A review of Algerian medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Plants are traditionally used in Algeria to treat many disorders, including diabetes mellitus. Knowledge of the plants that are used may provide insight on their properties, for further exploration. This study reviewed all the available published and unpublished reports concerning the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of diabetes in Algeria. AIM OF THE STUDY: To describe the plants used in Algeria to treat diabetes, as reported in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic review of ethnobotanical papers published in the medical literature, from literature databases (Pubmed, Web of Science), as well as Google, for English, French and Arabic -language publication, and a manual search of local libraries and bookshops, as well as the university repository of PhD and master's theses. The reference lists of the papers retrieved were also examined for further papers. RESULTS: Many plants are cited in the ethnobotanical surveys, but only very few pharmacological studies were found. In the ethnobotanical surveys, 171 plants were reported, from 58 families of which the most often cited were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Apiaceae. The plants with the best evidence of use and activity are: Anabasis articulata (Forssk.) Moq., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Centaurium erythraea Rafn, Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Marrubium vulgare L., Agathophora alopecuroides (Delile) Fenzl ex Bunge, Anabasis articulata (Forssk.) Moq., Hammada elegans (Bunge) Botsch., Helianthemum kahiricum Delile, Salsola baryosma (Schult.) Dandy, Salsola vermiculata L., Olea europaea L. CONCLUSION: Traditional herbal medicines are still very much used in Algeria to control diabetes. However they are generally poorly characterized and none have been properly tested in man. There is a need for systematic evaluation of the more commonly used plants to confirm their antidiabetic activity, identify possible mechanimss of action, and recommend best use.

Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Bleeding Sap from Various Xinjiang Grapes.

OBJECTIVE: Wine grape sap or bleeding sap of grapes (GBS) is commonly used in Xinjiang (China) for therapeutic aims. Do variations in composition related to region and variety affect its properties? METHODS: GBS samples originating in various parts of Xinjiang (Turpan, Hotan, Kashgar, and Atush) were tested for phenols and polyphenols, polysaccharides, saponin, proteins, individual amino acids, and minerals. Their antioxidant activity was measured using ascorbic acid as reference. RESULTS: Polyphenol content varied from 2.6 to 6.6 mg/L, polysaccharides 18.3-816 mg/L, saponin 6.25-106 mg/L, and protein 3.0-22.4 mg/L. Mineral elements and amino acids ranged from 6.20 to 201.2 mg/L and 0.06-118.7 mg/L, respectively. ·OH scavenging ability varied from 70% to over 90%, higher than Vitamin C. Grapes from Turpan had lower antioxidant activity than other grapes even though the polyphenol content was generally higher. CONCLUSION: Bleeding sap of Xinjiang grape is rich in amino acids, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and protein. The contents are different according to the origin, related possibly to species, climate, and environment. Antioxidant effects were not correlated with polyphenol content. SUMMARY: Antioxidant activity of plants or plant extracts is often associated with polyphenolsBleeding sap of grapes has strong antioxidant propertiesBleeding sap from different grape varieties from different parts of Xinjiang (China) had different polyphenol concentrationsThere was no correlation of polyphenol concentrations with antioxidant activity. Abbreviations used: GBS: Bleeding sap of grapes; PITC: phenyl isothiocyanate.

News from Tartary: an ethnopharmacological approach to drug and therapeutic discovery.

Ethnopharmacology aims to identify new therapeutic agents based on their traditional use. It begins by the identification of disease states, and of the traditional therapies for these, most commonly herbals. Herbals of interest are selected from ethnopharmacological surveys, and tested on experimental models of the diseases of interest. Once the activity of the traditional remedy is demonstrated, including dose-dependence, if possible comparatively to reference medications, the active ingredients can be explored, if possible using bioguided extraction. Identified molecules can then be further developed as medicinal products or pharmaceutical medicines (e.g., artemisine), or the herbal product can be developed as such (e.g. St John's wort). We provide examples of various study programmes, concerning the antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of Armagnac extracts from Southwest France; antithrombotic and antihypertensive effects of extracts of Ocimum basilicum L; antithrombotic, antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic effects of Cydonia oblonga; Antiproliferative and antithrombotic effects of Abnorma Savda Munziq of traditional Uyghur medicine; and the antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects of Centaurium erythraea Rafn, Artemisia herba-alba Asso and Trigonella foenum-graecum L., all in collaboration between University of Bordeaux, France, Xinjiang Medical University in Urumqi, China and University Mentouri in Constantine, Algeria.

