Preliminary study on antifertility activity of Calotropis procera roots in female rats

The effect of ethanolic extract of the roots of Calotropis procera has been studied in albino rats to explore its antifertility and hormonal activities. A strong antiimplantation (inhibition 100%) and uterotropic activity was observed at the dose level of 250 mg/kg (1/4 of LD(50)). No antiestrogenic activity could be detected.     

Antileishmanial activity of aqueous onion extract in vitro

Onion has had an important dietary and medicinal role for centuries. In this study the antileishmanial effect of aqueous onion extract (AOE) was investigated. Five leishmanial strains in the promastigote stage were studied in vitro. Seventy-two hour inoculation of AOE gave an IC100 and average IC50 values of 1.25 mg/ml and 0.376 mg/ml, respectively, against all leishmanial strains tested.     

The effect of Mangifera indica stem bark and Pluchea ovalis roots on tracheal smooth muscle in vitro

Aqueous extract of the stem bark of Mangifera indica and ethanolic extract of the roots of Pluchea ovalis has been studied on rat tracheal smooth muscle in vitro. The extract of M. indica at 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml and that of P. ovalis at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml relaxed, dose-dependently, the rat tracheal smooth muscle strip previously contracted by acetylcholine at 0.055 mmol/l.     

Neurosedative and muscle relaxant activities of aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum

The saline leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum was investigated on neuropharmacological activities to ascertain claims of local use. When tested in mice, it produced a dose-dependent prolongation of onset and duration of pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis, reduction of exploratory activities in the head-dip and evasion tests. Moreover, a dose-dependent muscle in-coordination was observed in the inclined screen, traction and climbing tests. It delayed onset to convulsion in both strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced seizures in addition to minimal protection against picrotoxin seizures.     

Antitrypanosomal effect of the aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea

The in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of the aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea, was investigated in Trypanosoma brucei brucei 'Lafia' strain. The extract was found to be effective by immobilizing the trypanosomes within the 3-h incubation period and thereafter rendering them not infective to mice.     

Relaxant effect of aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus on rodent intestinal contractions

The effects of the aqueous extract of Cistus ladaniferus leaves and stems were studied on the rodent isolated jejunum. The extract produced a reversible concentration dose-dependent (0.1-3 mg/ml) inhibition of the spontaneous motility of the rabbit jejunum. The inhibitory effects of the extract were not affected by pretreatment with the inhibitors of the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors yohimbine, prazosin or propranolol. The extract also inhibited K(+)-induced contractions in rabbit and rat jejunum at a similar concentration range. This result suggests that the antispasmodic action of the extract is mediated through calcium channel blockade. The results confirm the traditional use of C. ladaniferus in treating intestinal ache.     

Endothelium-dependent and -independent effect of aqueous extract of garlic on vascular reactivity on diabetic rats

Garlic has been well known for its protective effects against cardiovascular disease. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of garlic on the vascular reactivity of thoracic aorta from streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats was investigated in the presence and absence of endothelium. Although, 8-weeks of treatment with garlic extract had no significant effect on the concentration of serum glucose, but it significantly attenuated the abnormality in vascular reactivity to noradrenaline (NA) and acetylcholine (Ach). In addition, the endothelium-independent relaxation response to isosorbide dinitrate (ISD) was not affected by diabetes or garlic treatment. The results suggest that garlic treatment of STZ-diabetic rats can prevent the development of abnormal contractility through an endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanism.     

Antinociceptive effect and acute toxicity of the Hyptis suaveolens leaves aqueous extract on mice

The aqueous extract of Hyptis suaveolens leaves was studied for their antinociceptive property in chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice. Oral administration of the aqueous extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced the number of writhings induced by acetic acid, decreased the licking activity of the early phase in formalin test and increased the reaction time in hot-plate test. The antinociceptive effect was significantly antagonized by naloxone (3 mg/kg; i.p.). Preliminary acute toxicity study showed that no animal death with doses up to 5 g/kg (p.o.).     

Antihypertensive effect of an aqueous extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of an aqueous calyx extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) in two forms of experimental hypertension: salt-induced and L-NAME (N(omega)-L-arginine methyl ester)-induced and in normotensive controls. The blood pressure and heart rate fell dose-dependently in both the hypertensive and normotensive rats after intravenous injection of 1-125 mg/kg of HS, suggesting that HS possesses anti-hypertensive, hypotensive and negative chronotropic effects. The fall in mean arterial pressure was significantly pronounced in the hypertensive rats (salt-induced: 94.4+/-8.6 mm Hg; L-NAME-induced: 136.5+/-10.3 mm Hg) than in the normotensive controls (50.2+/-5.1 mm Hg; P<0.05).     

Contractile effect of the aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves on aortic rings in rat

Aqueous leaves extract of Psidium guajava significantly and dose-dependently (0.25-2 mg/ml) contracted aorta rings. The effect was evaluated also in presence of nifedipine and phentolamine. The sensitivity of the aortic rings to cumulative doses of P. guajava was significantly enhanced in the presence of phentolamine suggesting that the effect of P. guajava was to a large extent mediated by activation of alpha-adrenoceptor and to a lesser extent by acting via calcium ion channel.     

In vitro antiphagocytic effect of basil oil on mouse macrophages

The effect of basil oil on the phagocytic capability and respiratory burst response of mouse peritoneal macrophages was studied. The oil inhibited the phagocytosis of opsonized sheep erythrocytes. This inhibition was both dose- and time-dependent and reverted 24 h after removing the extract from the culture medium. On the other hand, the oil showed no effect on concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation.     

