studied as positive control for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, respectively. The edema inhibition of preparations containing extract at the doses of 1-5% w/w were significantly different from control group. The anti-inflammatory effect of MS4-5% was similar to the effect of piroxicam gel at 3 h after carrageenan injection. Topical preparation containing G. grandiflorum methanolic extract showed analgesic effect in concentrations more than 4% w/w in early phase in formalin test. This activity was observed in concentrations more than 3% w/w in late phase. The topical analgesic activity of extract was less than the analgesic activity of methyl salicylate ointment.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of a novel steroidal derivative from Bryophyllum pinnatum

A new steroidal derivative, urs Stigmast-4, 20 (21), 23-trien-3-one and other four compounds were isolated from the leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum. The structure of this new steroid was elucidated and established by standard spectroscopic methods. Carrageenan induced paw edema model was used for anti-inflammatory and acetic acid induced model used for analgesic activity. This new steroidal compound was found to be active in reducing inflammation (% inhibition 87.29 and 84.45 respectively) when compared with diclofenac. Further, it showed 75.72% protection in analgesic activity in acetic acid induced writhing test in mice. In conclusion the % inhibition against carrageenan induced rat paw edema and % protection against acetic acid induced writhings showed by new compound revealed that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of aqueous extract B. pinnatum are mainly due to the presence of this steroidal compound.     

Study of anti-inflammatory,analgesic and antipyretic activities of seeds of Hyoscyamus niger and isolation of a new coumarinolignan

A chemical and biological validation of the traditional use of Hyoscyamus niger seeds as anti-inflammatory drug has been established. The methanolic extract of seeds of H. niger (MHN) was evaluated for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in experimental animal models at different doses. MHN produced significant increase in hot plate reaction time, while decreasing writhing response in a dose-dependent manner indicating its analgesic activity. It was also effective in both acute and chronic inflammation evaluated through carrageenin-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma methods. In addition to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, it also exhibited antipyretic activity in yeast-induced pyrexia model. Furthermore, the bioactive MHN under chemical investigation showed the presence of coumarinolignans as major chemical constituent and yielded a new coumarinolignan, cleomiscosin A methyl ether (1) along with four known coumarinolignans, cleomiscosin A (2), cleomiscosin B (3), cleomiscosin A-9′-acetate (4) and cleomiscosin B-9′-acetate (5). The structure elucidation of 1 was done by spectroscopic data interpretation and comparative HPLC analysis. Cleomiscosin A, but not its isomer cleomiscosin B, reduced dry and wet weight of cotton pellet granuloma in mice. This suggests that cleomiscosin A is an important constituent of MHN responsible for anti-inflammatory activity.     

Antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of Zizyphus lotus root barks

The root barks of Zizyphus lotus were extracted with water, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol to determine their antiinflammatory and analgesic activities. Aqueous extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally (i.p.) showed a significant and dose-dependent antiinflammatory and analgesic activity.     

Analgesic,antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil of Lippia multiflora

The essential oil of Lippia multiflora Moldenke (Verbenaceae) produced by conventional hydrodistillation was analyzed and studied for its analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities in rats and mice. At the doses used (2, 4 and 8 ml/kg o.s.) the essential oil of L. multiflora showed significant and dose-dependent analgesic effect on acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Only the dose of 8 ml/kg of essential oil, antagonized hyperexia induced by brewer's yeast. No effect on granuloma formation was observed.     

Antimicrobial properties of Thonningia sanguinea root extracts

The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Thonningia sanguinea root, as well as seven fractions obtained by PTLC from the methanol extract, have been shown to possess varying degrees of antimicrobial activity.     

Analgesic and antipyretic effects of Capparis zeylanica leaves

The ethanol and water extracts of Capparis zeylanica leaves showed dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05) increases in pain threshold in tail-immersion test. Moreover, both the extracts (100-200 mg/kg) exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of writhing and also showed a significant (P<0.001) inhibition of both phases of the formalin pain test. The water extract (200 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.01) reversed yeast-induced fever. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, proteins and carbohydrates.     

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Chasmanthera dependens leaf methanol extract.

