In-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant activity of different extracts of the leaves of Clerodendron colebrookianum Walp in the rat

Evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic activity of different solvent extracts of Clerodendrum thomsoniae Balf.f and its active fractions on different cancer cell lines

Background

Clerodendrumis a genus of about 500 species belongs to the family Lamiaceae. Many species of this genus have been proved for the treatment of various diseases. This study was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of different solvents and their most active fractions ofClerodendrum thomsoniaeBalf.f. in different human cancer cell lines. Aerial parts of the plant were subjected to Soxhlet extraction. Phytochemical analysis was done by using standard tests. In vitro anti-cancer activity on MCF-7, Hep-G2, A549, HT-29, MOLT-4, Hela, and Vero cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay.

Results

Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of most of the phytoconstituents in ethyl acetate extracts and the same extracts were found to be more cytotoxic activity to cancer cell lines MCF-7,Hep-G2,A549,HT–29, MOLT-4, and Hela with IC50values 29.43 ± 1.44 μg/ml, 43.22 ± 1.02 μg/ml, 56.93 ± 1.41 μg/ml, 60.68 ± 1.05 μg/ml, 69.83 ± 1.33 μg/ml, and 40.02 ± 1.14 μg/ml respectively, while it had no cytotoxic effect on normal Vero cells IC50= 367.5 ± 1.03 μg/ml. Ethyl acetate extracts were selected for the fractionation and MCF-7 cell line was used repeat MTT assay and found that fraction F5 was the most active fraction with IC5017.33 ± 0.54 μg/ml.

Conclusion

These findings have proved thatClerodendrum thomsoniaeBalf.f. have significant cytotoxicity especially for breast cancer cell lines. Further studies are required for the isolation of constituents and to explore the mechanism of action.

Past, present and perspectives of Manipur traditional medicine: A major health care system available for rural population in the North-East India

BACKGROUND

Traditional health care practices are still being followed extensively in Manipur, North-East India. This is the major or the only medical facility available in some rural areas of Manipur. Cross cultural ethno-pharmacological survey was conducted to document traditional health care practices by Maiba-Maibi (male-female traditional health care practitioners of Manipur).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All together 59 traditional practitioners belonging to 12 ethnic communities in nine districts of the Manipur state were interviewed. A predesigned questionnaire was used for interviews, which included queries for type of ailments treating, symptoms, bioresources used, method of preparation, dosage forms, formulation, unit doses. The entire interviews were done in the residence of respective Maiba-Maibi, their patient handing and preparation of medicinal formulations were documented in written and audio-visual format.

RESULTS

The survey recorded traditional knowledge on 949 formulations used for 66 human ailments. Five hundred forty six plant products, 42 animal products and 22 organic/inorganic materials were found to be used in these 949 formulations. Five plant species - Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), Cocos nucifera (Arecaceae), Oroxylum indicum (Bignonaceae), Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) and Allium sativum (Liliaceae) used by maximum number of Maiba and Maibi in maximum number of formulations.

RECOMMENDATION

This particular method of documentation keeps traditional knowledge alive. The WHO estimated perspective of traditional medicine across the world. These observations support therapeutic worth of Manipur Traditional medicines (MTM). Having generated a large database in course of this survey, next focus targeted for the scientific justification of MTM with an aim to develop commercially viable products.

Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon. - a review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon. (Verbenaceae) is an important medicinal plant growing in the tropical and warm temperate regions like Africa, Southern Asia; Malaysia and distributed throughout in forests of India and Sri Lanka. It is traditionally valued and reported for treating pain, inflammation, rheumatism, respiratory disorders, fever and malarial fever in India with a long history. To provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional and ethno medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of C. serratum with clinical and toxicity data and possibly make recommendations for further research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All relevant worldwide accepted databases were searched for the terms "Clerodendrum", "Clerodendrum serratum", "Bharangi" and "Cheruthekku" along with the other literature from Indian classical texts and pharmacopoeias. There was no specific timeline set for the search. The accessible literatures available on C. serratum were collected via electronic search using Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct and traditional books reports on ethnopharmacology and traditional medicines.

RESULTS

C. serratum has played an important role in Indian system of medicine. In addition to the common local use in respiratory diseases, other ethnomedicinal uses include treatment of pain, inflammation, rheumatism and fever especially malarial fever. Scientific studies on extracts and formulations revealed anti-asthmatic, mast cell stabilization and anti-allergic effects of roots of C. serratum. Reported data on pharmacological activities also includes hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential of the drug. Saponins (terpenoids and steroids), flavonoids and phenolics isolated from roots have been the focus of phytochemical investigations as the biological activity has been ascribed to the saponins, which are known to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. Isolated bioactives from roots like icosahydropicenic acid and ursolic acid have been claimed to offer anti-allergic and hepatoprotective activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic potential of roots and leaves of C. serratum has been demonstrated in the conditions like asthma, allergy, fever, inflammation and liver disorders attributed to the presence of various flavonoids, phenolics and saponins present in the drug. Many ethnobotanical claims have been confirmed through modern in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological studies of different extracts and isolates from plant; however, additional studies on the biomarkers are needed to establish mechanism of action and to validate the traditional use of this drug in clinical practices after proper safety assessment.

