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Volume 4 Number 1 2010
CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS
Arnab Bhattacharya, Animesh K. Datta (India) Uraria picta: An Overview (pp 1-4)
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Mini-Review: Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC. (Family Leguminosae, Papilionoidae) is an important plant species in Ayurvedic medicine and one of the most important constituents of the 10-herb formulation called ‘Dashmula’. The ayurvedic name of the species is Prishni parni while the trade name is Dabra. The species is endangered, hence requires special attention and an overview was conducted involving the various aspects of U. picta to provide necessary information and to induce interest among researchers for its conservation and utilization in traditional as well as modern systems of medicine.
Evrim Taşkın, Ergün Taşkın, Mehmet Öztürk (Turkey), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Natural Compounds with Bioactive Properties from Marine Algae (pp 5-9)
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Invited Mini-Review: Algae, mainly of marine origin, are producers of many economically important compounds. These compounds are bioactive compounds since they have different biological activities and have been used in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for many years. Recent trends in drug research from natural sources and several screening and clinical studies have led to the discovery and elucidation of a number of new and active compounds from macroalgae. This review covers those algae from which bioactive substances have been identified and/or synthesized with a potential impact on health and medicine.
S. Dutta Gupta (India) Cosmetic Attributes of Aloe vera L. Gel (pp 10-18)
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Review: Aloe vera L. (syn. A. barbadensis Miller.) is a perennial succulent plant belonging to the Liliaceae family. The plant is known traditionally as the “healing plant” and is claimed to possess wound-healing, burn-healing, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, anti-diabetic, and UV protective properties. Due to these therapeutic properties A. vera is being used in a variety of pharmaceutical and cosmetic product formulations. Most of its biological potential has been attributed to the polysaccharides present in its gel. Many attempts have been made to describe the biological potential of Aloe gel. This review focuses on the recently explored cosmetic potential of aloe gel in relation to wound healing, anti-oxidant and UV-opacity.
M. Chandrika, V. Ravishankar Rai (India) RAPD Markers for Genetic Analysis in Micropropagated Plants of Dictyospermum ovalifolium, a Rare Plant of Western Ghats, India (pp 19-23)
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Original Research Paper: Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to assess the genetic fidelity of tissue-cultured Dictyospermum ovalifolium plants in relation to their mother plant. Thirty eight RAPD primers were screened, out of which 33 generated a total of 216 clear and reproducible bands. Of these, 202 were monomorphic and showed 93.5% clonal fidelity while 14 bands showed 6.45% polymorphism. The amplification products were monomorphic across all micropropagated plants with a low level of variation. A total of 4752 bands were generated showing uniform banding patterns. The genetic coefficient based on UPGMA showed 97% similarity between mother plant and micropropagated plants. The results confirmed the clonal fidelity of tissue-cultured plantlets and the fact that axillary shoot multiplication is the one of the safest modes for multiplication of true-to-type plants.
P. E. Rajasekharan, S. Ganeshan, Sunitha Bhaskaran (India) In Vitro Regeneration and Conservation of Three Coleus Species (pp 24-27)
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Original Research Paper: Three species of the genus Coleus (Lamiaceae), Coleus forskohlii Briq. (syn. C. barbatus Benth.), Coleus parviflorus Benth., and Coleus zeylanicus Benth. L.H. Crammer were cultured in vitro on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 8.87 µM BAP in combination with 0.54 µM NAA. Direct regeneration was encouraged to avoid a callus phase and to maintain true-to-type cultures. Concomitant rooting in multiplication media enabled successful establishment ex vitro with 85% survival. Similar rooted cultures were conserved in vitro at 10°C for a minimum period of 6 months, without any subculture and at standard culture conditions in MS or ½MS basal medium devoid of plant growth regulators, growth retardants or osmoticum to avoid somaclonal variation.
Mahmoud Saker, Souad El Gengaihi, Ayman Kamel, Mai Farid (Egypt) Influence of Differentiation State, Salt Stress and Methyl Jasmonate on in Vitro Production of Cucurbitacins from Tissue Cultures of Ecballium elaterium and Cucumis prophetarum Endemic to Egypt (pp 28-32)
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Original Research Paper: The best medium for callus proliferation from hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of aseptically grown seedlings of two Egyptian landraces of rare wild plants, Ecballium elaterium and Cucumis prophetarum was found to be Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1-0.5 mg/l NAA in combination with BA at 2 mg/l. On the other hand, MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BA, 60 mg/l adenine sulfate and 170 mg/l KH2PO4 was the best medium for shoot proliferation after a phase of callus formation. The content of cucurbitacins in suspension cultures was elicited by application of different concentrations of NaCl (salt stress) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA).The highest yield of cucurbitacins (0.1898%) was reached after three days of culture in liquid medium containing 200 µM MeJA.
