Anthocyanins from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and bougainvillea flowers (Bougainvillea spectabilis) with multiple biofunctions: Antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer.

Background: Natural colorants, including natural pigments, e.g., anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophylls, in novel and attractive food matrixes have become a popular trend. They impart favorite colors to food products and provide significant therapeutic effects. This study is aimed at extracting and identifying some natural pigments from different plant sources and evaluating their ability as antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Methods: The anthocyanin-rich extract (ARE) is derived from three natural plant sources: pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and Bougainvillea flowers. Bougainvillea spectabilis are analyzed for biochemical composition, as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activity, HPLC, DPPH, FRAP, disc diffusion assay, MIC, MTT, VEGFR-2, and caspase-9 assays. Results: All three extracts had varying total phenolic contents, ranging from 14 to 466 mg GAE/g extract, where Punica granatum was the highest (466 mg GAE/g extract), followed by Bougainvillea spectabilis (180 mg GAE/g extract), and then Capsicum annuum (14 mg GAE/g extract). The antioxidant activity rose steadily with raising concentration. The ARE of pomegranate peels recorded highest value, followed by Bougainvillea flowers and chili pepper fruit. The MTT assay revealed an inhibitory action of the tested extracts on the proliferation of HCT-116, MCF-7, and HepG2 in a concentration-based manner. Gene expression of caspase-9 transcripts was considerably multiplied by the application of ARE of pomegranate peels. All the tested extracts inhibited VEGFR-2, and the inhibition (%) expanded gradually with increasing concentrations, achieving the highest value (80 %) at 10 µg/mL. The ARE of pomegranate peels scored highest antibacterial activity, followed by ARE of chili pepper fruit and Bougainvillea flowers. The inhibition zone diameter escalated gradually with rising concentrations of the tested samples. Conclusion: The AREs of the three studied plant sources can be used as multifunctional products with antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities that are natural, safe, and cheap.

D-Pinitol Content and Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Five Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. Cultivars.

Diabetes mellitus is a major challenge for global health, and Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. (B. spectabilis) is a widely used herbal remedy with diverse cultivars traditionally used for diabetes treatment. However, the comparative efficacy of these cultivars remains ambiguous. This study aimed to evaluate the D-pinitol content and DPPH radical-scavenging activity of methanolic leaves extracts of five B. spectabilis cultivars. Furthermore, the effects of these cultivars on various parameters, including blood glucose levels, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, renal function markers, and histopathological changes, were assessed in STZ-induced diabetic rats after one month of oral daily treatment. All tested cultivars demonstrated significant improvements in the measured parameters, albeit to varying extents. Notably, the LOE cultivar, distinguished by its orange bracts, exhibited the highest efficacy, surpassing the effectiveness of glibenclamide, an antidiabetic medication, and displayed the highest concentration of D-pinitol. These findings underscore the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate B. spectabilis cultivar to maximize the antidiabetic efficacy, with a particular emphasis on the correlation between antidiabetic activity and D-pinitol concentrations.

Elevated NO2 induces leaf defensive mechanisms in Bougainvillea spectabilis seedlings.

With a growing economy, the living standard of people has improved which has led to increased use of urban motor vehicles globally. Consequently, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has increased in the ambient air, becoming a major pollutant in urban areas. Plant leaves can absorb, adsorb and fix nitrogen oxides to some extent. Interestingly, NO2 has been recognized as a positive/negative regulator of plant growth. To comprehensively understand the effect of NO2-induced pollution on plants, Bougainvillea spectabilis seedlings were fumigated with different concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for a short period in the current study. Further, the induced morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes were measured in the treated as well as untreated seedlings. NO2 exposure caused yellow-brown spotting on the leaf blades in B. spectabilis, which could be the symptoms of oxidative damage. Our findings also reflected the changes in antioxidant enzyme activity and peroxidation of membrane lipids. In addition, the levels of osmotic regulatory substances were also found to be altered to different degrees. In addition, the activities of nitrogen metabolism-related enzymes varied, mainly affecting amino acid metabolism. Overall, the current study would provide a theoretical and scientific basis for selecting and allocating plants in NO2-contaminated areas to manage the pollutants level.

First report of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd bacterial leaf spot caused by Pantoea stewartii subspecies indologenes in China.

Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. is an important ornamental flowering plant belonging to the family Nyctaginaceae. It is widely used in landscape designs in tropical and subtropical regions. In December 2020, severe disease-causing leaf spots were discovered on the leaves of B. spectabilis in the Modern Agricultural Park (110°19' E, 21°26' N) Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China. Field surveys revealed that the disease was widespread, with an incidence of 60-80%. Early symptoms on the leaves appeared as tiny leaf spots that later developed into concentric circles surrounded by a yellowish halo (Fig. 1). Diseased leaves with typical symptoms were collected for pathogen isolation. The leading edges of the lesions were excised, sanitized in 75% ethanol for 30 s and in 3% sodium hypochlorite for 3 min, and rinsed three times with sterile distilled water (SDW). The diseased tissue was crushed in 1 mL SDW, soaked for 15 min, and then spread onto nutrient agar medium on a petri dish. Circular, bright yellow colonies with smooth margins were observed after 24 h of incubation at 28 °C. The isolate (SJM1) was a gram-negative bacillus with positive results for catalase, indole synthesis, maltose, and arbutin and negative results for sorbitol, lactose, salicin, and starch hydrolysis. The SJM1 genomic DNA was extracted using the TIANamp Bacterial DNA Kit, and partial 16S rDNA gene segments were amplified using the bacterial generic primers 27F and 1492R. The collated 16S rDNA gene sequences were submitted to the NCBI GenBank (MZ723935). BLAST analysis of the sequences revealed 99.38% identity with Pantoea stewartii (MG517424.1). Amplification using subspecies-specific primers galE (#562/564; Gehring et al. 2014), glmS (#356/341; Wensing et al. 2010), and pstC + pstS (#338/339; Wensing et al. 2010) revealed that the genes showed 99-100% identity with P. stewartii subsp. indologenes (galE = 100%, MZ754494.1; glmS = 99.79%, MZ75496.1; and pstC + pstS = 99.89%, MZ754495.1). Phylogenetic trees were constructed using the neighbor-joining method (MEGA X), with both the 16S rDNA sequence (Fig. 2 2A) and the concatenated 16S rDNA, galE, pstC + pstS, and glmS sequences (Fig.2 2B). The SJM1 isolate belonged to the same clade as P. stewartii subsp. indologenes and was 99% homologous to P. stewartii subsp. indologenes strain ZJ-FGZX1 (Fig. 2 2B; Ren et al. 2020). Pathogenicity tests were performed through prick wound inoculation. Sterile needles were used to create fresh wounds on healthy young leaves of one-year-old B. spectabilis plants. Wounds were inoculated with 20 µl bacterial suspension (1 × 108 CFU/ml) or SDW. Four leaves per plant and three plants per treatment were evaluated. The plants were incubated at 28 °C temperature and 80-90% relative humidity. After 4-7 days of inoculation, all plants inoculated with the bacterial suspension had spot symptoms with a halo, similar to those observed in the field. However, leaves inoculated with SDW alone did not show any symptoms. Furthermore, the colony morphology and 16S rDNA sequences of the strains isolated from the inoculated leaves were identical to those of the original isolates. These results verified Koch's postulates. Based on biochemical identification and sequencing analysis, the pathogen causing B. spectabilis leaf spot was identified as P. stewartii subsp. indologenes. Previous reports have shown that P. stewartii subsp. indologenes can cause diseases in Dracaena sanderiana, Cenchrus americanus, and Allium cepa (Zhang et al. 2020, Ashajyothi et al. 2021, Stumpf et al. 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. stewartii subsp. indologenes causing B. spectabilis leaf spot disease in China.

Bougainvinones NP, three new flavonoids from Bougainvillea spectabilis.

In an effort to identify natural bioactive compounds, three new flavonoids (1-3) and six known compounds (4-9) were isolated from the stem bark of Bougainvillea spectabilis. The structures of these compounds were accomplished using comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR spectra with references to the literatures, as well as high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. Their cytotoxicity against KB and HeLa S-3 cell lines was also evaluated.

