Bioactivity-guided fractionation for analgesic properties and constituents of Vitex negundo L. seeds

Structural characterization and antinociceptive activity of polysaccharides from Anoectochilus elatus

Anoectochilus elatus is a new record species from Yunnan province in China discovered by our group in 2018, used in folk as the most popular Anoectochilus species A. roxburghii for medicinal and culinary purposes. The crude polysaccharide of Anoectochilus elatus (AEP) exhibited significant antinociceptive effects against both chemical and thermal nociception in vivo. Bio-guided isolation identified GJXL-1 as the leading analgesic polysaccharide in AEP. Detailed structural analyses rationalized GJXL-1 (molecular weight: 10.3 kDa) as an α-D-1,4-linked glucan unexpectedly branched at O-3, and O-6 position. GJXL-1 dose-dependently suppressed acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and decreased the serum levels of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α, which also repressed the licking times in both the first and second phases in formalin test. Furthermore, only L-nitroarginine partly reversed the analgesic activity of GJXL-1, indicating that GJXL-1's efficacy was partially mediated by NO regulation, possibly through inhibiting IRAK4/TAK1/NF-κB signaling pathway, and modulating gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids production. In addition, the motor impairment and hypnotic effects of GJXL-1 were excluded. Our study suggests that GJXL-1 can be regarded as a promising and safe drug candidate for diverse pain disorders, and also a promising prebiotic candidate to maintain intestinal homeostasis and promote human gut health.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of genus Vitex (Lamiaceae)

Vitex, the genus of the family Lamiaceae, comprises of about 230 species mostly distributed in the warm regions of Europe and temperate regions of Asia. Several Vitex species have been used as folk medicine in different countries for the treatment of various kinds of diseases and ailments. The main aim of this review is to collect and analyze the scientific information available about the Vitex species regarding their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. The phytochemical investigation of various Vitex species has resulted in the isolation of about 556 chemical constituents belong to various chemical category viz. iridoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, sesquiterpenoids, monoterpenoids, ecdysteroids, and others. The crude extracts of different Vitex species as well as pure phytochemicals exhibited a wide spectrum of in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological activities. In the present review, the scientific literature data on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological investigations on the genus Vitex are summarized. More attention should be given in future research to evaluate the pharmacological potential with detailed mechanism of actions for the pure compounds, extracts of plants from this genus. Moreover, their clinical study is needed to justify their use in modern medicine and to further exploring this genus for new drug discovery.

Purified Vitexin Compound 1 Serves as a Promising Antineoplastic Agent in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a common gynecologic aggressive neoplasm. The mortality of ovarian cancer is top among gynecologic malignancies due to the insidious onset, atypical early symptoms, and chemoresistance. Therefore, it is urgent to seek another promising treatment for ovarian cancer. Purified vitexin compound 1 (VB1) is a kind of neolignan from the seed of traditional Chinese herb vitex negundo that possessed diverse pharmacological effects. VB1 can exhibit anti-neoplastic activities against various cancers. However, the role of VB1 in ovarian cancer treatment has not been elaborated, and the mechanism is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of VB1 in ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, along with the molecular mechanism of action. In vitro, VB-1 can effectively suppress the proliferation, induce apoptosis, and block cell cycle at G2/M phase with a concentration dependent manner in ovarian cancer cells. Western blot assay showed that VB1 induce apoptosis via upregulating expression of cleaved-caspase3 and block cell cycle at G2/M phase through upregulating expression of P21. Meanwhile, VB1 can effectively inhibit tumor growth in xenograft mouse model. Our research indicated that VB1 can significantly exert its anti-neoplastic effects and may represent a new class of agents in ovarian cancer therapy.

A Prospective Review on Phyto-pharmacological Aspects of Vitex negundo Linn

Background:

Vitex negundo Linn. commonly known as five leave chase tree is an ethnobotanically important drug in traditional system of medicine. The plant is widely distributed in India, China and other Asian and American countries.

Objective:

The review aims at presenting comprehensive information with respect to ethnopharmacological relevance and recent findings on phytochemical and biological activities of Vitex negundo.

