Evaluation of purgative activity of roots of Rumex nepalensis

The methanol extract of Rumex nepalensis Spreng. roots at the oral dose of 100-400 mg/kg exhibited significant and dose-dependent purgative activity.     

Antifungal activity of some Himalayan medicinal plants and cultivated ornamental species

Extracts of roots of Rumex nepalensis, Berberis aristata, Arnebia benthamii, bark of Taxus wallichiana, Juglans regia and petals of Jacquinia ruscifolia were tested for their antifungal activity against twelve different fungal pathogens. Ethanolic extracts of R. nepalensis and J. ruscifolia extracts showed a broad spectrum of activity.     

黄膜处理对毛脉酸模中蒽醌类成分的影响

通过黄色滤光膜对毛脉酸模进行不同时间遮膜处理。采用高效液相色谱法对毛脉酸模根样品中的蒽醌类的含量及产量进行测定,进行了方差分析。实验结果表明黄膜处理15d显著性提高大黄酚苷含量及产量;黄膜处理30d显著性提高大黄素含量及产量;黄膜处理30d显著性提高大黄酚含量及产量;黄膜处理45d显著性提高大黄素甲醚含量及产量。     

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.     

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.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of Syzygium cumini bark

The ethanolic extract of the bark of Syzygium cumini was investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. The extract did not show any sign of toxicity up to a dose of 10.125 g/kg, p.o. in mice. Significant anti-inflammatory activity was observed in carrageenin (acute), kaolin-carrageenin (subacute), formaldehyde (subacute)-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma (chronic) tests in rats. The extract did not induce any gastric lesion in both acute and chronic ulcerogenic tests in rats. Thus, the present study demonstrated that S. cumini bark extract has a potent anti-inflammatory action against different phases of inflammation without any side effect on gastric mucosa.     

喀斯特煤矸石山自然恢复植物群落研究

为了解喀斯特地区煤矸石山自然恢复植物群落组成情况,采用经典样方法对六盘水五个煤矿区煤矸石山自然恢复定居植物群落进行了调查,经野外记录、标本采集、拍照和分类鉴定.结果发现:六盘水煤矸石山自然恢复定居植物有26科46属50种,其中优势种为戟叶酸模(Rumex hastatus)、亮叶桦(Betula lu-minifera...     

Quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (QGC)-induced HO-1 expression through ERK and PI3K activation in cultured feline esophageal epithelial cells

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is one of the antioxidant enzymes which help protect against cellular damage. The present study examined the ability of Quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (QGC), flavonoid glucoside extracted from Rumex Aquaticus Herba, to induce expression of HO-1 and analyzed its signaling mechanism in cultured feline esophageal epithelial cells (EEC). Culture of the esophageal epithelial cells from cat was prepared. The data suggested that QGC could result in enhanced antioxidant enzyme defense system via HO-1 expression and Nrf2 translocation involving both the ERK and PI3K-Akt pathways as well as partly PKC pathways in EEC.     

Antiviral lanostanoid triterpenes from the fungus Ganoderma pfeifferi

Ganodermadiol, lucidadiol and applanoxidic acid G were isolated as first triterpenes from the European Basidiomycete Ganoderma pfeifferi. The compounds show antiviral activity against influenza virus type A and HSV type 1.     

Evaluation of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of lycorine from Sternbergia fisheriana (Herbert) Rupr

The present study reports the potential antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of lycorine from Sternbergia fischeriana (Herbert) Rupr. (Amaryllidaceae). Lycorine was evaluated on mice by using acetic-acid induced writhing and tail-flick tests. Lycorine exhibited stronger inhibition than aspirin in acetic-acid induced abdominal stretching at 1.0 mg/kg dose. Lycorine also showed antinociceptive activity at 1.0 mg/kg dose in tail-flick test. The anti-inflammatory activity of lycorine was not found to be significant at dose of 0.5 mg/kg. However, at doses of 1.0 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, i.p. showed a significant reduction with 53.45% and 36.42%, respectively in rat paw oedema induced by carrageenan against the reference anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (3 mg/kg, i.p.) (95.70%). The ED₅₀ of lycorine was determined as 0.514 mg/kg. Hepatoprotective activity of lycorine on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced acute liver toxicity following biochemical parameters were also evaluated. Rats were treated with lycorine at doses of 1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg, i.p. Results of biochemical tests were confirmed by histopathological examination. Lycorine exhibited significant hepatoprotective effect at dose of 2.0 mg/kg i.p. dose.     

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.     

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Leonurus sibiricus

The methanolic extract of Leonurus sibiricus aerial parts injected intraperitoneally at dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg showed a significant analgesic effect in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Moreover, when given orally to rats at dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg, it showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin induced rat paw edema in rats.     

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 activity of Pothomorphe peltata leaf methanol extract.

The methanol extract of Pothomorphe peltata leaves, orally administered at the dose of 20 mg/kg (equivalent to 2.50 g dry plant/kg) body weight, exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory activity, comparable with phenylbutazone (80 mg/kg, p.o.), against adjuvant-carrageenan-induced edema in rats.     

