In vitro biological screening of a critically endangered medicinal plant, Atropa acuminata Royle Ex Lindl of north western Himalaya.

Atropa acuminata Royle Ex Lindl (Atropa acuminata) under tremendous threat of extinction in its natural habitat. However, the antimicrobial, antileishmanial and anticancer effects of the plant's extracts have not been reported yet. In the current study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the pharmacological potential of this plant's extracts against microbes, Leishmania and cancer. The roots, stems and leaves of Atropa acuminata were ground; then, seven different solvents were used alone and in different ratios to prepare crude extracts, which were screened for pharmacological effects. The aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic extracts of all parts carried a broad spectrum of anti-bacterial activities, while no significant activity was observed with combined solvents. Three types of cytotoxicity assays were performed, i.e., haemolytic, brine shrimp and protein kinase assays. The aqueous extract of all the parts showed significant haemolytic activity while n-hexane extracts of roots showed significant activity against brine shrimp. The acetone extracts strongly inhibited protein kinase while the methanolic extracts exhibited significant cytotoxic activity of roots and stem. The anti-leishmanial assays revealed that the methanolic extract of leaves and roots showed significant activity. These findings suggest that this plant could be a potential source of natural product based drugs.

Microclimatic variation in UV perception and related disparity in tropane and quinolizidine alkaloid composition of Atropa acuminata, Lupinus polyphyllus and Hyoscyamus niger.

The aim of current research was to evaluate the physiological adjustment in three medicinal herbs viz., Atropa acuminata, Lupinus polyphyllus and Hyoscyamus niger to the winter period characterised by intense UV flux in Kashmir valley across the North Western Himalaya. Quinolizidine (QA) and tropane alkaloid (TA) concentrations were analysed in these herbs thriving at two different altitudes via GC-MS and correlated by PCA analysis. This study investigated the hypothesis that UV reflectance and absorbance at low temperatures are directly related to disparity in alkaloid accumulation. Among QAs in L. polyphyllus, ammodendrine and lupanine accumulated at higher concentration and exhibited significant variation of 186.36% and 95.91% in ammodendrine and lupanine respectively in both sites. Tetrahydrohombifoline displayed non-significant variation of about 9.60% irrespective of sites. Among tropane alkaloid (TA), hyoscyamine was recorded as the most abundant constituent irrespective of the plant and site while apotropine accumulated in lesser quantity in A. acuminata than H. niger. However, apotropine demonstrated significant variation of 175% among both sites. The final concentration of quinolizidine (QA) and tropane alkaloid (TA) reflects the interplay between reflectance and absorbance of UV radiation response field. These findings suggest that spectral response of UV light contributes directly to alkaloid biosynthesis.

Modulation of T-helper cytokines and inflammatory mediators by Atropa accuminata. Royle in adjuvant induced arthritic tissues.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Atropa acuminata has been widely used in traditional medicine against arthritis and several associated inflammatory disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-arthritic activities of ethanolic extract of Atropa accuminata (AAEE) and to explore the probable mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-arthritic activity of AAEE was evaluated within a dose range of 125-500 mg/kg b.w. in adjuvant induced-arthritis in male wistar rats. An array of pro-inflammatory mediators (PGE2 NO, IL-1ß and LTB4) and T-cell-mediated cytokines (IL-2, TNF-a, IFN-c, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-6) were assayed in arthritic paw tissue homogenate of the treated animals. In addition the effects on arthritic lesions, changes in body weight; haematological (Hb, ESR, WBC and RBC) and biochemical parameters (SOD, GSH, GR) and the serum markers (CRP, RF) were also observed. RESULTS: Significant anti-arthritic activity was observed for AAEE in the polyarthiritis test both in the developing and developed phase of the disease. This was associated with dose dependant suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators (PGE2, NO, IL-1ß and LTB4)., Th1-Th17 cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17, IL-6) and upregulation of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). AAEE was also observed to protect rats against the primary and secondary arthritic lesions, body weight changes and haematological perturbations. In addition, inhibitory effects of AAEE on biochemical parameters and the serum markers further confirmed that it reduced signs on chronic inflammatory responses. CONCLUSION: The present investigation therefore suggested that AAEE is a potent anti-arthritic agent. The multipronged attack on the inflammatory mediators and T-helper cytokines and strong potency of AAEE may have relevance for inhibition of the chronic inflammatory responses in arthritis.

In vitro examination of potentized atropine sulfate dilutions on the contractility of the isolated rat ileum.

OBJECTIVES: Atropine sulphate, a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine (ACh) at muscarinic receptors, was first isolated from Atropa belladonna, one of the most used and best known homeopathic medicines. It has been suggested that high potencies of homeopathic atropine sulphate might have an influence on ACh-induced contraction of smooth muscles. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of homeopathic dilutions of atropine sulphate D6, D32, and D100 compared to the potentized diluents L6, L32, and L100 on ACh-induced contraction of isolated rat ileum. DESIGN: Forty-eight (48) ileal sections from 12 male Wistar rats were incubated in modified Krebs solutions, and the contractile activity responses to ACh obtained in the absence and presence of the test substances were recorded. Investigators and biometrician were completely blinded. RESULTS: No significant effects of atropine sulphate D6, D32, or D100 could be found (all p > 0.4 after Bonferoni-Holm correction) compared to the potentized diluents L6, L32, and L100, respectively. These figures did not change considerably even when strict a priori criteria were applied that define a measurement as valid and comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiments could not replicate previous results on the effects of homeopathic atropine.

Highly oxygenated triterpenes from the roots of Atropa acuminata.

Two new oleanane triterpenes; 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-28,30-dioic acid ([structure: see text]) and 2alpha,3alpha,24,28-tetrahydroxyolean-12-ene ([structure: see text]) have been isolated from the roots of Atropa acuminata. Anti-oxidant p-hydroxyphenethyl trans-ferulate ([structure: see text]), beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside ([structure: see text]) and oleanolic acid ([structure: see text]) have also been reported for the first time from this species. The structures were determined by spectroscopic studies including 2D-NMR.