Inhibition of aluminum chloride-induced amyloid Aß peptide accumulation and brain neurodegeneration by Bougainvillea spectabilis flower decoction.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the potential therapeutic effect of Bougainvillea spectabilis flower decoction on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced neurotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of AlCl3 at 10 mg/kg for two months and were treated with B. spectabilis decoction at 50 or 100 mg/kg or saline during the 2nd month of the study. The control group received saline. Brain malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), amyloid Aß peptide, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity were determined and brain histology was done. Behavioral and neurological testing included Morris water maze (WMZ), Y maze, and wire hanging. RESULTS: Compared with saline controls, AlCl3 significantly increased brain MDA and NO along with decreased GSH and PON-1 activity. It also increased AChE, IL-6, and amyloid Aß concentrations. AlCl3 impaired motor strength and memory performance and caused brain neurodegeneration. B. spectabilis decoction given at 50 or 100 mg/kg protected against the biochemical and histopathological alterations evoked by AlCl3 by alleviating the increase in MDA and NO, and decrease in GSH and PON-1 activity. B. spectabilis decoction showed no significant effect on AChE but markedly decreased IL-6 and amyloid Aß in the brain of AlCl3-treated rats. It also restored memory performance and motor strength, and protected against AlCl3-induced neurodegeneration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that B. spectabilis flower decoction might prove of value in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The leaves of Bougainvillea spectabilis suppressed inflammation and nociception in vivo through the modulation of glutamatergic, cGMP, and ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bougainvillea spectabilis is an ornamental shrub from Nyctaginaceae family, widely used in the traditional medicine in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and ulcer. Some research investigated the analgesic potential of this plant, however, the in-depth analysis of its antinociceptive properties and molecular mechanism(s) are yet to be revealed. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This study, therefore, investigated the antinociceptive potential of methanol extract of the leaves of B. spectabilis (MEBS) with possible molecular mechanism(s) of action using several pre-clinical models of acute and chronic pain in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dry leaf powder of B. spectabilis was macerated with 100% methanol, and then dried crude extract was used for in vivo experiments. Following the acute toxicity test with 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg b.w. doses of MEBS, the central antinociceptive activities of the extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w.) were evaluated using hot plate and tail immersion tests, whereas the peripheral activities were investigated using acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced licking and oedema, and glutamate-induced licking tests. Moreover, the possible involvements of cGMP and ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathways in the observed antinociceptive activities were also investigated using methylene blue (20 mg/kg b.w.) and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg b.w.), respectively. We also performed GC/MS-MS analysis of MEBS to identify the phyto-constituents and in silico modelling of the major compounds for potential molecular targets. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that MEBS at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w. doses were not effective enough to suppress centrally mediated pain in the hot plate and tail immersion models. However, the extract was potent (at 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. doses) in reducing peripheral nociception in the acetic acid-induced writhing and inflammatory phase of the formalin tests. Further analyses revealed that MEBS could interfere with glutamatergic system, cGMP and ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathways to show its antinociceptive properties. GC/MS-MS analysis revealed 35 different phytochemicals with potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties including phytol, neophytadiene, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, fucoxanthin, and Vit-E. Prediction analysis showed high intestinal absorptivity and low toxicity profiles of these compounds with capability to interact with glutamatergic system, inhibit JAK/STAT pathway, scavenge nitric oxide and oxygen radicals, and inhibit expression of COX3, tumor necrosis factor, and histamine. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggested the antinociceptive potentials of MEBS which were mediated through the modulation of glutamatergic, cGMP, and ATP-sensitive K+ channel pathways. These also suggested that MEBS could be beneficial in the treatment of complications associated with nociceptive pain.

De novo leaf transcriptome assembly of Bougainvillea spectabilis for the identification of genes involves in the secondary metabolite pathways.

Bougainvillea spectabilis is known as a vital medicinal, ornamental as well as an essential oil producing plant. It is also a rich source of important secondary metabolites with several therapeutic properties. Various studies on its pharmacological and toxicological aspects have been published but there is no genomic or transcriptomic resource available in the public databases. To address this important issue, the de-novo transcriptome assembly of B. spectabilis leaf tissue has been done for the identification of genes involved in various important secondary metabolites, Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and Simple sequence repeats (SSRs). The transcriptome sequencing of B. spectabilis leaf tissue generated 79,811,024 raw reads with GC value 42.77%. The transcriptomic assembly was performed by Trinity software which generated 100,374 transcripts and 99,793 unigenes with minimum and maximum length of 201 bp and 13,237 bp and N50 value of 1470 and 1472 respectively. Annotation of these unigenes was performed using seven databases including NR, PFAM, GO and KEGG. Approximately, 44,302 unigenes were annotated in GO database. The KEGG pathway analysis revealed 23,102 unigenes in which 19,054 genes were assigned to five groups in KEGG and 130 biochemical pathways. The highest group among the five groups was Metabolism with 9230 unigenes. Moreover, about 63,226 SNPs and 30,333 SSRs in the leaf transcriptome of B. spectabilis were identified. To the best of my understanding it will be the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis of B. spectabilis from family Nyctaginaceae which will help as a reference line for further genomic and transcriptomic studies.