Method:

Literature was collected from various sources such as pubmed, scopus, science direct, and others.

Results:

Extracts and secondary metabolites of this plant, particularly those from roots and leaves, possess useful pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial, galactagogue, antigastric, antiflatulant, antiparasitic, analgesic, hepatoprotective and antihypertensive, some of which have been validated scientifically. All parts of the plant especially leave and roots contain a large number of bioactive phytoconstituents including flavonoids, iridoids, lignans, volatile oil, terpenes, coumarins, phenolic and steroidal compounds which impart multiple medicinal properties. Vitexin, isovitexin, viridifol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid are the main components.

Conclusion:

The review emphasizes the medicinal importance of Vitex negundo and its bioactive constituents in the traditional system of medicine.

Vitex Diterpenoids: Structural Diversity and Pharmacological Activity

Plants of the genus Vitex (Verbenaceae) are mainly distributed throughout tropical and temperate regions, and many Vitex plants have been traditionally used in folk medicine. Plants of this genus are a rich source of diterpenoids, which not only displayed versatile structural diversity with potential chemotaxonomical significance but also exhibited a wide range of biological activities, mainly including in vitro cytotoxic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, hormone level-regulating and antiangiogenic activities. Recently, a series of bioactive diterpenoids, with interesting carbon skeletons, have been reported and gathered considerable interest. This article systematically reviewed diterpenoids isolated from the genus Vitex that appeared in the literature up to December 2018, critically highlighting their structural diversity and pharmacological activities. Up to now, a total of 154 diterpenoids with diverse structures have been isolated and identified from Vitex plants. The authors also summarized the reported structure-activity relationships of those well explored Vitex diterpenoids. Finally, the authors discussed the challenges and potential applications of these diterpenoids in the future.

Oxidative stress mediated cytotoxicity in leukemia cells induced by active phyto-constituents isolated from traditional herbal drugs of West Bengal

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In search of safe and effective therapeutic agents as alternative to synthetic chemotherapeutics for the treatment of leukemia, the herbal drugs (Leaf of Madhuca longifolia, leaf of Prosopis cineraria and bark of Flacourtia indica) with long traditional use in West Bengal have received our attention.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Present work was conducted to isolate and identify the active compounds of the selected herbal drugs using bio-assay guided fractionation and also to investigate their anticancer mechanism in leukemia cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bio-assay guided fractionation was used for the isolation of active constituents such as myricitrin, vitexin and vanillin from the aqueous extracts of M. longifolia, P. cineraria and F. indica, respectively using liquid partitioning and column chromatography and the compounds were characterized by HPLC, MS and NMR. Dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity of isolated compounds were studied against leukemia cells and their anticancer mechanism such as cell wall damage, nuclear damage, ROS and NO generation, SOD level, LDH release and lipid peroxidation were investigated.

RESULTS

Aqueous extract of M. longifolia, P. cineraria and F. indica exhibited maximum anti-proliferative activity against HL-60 (Acute myeloid leukemia, AML, 72.06%), K-562 (Chronic myeloid leukemia, CML, 42.14%) and Jurkat (Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL, 51.71%) cells. Myricitrin, vitexin and vanillin exhibited dose-dependent (IC-50 values 164.4, 147 & 29.22 μg/ml) and time-dependent activity with maximum cytotoxicity at 48 h. All these three compounds caused apoptosis in leukemia cells by inducing free radicals such as ROS (1.33-2.65 Arbitrary units) and NO (11.17-18.53 μM), cell membrane damage and nuclear condensation which were evidenced by increased release of LDH (1326-1439 U/L), improved lipid peroxidation (10.19-14.41 nM/mg protein) and reduced SOD level (6.2-9.21 U/mg protein) in leukemia cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on anti-proliferative activity, the isolated phyto-compounds myrcitrin, vitexin and vanillin from M. longifolia, P. cineraria and F. indica could be developed as natural drugs for treating AML, CML and ALL leukemia types, respectively.