Cardioprotective effect of ritonavir, an antiviral drug, in isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis: a new therapeutic implication

Background

Ritonavir is a HIV protease inhibitor. In addition to its antiviral effect, Ritonavir directly inhibits the insulin-regulated glucose transporter GLUT4 and blocks glucose entry into fat and muscle cells. However, the effect of Ritonavir on cardiac GLUT4 inhibition during myocardial necrosis is not investigated. In the present study, we evaluated the role of Ritonavir in isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrosis in vivo and compared the effect with Phlorizin, a nonslective SGLTs inhibitor.

Methods

Isoproterenol (ISO) (150 mg/kg/day, i.p for 2 consecutive days) was administered to mice to cause myocardial necrosis. Phlorizin (400 mg/kg/day i.p twice daily for 2 days) and Ritonavir (10 mg/kg/day i.p twice daily for 2 days) were administered in two different groups of mice before isoproterenol administration.

Results and discussion

Isoproterenol (ISO) (150 mg/kg/day, i.p for 2 consecutive days) administration caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in heart/body weight ratio, and myocardial necrosis as evident by significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum markers i.e. SGOT and CK; and cardiac histopathological changes. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction in myocardial SOD and catalase activities, and GSH level along with a significant (p < 0.05) rise in myocardial TBARS and nitric oxide levels were observed after ISO administration. However, administration of phlorizin, a SGLT1 inhibitor has been found to exhibit partial protection in ISO induced myocardial necrosis, as observed by significant decrease in heart/body weight ratio and myocardial nitric oxide level; significant increase in myocardial SOD and catalase activities along with no histopathological alterations. On the other hand, administration of ritonavir, a nonspecific GLUT inhibitor has been found to exhibit complete protection as observed by normalisation of heart/body weight ratio, serum markers, antioxidant enzymes activities and histopathological alterations. In vitro study with heart homogenate confirmed no antioxidant effect of ritonavir and phlorizin in the absence and presence of isoproterenol.

Conclusions

Our study concluded that ritonavir, a nonspecific GLUT inhibitors showed complete protection in catecholamine induced myocardial necrosis.

Hypolipidemic activity of crude polyphenols from the leaves of Clerodendron colebrookianum Walp in cholesterol fed rats

This study evaluated the hypolipidemic effect of crude polyphenol fraction from Clerodenrdon colebrookianum (CPCC) leaves in cholesterol fed rats. Crude polyphenol fraction was obtained from the ethyl acetate extract of Clerodenrdon colebrookianum (CC). Investigation was conducted by administering graded oral doses (0.25 g, 0.5 g and 1 g/kg b. w. /day) of the CPCC for a period of 28 days. Significant (p < 0.01) rise in plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed in cholesterol fed rats. Increased lipid profile has been depleted and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has been increased after chronic feeding of CPCC. In addition, CPCC extract enhanced the excretion of fecal cholesterol (FC) but could not arrest the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase activities. Histopathological observations showed loss of normal liver architecture in cholesterol fed rats which were retained in CPCC treated groups. Moreover, the analysis of CC extract demonstrated the presence of substantial amount of total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins content, further HPLC analysis led to the identification and quantification of two most important biologically active secondary metabolites i.e. (+) Catechin (432 ppm) and Quarcetin (105 ppm). The findings of this study suggested that CPCC had a strong hypolipidemic function and could be used as a supplement in healthcare foods and drugs.

Evaluation of mechanism for antihypertensive action of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp., used by folklore healers in north-east India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The present investigation was aimed to justify the pharmacological basis in traditional use of Clerodendrum colebrookianum as antihypertensive agent in north-east India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aqueous extract (AECc), its aqueous, n-butanol (nBFCc), Ethyl-acetate (EtFCc) and Chloroform fractions of C. colebrookianum leaves were evaluated for antihypertensive potential by using fructose-induced hypertension model in rats and in isolated frog heart. The ex-vivo muscarinic action in isolated rat ileum, in-vitro assay for Rho-kinase (ROCK -II), phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) and angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) were also carried out to establish the mechanism of action of samples. The total phenolic and flavonoied contents in test samples were estimated to establish phyto-pharmacological relationship.

RESULTS

The 100μg/mL test samples were showed calcium antagonism in rat ileum and at 50μg/mL and 75μg/mL doses exhibited ROCK-II and PDE-5 inhibition respectively where, EtFCc was caused maximum 68.62% (ROCK-II) and 52.28% (PDE-5) inhibition, but none of the sample was exhibit effect in ACE at 100μg/mL. The test samples also showed negative inotropic and chronotropic effect on isolated frog heart and significant (P<0.001) reduction in systolic blood pressure and heart rate in hypertensive rats compared to control. The total phenolic content maximum 80μg gallic acid equivalents in nBFCc and flavonoids content maximum 69.57μg Quercetin equivalent in AECc were estimated.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations established the traditional claim and thus C. colebrookianum could be a potent antihypertensive agent for use in future. The antihypertensive effect mediated by cholinergic action and following ROCK - II, PDE-5 inhibition of C. colebrookianum.