Effects of Cydonia oblonga Miller leaf and fruit flavonoids on blood lipids and anti-oxydant potential in hyperlipidemia rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Cydonia oblonga Miller (COM) total flavonoids (TF) from leaves and fruit on the blood lipid and antioxidant potentials using hyperlipidaemic rat models. METHODS: Hyperlipidaemic rat models were created with high-lipid emulsion. Rats were distributed into normal controls, hyperlipidaemic models, and daily high (160mg/kg), medium (80mg/kg) and low (40mg/kg) TF from leaves and fruit and simvastatin (5mg/kg) groups. After four weeks, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the hyperlipidaemic model group, TF significantly reduced serum TC, TG, LDL-C (P<0.01), ALT and AST (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and increased HDL-C (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TF also reduced MDA (P<0.01 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: COM total flavonoids can effectively regulate the metabolism of lipids, and remove oxygen free radicals. This confirms its potential value in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidaemia.

Traditional Uighur Medicine Karapxa decoction, inhibits liver xanthine oxidase and reduces serum uric acid concentrations in hyperuricemic mice and scavenges free radicals in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Karapxa decoction (KD) is a Traditional Uighur Medicine used for hepatitis, cholecystitis, gastralgia, oedema, gout and arthralgia. Because of its purported effect in gout, its effects were tested in hyperuricemic mice models induced by yeast extract paste or potassium oxonate, as well as its capacity to scavenge free radicals in vitro. METHODS: Hyperuricemia was induced in mice by yeast extract paste or potassium oxonate. KD was given orally for 14 days at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day, with Allopurinol 10 mg/kg/day as positive control. Serum uric acid (UA), and liver xanthine oxidase activity (XO) were measured. Scavenging activity of KD on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPP•), nitric oxide (•NO), superoxide (O2•-), efficiency against lipid peroxidation, and XO inhibition were determined in vitro. RESULTS: KD inhibited liver XO activity and reduced serum uric acid in hyperuricemic mice. KD also showed noticeable antioxidant activity, scavenging free radicals (DPP•, •NO and O2•-). It was effective against lipid peroxidation and inhibited XO in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the traditional use of Karapxa decoction to treat hyperuricemia and gout.

Effect of traditional Uyghur medicine abnormal Savda Munziq extract on rabbit platelet aggregation in vitro and rat arteriovenous shunt thrombosis in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) is a standard herbal preparation used in Uyghur traditional medicine to fight chronic diseases including cardiovascular, but its specific effects on thrombosis and platelet aggregation are unknown. METHODS: Rabbit platelets were incubated with ASMq extract (10, 20, 40 µg/ml) for 15, 30, or 60 min, and aggregation was induced with ADP and collagen. In vivo, ASMq extract 2.97 g/kg, 5.94g/kg, 11.88 g/kg per os daily for 15 days were tested on thrombus wet weight in a rat model of arterio-venous bypass thrombosis. Plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-PGF1a (6PG) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Aspirin (12 µg/ml and 5mg/kg) and saline were used as control in both experiments. RESULTS: ASMq inhibited ADP and collagen-induced aggregation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner that increased over time, to a maximum of 6.4 ± 1.3% and 21.6 ± 4.0% for ADP and collagen, respectively, at one hour׳s incubation with the highest concentration, whereas the effects of aspirin (34.5 ± 2.2% and 41.9 ± 2.5%, respectively) were stable over time. In vivo, ASMq inhibited thrombus formation dose-dependently, by 70% at the highest dose, compared to 67% with aspirin. ASMq essentially did not change prostaglandin production, compared to the clear inhibition by aspirin. CONCLUSION: Abnormal Savda Munziq extract inhibits dose-dependent platelet aggregation with ADP or collagen in vitro and thrombosis in vivo to values similar to those of aspirin, though unlike aspirin this effect does not seem mediated by an inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase.