Vitexnegheteroin M, a new phenolic glycoside from Vitex negundo var. heterophylla

The investigation of chemical constituents from the leaves and seeds of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla resulted in the isolation of one new phenolic glycoside, vitexnegheteroin M (1), together with eleven known compounds (2-12). Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D, 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and by comparison with the literature. Among them, compound 3 was obtained from the Vitex genus for the first time, and compounds 4-8, and 10-12 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Their anti-inflammatory activities were investigated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine microglial BV-2 cells. As the obtained results, compound 9 showed the strongest inhibitory activity against LPS-stimulated NO production in BV-2 cells with IC₅₀ value ranging from 8.65 ± 0.67 μM.

Therapeutic effects of the total lignans from Vitex negundo seeds on collagen-induced arthritis in rats

BACKGROUND

The seeds of Vitex negundo, with rich lignans metabolites, have been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic herbal medicine for the treatment of rheumatism and joint inflammation. The total lignans of Vitex negundo seeds (TOV) were suggested to play an important role in the treatment of arthritis.

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was designed to investigate the anti-arthritic effects of TOV on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats as well as its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

TOV was prepared by combined macroporous resin and polyamide column chromatography, and constituents of TOV were analyzed by HPLC. CIA model in rats was established by immunization with chicken type II collagen and then the rats were intragastrically administrated with TOV for 30 days. Rat arthritis was evaluated by measurements of hind paw edema, arthritis index score, weight growth and indices of thymus and spleen, and by histological examination. Levels of serum MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A and TNF-α were also examined. In addition, the expression of COX-2, iNOS and IκB, p-IκB in synovial tissues was evaluated by western blotting. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of TOV were also evaluated in acetic acid-induced writhing and xylene-induced ear edema in mice, respectively. In addition, acute toxicity test was employed to preliminarily assess the safety of TOV.

RESULTS

TOV significantly inhibited the paw edema and decreased the arthritis index, with no influence on the body weight and the indices of thymus and spleen of CIA rats. Meanwhile, TOV dose-dependently reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia and attenuated cartilage damage. Additionally, the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were markedly decreased, while the level of serum IL-10 was increased in TOV-treated rats. The significant reduction of the expression of COX-2, iNOS and p-IκB and the notable increase of IκB in synovial tissues were also observed in TOV-treated animals. TOV also significantly inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing and decreased xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Finally, the maximal tolerable dose (MTD) of TOV was determined to be 16.0 g/kg.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that TOV has significant anti-arthritic effects on collagen-induced arthritis in rats, which may be attributed to the inhibition of the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, TNF-α, MMP-3 and MMP-9, and the increase of IL-10 in serum as well as down-regulation of the protein expression of COX-2 and iNOS in synovial tissues via suppressing the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB. Due to its high efficacy and safety, TOV can be regarded as a promising drug candidate for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Vitex negundo and its medicinal value

Natural products are rich in several potent bioactive compounds, targeting complex network of proteins involved in various diseases. Vitex negundo (VN), commonly known as "chaste tree", is an ethnobotanically important plant with enormous medicinal properties. Different species of Vitex vary in chemical composition, thus producing different phytochemicals. Several bioactive compounds have been extracted from leaves, seeds, roots in form of volatile oils, flavonoids, lignans, iridoids, terpenes, and steroids. These bioactive compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial. VN is typically known for its role in the modulation of cellular events like apoptosis, cell cycle, motility of sperms, polycystic ovary disease, and menstrual cycle. VN, reportedly, perturbs many cancer-signaling pathways involving p-p38, p-ERK1/2, and p-JNK in LPS-elicited cells, N-terminal kinase (JNK), COX-1 pathways, MAPK, NF-κB, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), Akt, mTOR, vascular endothelial growth factor, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α). Several bioactive compounds obtained from VN have been commercialized and others are under investigation. This is the first review presenting up-to-date information about the VN, its bioactive constituents and their mode of action.

