Effect of aqueos neem leaf extract on blood pressure in conscious Wistar rats (a preliminary report)[abstract]

OBJECTIVE: This work investigates the effects of aqeous neem leaf extract on blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure), heart rate and body weight in conscious Wistar rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into three groups of six. The first group received a daily intra-oesophageal bolus of 0.5 ml water. The 2nd and 3rd were given 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg body weight, respectively, of aqeous neem leef extract. Blood pressures and heart rate were measured using the LE 5002 Stroage Pressure meter (Letica Scientific Instruments). Body weight was also measured weekly for eight weeks. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS. RESULTS: Blood pressure, heart rate and body rate were not statistically different between the three groups on day 1. By week 8, the diastolic and mean arterial pressures wre significantly lower (p<0.0001) in the two neem-treated groups than in the controls. There was also no significant difference in weight between the groups. CONCLUSION: The results show that administration of o 20 mg/kg-body weight of aqeuous neem leaf extract reduces diastoloc and mena arterial blood pressures in conscious rats (AU)

Investigation of the anti-inflammatory properties of leaves of Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit)

OBJECTIVE: The leaves of the breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis) are used in folklore medicine in the Caribbean to relieve pain and inflammmation. Our objective was to determine whether there is any scientific basis to this folkloric claim. METHODS: An aqueous decoction of breadfruit leaves (BL) was prepared, and tested for anti-inflammatory activity using the "carrageenan induced rat paw oedema" method. Groups of rats were given doses of BL (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg) and saline (control). Additional experiments were done on isolated guinea pig trachea challenged with acetylcholine (Ach), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), bradykinin and histamine to investigate the mechanism of action of BL. RESULTS: BL at a dose of 60 mg/kg exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (p<0.05) from 0.5 to 4 hours. Lower doses of BL (15 and 30 mg/kg) did not produce any significantly different effects from control (p>0.05). BL antagonized the actions of PGE2 and bradykinin on the trachea but not that of Ach or histamine. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggests that an extract of the breadfruit leaves contains one or more compounds with significant anti-inflammatory properties. However, further studies are required to isolate these compounds and to determine their pharmacological profile. (AU)

Effect of a herbal protein CI-1, purified from Cajanus indicus on the ultrastructural study of hepatocytes, in models of liver failure in mice.

Ultrastructural changes in acute liver damage models in swiss albino mice (male, 30 g +/-2) induced by CCl(4) (0.1 ml/100 g); beta-galactosamine (500 mg/kg); paracetamol (300-500 mg/kg) and 40% ethanol (2 ml/100 g) were studied. Electron microscopical studies of hepatocytes of treated (hepatotoxins) mice showed-dilation of ER of both rough and smooth type with swollen mitochondria. Ethanol treated mouse hepatocytes showed giant mitochondria and presence of balloon cells. Nuclear changes showed increase in size and striking anisonucleosis, especially in CCl(4) and paracetamol treated mouse hepatocytes. Condensation of chromatin, nucleoli were fragmented and dispersed in beta-galactosamine induced hepatotoxic mice. These changes are remarkably striking in contrast to control animals. Treatment with CI-1, the herbal protein isolated from Cajanus indicus inhibited the pathogenesis of a majority of lesions produced by the hepatotoxins. Slender mitochondria, array of granular ER, presence of binucleated cells are the salient features of CI-1 treated hepatotoxic mice. Ultrastructurally, the hepatocytes of CI-1 treated mice were near normal. Thus, the herbal protein CI-1, may be a useful approach in the treatment of liver disorders for its potential in clinical medicine.

Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor.

OBJECTIVE: Many women consume the raspberry leaf herb during their pregnancies in the belief that it shortens labor and makes labor "easier." METHODOLOGY: Because of the paucity of research regarding this herb, particularly in relation to pregnancy and birth, the authors undertook a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The sample consisted of 192 low-risk, nulliparous women who birthed their babies between May 1999 and February 2000 at a large tertiary-level hospital in Sydney, Australia. The aim of the study was to identify the effect and safety of raspberry leaf tablets (2 x 1.2 g per day), consumed from 32 weeks' gestation until labor, on labor and birth outcomes. RESULTS: Raspberry leaf, consumed in tablet form, was found to cause no adverse effects for mother or baby, but contrary to popular belief, did not shorten the first stage of labor. The only clinically significant findings were a shortening of the second stage of labor (mean difference = 9.59 minutes) and a lower rate of forceps deliveries between the treatment group and the control group (19.3% vs. 30.4%). No significant relationship was found between tablet consumption and birth outcomes. CONCLUSION: The lack of significant differences between the groups on measures expected to demonstrate the effect of raspberry leaf ingestion during pregnancy on labor prompted consideration of the issue of effectiveness of dosage level. Suggestions for further research are offered.