In vivo anthelmintic activity of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp., a traditionally used taenicidal plant in Northeast India

Although there are several effective drugs available for the treatment of intestinal helminths, the fact remains that they continue to remain out of reach to a vast majority of people in the world, especially in developing countries. On the other hand, there are a great many herbal remedies that are effective against common intestinal worms and are easily available to common people in developing countries. Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp. (Lamiaceae) is a perennial shrub which is native to South and Southeast Asia. Traditionally, the leaves of this plant are used by the indigenous people of Northeast India as a remedy for the treatment of intestinal tapeworm infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate and authenticate the anthelmintic efficacy of C. colebrookianum leaf extract in experimentally induced Hymenolepis diminuta (a zoonotic tapeworm) infections in Wistar rats. The efficacy of the plant extract was assessed by monitoring the eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) counts and worm recovery rates of experimental animals, following treatment with the leaf extract of this plant at three different doses, i.e. 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight, each given singly for 5 days. The results obtained revealed that the leaf extract of C. colebrookianum possesses a dose-dependent efficacy against the larval, immature and adult stages of H. diminuta. However, the efficacy of the extract was found to be considerably high only against the adult stages of the parasite. For this stage, a single 800-mg/kg dose of extract, given for 5 days, resulted into 68.42% reduction in the EPG counts and 62.50% reduction in the worm counts in the extract-treated group of animals, as compared to the control. The reference drug, praziquantel (5 mg/kg, single dose), however, showed slightly better efficacy and caused 95.16 and 87.00% reductions in the EPG and worm counts of treated animals, respectively. Unlike the adult stages, the efficacy of the plant extract was recorded to be comparatively low against the larval and immature stages of the parasite, as the treatment of animals with the highest dose of extract (800 mg/kg) could cause only 37.50 and 54.00% reductions in worm counts, respectively. The experimental evidence obtained in this study suggests that leaves of C. colebrookianum possess significant anthelminthic properties and supports their use against intestinal tapeworm infections in traditional medicine.

Comprehensive review of Clerodendrum phlomidis: a traditionally used bitter

Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. f., (syn. Clerodendrum multiflorum (Burm.f) O. Kuntze, Volkameria multiflorum Burm. f.) (Lamiaceae) is an important and well known medicinal plant extensively used in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine for treatment of various ailments. The popular therapies include on inflammation, diabetes, nervous disorder, asthma, rheumatism, digestive disorders, and urinary disorders as well as a bitter tonic. It was reported that pectolinaringenin, scutellarein, clerodin, clerodendrin, clerosterol, 24beta-ethylcholesta-5,22E,25-triene-3beta-ol, lup-20(29)-en-3-triacontanoate, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone-4,4'alpha-D-diglucoside, 7-hydroxyflavone, 7-hydroxyflavanone-7-O-glucoside and alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-naringin-4'-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside-5-methyl ether had been isolated from this plant. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts were reported active as analgesic, antidiarrhoeal, antiplasmodial, hypoglycemic, minor tranquilizers, anti-asthmatic, antifungal, nematicidal, anti-amnestic and anti-arthritic. There are coincidences between some of the traditional usages of this plant and experimentally observed effects of the extracts but very few biological studies available on bioactive fractions and/or pure compounds. This review is an attempt to compile the exhaustive literature on Clerodendrum phlomidis, to highlight, analyze and critically assess the pharmaceutical potential of this underestimated plant in a systematic way.

Extract from Clerodendron colebrookianum Walp protects rat heart against oxidative stress induced by ischemic–reperfusion injury (IRI)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have pathogenic effects on ischemic-reperfusion injury of heart. Hence, it is important to identify natural antioxidative agents to mitigate such effects. Recently, it has been reported that Clerodendron colebrookianum (CC) leaf extract has antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects in experimental animals. The aim of this study was to examine whether acute treatment with CC extract offers protection against ischemic-reperfusion injury (IRI) and IRI-induced changes in endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities of rat heart. Isolated rat hearts were perfused using the Langendorff's technique, and 20 min of global ischemia was followed by 40 min of reperfusion. Lipid peroxidation after the ischemic-reperfusion episode was significantly reduced in the CC extract-treated heart compared to the control group and suppressed the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during reperfusion. Moreover, CC extract diminished the depletion of myocardial antioxidant enzymes (SOD, Catalase, GSH and GPx) after ischemia-reperfusion. Furthermore, IRI-induced cellular damage was significantly less in CC extract treated myocytes. These results indicate that CC leaf extract protects against oxidative stress and cellular injury associated with ischemic-reperfusion injury of rat heart and suggests that the protective effects of CC extract depend on its antioxidant properties.