Rbal: 06/08/09

Comparison of antioxidant activity in wild plant (Adenophora triphylla) leaves and roots as a potential source of functional foods.

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2009 May 22; 1-12Kim JH, Hong JY, Shin SR, Yoon KYAdenophora triphylla is commonly used in food materials and oriental medicine as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antitussive. In the present study, the leaves and roots of A. triphylla were extracted with water and ethanol, respectively, to examine the extracts' in vitro antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents, as well as A. triphylla's potential as a new functional food source and safe and inexpensive supply of antioxidants. Different antioxidant tests were employed and the results were compared with ascorbic acid as a standard antioxidant. The total extractable contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which relate to antioxidant activity in medicinal plants, were also measured. The leaf extracts had notable levels of total phenolics and flavonoids and showed high radical and nitrite scavenging activities as well as inhibition activity against enzymes that induce oxidation. These results suggest that A. triphylla leaves are a potential ingredient for food supplements and a natural source of antioxidants.

Evaluation of the hepatotoxic and hepatoprotective effect of Rwandese herbal drugs on in vivo (guinea pigs barbiturate-induced sleeping time) and in vitro (rat precision-cut liver slices, PCLS) models

Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2009 Jun 1; Mukazayire MJ, Allaeys V, Buc Calderon P, StÃ©vigny C, Bigendako MJ, Duez PPrecision-cut liver slices (PCLS) preserve the tissular organization of the organ and represent an in vitro model closer to in vivo conditions than hepatocytes cultures. As this may be an interesting tool not only for the investigation of hepatotoxic and protective effects but also for bioguided fractionations schemes, the usefulness of PCLS was compared with an in vivo test of liver function. Crude extracts derived from five herbs used in Rwanda for hepatoprotective activity were tested on CCl(4)-treated guinea pigs by the method of barbiturate-induced sleep modification. Aqueous extracts of Ocimum lamiifolium, Crassocephalum vitellinum, Guizotia scabra and Vernonia lasiopus leaves allowed animals to recover barbiturate sleep duration in proportions of 88%, 78%, 61% and 34%, respectively and Microglossa pyrifolia was found inactive. Dried methanolic extracts of the 5 plants were then tested in vitro on rat PCLS for protection against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. In this model, G. scabra, M. pyrifolia and V. lasiopus were found hepatotoxic by themselves and unable to prevent acetaminophen toxicity. The most active extract, obtained from O. lamiifolium, was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation by chromatography on Si-C(18) to yield two quite active fractions. From a single animal, at least 50 PCLS explants can be prepared, which allows testing large amounts of samples, strengthening ethnopharmacological data on hepatoprotective medicinal plants and investigating hepatotoxic effects.

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchc

J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Apr 21; 122(3): 430-433Maldini M, Sosa S, Montoro P, Giangaspero A, Balick MJ, Pizza C, Loggia RDETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: An investigation of topical anti-inflammatory activity was undertaken on plants used in Central America traditional medicine. AIM OF STUDY: Four herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America to treat inflammatory skin affections (Acacia cornigera bark, Byrsonima crassifolia bark, Sphagneticola trilobata leaves and Sweetia panamensis bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts were obtained for herbal medicines and then extracts were tested on Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis model in mice. RESULTS: Almost all the extracts reduced the Croton oil-induced ear dermatitis in mice and the chloroform ones showed the highest activity, with ID(50) (dose giving 50% oedema inhibition) values ranging from 112mug/cm(2) (Byrsonima crassifolia) to 183mug/cm(2) (Sphagneticola trilobata). As reference, ID(50) of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was 93mug/cm(2). CONCLUSIONS: Lipophilic extracts from these species can be regarded as potential sources of anti-inflammatory principles.

Screening of the topical anti-inflammatory activity of the bark of Acacia cornigera Willdenow, Byrsonima crassifolia Kunth, Sweetia panamensis Yakovlev and the leaves of Sphagneticola trilobata Hitchc

A new herbal combination, Etana, for enhancing erectile function: an efficacy and safety study in animals.

Int J Impot Res. 2009 Jun 4; Qinna N, Taha H, Matalka KZ, Badwan AAWe present herein a new herbal combination called Etana that is composed of five herbal extracts including Panax quinquelotius (Ginseng), Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali), Epimedium grandiflorum (Horny goat weed), Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) and flower pollen extracts. Most of the above-mentioned extracts have a long historical and traditional use for erectile dysfunction (ED). On the basis of the mechanism of action of each of the above, a combination is introduced to overcome several physiological or induced factors of ED. This study was conducted to show an enhancement of erectile function in male rats. The animals were observed for 3 h after each administration for penile erection, genital grooming and copulation mounting, and the penile erection index (PEI) was calculated. The maximum response was observed at the concentration of 7.5 mg kg(-1) of Etana. At a 7.5 mg kg(-1) single dose, the percentage of responding rats was 53+/-7 with a PEI of 337+/-72 compared with 17+/-6 with a PEI of 30+/-10 for control animals. This PEI was significantly (P