A potent antimalarial activity of Hydrangea macrophylla var. Otaksa leaf extract against Plasmodium yoelii 17XL in mice.

The antimalarial activity of the hot-water extract of Hydrangea macrophylla var. Otaksa leaves was evaluated against Plasmodium yoelii 17XL in mice. Non-treated control mice died from 6 to 7 days after infection, but mice treated with the leaf extract survived during the experiment. Mice given the extract orally showed low parasitemia levels during administration. Following a transient recrudescence of malaria parasites in the bloodstream of treated mice, no parasites could be detected by a microscopic examination. Furthermore, the 30% MeOH aq. eluate and 50% MeOH aq. eluate from dried leaves of H. macrophylla var. Otaksa showed an antimalarial activity in vivo. Sulfamonomethoxine was orally given to infected mice to compare with the antimalarial activity of the hot-water extract of leaves. Sulfamonomethoxine given orally reduced parasitemia, but no complete cure of mice was observed.

Bioavailability trials of beta-carotene from fresh and dehydrated drumstick leaves (Moringa oleifera) in a rat model.

Male albino rats (Charles Foster, n = 40) were fed a synthetic diet deficient in vitamin A for 4 weeks. Six rats died during the depletion period. Of the 34 surviving, 5 rats were continued on the vitamin A deficient diet for 4 more weeks and 24 were repleted with vitamin A (4000 IU/kg diet) in the form of vitamin A acetate (group A, n = 8), fresh drumstick leaves (group B, n = 8) or dehydrated drumstick leaves (group C, n = 8) for 4 weeks. The remaining 10 rats were continued on the vitamin A adequate diet for 4 (n = 5) and 8 weeks, respectively (n = 5). A marked reduction in food intake, body weight, accompanied by clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency and a decline in serum vitamin A (29.2 to 19.1 microg/dL) and liver vitamin A (3.7 to 2.0 microg/dL) were seen at the end of 4 weeks of feeding a vitamin A deficient diet. On repletion significant improvements in clinical signs, food intake and body weights were noted in the three groups compared to the baseline (n = 5) and at the end of 4 weeks of depletion. The gain in body weight was highest for the group repleted with dehydrated drumstick leaves. Among the repleted groups, the serum vitamin A was highest for group A (34.7 microg/dL) given synthetic vitamin A, compared to group B (25.8 microg/dL) and group C (28.2 microg/dL) given drumstick leaves. All these were significantly higher than the serum vitamin A values seen at the end of 4 weeks of depletion (19.1 microg/dL). A significant improvement was also observed in the liver retinol levels on repletion for 4 weeks in the three groups, compared to the vitamin A depleted rats. These results imply that beta-carotene from drumstick leaves was effective in overcoming vitamin A deficiency although serum vitamin A levels remained somewhat lower compared to the group repleted with vitamin A acetate. In terms of growth parameters, the fresh and dehydrated drumstick leaves were better than the synthetic vitamin A. It is therefore concluded that in the developing countries like India, sources of vitamin A such as drumstick leaves are valuable in overcoming the problem of vitamin A deficiency.

In-vitro antioxidant and in-vivo photoprotective effect of three lyophilized extracts of Sedum telephium L. leaves.

Sedum telephium L. is a medicinal plant used in antiquity to cure many types of inflammatory skin diseases. The leaves (without the external cuticle), are used to promote healing and reduce skin inflammation and pain, and contain various components. We found two major components: flavonol glycosides and polysaccharides, with molecular weight between 13,000 and 13,500 Da. We evaluated the in-vitro antioxidant and in-vivo skin photoprotective effects of three lyophilized extracts obtained from the juice of S. telephium L. leaves: a total lyophilized juice, a lyophilized flavonolic fraction, and a lyophilized polysaccharidic fraction. Two in-vitro models were used: the bleaching of the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH*) radical, and the protective effect against UV-induced peroxidation on phosphatidylcholine multilamellar vesicles, as model membranes. The antioxidant/radical scavenging activity of each lyophilized extract was also assessed in-vivo by determining their ability to reduce UVB-induced skin erythema (monitored by reflectance spectrophotometry) in healthy human volunteers. The findings of the in-vitro experiments clearly demonstrated that, unlike the lyophilized polysaccharidic fraction, the lyophilized flavonolic fraction and total lyophilized juice possess strong antioxidant/free radical scavenging properties, which are likely due to phenolic compounds. Consistent with these findings, gel formulations of both the total lyophilized juice and, to a greater degree, the lyophilized flavonolic fraction appeared to possess a strong protective effect against UV-induced skin erythema in-vivo, whereas the lyophilized polysaccharidic fraction was completely ineffective. The in-vitro and in-vivo results suggest that, both the total lyophilized juice and, in particular, the lyophilized flavonolic fraction, but not the lyophilized polysaccharidic fraction of S. telephium L. leaves, have photoprotective effects against UVB-induced skin damage.

