Antidiarrhoeal activity of Strychnos potatorum seed extract in rats

The antidiarrhoeal activity of the methanol extract of the dried seeds of Strychnos potatorum (MESP) has been evaluated out in rats using different models (castor oil-induced diarrhoea, effects on gastrointestinal motility and on PGE(2)-induced gastric enteropooling. MESP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P<0.001) inhibited the frequency of defaecation and reduced the wetness of faecal droppings in castor oil-induced diarrhoea, decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract, and also reduced the PGE(2)-induced enteropooling.     

Chemical constituents from Gmelina arborea bark and their antioxidant activity

Gmelina arborea Roxb. is a fast-growing species and is known to have been used in traditional Indian medicine. Chemical constituents from the bark have not been reported, although some chemical constituents from part of this plant (heartwood, leaf, and root) are known. In this study, the bark meal was successively extracted with acetone and methanol. Fractionation of the acetone extract with n-hexane, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate and subsequent chromatographic separation of the fractions led to the isolation of four compounds. The diethyl ether-soluble fraction yielded tyrosol [2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanol] (1); (+)-balanophonin (2), an 8-5′ neolignan, with opposite optical rotation to known (−)-balanophonin; and gmelinol (3), a known lignan. The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction afforded a new phenylethanoid glycoside to the best of our knowledge, which was identified as (−)-p-hydroxyphenylethyl[5′″-O-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)-β-d-apiofuranosyl(1′" → 6′)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (4). From the methanol extract, two known compounds, 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (5) and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol (6), were isolated and identified. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay of the identifi ed compounds indicated that 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol (6) exhibited moderate activity. Part of this report was presented at the 57th and 58th Annual Meetings of the Japan Wood Research Society, Hiroshima and Tsukuba, August 2007 and March 2008, respectively     

Antidiarrhoeal activity of Rhus javanica ripen fruit extract in albino mice

The antidiarrhoeal effects of the methanolic extract of Rhus javanica ripen fruits (MERJ) were investigated by employing four experimental models of diarrhoea in Swiss albino mice. MERJ treated mice, showed significant reduction in the faecal output and protected them from castor oil-induced diarrhoea. The extract also reduced the intestinal fluid secretion induced by MgSO4 and gastrointestinal motility after charcoal meal administration in the albino mice. No mortality and visible signs of general weakness was observed in the mice following the test extract administration up to 2000 mg/kg dose.     

Anti-TB activity of Evodia elleryana bark extract

An ethyl acetate extract of bark from Evodia elleryana produced significant growth inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at concentrations only minimally inhibitory to human T cells. The crude extract yielded 95% inhibition of TB at 50 microg/ml. The crude extract yielded 29% growth inhibition of human T-cells in culture at that concentration.     

云南石梓的生物学特性与利用

对云南石梓的生态学、生物学特性作了报道 ,并从木材、天然色素和香料、药用方面论述了它的开发利用价值。云南石梓生长期为 4～ 1 0月 ,花期为 2～ 3月 ,果熟期为 5月。新鲜种子发芽率为 93% ;干燥器贮藏 2a ,发芽率为 98% ;低温贮藏 1a,发芽率为 77%。低温、干旱、台风、虫害影响云南石梓的生长。云南石梓在医药原料、天然香料和色素方面有较好的开发利用前景     

Antinociceptive activity of Zizyphus spina-christi root bark extract

The antinociceptive effect of the aqueous extract of Zizyphus spina-christi root bark was investigated in mice and rats. Acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and thermal (hot plate) tests were used. The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect in all the tests used. Its i.p. LD50 in mice was 2236.07 mg/kg.     

