• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 2007

The ethanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri Linn. aerial parts were studied far its hepatoprotective effect on $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxic rats. The extract was found to decrease significantly $CCl_4-induced$ elevation of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, bilirubin and total cholesterol. But, it increased HDL-cholesterol level and liver weight with respect to $CCl_4$ toxic rats. The extract was also found to decrease significantly the $CCl_4-induced$ elevation of lipid peroxidation and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and GSH level in the liver of extract treated rats when compared with $CCl_4$ induced rats. Histopatholosical profiles showed that the extract had significant protective effect against $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury, which corroborates the above findings. Hence it may be possible that the mechanism of hepatoprotection of the extract is due to its antioxidant effect.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2006

The ethanolic extract of Fleurya interrupta Gaud, (Urticaceae) was tested for its possible neuropharmacological effects on experimental animals, For the primary neuropharmacological screening of this plant, the ethanolic extract of its aerial parts was subjected to preliminary evaluation for acute toxicity, antinociceptive activity and central nervous system (CNS) activities. At the doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg, the extract significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0. 001) and dose-dependently increased the frequency of acetic acid induced writhing in mice. In the pentobarbitone induced sleeping time test, the extract at the above dose levels, significantly and dose-dependently decreased the pentobarbitone induced sleeping time (P < 0.001) and increased the time for onset of sleep (P < 0.001) in mice. In the open field and hole cross tests, test animals showed an increase in their movement in the both tests from the 2nd observation period (30 min) and persisted throughout the entire experimental period (240 min). These results of the extract may attribute a stimulating action on the CNS. On the basis of these findings, it can be assumed that the extract exerts its stimulating effect on the CNS in mice by interfering with the cortical function or increasing the effect of some CNS stimulating neurotransmitters.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2019

Nerium oleander (N. oleander) is a well-known poisonous shrub that is frequently grown in gardens and public areas and contains numerous toxic compounds. The major toxic components are the cardiac glycosides oleandrin and neriin. The aim of our study was to evaluate the toxic effects of an ethanolic N. oleander leaf extract on haematological, cardiac, inflammatory, and serum biochemical parameters, as well as histopathological changes in the heart. N. oleander extract was orally administered for 14 and 30 consecutive days at doses of 100 and 200 mg of dried extract/kg of body weight in 0.5 mL of saline. The results showed significant increases in mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell counts, platelet counts, interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha, C reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB, especially at high doses. Marked pathological changes were perceived in the heart tissue. Thus, it can be concluded that exposure to N. oleander leaf extract adversely affects the heart and liver.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 2021

Mulberry fruit (Morus alba L.) contains phytochemicals, including 1-deoxynojirimycin, quercetin-glucoside, kaempferol-glucoside, and anthocyanins, which have antioxidant effects. In this study, mulberry fruit extract was prepared at various temperatures (25-100℃) and water/ethanol solvent concentrations (0%-100% ethanol). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) data indicated that the content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids was lower in 100% ethanolic extracts than in 30%-50% ethanolic extracts. Radical scavenging activity determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays was highly correlated with polyphenol and flavonoid content. In conclusion, 30%-50% ethanolic extracts contained the highest contents of bioactive compounds and exhibited high levels of radical scavenging activity. These findings may inform the use of mulberry fruit extract as a functional food.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.130-137
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to characterise phytochemicals and to explore the biological activities of Vitex negundo leaves. The washed, course powder of V. negundo leaves were extracted with different solvents of increasing polarity. All the extracts were characterized and biological activities were compared. The results revealed that the ethanolic and cold water extracts showed the presence of all phytochemicals studied except protein compared to other extracts. Further, the quantitative estimation of phytochemicals showed that the ethanolic extract had highest yield and maximum amount of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids with the least amount of tannins compared to other extracts studied. Furthermore, the highest total polyphenol content corresponds with the potent biological activities. Indeed, in vitro antioxidant and antisteroidogenic activities were highest in the ethanolic extract than others. To conclude, the present study is the first to report the characterization and antiandrogenic property of V. negundo leaf extracts. The ethanolic extract of V. negundo leaves can be used as an antioxidant and antiandrogenic agent. Hence, it can be considered for the treatment of hyperandrogenic conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2018

