MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Antihypercholesterolemia property and fatty acid composition of mardi-produced virgin coconut oils

Z. A. Zakaria*, Z. Ahmad, M. N. Somchit, A. K. Arifah, H. M. Khairi, M. R. Sulaiman, L. K. Teh, M. Z. Salleh and K. Long

Abstract: Virgin coconut oil (VCO), or in Malays known as ‘minyak kelapa dara’, has gain a lot of attention recently due to various medicinal values. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding two types of VCOs, VCOA (produced via a standard drying method) or VCOB (prepared via fermentation process), that were produced by Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) in lowering the plasma lipid parameter in rabbits. Nine groups of New Zealand White male rabbits (n = 6/group) were used in this study. Group 1 and 2 animals were treated with 0.9% normal saline, but fed either with a normal or cholesterol-added diet (negative control), respectively. Group 3 - 5 and 6 - 8 were given orally with the different volume (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 ml/kg/day) of VCOA or VCOB followed by the cholesterol-added diet. Group 9 were treated with 5 mg/kg Atorvastatin and fed a cholesterol-added diet. All groups were treated for 8 weeks and blood samples were taken from the marginal ear vein prior to treatment (day 0), weeks 4 and 8 for the analysis of plasma. The rabbits fed with different volume of VCOs showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels compared to the control group in weeks 4 and 8. The triglycerides level increased significantly (P < 0.05) on week 4 before reduced on week 8, to a level that is still significant when compared to week 0. The HDL level also increased significantly (P < 0.05) on weeks 4 and 8 after treatment. Fatty acid analysis revealed the presence of all important fatty acids. Both VCOs showed insignificant effect on all parameters measured when compared together. In conclusion, the MARDI-produced VCOs appeared to possess great potentials as antihypercholesterolemic agent that required further in-depth study.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Virgin coconut oil, antihypercholesterolemia, atorvastatin.

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Assessing the polyphenolic, nutritive and biological activities of acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of Rumex sagittatus Thunb.

F. O. Jimoh, A. A. Adedapo* and A. J. Afolayan

Abstract: The nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant activities of acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Rumex sagittatus Thunb. were investigated using standard analytical methods in order to assess the therapeutical potential of the leaves of this plant. The proximate analysis showed that the leaves contained appreciable amount of ash, crude protein, lipids, fibre and carbohydrates. Elemental analysis in mg/100 g (DW) indicated that the leaves contained appreciable sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, copper, manganese and nitrogen. The chemical composition in mg/100 g (DW) showed the presence of alkaloid, saponins and phytate. The extracts also exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, which were comparable to that of ascorbic acid and BHT. Extracts also contained appreciable levels of polyphenolic compounds. In comparing the nutrient and chemical constituents with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values, the results reveal that the leaves contain an appreciable amount of nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals and low levels of toxicants.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Antioxidant activities, Rumex sagittatus, nutritional value.

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Healing the body and soul: Traditional remedies for â€œmagicalâ€ ailments, nervous system and psychosomatic disorders in Northern Peru

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: Mal aire (bad air), mal viento (bad wind), susto and espanto (fright), mal ojo (evil eye) and envidia (envy) are seen as very common illnesses in Andean society. The Western concept of “psychosomatic disorders” comes closest to characterizing these illnesses. Treatment in many cases involves the participation of the patient in a cleansing ceremony. In addition, patients frequently receive herbal amulets for protection against further evil influences and for good luck. A total of 222 plant species belonging to 172 genera and 78 families were documented and identified as herbal remedies used to treat nervous system problems in Northern Peru. Most species used were Asteraceae, followed by Solanaceae and Lamiaceae. The majority of herbal preparations were prepared from the whole plant. In over 60% of the cases fresh plant material was used to prepare remedies, which differs slightly from the average herbal preparation mode in Northern Peru. Interestingly, only about 36% of the remedies were applied orally, while the majority was applied topically. Over 79% of all remedies were prepared as mixtures with multiple ingredients by boiling plant material either in water or in sugarcane spirit. Little scientific evidence exists to date to prove the efficacy of the species employed as nervous system remedies in Northern Peru. Only 24% of the plants found or related species in the same genus have been studied at all. The information gained on frequently used traditional remedies against nervous system disorders might give some leads for future targets for further analysis in order to develop new drugs addressing nervous system disorders.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, ethnobotany, mental health, neurologic disorders, psychopharmacology, etheogens.