Sesquiterpenoids from Vitex pierreana

A new germacrane sesquiterpenoid with an epoxy moiety, pierreanin A (1), and a pair of unique cyclobutyl-containing sesquiterpenoid diastereoisomers, pierreanins B and C (2 and 3), were isolated from the branches and leaves of Vitex pierreana, together with 2 known analogues, identified as germacrone (4) and epiprocurcumenol (5). The structures of all isolates were evaluated by detailed analyses of NMR, IR, and MS data. The absolute configurations of 1-3 were determined by comparison of the experimental ECD spectra with reported data of analogues containing the same chromophore. The ability of three new compounds to inhibit the growth of DU145 prostate cancer cells was also evaluated, as well as their inhibitory effects against the production of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Scientific investigation of crude alkaloids from medicinal plants for the management of pain

BACKGROUND

Tissue damage is associated with pain, which is an alarming sign. Aspirin and morphine have been widely used in recent decades for management of pain. Medicinal herbs have been in use for treatment of different diseases for centuries. Many of these herbs possess analgesic activity with relatively less incidences of adverse effects. The strong positive correlation of alkaloids in medicinal plants for analgesic activity persuades an intention to determine possible analgesic activity of total alkaloids extracted from the selected medicinal plants using animal models to answer its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Crude alkaloids from selected medicinal plants (Woodfordia fruticosa, Adhatoda vasica, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Vitex negundo, Peganum harmala and Broussonetia papyrifera) were extracted as per reported literature. The test crude alkaloids were screened foracute toxicity study. Writhings induced by acetic acid, tail immersion method and formalin-induced nociception assay procedures were used for possible analgesic effects of the crude alkaloids.

RESULTS

Crude alkaloids were safe up to dose of 1250 mg/kg body weight in mice. The alkaloids significantly reduced the abdominal constrictions, and increased the time for paw licking response in both phases with a significant raise in latency time in nociception models (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the antinociceptive response was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with naloxone suggesting involvement of the opioid receptors for possible antinociceptive action.

CONCLUSIONS

Crude alkaloids of Woodfordia fruticosa and Peganum harmala showed prominent analgesic potentials through inhibition of peripheral as well as central nervous system mechanisms. Further work is required for isolation of the pharmacologically active constituents.

Anti-inflammatory activity studies on the stems and roots of Jasminum lanceolarium Roxb

Jasminum lanceolarium Roxb is an important traditional Chinese medicine. Its stems and roots have been used for the treatment of rheumatism and fever while the leaves are used as an anti-inflammatory agent to relieve pain. In order to support its traditional Chinese medicinal uses, five animal models were designed and the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the 70% EtOH-H2O extracts of J. lanceolarium (EJL) were investigated. Meanwhile, biochemical parameters such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) in blood serum of rats exposed to acute (carrageenan) inflammation model were evaluated. At doses of 400 mg/kg, EJL exhibited higher anti-inflammation effect than that of indomethacin and better analgesic activity than that of aspirin (P<0.001). Furthermore, eleven isolated compounds including six lignanoids (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 11) and five iridoids (3, 4, 5, 9, and 10) were isolated from the active extracts and showed significant anti-inflammatory activities with the IC50 values of 1.76-5.22 mg/mL, respectively, when testing their inhibitory effects on phospholipase A2 in vitro. The results demonstrated that the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms might be attributed to inhibit the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids, production on both COX-2 and 5-LOX, and then finally inhibit the release of prostaglandins (PGs), which suggested that EJL had a non-selective inhibitory effect on the release or actions of these mediators, and might be a dual LOX-COX inhibitor for the treatment of inflammation from the natural resource. The studies on the animals and the inflammatory mediators, along with the bioactive compounds presumed that the existences of iridoids and lignanoids could be response for their bioactivities of the whole plants.

Antioxidant lignans from the seeds of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia

A new phenyldihydronaphthalene-type lignan, vitexdoin F (1), along with 22 known lignan derivatives (2-23) was isolated from the seeds of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia. Their structures were established by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. The antioxidant activities of these lignans were evaluated through 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assays, and 16 of these isolates exhibited obvious radical-scavenging effect on the stable-free radical, DPPH.