Effects of Cydonia oblonga Miller extracts on blood hemostasis, coagulation and fibrinolysis in mice, and experimental thrombosis in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Cydonia oblonga Miller (COM) is traditionally used in Uyghur medicine for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The present study is designed to explore the effects of COM extracts on models and markers of thrombosis and related biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20, 40, 80 mg/kg/day COM aqueous extracts and 5mg/kg/day aspirin, orally for 14 days were compared to untreated controls in mice on bleeding and clotting times, using the tail cutting and glass slide methods and for death rates in collagen-epinephrine pulmonary thrombosis, thrombolysis in vitro and euglobulin lysis time (ELT). In rats, common carotid artery FeCl3-induced thrombus and inferior vena cava thrombosis occlusion time, plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandine F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared to controls, COM extracts dose-dependently prolonged bleeding by 2.17, 2.78 and 3.63 times, vs. aspirin 2.58, and the clotting time by 1.44, 2.47 and 2.48 times, vs. aspirin 1.91. COM reduced pulmonary embolus mortality by 27, 40 and 53%, vs. 47% for aspirin. COM dose-dependently increased thrombolysis by 45, 55 and 63%, vs. 56% for aspirin, and shortened ELT to 71, 61 and 43%, vs. 43% for aspirin. In rats, venous occlusion time was prolonged. Arterial and venous thrombus weights were dose-dependently reduced in COM groups. TXB2 decreased and 6-keto-PGF1α increased with COM and aspirin, with an association between 6-keto-PGF1α/TXB2 and arterial or venous thrombus weight for all products, and for occlusion time with COM but not for aspirin. CONCLUSION: We confirm the experimental effects of COM on hemostasis and thrombosis. Further exploration of putative clinical effects appear justified.

Effect of Cydonia oblonga Mill. leaf extracts or captopril on blood pressure and related biomarkers in renal hypertensive rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cydonia oblonga Mill. (COM) is used in traditional Uyghur medicine to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease. In a previous study COM leaf extracts were found to be active in renal hypertensive rats (RHR). The present study tests the dose-dependence of the effect of ethanol leaf extracts on hypertension and on biomarkers associated with blood pressure control, such as angiotensin-II (AII), plasma renin activity (PRA), apelin-12 (A), endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO), compared to captopril. METHODS: Two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) Goldblatt model rats were divided randomly into six groups: sham, model, captopril 25 mg/kg, COM leaf extract 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg (n=10 each). Drugs were administered orally daily for eight weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured before treatment and every 2 weeks. Blood and kidney samples were collected after the last treatment to measure AII, PRA, A, ET and NO. RESULTS: RHR had increased blood pressure, AII, A, PRA, ET and decreased NO. Treatment with captopril reduced blood pressure, AII, A, PRA, and ET, though not quite to normal values. COM leaf extracts significantly and dose-dependently reduced blood pressure, AII, A, RA and ET, whereas NO was increased. The highest dose of COM had the same effects as captopril. CONCLUSION: The effects of COM extracts on blood pressure and biomarkers were dose-dependent and at the highest dose similar to those of captopril. This suggests an action of COM on the renin-angiotensin system, which could explain its antihypertensive effect.

Effect of Ocimum basilicum L. on cyclo-oxygenase isoforms and prostaglandins involved in thrombosis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ocimum basilicum L. (OBL) is a plant used in traditional Uyghur medicine for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. In previous studies we had found an antihypertensive and antithrombotic effect suggestive of an effect on prostaglandins, which we attempt to document here. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 6-keto-PGF1α, the metabolite of prostacyclin, and PGE2 were measured in the supernatant of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and basal or LPS-stimulated mouse coeliac macrophage cultures exposed to OBL ethanol (OBL-E) extracts and petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate and butanol (PE, C, EA, B) fractions. In addition, 6-keto-PGF1α and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were measured in a rat model of thromboangiitis obliterans exposed or not to OBL. RESULTS: Short-term exposure to OBL-E dose-dependently increased 6-keto-PGF1α from HUVEC, and long-term (24h) exposure decreased it. OBL-C and OBL-B increased 6-keto-PGF1α, whereas the other fractions tended to decrease it after 24h exposure. The extract and all fractions decreased basal and stimulated PGE2 production, but only OBL-EA and OBL-B reduced PGE2 in stimulated cultures to concentrations below the unstimulated values (P<0.05). In vivo OBL increased 6-keto-PGF1α and decreased TXB2. CONCLUSION: OBL and its extracts increased 6-keto-PGF1α and reduced PGE2 and TXB2 production in a dose and time-related manner. This could indicate simultaneous inhibition of COX-2 and stimulation of endothelial COX-1. The butanol fraction seemed most promising in this respect.