[Therapeutic effect of Olea europea var. oleaster leaves on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in obese and prediabetic sand rats (Psammomys obesus)]. / Effet thérapeutique des feuilles d'Olea europea var. oleaster sur le métabolisme glucido-lipidique chez le rat des sables (Psammomys obesus) obèse prédiabétique.

Sand rats develop obesity, insulin-resistance, hyperlipidemia and prediabetes, when given a standard laboratory chow diet. We have used this model to demonstrate the beneficial action of olea europea var. oleaster leaves to regulate unbalanced metabolism. 32 sand rats fed on hypercaloric diet during 7 months, were divided into 3 groups: controls (n=10), treated by plant (n=13) and treated by simvastatin (Zoco); hypocholesterolemic drug. The plant decoction prepared at 10% was given orally at the rate of 1.5 ml/100g during 3 months. Results show that the plant presents a hypocholesterolemic effect (42%) related to decreases in LDL and VLDL cholesterol. In addition, hypoglycemic (16%) and antihyperglycemic (40%) effects were observed accompanied by a 27% decrease in insulin. Chronic treatment with Zocor reduced total cholesterol (32%), LDL and VLDL cholesterol. Both of treatments produced no significantly reduction in plasma levels of triglycerides and HDL cholesterol. No noxions effect of this plant have been observed in usual doses.

[Analgesic effect of Pilostigma reticulatum (nguiguis)]. / Etude de l'activite analgesique du pilostigma reticulatum (nguiguis).

Mankind has always given himself means to fight pain by using at first, means offered to him by his environment particularly the plants. African pharmacopoeia is rich of thousand of plants. It changes in term of its ecosystem and its vegetation. Decocted leaves of pilostigma reticulatum (nguiguis in ouolof) are used in western Africa, because of its analgesic properties in case of "borom bop" literally meaning headache associated to odontalgias and mumps. In our study we used lyophilisate obtained from dry leaves of the plant which has been used for experimentation while the decocted dry leaves have been used for clinical application. So, it appeared that leaves of pilostigma reticulatum are almost atoxic when administrated by oral tract (DL50 = 17 g/kg) according to GLEASON classification which recognizes as atoxic every substance having a DL50 higher to 15 g of lyophilisate by kilogram of corporal weight. Elsewhere the study of the peripheric analgesic activity (according to the acetic acid test) has shown a very significant peripheric analgesia since the dose of 750 mg/kg which climbs with it. The clinical survey carried out at the dental community center of Pikine Icotaf based on the usual method of the utilization of the decocted (as mouth rinse) has shown that, this plant procures pain sedation in 97% of the patients having undergone dental avulsion and in 78% of the cases of desmondontal syndromes. This inaugural report must be continued in order to certify the pharmacologic or toxic effects of that plant and define clinical doses from experimental doses we have cleared.

[The effect of Biotrit balsam and Biotrit C on the level of health]. / Vliianie bal'zama "Biotrit" i Biotrita C na uroven' zdorov'ia.

The study was made in forty subjects, their health level being assessed as recommended by G. L. Apanasenko as well as by modification of his method. The results obtained showed the health level of those enrolled in the study to have gotten increased with administration of Biotrit C and balsam "Biotrit" during 20 days. The effect was found out to be maintained for 20 days after the drug had been withdrawn. The obtained results permit recommending Biotrit C and balsam "Biotrit" as adaptogens.

The sensitizing capacity of ginkgolic acids in guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND: Ginkgo biloba possesses fruits that have caused numerous cases of allergic contact dermatitis. Low amounts of the ginkgolic acids occur in the leaves as well. OBJECTIVE: Leaf extracts are used to treat cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disorders. The question arises whether skin hypersensitivity reactions may be adverse effects because the pharmaceutical preparations contain low amounts of ginkgolic acids. METHODS: Guinea pigs were sensitized experimentally with pure ginkgolic acids as well as with leaf extracts containing approximately 1,000 ppm of ginkgolic acids. RESULTS: The guinea pigs could be sensitized successfully with the pure ginkgolic acids. The animals could not be sensitized with the leaf extract. CONCLUSION: Leaf extracts of Ginkgo biloba taken orally or given by infusion to treat diffuse cerebral disturbances can be considered safe, even when they might contain up to 1,000 ppm of the sensitizing ginkgolic acids.

