July 2010
Phytochemical constituents and bioactivities of the extracts of Cassia nigricans Vahl: A review
Cassia species have been of keen interest in phytochemical and pharmacological research due to their excellent medicinal values. They are rich sources of polyphenols, anthraquinone derivatives, flavonoids and polysaccharides. Cassia nigricans Vahl is an important source of secondary metabolites, notably anthraquinone derivatives. The leaves of C. nigricans Vahl have been reported to contain...
July 2010
Taxonomic utilization of anatomical characters in tribe Andropogoneae (Poaceae) based on transverse sections of leaves
In the present investigations, 13 species of grasses belonging to 10 genera of tribe Andropogoneae (Poaceae) were collected from salt range area of Pakistan. The purpose of the study is to identify and differentiate the grasses on the basis of leaf anatomical characters, at the specific and generic level within the tribe. Variations are observed in different characters of T.S. of leaf (presence and absence of...
September 2013
Variability of essential oil composition in Albanian accessions of Satureja montana L.
Satureja montana L. is an important aromatic and medicinal plant. The present study is aimed to contribute to a better knowledge of chemical biodiversity features of S. montana in Albania. The authors studied the variation in the chemical composition of its essential oil in six populations collected from agro-climatically diverse sites. Dried leaves were hydrodistillated and the essential oil was...
September 2013
Comparative in vitro trypanocidal activities of water and methanol extracts of three parts of Khaya senegalensis on Trypanosoma evansi
A comparative phytochemical and in vitro studies of water and methanolic extracts of three different parts of Khaya senegalensis, a plant used by herbalists in Nigeria to treat helminthiasis and other ailments revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes sugars, cardiac glycosides and phlobatannins. At a dose of 20 mg/ml the water extract (leaf, stem...
September 2013
Proximate composition and metal evaluation of four selected medicinal plant species from Pakistan
Proximate composition and levels of metals in four commonly consumed species,Sonchus eruca, Melia azadirchta, Withania cogulus and Fagonia indica, were investigated for the first time. Ash, carbohydrate, protein, fiber, fat and moisture were arranged on dry basis, while Cu, Pb, Co, Cd, Fe, Cr, Mg and Na were also investigated in metal analysis using association of official analytical chemists...
September 2013
Anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity of alcoholic extract of heart wood of Cedrus deodara roxb. in rodents
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity of the alcoholic extract of heart wood of Cedrus deodara(ALCD). 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of ALCD were tested for its anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity. Anxiolytic activity was tested by exposing mice to unfamiliar aversion in different methods like elevated plus maze model, light-dark model and actophotometer. The...
September 2013
Encapsulation of cinnamon oil in b-cyclodextrin
Inclusion complexes between the Cinnamomum verum essential oil and b-cyclodextrin were prepared by co-precipitation method with the four oil to b-cyclodextrin ratios of 5:95, 10:90, 15:85 and 20:80 (w/w) in order to determine the effect of the ratio on the inclusion efficiency of b-cyclodextrin for encapsulating oil volatiles. The characterization of the complex involved the analysis of the...
September 2013
Investigation of antioxidant capacity of Melissa officinalis L. essential oils
Extraction of natural substances with antioxidant activity, to replace synthetic food preservatives has gained great importance. Medicinal plants have traditionally been used in folk medicine as well as to extend the shelf life of foods. Melissa officinalisL., an aromatic Lamiaceae has the main phenolic components that are useful to utilize as antioxidant. In this work, M. officinalis L. leaves was...
September 2013
Tobacco as an anesthetic for fish handling procedures
The use of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of tobacco as an anesthetic for fish handling procedures was investigated using the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.An effective concentration of the anesthetic was defined as one giving a sure state of anesthesia for 75% of the fish after an exposure time of less than 5 min. The effective concentration of the aqueous extract was 4/4.5 g/l. For the alcoholic extract it...
September 2013
Laminaria japonica polysaccharides on the recovery of rats’ spermatogenic function of testis damaged by chronic local ionizing radiation
To investigate the degree of recovery by Laminaria japonica polysaccharides (LJP) on the damage to the rat spermatogenic function caused by chronic local ionizing radiation, 56 wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups: Control, three model and three LJP groups. Results showed that although indicators in LJP and model groups were found different from the control group (P < 0.05) when compared with...
September 2013
Comparisons of antioxidant activity and total phenolics of Camellia oleifera Abel fruit hull from different regions of China
The tea oil camellia, Camellia oleifera Abel, is used extensively in China as cooking oil. The antioxidant and antiradical activities of five C. oleifera fruit hull extracts from the major producing regions of China were examined. The content of total phenolics and extractable condensed tannins (ETC) in the extracts was calculated. Remarkable high phenolic content (gallic acid equivalent, GAE >...
September 2013
The antibacterial activity of Azadarichta indica (neem) seeds extracts against bacterial pathogens associated with eye and ear infections
The effects of crude extracts of seeds of Azadarichta indica against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli andPseudomonas aeruginosa obtained as clinical isolates from patients diagnosed with eye and ear infections were investigated using the agar well diffusion method . The growth of all the isolates were inhibited, though to varying degrees, with...
September 2013
Essential oil of Zataria multiflora Boiss upregulates retinoblastoma tumor suppressor in the liver of rat
The Zataria multiflora Boiss is endemic plant of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Several traditional purposes have been indicated for this medicinal plant including medical purposes, natural preservative of a wide variety of foods and as a food flavour. Currently, the correlation has been found between the essential oil of Z. multiflora Boiss and anti-carcinogenesis effects by regulation of two...