Effect of Cydonia oblonga Mill. fruit and leaf extracts on blood pressure and blood rheology in renal hypertensive rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Quince, Cydonia oblonga Mill. (COM), is used in traditional Uyghur medicine to treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases. Uyghur people have greater longevity and lower blood pressure than other central Asian populations. We therefore tested COM fruit and leaf extracts on blood pressure and rheology in renal hypertensive rats (RHR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) renal hypertensive rats were divided randomly into eleven groups: sham, model, and model treated with daily doses of 80 and 160mg/kg aqueous or ethanol extracts of COM fruit or leaves, or 25mg/kg captopril (n=10 per group), given orally once daily for 8 weeks. Blood pressure was measured before treatment and every 2 weeks thereafter. Blood rheology was tested after 8 weeks. RESULTS: Model rats had higher blood pressure than sham 8 weeks after the procedure (systolic blood pressure 193±7 vs. 138±8mmHg, p<0.05). Those treated with captopril had decreased blood pressure within 2 weeks but that did not return to the level found in the sham group at 8 weeks (167±7, p<0.05 vs. model). With the COM extracts, the effect on blood pressure was notable after 4 weeks. At 8 weeks blood pressure was similar with captopril and with 160mg ethanol leaf extract (166±4, p<0.05 vs. model), the most effective of the extracts. Model rats had higher blood viscosity and lower erythrocyte deformability than sham. Captopril had little effect on blood rheology; whereas COM extracts reduced whole blood viscosity and improved erythrocyte deformability to levels approaching those found in sham. CONCLUSIONS: COM extracts have antihypertensive activity in renal hypertensive rats. The additional effect on rheology, compared to captopril, may convey added interest. Further studies of these effects in man appear warranted.

Effect of Cydonia oblonga Mill. leaf extract on serum lipids and liver function in a rat model of hyperlipidaemia.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cydonia oblonga Mill. leaves are traditionally used in Uyghur medicine to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease. Beyond a demonstrated effect on thrombosis, we tested it for an effect on dyslipidemia, in a rat model of hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Seventy healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal controls, model controls, simvastatin, and low-, medium- and high-dose Cydonia oblonga Mill. leaf extracts (COM), orally for 56 days. The normal controls were fed a normal diet, all other groups a high fat diet. Rat weights were recorded over time. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low and high-density lipoproteins (LDL, HDL), as well as AST, ALT and total protein (TP) were measured in serum at the end of the study. The antioxidant capacity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in liver samples, along with lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and hepatic lipase (HL). Liver pathology was described. RESULTS: COM dose-dependently reduced TC, TG, LDL-C and MDA, inhibited the activity of ALT, AST and LPS, increased HDL-C content, increased the activity of SOD, GSH-PX, LPL and HL, and reduced liver steatosis in hyperlipidaemia rats, which was significant at medium and high doses. The effect of COM was similar to that of simvastatin except for increased LPL and HL which were reduced by COM but not by simvastatin. CONCLUSION: Cydonia oblonga Mill. leaf extracts have hypolipidaemic and hepatoprotective effects, probably related to increasing antioxidant capacity and lipoprotein metabolism in the liver, and inhibition of lipogenesis.

Immunomodulatory and antitumour effects of abnormal Savda Munziq on S180 tumour-bearing mice.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq), a traditional uyghur medicine, has shown anti-tumour properties in vitro. This study attempts to confirm these effects in vivo and measure effects on the immune system. METHODS: Kunming mice transplanted with Sarcoma 180 cells were treated with ASMq (2-8 g/kg/day) by intra-gastric administration compared to model and cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg/day). After the 14th day post tumour implant, thymus, liver, spleen and tumours were removed, weighed, and processed for histopathological analysis. Blood samples were also taken for haematological and biochemical analyses including TNF-α , IL-1 ß and IL-2. Splenic lymphocyte function was measured with MTT; lymphocyte subpopulations were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: ASMq treated animals had reduced tumour volume compared to model and increased concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-2 compared to untreated and to cyclophosphamide-treated animals. No histopathological alterations were observed. The absence of viable S180 cells and the presence of necrotic cells and granulation tissue were observed in tumour tissue of treated animals. The effect on T lymphocytes was unclear. CONCLUSIONS: ASMq confirmed in vivo anti-tumour effects observed in vitro, which may be at least in part mediated by increased immune activity.