Clonal propagation ofGmelina arborea Roxb. byIn vitro culture

In vitro propagation technique ofGmelina arborea multipurpose and a fast growing tree species was studied. Nodal segment including axillary bud was used as a explant. They were cultured on MS media containing various concentrations (0–10 mg/l) of BAP alone or in combination with 0.002 mg/l of IBA. Nodal segments showed axillary bud proliferation in almost all media tested. MS media containing 0.22 mg/l of BAP alone and 2 mg/l of BAP in combination with 0.002 mg/l of IBA were effective for inducing multiple shoots and shoot elongation. MS medium supplemented with 0.02 mg/l of NAA and 1 mg/l of IBA gave the best result for rooting. The regenerated plantlets were potted and acclimatized successfully in a growth chamber and then moved to the green house. Adventitious shoots production from stem explants that were taken from regenerated plantletin vitro was also discussed. Stem segments were tested for their morphogenetic potential on MS media with various combinations and concentrations of BAP, zeatin and TDZ. Successfull result was obtained on MS media supplemented with 2 mg/l of BAP and 1 mg/l of zeatin or supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of BAP and 0.5 mg/l of TDZ. The shoots obtained on MS media containing 2 mg/l of BAP and 1 mg/l of zeatin rooted on MS media containing 0.02 mg/l of NAA and 1 mg/l of IBA, and plantlets were successfully obtained. A part of this paper was presented at the 109th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Forest Society (1998).     

Antidiarrhoeal activity of Cyperus rotundus

The methanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizome, given orally at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w., showed significant antidiarrhoeal activity in castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice. Among the fractions, tested at 250 mg/kg, the petroleum ether fraction (PEF) and residual methanol fraction (RMF) were found to retain the activity, the latter being more active as compared to the control. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) did not show any antidiarrhoeal activity.     

Anti-diarrheal activity of methanol extract of Litsea polyantha bark in mice

The anti-diarrheal activity of methanol extract of dried bark and aerial parts of Litsea polyantha (MELP) has been evaluated in mice using different models (castor oil-induced diarrhea and propulsive gut motility in mice). MELP (50, 75, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P<0.01) reduced the onset of diarrhea, fecal excretion and also showed a significant (P<0.001) reduction in gastrointestinal motility on charcoal meal test in mice. The results of the study support the folklore use of the plant for diarrheal remedies.     

Antioxidant activity of Erica arborea

The antioxidant properties of the methanol extract of leaves and flowers of Erica arborea and the ethyl acetate, butanol and water soluble fractions were investigated. The ethyl acetate extract was found to be the richest for phenolic and flavonoid content which showed the highest antioxidant activity.     

Anthelmintic activity of crude aqueous extract of Nauclea latifolia stem bark against ovine nematodes

The anthelmintic efficacy of Nauclea latifolia stem bark aqueous extract was studied in sheep with natural acute/sub-acute parasitic gastro-enteritis due primarily to mixed nematode species. Graded doses of the extract (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg, p.o for 5 consecutive days) significantly reduced faecal egg counts in infected animals. The percentage reduction (93.8%) by 1600 mg/kg of the extract was comparable to that of 5 mg/kg of albendazole (94.1%). The administration of the extract resulted in improved haemoglobin and leucocytosis values in worm-infected sheep.     

A financial analysis of a small scale Gmelina arborea Roxb. improvement program in Costa Rica

A financial analysis of a small-scale Gmelina arborea improvement program in Hojancha, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica is described. The program consisted of a clonal seed orchard, made up of ramets of plus-trees, and three progeny tests/seedling seed orchards. A 5% discount rate was used. The total discounted/compounded cost of the program was US$25423. The analysis demonstrated that this outlay would be justified at annual planting rates of between 31 ha per year (at 20% genetic gain in volume) to 125 ha per year (at 5% genetic gain) over the 20-year life of the orchard. These results demonstrate that the implementation of such small-scale, locally-based programs by community-based or locally-orientated organizations may often be justifiable.     

The effects of some extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the proportion of vessels in Gmelina arborea Roxb.

Summary Wood samples of Gmelina arborea were collected from four different localities (sites) in Nigeria. The proportion of vessels was determined by a modification of Ladell's (1959) randomized dot technique. The site and plot effects on vessel proportion were not significant. The tree effect was very highly significant with a variance component of up to 25.4 per cent. The tree mean values of vessel proportion ranged from 9 to 21.3 per cent. There was no close correlation between tree mean values of vessel proportion and tree growth parameters (tree height, diameter at breast height and crown diameter). The effect of stem height was not significant. The effects of radii (the variation around the stem's circumference) and age were very highly significant with variance components of up to 21 and 11.7 per cent respectively. The differences in the values of vessel proportion for earlywood and latewood were very highly significant; the variance component was 22.9 per cent. Earlywood had a lower proportion of vessels than latewood (12 and 16 per cent respectively). Vessel proportion was not correlated with ring width. The effects of factor interactions were not practically important.     