September 2013
Proximate and nutrient composition of Euphorbia hetrophylla: A medicinal plant from Anyigba, Nigeria
Fresh and dried Euphorbia heterophylla leaf was assessed for proximate composition and nutrient contents. Phytochemical screening was conducted using standard methods. Proximate analysis (total protein, fats, carbohydrate, ash and moisture contents) were carried out following methods of Association of Official analytical chemist. Macronutrient (Ca, Mg, Na and K) and micronutrients (Ni, Zn, Pb, Fe, Cu and K)...
September 2013
Crude ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark of Peltophorum africanum (Sond, Fabaceae) possesses in vitro inhibitory and bactericidal activity against clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori
1Microbial Pathogenicity and Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P/Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa. 2AIDS Virus Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa. 3Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Box 63,...
September 2013
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oil and crude extracts of Hypericum tetrapterum Fries (Hypericaceae)
In vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oil and crude extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extract) of Hypericum tetrapterum Fries (Hypericaceae) were investigated by disc diffusion and dilution methods. The studied samples were active against a panel of standardized bacteria and fungi. The maximum antimicrobial activity was shown by the essential oil and the petroleum...
September 2013
Effect of mouth wash extracted from Salvadora persica(Miswak) on dental plaque formation: A clinical trail
Chewing sticks or Miswak are used for teeth cleaning in many parts of the world, these Miswaks are believed to contain chemical substances which inhibit plaque formation and gingivitis. In the present study, Salvadora persica (Miswak) was extracted with 60% ethanol and was examined for its toxic effect, assessed its antibacterial activity and evaluated clinically for its effect on dental plaque formation. A 4...
September 2013
Effects of the extract of Forsythia suspensa on influenza A H1N1 infection in vitro
The present study investigated the effect of the extract of Forsythia suspensa(FSE) on the infection of MDCK cells by anti-H1N1 virus. The protective effect of FSE on the infected MDCK cells was evaluated through quantitative measurement of the changes in the cytopathic effects and by the ultraviolet (UV) absorbance at 600 nm. It was found that FSE was toxic to MDCK cells at a higher concentration, while it had a...
September 2013
Effects of Malaysian medicinal plants on macrophage functions in vitro study
The effects of aqueous leaf extract of eight local medicinal plant species on the phagocytic and antibacterial potential of mouse peritoneal macrophages againstStaphylococcus aureus were investigated. The mouse macrophages cultures were incubated with various concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg/ml) of plant extracts in different sets of test tubes at 37°C for one hour. After incubation, their...
September 2013
In vitro anticoagulant activities of Melastoma malabathricum Linn. aqueous leaf extract: A preliminary novel finding
Limitations of existing anticoagulants have prompted a search for novel agents of natural origin. Fundamental to this research was the observation that the aqueous leaf extract of Melastoma malabathricum Linn. possesses potent anticoagulant property. In vitro coagulation assays such as activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT) thrombin time (TT) and mixing studies were...
September 2013
In vitro propagation of Gymnema sylvestre Retz. R.Br through apical bud culture
Gymnema sylvestre Retz. R.Br. is a very important medicinal plant used in many medical formulations mainly for the treatment of diabetes. The extensive use of G. sylvestre has resulted in its over-exploitation and the plant is rare in many states of India. In the present study multiple shoot were regenerated using apical buds as an explant. Several concentrations of cytokinins viz. kinetin and BAP were...
September 2013
Hairy root culture of Przewalskia tangutica for enhanced production of pharmaceutical tropane alkaloids
The bacteria-free seedlings of Przewalskia tangutica were germinated from seeds. The leaves were used as initial explants for genetic transformation mediated byAgrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4, with the induction of Acetosyringone. The hairy roots were induced from the wounded sites of the leaves at the frequency of 100%. The independently transformed and fast growing hairy roots were subcultured in MS...
September 2013
Antihistaminic evaluation of formulated polyherbal cough syrup
Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common allergic disorders throughout the world. The conventional therapies are effective in alleviating symptoms but the efficacy is limited and not persistent. Many of the indigenous herbal preparations used by the tribes are little known to the public due to lack of scientific evaluation. The aqueous ethanol extracts of various traditional herbs like Adhatoda vasica, Acorus...
September 2013
Antiypertensive action of ethanolic extract of Imperata cylindrica leaves in animal models
This work was carried out to determine antihypertensive effect of ethanolic extract of Imperata cylindrical leaves using cat and rabbit models. A freeze dried 70% ethanolic extract was prepared and increasing concentrations from 10 to 320 mg/ml were administered in vivo to anaesthetized cats and in vitro to rabbit jejunum. Adrenaline and phentolamine were used as control drugs. The extract...
September 2013
Antioxidant effect of ginger to prevents lead-induced liver tissue apoptosis in rat
Lead acetate is an example of heavy metals that for decades being known for its adverse effects on various body organs and systems such that their functions are compromised. In the present study, the ability of lead to adversely affect the liver tissue apoptosis was investigated. Ginger is source of antioxidants was administered orally to prevent the adverse effects of lead acetate. Thirty Wistar rats, randomised into 3...
September 2013
Exploring Passiflora incarnata (L.): A medicinal plants secondary metabolites as antibacterial agent
Different solvent extract of Passiflora incarnata (L.), known for antibacterial activity, were investigated for antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (oxacillin resistance strain) and Escherichia coli by disc diffusion method. The secondary metabolites extracted in methanolic extract were found to be more potent as compared to ethyl acetate, as it shows Minimal Inhibitory...
September 2013
Screening of African traditional vegetables for their alpha-amylase inhibitory effect
Diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). The one possibility of lowering postprandial glucose levels is by the inhibition of α-amylase activity. In this study, aqueous extracts from leaves, fruits and flowers, stems and roots of twenty African traditional vegetable plants were tested for their inhibitory effect on α-amylase. The results...
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