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Isolation of piperdine from Piper nigrum and its antiproliferative activity

S. K. Reshmi, E. Sathya and P. Suganya Devi*

Abstract: Many plant- derived molecules have shown a promising effect in therapeutics. Among the plants investigated to date, one showing enormous potential is the Piperaceae. The present study aimed to extract the phytochemical compounds in different solvent system in Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Piper cubeba as well as testing their antibacterial and antitumour activity. HPTLC analysis of P. nigrum sample showed six alkaloid bands two alkaloid bands were similar to Piperine standard 1 and 2, the other alkaloid may be piperidine, piperettine and piperanine. P. longum sample contain three alkaloid bands one band was similar to Piperine standard 1, the other may be piperlongumine and piperlonguminine and no alkaloid band was found in P. cubeba. The anti bacterial activity was tested against gram positive and negative organism using agar well diffusion method. High activity was found in P. nigrum ethanol extract against the organism Salmonella Typhii. The alkaloid piperdine was purified by refluxion method to check the antitumour activity which shows 51.38% of inhibition at 5 µg/ml concentration that conforms the compound piperidine to be used as anticancer drug for further mechanistic works.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Alkaloids, piperine, HPTLC, antibacterial activity, purification, piperidine, HEp2 cell lines.

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Formulations of sustained release metformin hydrochloride tablet using combination of lipophilic waxes by melt granulation technique

Kamlesh Jayantilal Wadher*, Rajendra Baliram Kakde and Milind Janrao Umekar

Abstract: Metformin hydrochloride is recommended globally as first line therapy due to its favorable profile on morbidity and mortality associated with type- 2 diabetes mellitus. However, limitations of multiple dosing and risk of triggering gastrointestinal symptoms make its dose optimization difficult. The present study was designed to develop the oral sustained release metformin hydrochloride tablet formulation using lipophilic waxes viz. hydrogenated castor oil, stearic acid and glyceryl monostearate either alone or their combinations. The in vitro dissolution study was carried out using USP 22 apparatus I, basket method. The drug release kinetics demonstrated that hydrogenated castor oil sustained the release of metformin greater than stearic acid and glyceryl monostearate when used alone. Combination of hydrogenated castor oil with stearic acid (1:1) sustained the drug release (75.69 ± 0.76%) greater than hydrogenated castor oil with glyceryl monostearate (86.45 ± 0.96%) and stearic acid with glyceryl monostearate (92.29 ± 0.76%) combinations. Kinetic modeling of in-vitro dissolution profiles revealed that metformin release ranges from diffusion controlled or Fickian transport to anomalous type or non-Fickian transport mechanisms. Applying Korsmeyer equation to in-vitro drug release data indicated that diffusion along with erosion could be the mechanism of drug release.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Hydrogenated castor oil, stearic acid, glyceryl monosterate, metformin matrix tablet, release kinetics.

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A novel pentacyclic triterpene glycoside from a resin of Commiphora glandulosa from Botswana

Daniel Motlhanka*, Peter Houghton, Ana Miljkovic-Brake and Solomon Habtemariam

Abstract: A novel ursane-type pentacyclic triterpene glycoside, 1b,2b,3b-trihydoxy-urs-12-ene-23-oic-rhamnoside was isolated from the resin of Commiphora glandulosa Schinz by bioassay guided fractionation. Crude aqueous and chloroform extracts of the resin as well as the isolated compound exhibited good in vitro antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis: NCTC 10073), (Clostridium perfringens: NCTC 8237), (Staphylococcus aureus: NCIMB 9518) and also drug resistant strains (S.aureus:XU212-tetracycline resistant strain), (S. aureus SA1199B-norfloxacin resistant strain). There was no observed antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli: NCTC 9002), (Pseudomonas aeruginosa: NCIMB 10421), (Klebsiella aerogenes: NCTC 5055); and fungal strains (Candida albicans: NCPF 3179, Aspergillus fumigatus: NCPF 7097), Trichophyton tonsurans: NCPF 995). The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data using13C-NMR, 1H-NMR and mass spectroscopy.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Commiphora glandulosa resins, antibacterial activity, novel pentacyclic triterpene, Botswana medicinal plants, antibacterial activity.