Evaluation of bioactivity of aqueous extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis, Saraca asoca, and Chenopodium album against immature forms of Aedes aegypti.

BACKGROUND: Increasing rate of vector transmission of dengue has led to the exponential rise in the mortality and morbidity scales in the past five years. There are various natural and synthetic chemical agents available commercially as potent larvicides, but they are either highly toxic, difficult to obtain, have a high manufacturing cost, or show cross-resistance, hence do not suffice as ideal larvicides. The objective was to screen aqueous extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis), Saraca asoca (S.asoca), and Chenopodium album (C. album) for larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (A. aegypti). METHODS: The larvae were exposed to increasing concentrations of aqueous extracts of B. spectabilis, S. asoca, and C. album under controlled laboratory environment. The mortality was checked after 24 hours, results were statistically analyzed, and LC50 and LC90 were determined. RESULTS: B. spectabilis and S. asoca were found effective as larvicides against A. aegypti with LC50 values of 0.22% and 0.26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extracts of B . spectabilis and S. asoca are efficient larvicides against A . aegypti and can be used as effective, accessible, and eco-friendly control options for management of A. aegypti, the vector of dengue/chikungunya.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Bougainvillea Spectabilis (Nyctaginaceae).

Bougainvillea spectabilis is an important ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions, whose complex and diverse germplasm has brought great difficulties to variety selection and identification. Here, to provide data support for the identification of the relationship between cultivars of B. spectabilis, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of B. spectabilis. The chloroplast genome is 154,520 bp in length, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 88,101 bp and small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,729 bp, and a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 24,171 bp. The chloroplast genome contains 129 genes, including 83 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis based on 14 chloroplast genome demonstrated a close relationship between B. spectabilis and other plant species in Caryophyllales. The chloroplast genome will help for further of taxonomy research and provide data support for the identification of genetic relationship among different cultivars of B. spectabilis.

Subcellular distribution and chemical forms of Cd in Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. as an ornamental phytostabilizer: An integrated consideration.

The effects of Cd stress on the growth and Cd accumulation of Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. as an ornamental plant and the related mechanisms were investigated in the study. We studied the impact of Cd on the plant ultrastructure, examined the cellular distribution of Cd, explored the Cd chemical forms and transformation, and determined the organic acid secretion in the plants. The results showed that B. spectabilis could grow well in the Cd treatment groups, and the roots could accumulate high concentration of Cd. The soluble fraction (primarily in the vacuole) as the form of citrate in leaves of B. spectabilis was the major compartment for Cd storage. The citric acid secreted by B. spectabilis played an important role in the detoxification of Cd, as well as the growth of plants and Cd accumulation. As an ornamental plant, B. spectabilis has the potential to be used in the phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated soils and can beautify the environment at the same time.

Bougainvillea spectabilis flowers extract protects against the rotenone-induced toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of two extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) flowers with yellow and pink/purple on brain oxidative stress and neuronal damage caused in rats by systemic rotenone injection. METHODS: Rotenone 1.5 mg/kg was given three times per week alone or in combination with B. spectabilis flowers extracts (25 mg or 50 mg) via the subcutaneous route for 2 weeks. Brain concentrations of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide (nitrite), the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (Il-1ß) as well as butyrylcholinesterase, and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activities, were determined. Histopathology and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were also performed. RESULTS: Rotenone resulted in significant increases of brain MDA (the product of lipid peroxidation), and nitric oxide content along with decreased brain reduced glutathione. There were also marked and significant inhibition of brain PON-1 and BChE activities and increased Il-1ß in brain of rotenone-treated rats. B. spectabilis flowers extract itself resulted in brain oxidative stress increasing both lipid peroxidation and nitrite content whilst inhibiting PON-1 activity. The yellow flowers extract inhibited BChE activity and increased brain Il-1ß. When given to rotenone-treated rats, B. spectabilis extracts, however, decreased lipid peroxidation while their low administered doses increased brain GSH. Brain nitrite decreased by the pink extract but showed further increase by the yellow extract. Either extract, however, caused further inhibition of PON-1 activity while the yellow extract resulted in further inhibition of BChE activity. Histopathological studies indicated that both extracts protected against brain, liver and kidney damage caused by the toxicant. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that B. spectabilis flowers extracts exert protective effect against the toxic effects of rotenone on brain, liver and kidney. B. spectabilis flowers extracts decreased brain lipid peroxidation and prevented neuronal death due to rotenone and might thus prove the value in treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Antifertility Effect of Bougainvillea spectabilis or Paper Flower.