Antidiarrhoeal activity of root extracts from Roureopsis obliquifoliolata and Epinetrum villosum

The methanol extracts of Roureopsis obliquifoliolata and Epinetrum villosum root significantly reduced castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice. This effect supports the use of these plants in Congolese folk medicine as antidiarrhoeal remedies.     

Allometric models for estimation of aboveground biomass of Gmelina arborea Roxb. in pulpwood plantations of Bangladesh

Gmelina arborea Roxb. is a fast-growing, deciduous tree species native to Bangladesh. It has been widely planted since 1992 for commercial production of pulpwood in hilly areas of Bangladesh. The purpose of this study was to derive well-fitting allometric models for estimation of aboveground biomass, and carbon and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) stocks in G. arborea to ensure sustainable production and management of this species. Eight linear models with 64 regression equations were tested for estimation of aboveground biomass, carbon and nutrient stocks in different parts (leaves, branches, bark and stem) of the plant. The best-fitting allometric models were selected in accordance with various relevant statistical criteria.     

A modified Murashige and Skoog media for efficient multipleshoot induction in G. arborea Roxb.

This paper reports on the effect of various micropropagation factors of Gmelina arborea Roxb. through multiple shoot induction. Factors like the source and age of explants, plant growth regulators （PGRs）, media composition, and carbon source affected multiple shoot-ing in the present study. Among all the explants used, only shoot tips derived from one, two, and three week old seedlings could form multiple shoots. Besides, the formation of multiple shoots depended on the con-centration and combination of PGRs. Among all the PGRs, BAP （6-benzylaminopurine） alone gave the highest regeneration efficiency. Simi-larly, IBA （Indole-3-butyric acid） was the most efficient PGR in inducing root formation in the microshoots. Media composition and carbon source also affected the regeneration efficiency. MS （Murashige and Skoog medium） proved to be the best media for regeneration followed by B5, SH （Schenk and Hilderbrandt medium） and WPM （Woody plant medium） in that order. Similarly, among sugars, only sucrose and glucose sup-ported induction of microshoots. Based on this study we recommend the use of glucose in place of sucrose in MS medium for maximum regenera-tion efficiency.     

Anti-browsing effects of birch bark extract on fallow deer

A major problem within forest industry is unwanted browsing on seedlings from mammalian herbivores. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of birch bark extracts as repellents towards fallow deer. Birch bark was extracted in a conventional way with ethanol as solvent at ambient temperature and with a new method, liquid CO₂ extraction. An analysis of the ethanol-extracted birch bark showed that it contained large amounts of terpenoids, of which the most abundant was betulin. In seven different treatment trials, we used 15 individually handled fallow deer. To investigate the binary taste preferences, birch bark extract was added to food and presented in two bowls in typical two-choice tests. We found that the amount of a food type consumed during a trial and the number of shifts between food bowls were dependent on the amount of the birch extract the food contained. Concentrations of above 1 % by dry weight of birch extract acted as a repellent. In addition, such concentrations produced shorter feeding bouts by a greater willingness to change bowls. Therefore, our conclusion is that birch bark extract acts as a repellent towards fallow deer and is therefore likely to act as a repellent against other deer species. In addition, we show that birch bark extract produced by the new and more environmentally sustainable method employing liquid CO₂ mixed with ethanol has the same repellent effect as the traditional ethanol extraction.     

Antimicrobial activity of Anacardium occidentale bark

Anacardium occidentale bark 60% methanolic extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against 13 out of 15 bacterial isolates at a concentration of 20 mg/ml.     

Antibacterial activity of Litsea glutinosa bark

The methanol extract of the bark of Litsea glutinosa showed antibacterial activity, comparable to chloramphenicol, against all 16 tested microorganisms.     

Antioxidant activity of Rhizophora mangle bark

The antioxidant activity of Rhizophora mangle bark aqueous extract and its majoritary component and high molecular weight polyphenols' fraction were studied using deoxyribose assay. The total extract and its fraction showed scavenging activity of hydroxyl radicals and hability to chelate iron ions.