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Medicinal plants of Azerbaijan flora used in the treatment of certain diseases

S. J. Ibadullayeva, S. E. Mamedova, Z. R. Sultanova, N. V. Movsumova and I. A. Jafarli

Abstract: During investigations conducted within two years (2007 - 2009) 30 natural cenopopulations that were found, confirmed medicinal plants that can be used in the treatment of pediatric diseases. It was systematically studied life forms and distribution of 50 families, 94 genera and 97 species of medicinal plants widely spread in Azerbaijan flora which are used in the treatment of pediatric diseases. It was determined that the majority of medicinal plants contains grasses (71%, 69 species). Among them, perennials are characterized with the highest number (48 species, 49.5%), annuals with medium (12 species, 12.4%) and biennials with the least number (9 species, 9.3%). Profoundly described plant resources and role in the medicine of species such as, Berberis vulgaris, Crataegus pentagyna, Althaea officinalis, Hippophae rhamnoides, Inula helenium, Vaccinium myrtillis and Vaccinium vitis idaea detected and confirmed the area of distribution of medicinal plants, their vegetation phase and collected parts with priorities used in the treatment of pediatric diseases.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Medical plants of Azerbaijan flora, systematic analysis, plant resources, pharmacological effect.

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Effect of essential oil of Chromoleana odorata (Asteraceae) from Ivory Coast, on cyclooxygenase function of prostagladin-H synthase activity

G. Bedi*, Z. F. Tonzibo, K. R. Oussou, C. Choppard, J. P. Mahy and T. Y. N’Guessan

Abstract: Aqueous extracts of Chromoleana odorata are commonly used in traditional medicine as anti inflammatory drug against pains or as cataplasm to stop hemorrhage in Ivory Coast. In this work, we want to test the volatiles as essential oil extracted from the fresh leaves of C. odorata, on the cyclooxygenase function of prostaglandin-H synthase (PGHS), a protein implicated in the inflammatory process. Our goal is to make up the in vivo therapeutic activity and understand the mechanism of its biologic activity. This essential oil is extracted from leaves of C. odorata by hydrodistillation to be submitted to in vitro test. The chemical constituents of the essential oil of C. odorata increase the activity of cyclooxygenase function of PGHS with an AC 50 value of 87.5 µg/mL. Studies are in progress to indentify all the constituents implicated in the activity.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Chromoleana odorata, essential oil, cyclooxygenase, PGHS.

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Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of the aqueous extract of Cassia arereh Del. stem-bark

S. I. Ngulde*, S. Sanni, U. K. Sandabe and D. Sani

Abstract: The phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial properties of the aqueous extract of Cassia arereh stem-bark were evaluated. The extract was subjected to qualitative chemical screening of active chemical constituents and disc diffusion method was performed to determine the antimicrobial properties. The results revealed the presence of tannins, phlobatannins, carbohydrate, saponin, flvonoids, terpenes and steroids while anthraquinones, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were not detected. The extracts (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/ml) inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aerogenosa and Enterobacter species. However, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Corynebacterium pyogenes and Candida albicans were resistant. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were 50 mg/ml for S. aureus and B. subtilis, and 100 mg/ml for P. aeurogenosa. It was concluded that the aqueous extract of C. arereh stem-bark contained active principles having antibacterial properties and thus support the folkloric use of the plant.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Phytochemical, aqueous extract, antimicrobial, Cassia arereh.

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Medicinal properties of Commiphora gileadensis

David Iluz, *, Miri Hoffman, Nechama Gilboa-Garber and Zohar Amar

Abstract: Commiphora gileadensis is a plant that was cultivated in ancient times in the land of Israel, particularly in the oases of the Dead Sea Basin — Ein Gedi and Jericho. The plant, also known as balsam, was renowned for the expensive perfume that was produced from it, as well as for exceptional medicinal properties that were attributed to its sap, wood, bark, and seeds. This article presents the historical sources describing these health-related properties and preliminary laboratory studies demonstrating the pharmacological effects of balsam sap. Investigations of the antimicrobial activity of C. gileadensis showed the plant sap inhibitory effect against Bacillus cereus and the blocking of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectins. These results corroborate the historical sources crediting the usefulness of balsam sap as an antiseptic agent.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Commiphora gileadensis, balsam, resin, perfume, antimicrobial effects.

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