Preventive and curative effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds in C57BL/6J models of type 2 diabetes induced by high-fat diet.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (TFG) is traditionally used to treat diabetes in North Africa. we therefore tested the effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of TFG seeds in a C57/BL6J mouse model of diabetes induced by a standardised high-fat diet (HFD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant extracts (2 g/kg daily) were administered orally by gavage at the start of HFD, or after confirmation of established diabetes (17th week), for 20 or 18 weeks, respectively, to male C57BL/6J mice. Animals were weighed; food intake and plasma glucose, lipid profile, insulin and insulin resistance were measured. RESULTS: TFG extracts opposed the development of diabetes: compared with untreated HFD mice, TFG-treated HFD mice had lower mean (± SD) plasma glucose (129.3 ± 39.4 vs. 183.1 ± 19.1mg/dL, p<0.05), plasma insulin (1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.8 ng/mL, p<0.05) and triglycerides (18.9 ± 12.9 vs. 48.9 ± 12.1mg/dL, p<0.05), and less insulin resistance as estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA: 9.7 ± 11.1 vs. 38.3 ± 26.6, p<0.05). In mice with established diabetes, TFG reduced fasting plasma glucose (170.4 ± 24.1 vs. 229.0 ± 20.8 mg/dL, p<0.05), plasma insulin (1.7 ± 1.3 vs. 3.3 ± 14.3 ng/mL, p<0.05) and insulin resistance (HOMA: TFG: 19.2 ± 15.7 vs. HFD control: 38.5 ± 30.3, p<0.05). In addition, administration of TFG extract also caused significant reduction in triglycerides (17.9 ± 9.7 vs. 62.8 ± 18.3 mg/dL, p<0.05) and total cholesterol (1.30 ± 0.20 vs. 1.80 ± 1.10 g/L, p<0.05), and an increase in HDL-cholesterol (1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 1.2 ± 0.1 g/L). The plant extract had no effect on calorie intake or body weight. CONCLUSION: TFG extract opposed the development of experimental HFD diabetes in mice, and had an anti-diabetic effect in mice with established diabetes.

Ethanol Extract of Abnormal Savda Munziq, a Herbal Preparation of Traditional Uighur Medicine, Inhibits Caco-2 Cells Proliferation via Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis.

Aims. Study the effect of Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) ethanol extract on the proliferation, apoptosis, and correlative gene, expression in colon cancer cells (Caco-2) to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anticancer property of Abnormal Savda Munziq. Materials and Methods. ASMq ethanol extract was prepared by a professional pharmacist. Caco-2 cells were treated with different concentration of ASMq ethanol extract (0.5-7.5 mg/mL) for different time intervals (48 and 72 h). Antiproliferative effect of ASMq ethanol extract was determined by MTT assay; DNA fragmentation was determined by gel electrophoresis assay; cell cycle analysis was detected by flow cytometer; apoptosis-related gene expression was detected by RT-PCR assay. Results. ASMq ethanol extract possesses an inhibition effect on Caco-2 cells proliferation, induction of cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest in sub-G1 phase, and downregulation of bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax gene expression. Conclusion. The anticancer mechanism of ASMq ethanol extract may be involved in antiproliferation, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and regulation of apoptosis-related gene expression such as bcl-2 and Bax activity pathway.

Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and heme oxygenase-1 inhibitory activities of ravan napas, a formulation of uighur traditional medicine, in a rat model of allergic asthma.