Shiwali Sharma, Anwar Shahzad, Mohammad Anis (India) In Vitro Shoot Organogenesis and Regeneration of Plantlets from Nodal Explants of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. (Rutaceae), a Multipurpose Aromatic Medicinal Plant (pp 33-36)
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Original Research Paper: A protocol for high frequency shoot organogenesis and plantlet establishment has been developed through nodal explants of Murraya koenigii. The response of horizontally or vertically placed explants on culture media was also evaluated. Among 2 orientations of nodal explants, vertical placement was more responsive for shoot induction and multiplication than horizontal placement. Between 2 cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (KIN) tested, BA (5.0 µM) induced a maximum of 6.60 ± 0.40 shoots/explant. The supplementation of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) with BA did not improve regeneration efficiency. Growth in the regenerating tissue was improved significantly within the same incubation period at an optimal concentration of BA (5.0 µM). An improvement in shoot multiplication was noticed in subsequent passage of subculturing up to the 3rd subculture passage with a maximum of 15.20 ± 0.37 shoots/explant recorded. In vitro rooting in microshoots was best obtained on half-strength MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (1.0 µM) on which 90% of cultured microshoots produced healthy roots. Plantlets that developed were hardened and 95% of plants established in natural soil showed normal morphological characteristics.
Danan Wang, Yonghui Feng, Jun Liu, Jianzhong Yan, Meiru Wang (China), Jin-ichi Sasaki (Japan), Changlong Lu (China) Black Garlic (Allium sativum) Extracts Enhance the Immune System (pp 37-40)
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Original Research Paper: Black garlic (Allium sativum) was created from ordinary fresh garlic by processing (aging) it in a temperature (65-80°C)- and humidity (70-80%)-controlled room for a month. The heat-extracts of black garlic were rich in S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) and enforced anti-tumor activity with a 50% cure rate of BALB/c mouse fibrosarcoma; however, its mechanism still remains unsolved until now. Experiments were carried out to clarify anti-tumor mechanisms using spleen cells culture system obtained from black garlic extracts-treated mice. The black garlic extracts enhanced the cellular immunity by raising the activity of NK (natural killer) cells which was thought to play a critical role in eradication of tumor cells in vivo. Further cytokines of NO (nitric oxide), IFN-γ (interferon-g), IL-2 (interleukin-2), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) were preferentially generated from the extracts-treated mouse spleen cells; however, the amount of IL-4 (interleukin-4), which is considered to be associated with the humoral immunity (antibody production such as IgG and IgE), decreased in the culture supernatants of spleen cells.
Elsayed Ali Aboutabl, Aisha Hussein Abou Zeid, Amany Ameen Sleem, Hanaa Mohamed El Rafie (Egypt) Secondary Metabolites and Certain Bioactivities of Pterocladia capillacea (S. Gmelin) Bornet and Dictyopteris membranacea (Stackhouse) Batters (pp 41-48)
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Original Research Paper: Twelve secondary metabolites of the red alga Pterocladia capillacea (S.Gmelin) Bornet and the brown alga Dictyopteris membranacea (Stackhouse) Batters, collected from the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt during February – March, and May – June, respectively, in two successive years, were isolated and their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of their UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectral data. Diisooctyl phthalate and cholesterol were isolated from both algae. In addition, 24 norcholest-5-en-3,7 dione, cholesterol, stigmasterol, linoleic acid and isodomoic acid were isolated from P. capillacea. On the other hand, three diterpenes (18,19-epoxyxenic-4-one-6, 9,13-triene, dictyolactone and 4-acetoxycrenulide) as well as fucosterol were isolated from D. membranacea. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different extracts of both algae were evaluated.
Jagathala Mahalingam Sasikumar, S. K. Asha, Ramakrishnan Shamna, Vellingiri Maheshu, Deivamarudhachalam Teepica Priya Darsini (India) Effects of Rhaphidophora pertusa (Roxb.) Schott. Methanolic Extract on Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Injury in Albino Rats (pp 49-51)
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Short Communication: In the present investigation, we have evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of the methanolic extract of the stem of Rhaphidophora pertusa against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Liver marker enzymes such as serum glutamate oxalo transferase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transferase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP), and total bilirubin (TB), urea and total protein were analyzed. Acetaminophen intoxication (500 mg/kg, p. o.) for 7 days caused significant increase in the levels of bilirubin, liver enzymes, and total protein level (P < 0.05). Administration of the methanolic extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) of R. pertusa stems resulted in a significant reversal of acetaminophen-induced alterations of all liver function parameters (P < 0.05) as evidenced by a decrease in enzyme activities, SGPT, SGOT, SALP and serum bilirubin. The results of the study authenticated the traditional medicinal claim of R. pertusa.