Antinociceptive effect of ethanol extract of leaves of Lannea coromandelica

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. is a plant locally called "Jiga", found all over Bangladesh. Leaf of the plant is traditionally used in the treatment of local swellings, pains of body, toothache etc. This study evaluated the antinociceptive effect of the ethanol extract of L. coromandelica leaves (EELC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antinociceptive activity of the extract (at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was evaluated by using chemical- and heat-induced pain models such as acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, tail immersion, formalin, and glutamate test. To verify the possible involvement of opioid receptor in the central antinociceptive effect of EELC, naloxone was used to antagonize the effect. Besides, the involvements of ATP-sensitive K(+) channel and cGMP pathway were also justified by using glibenclemide and methylene blue.

RESULTS

EELC demonstrated significant dose-dependent antinociceptive activity in the chemical- and heat-induced nociception in mice models (p<0.05). These findings imply the involvement of both peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanisms. The use of naloxone confirmed the association of opioid receptors in the central antinociceptive effect. EELC also showed the involvements of ATP-sensitive K(+) channel and cGMP pathway for antinociceptive activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported the antinociceptive activity of the leaf of L. coromandelica and rationalized the traditional use of the leaf in the treatment of different painful conditions.

Therapeutic effects of standardized Vitex negundo seeds extract on complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis in rats

The seeds of Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae) have been commonly used as a folk remedy for the treatment of rheumatism and joint inflammation in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of the extract of V. negundo seeds (EVNS) using Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis (AA) in rat model. As a result, EVNS, with abundant phenylnaphthalene-type lignans, significantly inhibited the paw edema, decreased the arthritis score and spleen index, and reversed the weight loss of CFA-injected rats. Histopathological studies showed a marked decrease of synovial inflammatory infiltration and synovial lining hyperplasia in the joints of EVNS-treated animals. The remarkable decrement of serum inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) were observed in EVNS-treated rats, whereas, IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was found to be significantly increased by EVNS. The expressions of COX-2 and 5-LOX in PBMC were also inhibited by administration of EVNS. Our results demonstrated that V. negundo seeds possessed potential therapeutic effect on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats by decreasing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 and increasing that of IL-10 in serum as well as down-regulating the levels of COX-2 and 5-LOX, and therefore may be an effective cure for the treatment of human rheumatoid arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of methanol extract from aerial part of Phlomis younghusbandii Mukerjee

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of the methanol extract from the aerial part of Phlomis younghusbandii (MEAP) and to explore the possible related mechanisms. Anti-inflammatory effects of MEAP were evaluated by using the ear edema test induced by dimethylbenzene and vascular permeability test induced by acetic acid. Anti-nociceptive activities of MEAP were evaluated by the chemical nociception in models of acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced hind paw licking, and by the thermal nociception in hot plate tests. Mechanisms of MEAP activities also were explored by evaluating expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS induced by LPS using real-time fluorogenic PCR and expression of COX-2 using Western blotting and an open-field test. The results indicated that the MEAP administered orally could significantly decrease ear edema induced by dimethylbenzene and increase vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. Additionally, the nociceptions induced by acetic acid and formalin were significantly inhibited. The anti-nociceptive effect could not be decreased by naloxone in the formalin test, and MEAP did not affect the normal autonomic activities of mice. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS) induced by LPS were decreased obviously by treatment with MEAP. Furthermore, COX-2 expression in the spinal dorsal horns of the pain model mice induced by formalin was significantly down-regulated by MEAP. In conclusion, MEAP has significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, and the mechanisms may be related to the down-regulated expression of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2.

Activity-Guided Isolation of Bioactive Constituents with Antinociceptive Activity from Muntingia calabura L. Leaves Using the Formalin Test

The present study was conducted to determine the antinociceptive potential of methanol extract of Muntingia calabura L. (MEMC) and to isolate and identify the bioactive compound(s) responsible for the observed antinociceptive activity. The MEMC and its partitions (petroleum ether (PEP), ethyl acetate (EAP), and aqueous (AQP) partitions), in the dose range of 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, were tested using the formalin-induced nociceptive test. The PEP, which exerted the most effective activity in the respective early and late phase, was further subjected to the fractionation procedures and yielded seven fractions (labelled A to G). These fractions were tested, at the dose of 300 mg/kg, together with distilled water or 10% DMSO (negative controls); morphine and aspirin (positive controls) for potential antinociceptive activity. Of all fractions, Fraction D showed the most significant antinociceptive activity, which is considered as equieffective to morphine or aspirin in the early or late phase, respectively. Further isolation and identification processes on fraction D led to the identification of three known and one new compounds, namely, 5-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyflavone (1), 3,7-dimethoxy-5-hydroyflavone (2), 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone (3), and calaburone (4). At the dose of 50 mg/kg, compound 3 exhibited the highest percentage of antinociceptive activity in both phases of the formalin test. In conclusion, the antinociceptive activity of MEMC involved, partly, the synergistic activation of the flavonoid types of compounds.