Ravan Napas (RN) is a traditional formula used to treat pulmonary symptoms and diseases such as coughing, breathing difficulty, and asthma in traditional Uighur medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory, and immuno-modulatory activity of RN in a well-characterized animal model of allergic asthma. Rats were sensitized with intraperitoneal (ip) ovalbumin (OVA) and alum, and then challenged with OVA aerosols. The asthma model rats were treated with RN; saline- and dexamethasone- (DXM-) treated rats served as normal and model controls. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cellular differential and the concentrations of sICAM-1, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, INF-γ, and IgE in serum were measured. Lung sections underwent histological analysis. The immunohistochemistry S-P method was used to measure the expression of ICAM-1 and HO-1 in the lung. RN significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells in BALF and lung tissues, decreased sICAM-1, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, and IgE in serum, and increased serum INF-γ. There was a marked suppression of ICAM-1 and HO-1 expression in the lung. Our results suggest that RN may have an anti-inflammatory and immuneregulatory effect on allergic bronchial asthma by modulating the balance between Th1/Th2 cytokines.

Inhibition of Cell Growth and Cellular Protein, DNA and RNA Synthesis in Human Hepatoma (HepG2) Cells by Ethanol Extract of Abnormal Savda Munziq of Traditional Uighur Medicine.

Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) is a traditional Uighur medicinal herbal preparation, commonly used for the treatment and prevention of cancer. We tested the effects of ethanol extract of ASMq on cultured human hepatoma cells (HepG2) to explore the mechanism of its putative anticancer properties, using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) bromide, neutral red and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assays, testing the incorporation of (3)[H]-leucine and (3)[H]-nucleosides into protein, DNA and RNA, and quantifying the formation of malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid (MDA) adducts. ASMq ethanol extract significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 and cell viability, increased the leakage of LDH after 48 hours or 72 hours treatment, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P < .05). Cellular protein, DNA and RNA synthesis were inhibited in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (P < .05). No significant MDA release in culture medium and no lipid peroxidation in cells were observed. The results suggest that the cytotoxic effects of ASMq ethanol extract might be related to inhibition of cancer cell growth, alteration of cell membrane integrity and inhibition of cellular protein, DNA and RNA synthesis.

Abnormal Savda Munziq, an Herbal Preparation of Traditional Uighur Medicine, May Prevent 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-Induced Rat Colon Carcinogenesis.

The study tried to assess the chemoprotective effect of abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rat colon carcinogenesis. Male F344 rats were randomized into eight groups: Group 1 was served as control, no DMH injection was given and treated daily with normal saline. Rats in Groups 2-8 were given a single intraperitoneal injection of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) at the beginning of the study. Group 2 was served as negative control, administered with normal saline until the end of the experiment after the single DMH injection. Groups 3-5 were served as pretreatment group, administered with ASMq ethanol extract at 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg body weight, respectively, until the 45th day, continued by normal saline administration for another 45 days. Groups 6-8 were served as the treatment group, administered with normal saline for the first 45 days from the day of DMH injection, ASMq ethanol extract at three different doses to be administered until the end of the second 45th day. All rats were sacrificed at 91st day and the colons were analyzed for aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation and crypt multiplicity. Results showed that ASMq ethanol extract reduced the number of ACF, AC and crypt multiplicity significantly (P < .05). It suggested that ASMq ethanol extract had chemoprotective effects on DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis, by suppressing the development of preneoplastic lesions, and probably exerted protection against the initiation and promotion steps of colon carcinogenesis.

Antihypertensive effects of Ocimum basilicum L. (OBL) on blood pressure in renovascular hypertensive rats.

Ocimum basilicum L. (OBL), sweet basil, is a medicinal herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. The objective of the study was to investigate the possible antihypertensive effects of OBL extract in renovascular hypertensive rats. The two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) Goldblatt model of renovascular hypertension was used in Wistar rats. Rats were randomized into sham, untreated 2K1C, captopril- (30 mg kg(-1) per day orally) and OBL- (100, 200, 400 mg kg(-1) per day orally) (low (L)-, medium (M)-, high (H)-OBL) treated 2K1C groups (n=10-12 per group), followed up for 4 weeks. Blood pressure, heart weight/body weight, plasma angiotensin-II and endothelin (ET)-1 were studied. OBL reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 20 and 15 mm Hg, respectively, compared with 35 and 22 mm Hg for captopril, from the lowest dose tested with no dose dependency. Cardiac hypertrophy was reduced from 3.6+/-0.7 mg g(-1) for untreated 2K1C to 3.0+/-0.6, 2.9+/-0.6 and 2.4+/-0.4 mg g(-1) for L-, M- and H-OBL, respectively, compared with 2.6+/-0.5 for sham and 3.1+/-0.4 mg g(-1) for captopril (P<0.05). Renal function was improved with captopril. Angiotensin was reduced to a lesser extent than with captopril. ET was reduced to lower concentrations (78+/-15, 80+/-22, 82+/-15 pg ml(-1) for L-, M-, H-OBL, respectively) than in sham (116+/-31 pg ml(-1)), untreated 2K1C (174+/-72 pg ml(-1)) or captopril (117+/-72 pg ml(-1)) groups. The effects of OBL on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy and ET, are consistent with an effect on ET-converting enzyme, and warrant further exploration.