Estudio del efecto diurético de la hoja de Cimbopogon cytratus en modelo de ratas / Study of diuretic effect of leaf from Cimbopogon cytratus in rats model

Se realizó un estudio preclínico para demostrar el efecto diurético del Cymbopogon Citratus en modelo de ratas. Se trabajó con 3 grupos de ratas machos R/Loty. Al grupo control positivo se le administró 1 mg de furosemida, al grupo control negativo se le administró suero fisiológico y al grupo experimento se le aplicó soluciones preparadas al 10, 20 y 50 porciento, a partir de extractos fluidos de Cymbopogon Citratus obtenidos al 30 y 70 porciento en alcohol etílico. Los resultados de la diuresis fueron promediados por grupos. Se compraron los resultados del grupo experimento con los grupos control negativo y control positivo mediante pruebas de comparación de medias de 2 grupos independientes. No se encontró significación en los resultados del grupo experimental, pero se hallaron ligeros efectos que coinciden con otros investigadores

Estudio del efecto diurético de la hoja de Cimbopogon cytratus en modelo de ratas / Study of diuretic effect of leaf from Cimbopogon cytratus in rats model

Se realizó un estudio preclínico para demostrar el efecto diurético del Cymbopogon Citratus en modelo de ratas. Se trabajó con 3 grupos de ratas machos R/Loty. Al grupo control positivo se le administró 1 mg de furosemida, al grupo control negativo se le administró suero fisiológico y al grupo experimento se le aplicó soluciones preparadas al 10, 20 y 50 porciento, a partir de extractos fluidos de Cymbopogon Citratus obtenidos al 30 y 70 porciento en alcohol etílico. Los resultados de la diuresis fueron promediados por grupos. Se compraron los resultados del grupo experimento con los grupos control negativo y control positivo mediante pruebas de comparación de medias de 2 grupos independientes. No se encontró significación en los resultados del grupo experimental, pero se hallaron ligeros efectos que coinciden con otros investigadores (AU)

[Clinical study on tripterygium wilfordii complex ester tablet in treating rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect, toxic and side effect of Tripterygium Wilfordii Complex Ester Tablet (TWT, a preparation of Folium Tripterygium wilfordii) in treating rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy seven patients were observed with prospective, multicentric and random double-blind control method. One hundred and forty cases of TWT group were treated with TWT 2 tablets each time, 3 times a day orally, and the other 137 cases treated with Tripterygium Wilfordii Polycoside Tablet (TPT, a preparation of Radix Tripterygium Wilfordii) 2 tablets each time were taken as control, 3 times a day orally. The therapeutic course for both groups was 6 weeks. RESULTS: The markedly controlled rate of the TWT group was 26.71% and the total effective rate was 86.43%, while those in the control group were 26.28% and 83.94% respectively, the difference between the two groups was insignificant (P > 0.05). The occurrence of side-effect in the two groups was 20.00% and 23.35% respectively, also showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Folium Tripterygium Wilfordii preparation is similar in efficacy and security to the Radix Tripterygium Wilfordii preparation.

[Clinical and experimental study on using Cassia angustifolia extract as enema after abdominal operation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effect and mechanism of using Cassia angustifolia extract (CAE) in treating gastrointestinal tract dysfunction after abdominal operations. METHODS: Enema administration of CAE (Clyster method) was used. RESULTS: The result of 130 patients was very effective in reducing the rate of gastrointestinal decompression, accelerating the restitution of borborygmi and the time of exhaustion. Animal experiment showed the CAE function is very obvious in enhancing the bowel movement of rats (P < 0.05). It can enhance peristalsis and contraction amplitude of vibration in the isolated ileum of rats (P < 0.05). It can push on the charcoal powder in intestinal tract of mice obviously (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CAE could regulate disordered function of gastrointestinal tract after abdominal operations.

[Effects of ginkgo leave concentrated oral liquor in treating asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Ginkgo leave concentrated oral liquor (GLC) on airway inflammation. METHODS: Airway hyperreactivity and clinical symptoms and pulmonary functions of asthma patients were determined. RESULTS: In contrast to placebo group, GLC significantly reduced airway hyperreactivity (P < 0.05) and improved clinical symptoms (P < 0.05), pulmonary functions (P < 0.05) of the asthmatic patients. CONCLUSION: GLC is an effective drug of anti airway inflammation.