The genus Vitex: A review

The review includes 161 references on the genus Vitex, and comprises ethnopharmacology, morphology and microscopy, phytoconstituents, pharmacological reports, clinical studies, and toxicology of the prominent species of Vitex. Essential oils, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, diterpenoides and ligans constitute major classes of phytoconstituents of the genus. A few species of this genus have medicinal value, among these, leaves and fruits of V. agnus-castus Linn. (Verbenaceae) has been traditionally used in treatment of women complaints. V. agnus-castus has also been included in herbal remedies, which are in clinical use to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce premenstrual symptom tension and anxiety, treat some menopausal symptoms as well as to treat hormonally induced acne. Despite a long tradition of use of some species, the genus has not been explored properly. In the concluding part, the future scope of Vitex species has been emphasized with a view to establish their multifarious biological activities and mode of action.

Documentation and quantitative analysis of the local knowledge on medicinal plants among traditional Siddha healers in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

India has a population with high degree of medical pluralism. Siddha system of Indian traditional medicine is practiced dominantly by the people in Tamil Nadu. The traditionally trained Siddha healers still play an important role in the rural health care. Their knowledge is comparatively more vulnerable than the documented traditional knowledge. Thus, the present study was aimed to document and quantitatively analyze the local knowledge of the traditional Siddha healers in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The results presented in this paper are the outcome of series of interviews conducted between January and August, 2010 consisting of 196 field days. After getting prior informed consent, interviews were conducted and successive free-listing was used in the interviews in order to make informants cite the medicinal plants that they have used. By this way 96 healers were interviewed and their data were quantitatively analyzed using various indices such as Informant Consensus Factor (F(ic)), Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Agreement on Remedies (IAR) and Cultural Importance Index (CII).

RESULTS

This study recorded the ethno-medicinal usage of 227 species which were used to prepare 611 formulations for the treatment of 36 illness categories. The knowledge holders had the experience of minimum 20 years. There was unevenness in male-female ratio. Regarding the medicinal plants, easily available plants were holding significantly high number of citations, IAR and CII values. Nine illness categories had a high F(ic) value, compared to others. Species with high citations in these groups were Moringa oleifera (aphrodisiacs), Acalypha indica (dermatological ailments), Dodonaea viscosa (musculo-skeletal disorders), Solanum trilobatum (pulmonary ailments), Phyllanthus amarus (jaundice), Piper nigrum (adjuvant) Allium cepa (hemorrhoids), Azadirachta indica (antiseptic) and Tribulus terrestris (urinary ailments).

CONCLUSION

Quantitative analysis of the data had revealed that the easily available species hold a high consensus and cultural importance. Future biomedical studies using the medicinal plants enumerated in this study, particularly those with high number of citations and high F(ic) values might yield some novel prototypes. Such studies will also be useful to assess the efficacy and safety of these herbal treatments to take decisions on the health care of rural India.

Consensus of local knowledge on medicinal plants among traditional healers in Mayiladumparai block of Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India

AIM OF THE STUDY

The role of ethnobotany in drug discovery is huge but there are criticisms over such studies due to their qualitative nature. The present study is aimed at quantitatively abstracting the medicinal plant knowledge of the healers trained in traditional ways, in Mayiladumparai block of Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The interviews and field observations were carried out in all the 18 village panchayaths from January to June 2010, consisting of 148 field days. The interviews were conducted with 80 traditional healers, after obtaining prior informed consent. Successive free listing was used to interview the informants. The informant consensus factor (F(ic)) was calculated to estimate the use variability of medicinal plants. Fidelity index and Cultural importance index were also calculated to analyze the data.