A methanol extract of the dried leaves of Chasmanthera dependens was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The extract (100--400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced dose-related inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats. Furthermore, an inhibition in the leakage of Evan's blue induced by acetic acid was observed in mice. At same doses, analgesic effect was also observed on writhing response induced by acetic acid as well as on the early and late phase of formalin-induced paw licking in mice.     

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract and its fractions of Cleome rutidosperma

Oral administration of the ethanolic extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o) and its fractions (200 mg/kg each) of the aerial parts of Cleome rutidosperma produced significant analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion tests, anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenin induced inflammation and adjuvant induced polyarthritis and antipyretic activity against yeast-induced pyrexia. Fractionation of the ethanolic extract potentiated the activities.     

Bole girdling affects metabolic properties and root, trunk and branch hydraulics of young ponderosa pine trees

Effects of trunk girdling on seasonal patterns of xylem water status, water transport and woody tissue metabolic properties were investigated in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. Laws.) trees. At the onset of summer, there was a sharp decrease in stomatal conductance (g(s)) in girdled trees followed by a full recovery after the first major rainfall in September. Eliminating the root as a carbohydrate sink by girdling induced a rapid reversible reduction in g(s). Respiratory potential (a laboratory measure of tissue-level respiration) increased above the girdle (branches and upper trunk) and decreased below the girdle (lower trunk and roots) relative to control trees during the growing season, but the effect was reversed after the first major rainfall. The increase in branch respiratory potential induced by girdling suggests that the decrease in g(s) was caused by the accumulation of carbohydrates above the girdle, which is consistent with an observed increase in leaf mass per area in the girdled trees. Trunk girdling did not affect native xylem embolism or xylem conductivity. Both treated and control trunks experienced loss of xylem conductivity ranging from 10% in spring to 30% in summer. Girdling reduced xylem growth and sapwood to leaf area ratio, which in turn reduced branch leaf specific conductivity (LSC). The girdling-induced reductions in g(s) and transpiration were associated with a decrease in leaf hydraulic conductance. Two years after girdling, when root-to-shoot phloem continuity had been restored, girdled trees had a reduced density of new wood, which increased xylem conductivity and whole-tree LSC, but also vulnerability to embolism.     

Fine root dynamics, coarse root biomass, root distribution, and soil respiration in a multispecies riparian buffer in Central Iowa, USA

By influencing belowground processes, streamside vegetation affects soil processes important to surface water quality. We conducted this study to compare root distributions and dynamics, and total soil respiration among six sites comprising an agricultural buffer system: poplar (Populus × euroamericana‘ Eugenei), switchgrass, cool-season pasture grasses, corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). The dynamics of fine (0--2 mm) and small roots (2--5 mm) were assessed by sequentially collecting 35 cm deep, 5.4 cm diameter cores from April through November. Coarse roots were described by excavating 1 × 1 × 2 m pits and collecting all roots in 20 cm depth increments. Root distributions within the soil profile were determined by counting roots that intersected the walls of the excavated pits. Soil respiration was measured monthly from July to October using the soda-lime technique. Over the sampling period, live fine-root biomass in the top 35 cm of soil averaged over 6 Mg ha^-1 for the cool-season grass, poplar, and switchgrass sites while root biomass in the crop fields was < 2.3 Mg ha^-1 at its maximum. Roots of trees, cool-season grasses, and switchgrass extended to more than 1.5 m in depth, with switchgrass roots being more widely distributed in deeper horizons. Root density was significantly greater under switchgrass and cool-season grasses than under corn or soybean. Soil respiration rates, which ranged from 1.4--7.2 g C m^-2 day^-1, were up to twice as high under the poplar, switchgrass and cool-season grasses as in the cropped fields. Abundant fine roots, deep rooting depths, and high soil respiration rates in the multispecies riparian buffer zones suggest that these buffer systems added more organic matter to the soil profile, and therefore provided better conditions for nutrient sequestration within the riparian buffers. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Theacrine,a purine alkaloid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of theacrine (1, 3, 7, 9-tetramethyluric acid), a purine alkaloid which is abundantly present in Camellia kucha, were investigated. Xylene-induced ear edema, acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and λ-carrageenan-induced paw edema were used to investigate anti-inflammatory activity, and acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate tests were used to determine analgesic effect. Oral administration of theacrine (8–32 mg/kg) induced dose-related anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. On the other hand, oral caffeine administration (8–32 mg/kg) did not show an inhibitory effect on the inhibition of inflammatory response or cause analgesia. Additionally, the result of the acute toxicity test showed that the LD₅₀ of theacrine was 810.6 mg/kg (769.5–858.0 mg/kg). The data obtained suggest theacrine possessed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.     

Antiinflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of the fruit of Foeniculum vulgare

Oral administration (200 mg/kg) of Foeniculum vulgare fruit methanolic extract exhibited inhibitory effects against acute and subacute inflammatory diseases and type IV allergic reactions and showed a central analgesic effect. Moreover, it significantly increased the plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities and the high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level. On the contrary, the malondialdehyde (MDA) (as a measure of lipid peroxidation) level was significantly decreased in F. vulgare fruit methanolic extract group compared to the control group (P<0.05). These results seems to support the use of F. vulgare fruit methanolic extract in relieving inflammation.     

Interspecific interactions alter root length density,root diameter and specific root length in jujube/wheat agroforestry systems

A field study was conducted at Hetian, southern Xinjiang, northwest China, to investigate root morphology as affected by interspecific interactions between jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The treatments comprised (1) sole wheat, (2) 3-, 5- and 7-year-old sole jujube trees, and (3) intercropping of wheat/3-, 5- and 7-year-old jujube trees. Roots were sampled by auger in each plot down to 100 cm depth at 20 cm intervals in the soil profile and horizontally up to 150 cm away from the base of the trees at 30 cm intervals. All jujube/wheat intercropping systems had advantages of intercropping with a land equivalent ratio (LER) >1. There were significant differences in the contours of both root length density (RLD) and root diameter (RD) in intercropped wheat and jujube in the vertical and horizontal direction at corresponding soil depths but the RLD and RD of the 7-year-old jujube/wheat intercropping system were less influenced by intercropping in this respect than 3- and 5-year-old jujube intercropped with wheat. The roots of both intercropped wheat and jujube had smaller RLD, RD and larger specific root lengths (SRLs) at corresponding soil depths than did sole wheat and jujube. The older the jujube the larger were the SRL values of intercropped wheat and the smaller the RLD and RD of intercropped wheat. The greater the distance from the jujube the less influence there was on the RLD, SRL and RD of intercropped wheat and jujube and the greater the distance from the jujube the smaller was the SRL of intercropped wheat and the greater the RLD and RD of intercropped wheat (but still less than the monoculture wheat). The older the jujube the more developed were the jujube roots so that the smaller the SRL of jujube the bigger the RLD and RD of jujube. Jujube tree roots showed a mainly downward trend and extended laterally 150 cm from the trees resulting in the roots of the jujube trees and the wheat having niche overlap at a soil depth of 20–40 cm. The mechanisms underlying the thinner roots of wheat and jujube require further investigation.     

Root sprouting in American beech (Fagus grandifolia): Effects of root injury,root exposure,and season

Superficial woody American beech roots were manipulated and left in situ for three growing seasons to evaluate seasonal influences of injury and exposure on root sprout formation. A total of 648 root segments were arranged in a 3² × 2 split-plot factorial experiment with three injury levels (scrape, cut, and control), two exposure levels (exposed and buried), and three seasons (summer, late fall, and spring). Analysis of variance revealed significant injury, season, exposure and interaction effects. Injured roots developed more callus, adventitious buds and sprouts than did controls. Exposure stimulated bud initiation, and spring injury resulted in higher levels of sprouting compared to late fall or summer injury.     

Analgesic and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract of Urtica macrorrhiza in experimental animals

Oral administration of the aqueous extract of the stem of Urtica macrorrhiza (100-400 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced the number of writhings and stretchings induced by acetic acid and decreased licking activity of the late phase in formalin test at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. At doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. it suppressed yeast-induced fever in rats.     

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Trewia polycarpa roots

The alcoholic extract of Trewia polycarpa roots, when administered orally to rats at doses of 50-400 mg/kg, exhibited a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in both acute and chronic models. It also showed a significant antinociceptive action mice in the dose range of 25-200 mg/kg. The extract did not reveal any toxicity in rats up to a dose of 3.2 g/kg (p.o.). It showed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, quinones and glycosides on phytochemical screening.