Psoriasis is an auto-immune skin disease, which is characterized by the excessive generation of plaques on the skin with typically a long-lasting red, itchy and scaly symptoms. Imiquimod, which has been used for the treatment of external genital warts, actinic keratosis, and superficial basal cell carcinoma, induced of psoriasis-like skin disorders with skin erythema and thickness in mice. In the present study, we tried to find the bioactive herbal extract against imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin disorder in mice. During the searching of the herbal extract with anti-psoriatic effect, the ethanolic extract of Cnidium officinale ameliorated imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin disorder in mice. The morphological evaluation, H&E staining and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score showed that ear and back thickness, and erythema induced by imiquimod were significantly reversed after the treatment of the cream of the ethanolic extract of C. officinale. The overexpressed myeloperoxidase (MPO) and keratin 6A levels were decreased by the treatment of C. officinale cream. Also, $IFN-{\gamma}$, c-fos and $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ mRNA levels, which are related to the progression of psoriasis, were reduced by C. officinale cream. Thus, the ethanolic extract of C. officinale ameliorated psoriasis-like skin disorder induced by imiquimod and might be the therapeutic agent for psoriasis.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.227-232
• /
• 2013

We studied antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase from aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic fractions of Galla rhois. In FRAP and ORAC assay for measuring antioxidant activity, we confirmed that Galla rhois extracts had strong antioxidant activity and ethanolic and methanolic extracts were relatively stronger than aqueous extract. We used trolox as a positive control. In order to measure the inhibitory effect of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, we compared acarbose and Galla rhois extracts. As a result of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory assay, aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Galla rhois showed high inhibitory activitity and ethanolic and methanolic extracts were relatively stronger than aqueous extract. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of acarbose, aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic fractions were 0.45 mM, $0.53{\mu}g/ml$, $0.415{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.37{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. These results suggest that Galla rhois extracts can be a clinically useful anti-diabetic ingredient, indicating that it needs to be fractionated and isolated and should be further investigated.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.141-149
• /
• 2007

Madhuca indica has been used ethnomedically in Indian folks. In the present study we have investigated anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and hypoglycaemic effect of ethanolic extract (EE) and crude alkaloid extract of Madhuca indica seed cake on albino rats. The study showed that the EE had a significant, dose dependent anti-edematogenic, anti-ulcerogenic and hypoglycaemic activity, whereas the crude alkaloid extract exhibited a significant only. Both the extracts possess dose dependent inhibitory activity on carrageenan-induced edema, inhibiting prostaglandins or mediators involved in prostaglandin synthesis, the second phase of inflammation. The EE was significantly effective in protecting pylorus-ligation-induced gastric ulcers at a higher dose level. The active principle of EE seems to be a selective inhibitor of the COX II (prostaglandin synthesis) without important effect on COX I since, EE exhibited both anti-edematogenic and anti-ulcerogenic effect. The EE was effective in reducing the plasma glucose level in normal albino rats in a dose dependent manner, producing hypoglycaemic effect by stimulating the release of insulin from the ${\beta}-cells$ and/or increasing the uptake of glucose from the plasma.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.388-394
• /
• 2017

This study investigated the stability of ethanolic extract from fermented Cirsium setidens Nakai (FCSN) in order to develop functional materials during different storage conditions. We evaluated pectolinarin and pectolinarigenin contents, total phenol content and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP assay) of ethanolic extract from FCSN obtained by bioconverison at various temperatures (4, 25 and $50^{\circ}C$) and pHs (4.0, 7.0 and 10.0). Our results show that the pectolinarin, pectolinarigenin, and total phenol contents in ethanolic extract from FCSN were decreased during the storage periods. Moreover, the DPPH radical scavenging activity did not significantly change at $4^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$. Pectolinarin and pectolinarigenin contents, total phenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extract from FCSN at acidic pH (pH 4.0) and neutral pH (pH 7.0) were higher than those at the alkaline pH range. These results indicate that the optimum storage condition of the ethanolic extract from FCSN was $4^{\circ}C$ and pH 4.0~7.0 range.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.637-643
• /
• 2010

We investigated the characteristics of breads containing Schizandra chinensis Baillon (SCB) added as whole powder, as a powder prepared from juice, and as a concentrate prepared from a 95% (v/v) ethanolic fruit extract, added to wheat flour at 0.5% (w/w). Addition of any form of SCB lowered the pH and increased the titratable acidity in both doughs and breads compared with control values, and the whole and juice powders were more effective in this respect than was the concentrated ethanolic extract. Dough volume during fermentation was increased by addition of whole powder and concentrated ethanolic extract, but no baking loss was evident upon addition of any form of SCB. Regarding the bread surface, the lightness (L) value was increased by addition of juice powder and concentrated ethanolic extract, but neither the redness(a) and nor the yellowness (b) values showed such increases. Internal color measurements showed increased '-a-' value upon addition of any form of SCB, and increased '-b-' value when concentrated ethanolic extract was used, however, there were no significant changes in L value. Sensory evaluation of taste, flavor, color, and overall acceptability showed that bread prepared using whole powder was more acceptable than were the other forms.