RESULTS

This study recorded the ethno-medicinal usage of 142 ethno-species belonging to 62 families that were used to prepare 504 formulations. Jaundice had the highest F(ic) value than all the illness categories studied. Phyllanthus spp. was the highly cited medicinal plant to treat jaundice and had high fidelity index value. This was followed by Senna angustifolia and Terminalia chebula as laxatives. The highly cited medicinal plants in each group with high F(ic) value were Pongamia pinnata (antiseptic), Aerva lanata (antidote and snakebite), Blepharis maderaspatensis (cuts and wounds), Abutilon indicum (hemorrhoids), Ruta graveolens (spiritual medicine), Ocimum tenuiflorum (cough), and Solanum trilobatum (pulmonary ailments). Phyllanthus spp., was the most culturally significant species according to this index, followed by Borassus flebellifer.

CONCLUSION

The process of drug discovery has become highly expensive and post-approval and post-marketing withdrawal of drugs is continuing. In such scenario, reverse pharmacology is considered an attractive option. The medicinal plants enumerated in this study with high number of citations and high F(ic) values for illness categories might give some useful leads for further biomedical research.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the petroleum ether fraction from the ethanol extract of Desmodium podocarpum

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Desmodium podocarpum is a plant that has been used in the folk medicine to treat febrile diseases, cough and bleeding wounds. However, there is no scientific basis or reports in the modern literature regarding its effectiveness as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study is to evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the petroleum ether fraction (PEF) from the ethanol extract of Desmodium podocarpum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PEF (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) was estimated for its pharmacological properties by using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the hot plate test, the Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, the dimethylbenzene-induced mouse inflammation model, and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat fever model. In addition, the acute toxicity of PEF was also studied.

RESULTS

PEF significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the writhing responses in mice, increased reaction time of mice in the hot plate test, reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and the dimethylbenzene-induced ear edema in mice, and attenuated LPS-induced fever in rats. No death of mice was observed when orally administered PEF up to 4.2 g/kg.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that PEF possesses evident analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities, and has a favorable safety, which supports the use of Desmodium podocarpum as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drug in the folk medicine.

Antinociceptive effect of methanol extract of Capparis ovata in mice

CONTEXT

Capparis ovata Desf. (Capparaceae) grows widely in Turkey. Flower buds and fruits of the plant are used in folk medicine for their analgesic, antirheumatismal, and diuretic effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the possible antinociceptive effect of the methanol extract of C. ovata (CME) in mice.

MATERIALS

The antinociceptive effect of methanol extract, prepared with the C. ovata flower buds, was studied at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg (i.p.) using tail-immersion, hot-plate, and writhing tests in mice. Morphine sulfate (5 mg/kg; i.p.) and dipyrone (100 mg/kg; i.p.) were used as reference analgesic agents. Naloxone (5 mg/kg; i.p.) was also tested.

RESULTS

It was observed that the C. ovata extract had a significant antinociceptive effect in these tests. In the hot-plate and tail-immersion test results, the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg increased the percentage of the maximum possible effect (MPE%) value for nociception significantly according to the control value (P < 0.001). All doses of the extract decreased the number of acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions in mice when compared with control group (P < 0.001). These effects were inhibited by pretreatment with naloxone.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that CME is a potentially antinociceptive agent which acts as both at the peripheral and central levels.

Nitric oxide scavenging lignans from Vitex negundo seeds

A new phenyldihydronaphthalene-type lignan, vitexdoin A (1), a new phenylnaphthalene-type lignan alkaloid, vitedoamine B (2), four new phenylnaphthalene-type lignans, vitexdoins B-E (3-6), and four known lignan derivatives (7-10) were isolated from Vitex negundo seeds. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analyses of NMR, IR, and MS data. The ability of the isolates to prevent nitric oxide (NO) production by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner was also studied. Compounds 5, 6, and 9 were among the most potent NO production inhibitors, with IC(50) values of 0.13, 0.15, and 0.11 microM, respectively. The introduction of free hydroxy groups plays a vital role in the potency of these compounds.