Computational Simulation of Conjugated Cholera Toxin Protein

Phytochemical profile and pharmacological potential of Withania somnifera whole plant extracts

Withania somnifera belongs to the family Solanaceae, commonly called ashwagandha, and is traditionally used as an astringent, hepatoprotective and antioxidant, and as a treatment for rheumatism. Therefore the current study aimed to explore the dichloromethane fraction of W. somnifera whole plant (DCFWS) and ethyl acetate fraction of W. somnifera (EAFWS) using gas chromatoghraphy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and to find the acetylcholinesterase inhibition potential along with spasmolytic activity. The GC-MS-detected phytochemicals were 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl), hexadecanoic acid, 1-nonadecene and 11-octadecenoic acid. The DCFWS and EAFWS exhibited acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential with significant inhibitory concentration values. The acute toxicity results of both fractions showed high toxicity, causing emesis at 0.5 g and both emesis and diarrhea at 1 g/kg. Both fractions exhibited significant (p ≤ 0.01) laxative activity against metronidazole (7 mg/kg) and loperamide hydrochloride (4 mg/kg) induced constipation. Both DCFWS (66.8 ± 3.85%) and EAFWS (58.58 ± 3.28%) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased charcoal movement compared with distal water (43.93 ± 4.34%). Similarly the effect of DCFWS on KCl-induced (80 mm) contraction was more significant as compared with EAFWS. It was concluded that the plant can be used in the treatment of gastrointestinal tract diseases such as constipation. Furthermore, additional work is required in the future to determine the bioactive compounds that act as therapeutic agents in W. somnifera.

Extraction and Fractionation of Prokinetic Phytochemicals from Chrozophora tinctoria and Their Bioactivities

Chrozophora tinctoria is an annual plant of the family Euphorbiaceae, traditionally used as a laxative, a cathartic and an emetic. A methanolic extract of Chrozophora tinctoria (MEC) whole plant and an n-butanol fraction of Chrozophora tinctoria (NBFC) were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect the phytochemicals. MEC and NBFC were tested for in vitro anti acetylcholinesterase (AChE) potential. The effect of both samples on intestinal propulsive movement and spasmolytic activity in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was also studied. About twelve compounds in MEC and three compounds in NBFC were tentatively identified through GC-MS. Some of them are compounds with known therapeutic activity, such as toluene; imipramine; undecane; 14-methyl-pentadecanoic acid methyl ester; and hexadecanoic acid. Both NBFC and MEC samples were checked for acute toxicity and were found to be highly toxic in a dose-dependent manner, causing diarrhea and emesis at 1 g/kg concentration in pigeons, with the highest lethargy and mortality above 3 g/kg. Both the samples of Chrozophora tinctoria revealed significant (p ≤ 0.01) laxative activity against metronidazole (7 mg/kg) and loperamide hydrochloride (4 mg/kg)-induced constipation. NBFC (81.18 ± 2.5%) and MEC (68.28 ± 2.4%) significantly increased charcoal meal intestinal transit compared to distal water (41.15 ± 4.3%). NBFC exhibited a significant relaxant effect (EC₅₀ = 3.40 ± 0.20 mg/mL) in spontaneous rabbit jejunum as compared to MEC (EC₅₀ = 4.34 ± 0.68 mg/kg). Similarly, the impact of NBFC on KCl-induced contraction was more significant than that of MEC (EC₅₀ values of 7.22 ± 0.06 mg/mL and 7.47 ± 0.57 mg/mL, respectively). The present study scientifically validates the folk use of Chrozophora tinctoria in the management of gastrointestinal diseases such as constipation. Further work is needed to isolate the phytochemicals that act as diarrheal agents in Chrozophora tinctoria.