Bougainvillea spectabilis (Family: Nyctaginaceae), commonly referred to as Great Bougainvillea or Paper Flower, is one of the traditional medicinal plants with potential antifertility activity. The aqueous extract and decoction of this plant have been used as fertility control among the tribal people in many countries. Furthermore, it has been shown to possess anticancer, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiulcer properties. Its phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoids, glycosides, oxalates, phenolics, phlobotannins, quinones, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids were reported as the basis of its efficacious therapeutic properties. The other important constituents which contribute to the remedial properties are bougainvinones, pinitol, quercetagetin, quercetin, and terpinolene. Published information on the antifertility property of B. spectabilis was gathered by the use of different database platforms including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SciFinder, and Scopus. These database platforms were used to provide an up-to-date review on its importance.

Bougainvillea spectabilis flowers extract protects against the rotenone-induced toxicity

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of two extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) flowers with yellow and pink/purple on brain oxidative stress and neuronal damage caused in rats by systemic rotenone injection.@*METHODS@#Rotenone 1.5 mg/kg was given three times per week alone or in combination with B. spectabilis flowers extracts (25 mg or 50 mg) via the subcutaneous route for 2 weeks. Brain concentrations of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide (nitrite), the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (Il-1β) as well as butyrylcholinesterase, and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activities, were determined. Histopathology and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were also performed.@*RESULTS@#Rotenone resulted in significant increases of brain MDA (the product of lipid peroxidation), and nitric oxide content along with decreased brain reduced glutathione. There were also marked and significant inhibition of brain PON-1 and BChE activities and increased Il-1β in brain of rotenone-treated rats. B. spectabilis flowers extract itself resulted in brain oxidative stress increasing both lipid peroxidation and nitrite content whilst inhibiting PON-1 activity. The yellow flowers extract inhibited BChE activity and increased brain Il-1β. When given to rotenone-treated rats, B. spectabilis extracts, however, decreased lipid peroxidation while their low administered doses increased brain GSH. Brain nitrite decreased by the pink extract but showed further increase by the yellow extract. Either extract, however, caused further inhibition of PON-1 activity while the yellow extract resulted in further inhibition of BChE activity. Histopathological studies indicated that both extracts protected against brain, liver and kidney damage caused by the toxicant.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These data indicate that B. spectabilis flowers extracts exert protective effect against the toxic effects of rotenone on brain, liver and kidney. B. spectabilis flowers extracts decreased brain lipid peroxidation and prevented neuronal death due to rotenone and might thus prove the value in treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Bougainvillea spectabilis flowers extract protects against the rotenone-induced toxicity

Objective To investigate the effect of two extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) flowers with yellow and pink/purple on brain oxidative stress and neuronal damage caused in rats by systemic rotenone injection. Methods Rotenone 1.5 mg/kg was given three times per week alone or in combination with B. spectabilis flowers extracts (25 mg or 50 mg) via the subcutaneous route for 2 weeks. Brain concentrations of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide (nitrite), the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (Il-1β) as well as butyrylcholinesterase, and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activities, were determined. Histopathology and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were also performed. Results Rotenone resulted in significant increases of brain MDA (the product of lipid peroxidation), and nitric oxide content along with decreased brain reduced glutathione. There were also marked and significant inhibition of brain PON-1 and BChE activities and increased Il-1β in brain of rotenone-treated rats. B. spectabilis flowers extract itself resulted in brain oxidative stress increasing both lipid peroxidation and nitrite content whilst inhibiting PON-1 activity. The yellow flowers extract inhibited BChE activity and increased brain Il-1β. When given to rotenone-treated rats, B. spectabilis extracts, however, decreased lipid peroxidation while their low administered doses increased brain GSH. Brain nitrite decreased by the pink extract but showed further increase by the yellow extract. Either extract, however, caused further inhibition of PON-1 activity while the yellow extract resulted in further inhibition of BChE activity. Histopathological studies indicated that both extracts protected against brain, liver and kidney damage caused by the toxicant. Conclusions These data indicate that B. spectabilis flowers extracts exert protective effect against the toxic effects of rotenone on brain, liver and kidney. B. spectabilis flowers extracts decreased brain lipid peroxidation and prevented neuronal death due to rotenone and might thus prove the value in treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Bougainvillea spectabilis in experimental animal models.

