In Vitro Anti-Venom Potentials of Aqueous Extract and Oils of Toona ciliata M. Roem against Cobra Venom and Chemical Constituents of Oils

There are high mortality and morbidity rates from poisonous snakebites globally. Many medicinal plants are locally used for snakebite treatment in Uganda. This study aimed to determine the in vitro anti-venom activities of aqueous extract and oils of Toona ciliata against Naja melanoleuca venom. A mixture of venom and extract was administered intramuscularly in rats. Anticoagulant, antiphospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibition assay, and gel electrophoresis for anti-venom activities of oils were done. The chemical constituents of the oils of ciliata were identified using Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (GC-MS/MS). The LD50 of the venom was 0.168 ± 0.21 µg/g. The venom and aqueous extract mixture (1.25 µg/g and 3.5 mg/g) did not cause any rat mortality, while the control with venom only (1.25 µg/g) caused death in 1 h. The aqueous extract of T. ciliata inhibited the anticoagulation activity of N. melanoleuca venom from 18.58 min. to 4.83 min and reduced the hemolytic halo diameter from 24 to 22 mm. SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis showed that oils completely cleared venom proteins. GC-MS/MS analysis showed that the oils had sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (60%) in the volatile oil (VO) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (48.89%) in the non-volatile oils (NVO). Some major compounds reported for the first time in T. ciliata NVOs were: Rutamarin (52.55%), β-Himachalol (9.53%), Girinimbine (6.68%) and Oprea1 (6.24%). Most compounds in the VO were reported for the first time in T. ciliata, including the major ones Santalene (8.55%) and Himachal-7-ol (6.69%). The result showed that aqueous extract and oils of T. ciliata have anti-venom/procoagulant activities and completely neutralized the venom. We recommend a study on isolation and testing the pure compounds against the same venom.

Use of stability statistics in the selection of Clausena heptaphylla (Roxb.) Wight & Arn for novel anethole rich strain (Jor Lab CH-2)

INTRODUCTION

Anethole is an industrially important compound which is extensively used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumery, food and confectioneries. Anethole is primarily obtained from fennel, anise, and star anise which is highly expensive. Therefore, a study was performed to identify a cost-effective and natural anethole rich strain of Clausena heptaphylla through selection and confirmed through multilocation trial.

METHODS

The study was conducted using 23 accessions collected from North eastern region of India from 2014-2018 (initial evaluation trial) and 2018-2022 (multilocation trial). The initial trial was conducted in the experimental farm of CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam using Complete Randomized Block Design with three replications. Five agronomical traits (plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of stem branching, herbage yield per plant per cutting) along with essential oil yield and anethole content were evaluated which led to the identification of anethole rich strain of C. heptaphylla. This identified strain was further evaluated along with the two check genotypes for stability based on three yield parameters viz. herbage yield, essential oil yield and anethole content at four multi-locations (Imphal, Jorhat, Runne and Madang) for four years using the same experimental design.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The identified superior line (Jor Lab CH-2) showed consistent performance for the studied yield parameters across all the environments maintaining its superiority. The identified strain exhibited average herbage yield of 1.2 Kg/plant/cutting and essential oil yield of 1.22%. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil depicted trans anethole as the major constituent (93.25%) followed by estragole (4.85%) while benzene, 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-propenyl Isoeugenol methyl ether and cis-anethole were the trace components. This is the first novel report of anethole rich variant of C. heptaphylla which has undergone multilocational trial over the years. Jor Lab CH-2 strain will open a new scope for the industries to isolate anethole from a different source in a cost-effective approach.

Chemical constituents and biological effects of essential oils of Clausena genus (Rutaceae): A review

Clausena is a genus of Rutaceae family commonly used in traditional medicine. This report aims to provide the brief review on the chemical components and bioactivities of essential oils (EOs) isolated from Clausena plants. The phyto-chemicals of EOs obtained from different plant parts of Clausena species are characterized by several chemical groups such as oxygenated sesquiterpene, oxygenated monoterpene, monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, etc. In addition, the studied oils also possess the antimicrobial, insecticidal and larvicidal activities.

Utilization of UPLC-PDA and GC-MS/MS coupled with metabolomics analysis to identify bioactive metabolites in medicinal turmeric at different ages for the quality assurance

BACKGROUND

Available monographs often suggest measurement of curcumin or curcuminoids for quality control of turmeric-based medicines/products. However, one compound is not enough to indicate the quality of traditional herbal medicines due to the holistic approach. Furthermore, to ensure high quality of such products, good harvesting practice plays an important role in the quality control of turmeric raw materials.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to indicate quality markers of turmeric and to suggest optimum harvesting times for turmeric used for medicinal purposes by integration of Thai traditional medicine knowledge.

METHODS

Turmeric rhizomes at 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 months old were analyzed. UPLC-PDA was used for quantitation of curcumin. GC-MS/MS was used to obtain chemical profiles of turmeric volatile oil. PCA, Volcano plot, and HCA were performed to identify similarities or differences of the data.

RESULTS

Turmeric aged between 6 and 10 months old contained > 5%w/w of curcumin, which complied with Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia 2021. GC-MS/MS analysis suggested suitable chemical markers, namely Ar-turmerone, turmerone, curlone, and zingiberene, because they exhibited pharmacological activities related to the traditional uses of turmeric. Eucalyptol, santalene, β-caryophyllene, cis-β-farnesene, α-caryophyllene, curcumene, β-bisabolene, β-sesquiphellandrene, and cis-sesquisabinene hydrate were also tentatively identified. Later, the multivariate analysis revealed that turmeric aged between 6 and 10 months old showed similar metabolite profiles.

CONCLUSION

Based on curcumin content and chemical profiles, turmeric aged between 6 and 10 months old are appropriate for uses in Thai traditional medicine. Our study suggests additional information in the quality control of turmeric to assure its efficacy, especially for uses in traditional medicines.

Antimicrobial activities of the extracts and secondary metabolites from Clausena genus – A review

Antimicrobial drug resistance has become a global challenge and one of utmost concern due to the global epidemiological infections. Medicinal plants have long performed an essential role in medicine and can be an essential source of recent antimicrobials and techniques for treating resistance. Clausena is a genus in the Rutaceae family which are widely recognized and utilized in traditional medicines. Many members of this genus have been a primary source of medications and drug history. The antimicrobial effectiveness of the secondary metabolites from the roots, stems, leaves, rhizomes, twigs, seeds, fruits, and flowers of several Clausena species has been widely examined and was found to be more effective against bacteria with Clausena anisata being the most promising specie. A total of 16 active compounds including 12 alkaloids, 2 coumarins, and 2 terpenoids were reported to be isolated from different parts of the plant species with mukonal being the only compound that shows dual potency both against fungi and protozoa. This review aims to sum up research advances made from 2000 to date, on the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activities of Clausena species, and highlight the potential use of Clausena plants in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.