Activity study of a hydroxynaphthoquinone fraction from Arnebia euchroma in experimental arthritis

Although various drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been used in clinics, RA is not completely curable to date. Thus, to seek new drugs for the treatment of RA has been a hotspot. Hydroxynaphthoquinones are the major anti-inflammatory active constituents in Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of a hydroxynaphthoquinone mixture (HM) of A. euchroma (Royle) Johnst, including its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The anti-arthritic efficacy of HM was examined using complete Freund's adjuvant- and bovine type II collagen-induced arthritic models. The paw edema, polyarthritis index and histopathological change were evaluated. The analgesic effect was assessed using the chemical and thermal models of nociception. Results found that HM administered prophylactically and curatively showed marked anti-arthritic activity by suppressing the paw swelling and development of inflammation, lowering the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β and protecting cartilage and bone from damage. The protection of HM was superior to that of reference drugs such as prednisone acetate or etanercept, and showed no direct deleterious effect. Similarly, HM showed significant analgesic effects. In summary, HM possessed potent anti-arthritic activity. It could relieve inflammatory symptoms and protect against joint destruction. These findings indicate that HM would be a potential therapeutic agent for arthritic disease, which provide pharmacological evidence for its clinical application.     

Phytochemical compounds involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of propolis extract

Two ethanolic propolis extracts (EPE) with and without the caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), CAPE and galangin (major components of propolis) were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in rats using carrageenin foot oedema, carrageenin pleurisy and adjuvant arthritis. In our experiments, EPE with CAPE and CAPE alone significantly inhibited carrageenin oedema, carrageenin pleurisy and adjuvant arthritis. In contrast EPE without CAPE and galangin did not exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis is due to CAPE.     

Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic 2-arylbenzofurans from Morus wittiorum

Three new 2-arylbenzofurans named wittifuran H, wittifuran I and wittifuran U (1-3) were obtained during our ongoing investigation of an ethanol extract from the stem bark of Morus wittiorum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compound 2 displayed potent anti-inflammatory activity and selective cytotoxicity against human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823 with an IC(50) value of 1.45μM.     

Topical anti-inflammatory activity of some Asian medicinal plants used in dermatological disorders

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Cassia angustifolia, Rheum palmatum, Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron amurense and Scutellaria baicalensis, plants used in traditional East Asian medicine against different skin disorders, was studied. Though in different degree, all the extracts significantly inhibited the edema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), in both single or multiple application, oxazolone, and arachidonic acid (AA). None of the extracts inhibited in vitro the activity of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) from Naja naja.     

Effects of management intensity and soil chemical properties on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rumex obtusifolius</Emphasis> in cut grasslands in Lower Austria

Rumex obtusifolius (broad-leaved dock) is a widely distributed weed in managed grasslands and is an indicator for excessive grassland management. Especially in organic farming, its control is highly labour and energy intensive. The effects of management extensification on R. obtusifolius were investigated by on-farm trials with reduced cutting frequencies and manuring amounts from 2004 to 2006 at three sites in Lower Austria. The sites distinctly differed in their nutrient availabilities (LiCl-extract; Ca: ranged from 1,380 to 2,062 mg/kg DM, Mg: 211–611 mg/kg, P: 4–40 mg/kg, K: 57–334 mg/kg). At one site reduced management intensity had a significant decreasing effect on R. obtusifolius infestation, whereas at the other sites no effect was observed. Consequently, extensification as a measure for controlling this weed can be effective under certain conditions. Soil analyses indicated that Ca and Mg concentrations were negatively correlated to R. obtusifolius density, and the site where infestation declined under reduced management was characterised by abundant Ca and Mg in the topsoil. K showed a weak positive correlation with plant density development and P was not related to R. obtusifolius. According to the literature, an abundance of Ca and Mg in the soil could reduce the competitiveness of the species. Consequently, high concentrations of these nutrients might enhance the probability for an effective R. obtusifolius control by management extensification. Further research is required to clarify the influence of Ca and Mg on the competitiveness of R. obtusifolius, and may lead to recommendations for the management of this weed.     

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities of new constituents of Nepeta clarkei

Two new pentacyclic triterpenes named kirmanoic acid (1) and kurramanoic acid (2) have been isolated from the chloroform-soluble portion of the whole plant of Nepeta clarkei Hook. The structures of the two new compounds were assigned on the basis of their 1H and 13C NMR spectra including two-dimensional NMR techniques such as COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments. Kirmanoic acid (1) was investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities. Interestingly kirmanoic acid (1) showed strong analgesic activity than standard drug in acetic induced writhing and formalin tests. Similarly kirmanoic acid (1) also showed strong anti-inflammatory activity than its standard drug. The gross behavioral study of kirmanoic acid (1) revealed that it exhibited mild CNS stimulant and muscle relaxant in the mice. Compound 1 showed a slight increase in Locomotor activity and possesses the antidepressant effect.