BACKGROUND: Bougainvillea spectabilis (BS) (family Nyctaginaceae) is said to possess hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities in experimental animals. We had set forward to examine the potential anti-inflammatory activities of BS in experimental models of inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh dried leaves from the flowering plant of BS were collected from the local area during the flowering season and air dried (215.00 g). Methanol was extracted, and the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure. The extract was freeze-dried (lyophilized) and the yield was 8 g. This was used as an emulsion prepared in propylene glycol and orally administered (20 and 50 mg/kg). Acute anti-inflammatory activity of BS was evaluated using carrageenan and dextran whereas chronic anti-inflammatory (immunoregulatory) activity was evaluated by Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis model. RESULTS: BS (20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) had shown significant anti-inflammatory effects 20.6% and 67.6%, respectively, on carrageenan-induced acute inflammatory models. In dextran-induced edema, the effect was 30% and 66%, respectively. The standard drug indomethacin (87.3% and 91.5%, respectively) showed better inhibitory response in both models. In arthritic model 50 mg/kg of BS showed significant chronic anti-inflammatory effect (38.46%) in comparison to the standard drug dexamethasone (84.6%). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the methanol extract of BS (50 mg/kg) leaves has significant anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activity. Further studies involving isolation of active principles will help to pinpoint the mechanisms contributing to the observed activities of BS.

Novel analytical method development for some amide group containing drugs using Bougainvillea spectabilis bract extracts.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a simple, accurate and precise colorimetric method using Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) bract color previously not exploited for estimation of amide group containing drugs i.e. lidocaine and ranolazine in pharmaceutical formulations. METHODS: Methanolic extract of B. spectabilis was prepared and evaluated for stability of its color at different pH and temperature for a period of 3 weeks. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed method was ascertained by evaluating various validation parameters like linearity, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and specificity according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. About 0.5% of B. spectabilis bract color was added to the working standard solutions of the drugs separately and after formation of color complex, and absorbances were noted at 418 nm. RESULTS: For color complexes of lidocaine and ranolazine, linearity was found to be in the range of 4 to 24 and 5 to 25 µg/mL respectively. The % relative standard deviation was found to be within specification limits. Presence of lone pair of electron on nitrogen of amide group of both drugs shows basic nature, contributed in formation of color complex between amide and the color pigment obtained from B. spectabilis bracts. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the method is simple, accurate, economic, and rapid hence can be employed for routine analysis.

Novel analytical method development for some amide group containing drugs using Bougainvillea spectabilis bract extracts

OBJECTIVE@#To develop and validate a simple, accurate and precise colorimetric method using Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) bract color previously not exploited for estimation of amide group containing drugs i.e. lidocaine and ranolazine in pharmaceutical formulations.@*METHODS@#Methanolic extract of B. spectabilis was prepared and evaluated for stability of its color at different pH and temperature for a period of 3 weeks. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed method was ascertained by evaluating various validation parameters like linearity, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and specificity according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. About 0.5% of B. spectabilis bract color was added to the working standard solutions of the drugs separately and after formation of color complex, and absorbances were noted at 418 nm.@*RESULTS@#For color complexes of lidocaine and ranolazine, linearity was found to be in the range of 4 to 24 and 5 to 25 μg/mL respectively. The % relative standard deviation was found to be within specification limits. Presence of lone pair of electron on nitrogen of amide group of both drugs shows basic nature, contributed in formation of color complex between amide and the color pigment obtained from B. spectabilis bracts.@*CONCLUSIONS@#It can be concluded that the method is simple, accurate, economic, and rapid hence can be employed for routine analysis.

Novel analytical method development for some amide group containing drugs using Bougainvillea spectabilis bract extracts

Objective: To develop and validate a simple, accurate and precise colorimetric method using Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis) bract color previously not exploited for estimation of amide group containing drugs i.e. lidocaine and ranolazine in pharmaceutical formulations. Methods: Methanolic extract of B. spectabilis was prepared and evaluated for stability of its color at different pH and temperature for a period of 3 weeks. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed method was ascertained by evaluating various validation parameters like linearity, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantitation and specificity according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. About 0.5% of B. spectabilis bract color was added to the working standard solutions of the drugs separately and after formation of color complex, and absorbances were noted at 418 nm. Results: For color complexes of lidocaine and ranolazine, linearity was found to be in the range of 4 to 24 and 5 to 25 μg/mL respectively. The % relative standard deviation was found to be within specification limits. Presence of lone pair of electron on nitrogen of amide group of both drugs shows basic nature, contributed in formation of color complex between amide and the color pigment obtained from B. spectabilis bracts. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the method is simple, accurate, economic, and rapid hence can be employed for routine analysis.