Aqueous extracts of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) decrease platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin in vitro and rats arterio--venous shunt thrombosis in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aqueous extract of Ocimum basilicum L (OBL) on platelet aggregation and experimental thrombus. METHODS: Platelet aggregation induced by ADP (5 muM) and thrombin (4 UI), and thrombus weight in an arteriovenous thrombosis (AVT) model were tested after 2 weeks treatment with 15, 75 and 375 mg/kg OBL orally in rats, compared to 8.8 mg/kg/day aspirin. AVT was also tested 2 h after 75 mg/kg OBL orally, after 3 and 7 days treatment, and one, three and seven days after the end of a two-week treatment. Analysis was done by ANOVA followed by protected t-tests (Tukey). RESULTS: OBL (15, 75, 375 mg/Kg) dose-dependently inhibits platelet aggregation by ADP and thrombin, with 75 mg/kg/day having approximately the same effect as 8.8 mg/kg/day aspirin. ADP induced aggregation reached 45%, 28% and 18% for OBL, respectively, 15, 75, 375 mg/kg compared to 71% for control and 27% for aspirin (all p<0.01 except aspirin vs. OBL 75 mg/kg/day p=0.7). Thrombin-induced aggregation reached 33%, 22%, 21% for OBL, respectively, 15, 75, 375 mg/kg compared to 67% for control and 48% for aspirin (all p<0.01 except OBL 75 vs. OBL 375 mg/kg/day, p=1.0). Compared to a control thrombus weight of 48.1 mg (SD 4.9), thrombus weight was 29.4 (3.3), 19.0 (1.9) and 12.3 (1.7) after treatment for 2 weeks with 15, 75 and 375 mg/kg OBL, respectively, and 27.4 (5.3) after 8.8 mg/kg aspirin (all p<0.001 except aspirin vs. OBL 75 mg/kg/day p=1.0). Maximum effect of OBL was reached after one week's treatment. The effect subsided between 3 and 7 days. CONCLUSION: OBL possesses an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin, that is dose-dependent and results in an anti-thrombotic effect in vivo which develops progressively over 7 days and disappears over 3-7 days. The active ingredient now needs to be characterized.

Cytotoxicity of abnormal Savda Munziq aqueous extract in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells.

Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) is a traditional Uighur medicinal herbal preparation commonly used to treat diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic asthma and especially digestive cancer. Earlier studies have shown that ASMq is a free radical scavenger and could prevent mitochondrial and DNA oxidative damage. In this study, we tested the effects of aqueous extract of ASMq on human hepatoma cells (HepG2) to explore the possible mechanism of its putative anticancer properties. Aqueous extract of ASMq was tested on HepG2 proliferation (MTT assay) at 72 h, cell viability at 48 h (neutral red assay), lactate dehydrogenase release over 48 or 72 h as a measure of cytoplasmic leakage, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid adducts) at 48 h, and incorporation of [3H]-leucine, [3H]-thymidine and [3H]-uridine into cellular protein, DNA and RNA, respectively, at 24 or 48 h to assess the inhibition effects to cellular macromolecule synthesis. Our results showed a significant (P < 0.05) time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of HepG2 proliferation and viability, with increased cytoplasmic leakage, and time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of protein, DNA and RNA synthesis. No lipid peroxidation was found at these concentrations. The results of the present study suggest that the putative anticancer mechanisms of ASMq may at least involve cytotoxicity.