In vitro antifungal activities of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) seed extract

Longan, Dimocarpus longan Lour., contains polyphenolic compounds which exhibit several pharmacological properties. This study aims to evaluate antifungal activities of longan fruit extract in comparison to its active compounds. The results showed that longan seed exhibited antifungal activity against the opportunistic yeasts (Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans). In contrast, longan pulp and whole fruit did not demonstrate any inhibitory effects. Ellagic acid showed the most potent antifungal activity followed by corilagin and gallic acid, respectively. Ellagic acid inhibited Candida parapsilosis and C. neoformans more effectively than Candida krusei and also some Candida albicans clinical strains. Baidam cultivar possessed higher antifungal activity (MIC=500-4000 μg/ml) as it contained higher contents of ellagic acid and gallic acid than Edor (MIC=1000-8000 μg/ml). For antibacterial activity, only corilagin and gallic acid possessed weak to moderate inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans, respectively. Longan seed was then applied in the oral care products. Longan effervescent granule (5% extract) significantly reduced adhesion of C. albicans to acrylic strips. Mouthwash containing 0.5% extract exhibited good antifungal activity compared to a commercial product. These findings indicated that longan seed extract and its polyphenolic compounds can be used as an antifungal agent in oral care products for the treatment of opportunistic yeast infection.     

Effect of aqueous Euphorbia hirta leaf extract on gastrointestinal motility

The aqueous leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta decreased the gastrointestinal motility in normal rats and decreased the effect of castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice.     

In vitro studies on the selective cytotoxic effect of crocetin and quercetin

Crocetin (5-20 microg/ml), quercetin (10-40 microg/ml), and cisplatin (60-180 microg/ml) used as a positive control drug, were tested against human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells and African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells. The cell viability, morphological changes, and lactate dehydrogenase activity were assessed. RD cell growth was found to be inhibited dose dependently by the three tested compounds. Morphological observation by phase contrast microscopy revealed that both crocetin and quercetin caused intense damage only on the malignant (RD) cells, whereas mild toxic effect was seen with cisplatin also on normal (Vero) cells.     

Effect of Mitragyna speciosa aqueous extract on ethanol withdrawal symptoms in mice

Administration of the aqueous extract of Mitragyna speciosa at a dose of 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited ethanol withdrawal-induced behaviors that included rearing, displacement and head weaving. The results also showed that at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg M. speciosa showed antidepressant activity without effect on the spontaneous motor activity.     

Effect of roots aqueous extract of Delphinium denudatum on morphine-induced tolerance in mice

The aqueous extract of Delphinium denudatum (Dd) roots showed a significant effect against morphine- (10 mg/kg) induced tolerance and dependence in mice. Oral administration of the extract (200-1600 mg/kg) showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of naloxone- (1 mg/kg) induced withdrawal.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Adhatoda vasica aqueous leaf extract on D-galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats

Adhatoda vasica leaf showed significant hepatoprotective effect at doses of 50-100 mg/kg, p.o., on liver damage induced by D-galactosamine in rats.     

落叶松枯落针叶水浸液对落叶松和云杉种子的萌发影响

研究了长白落叶松未分解和半分解枯落针叶的水浸液处理对红皮云杉种子和长白落叶松种子萌发的不同生物效应。对于长白落叶松种子萌发来说,长白落叶松半分解和未分解枯落针叶水浸液4.0 g/L浓度的处理效果均为最佳;而对于红皮云杉种子萌发来说,10.0 g/L浓度或0.5～1.0 g/L浓度的处理效果为最佳。长白落叶松枯落针叶水浸液处理对长白落叶松自身种子和对红皮云杉种子萌发的作用均有很大的差异,推测这是长白落叶松枯落针叶水浸液中所含的化感物质和营养物质与长白落叶松和红皮云杉萌发过程中种子产生的不同代谢物质之间不同相互作用的反映。     

In vitro and in vivo immune stimulating effects of a new standardized Echinacea angustifolia root extract (Polinacea)

Polinacea is a new standardized hydroethanolic extract obtained from Echinacea angustifolia roots containing echinacoside (>4%), the high molecular weight polysaccharide IDN 5405 (>5%) and a isobutylamide fraction (<0.1%). For in vitro tests, a bacterial lipopolysaccharide-free (LPS-free) Polinacea has been prepared in order to avoid non-specific responses of immunocompetent cells. LPS-free Polinacea enhanced the immune functions as highlighted by the proliferation rate and gamma-interferon production in murine T-lymphocyte cell cultures stimulated by anti-CD3. LPS-free Polinacea did not have a direct role on macrophage response as measured in the nitric oxide production test using the J774 macrophage cells line. In vivo, Polinacea showed an immune stimulating activity by reducing the Candida albicans induced mortality both in normal and in cyclosporin A-treated mice.     

Vasorelaxant action of aqueous extract of the leaves of Persea americana on isolated thoracic rat aorta

The present study investigated the vasorelaxant action of the aqueous leaves extract of Persea americana on isolated rat aorta. The results showed that the extract produced significant vasorelaxation and that the effect is dependent on the synthesis or release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) as well as the release of prostanoid. The extract also reduced vasoconstriction probably by inhibiting Ca2+ influx through calcium channels.