Ahmed S. Aska, Yahaya N. Pindiga, Fanna I. Abdulrahman (Nigeria), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Lawan B. Buratai (Nigeria) Anti-Diarrheal Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Holarrhena floribunda (G. Don) Schinz and Dur in Rats (pp 52-54)
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Short Communication: The leaves of Holarrhena floribunda were subjected to Soxhlet extraction with distilled water and concentrated in vacuo. The aqueous extract concentrate gave a yield of 10.96% (w/w) and was used to investigate anti-diarrheal activity. Studies were carried out on castor oil-induced diarrhea, intestinal secretion and small intestine charcoal meal transit in rats. The extract at 400–1000 mg/kg caused a marked inhibition of diarrhea and accumulation of intestinal fluid following the administration of castor oil. A similar dose of the aqueous extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the charcoal meal transit in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest a potential usefulness of the leaf extract of H. floribunda in the control of secretory diarrhea associated with microbial pathogens like enteritis and enterocalitis.
Saba Yavari, Reza Omidbaigi, Mohammad Esmaeil Hassani (Iran), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Mohammad Fathi Ghareh Baba (Iran) Comparison of Four Different Treatment Methods with Colchicine to Induce Chromosome Doubling in Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L. ‘SZK-1’) (pp 55-58)
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Research Note: In this investigation four different methods using aqueous solutions of colchicine were used to treat seed, roots and apical meristem in two stages – emergence of seed leaves (cotyledons) and the emergence of two true leaves – of dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) to artificially induce autotetraploidy. Treatment of seedling apical meristems by applying the dropping method at the two-true-leaf stage of emergence was best as many of the treated plants developed and a diversity of characteristics was also observed in treated plants. Colchicine at 0.1% (w/v) most effectively produced autotetraploids, which were identified by flow cytometry.
Neamat Sayyadnia Tayyebi, Sasan Mohsenzadeh (Iran), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Mohammad J. Saharkhiz, Ali A. Amiri (Iran) Measurement of Lapachol in Iranian Tecomella undulata (Roxb.) Seem (pp 59-61)
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Research Note: Some species of Tecoma and Tabebuia (Bignoniaceae family) have been reported to contain lapachol and are used in traditional medicine. Tecomella undulata (Roxb.) Seem. is the only native species of the family in arid and semi-arid parts of the south of Iran. In this research, we extracted lapachol from T. undulata stem dried inner bark collected from near Firoozabad city in the Fars province of Iran using three extraction methods: 1) Soxhlet with direct and indirect heat for 4 hrs; 2) hot plate at 50°C for 4, 6, 8, and 10 hrs; 3) waterbath at 50°C for 25, 50, 75 and 100 hrs. The solvent in all methods was ethanol. Lapachol was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The most effective extraction method was the use of a waterbath for 75 hrs, yielding 3.4% (w/w) lapachol. T. undulata could be a candidate for traditional medicinal use.
Harpreet Walia, Rajbir Singh, Saroj Arora (India) Antioxidant Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extract/Fractions of Terminalia chebula (pp 62-65)
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Research Note: In the present study, the Ames Salmonella histidine reversion assay was used to assess the antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate extract/fractions of fruits of Terminalia chebula using hydroxyl radical sensitive, TA 102 strain of Salmonella typhimurium against hydrogen peroxide which is a directly acting oxidant. The production of reactive oxygen species by hydrogen peroxide leads to the induction of mutagenicity via oxidants. The ethyl acetate extract was prepared by the maceration method and further partitioned with ethyl acetate and water to get respective fractions. Both fractions were more effective than the crude ethyl acetate extract, which exhibited moderate inhibition of 57.98 and 55.92% during pre and co-incubation, respectively at the maximum tested dose of 2.5 × 103 µg/0.1 ml/plate. The water fraction also showed moderate inhibition at the same concentration i.e. 51.82 and 49.80% during pre and co-incubation, respectively while the crude ethyl acetate extract showed weak inhibition in general. Both, ethyl acetate and water fractions were rich in polyphenolics and were more effective than the crude extract with less phenolic.
Doha H. Abou Baker, Souad E. El Gengaihi, Ahmed M. Aboul Enein, Faten M. Abou-El Ella (Egypt) Biochemical Study of Some Active Ingredients in Helianthus tuberosus L. (pp 66-68)
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Research Note: Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) yields a high level of carbohydrates and low calorie bulking agent. Total sesquiterpenes were extracted from leaves and one major compound, heliangine, was isolated and identified by different spectral tools. Inulin was prepared from the tubers. Cytotoxic investigations of different substances were performed on four cell lines: Total sesquiterpenes were potent followed by heliangine; inulin did not exhibit this effect.
Mohammed Aman, Ravishankar Rai V., Pradeepa V. Samaga (India) Antimicrobial and Phytochemical Screening of Boswellia serrata Roxb., Rhus mysorensis Heyne, Strychnos potatorum Linn. F. and Schefflera stellata Gaertn. (pp 69-72)
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Research Note: Boswellia serrata (Roxb.), Rhus mysorensis (Heyne), Strychnos potatorum (Linn.F.) and Schefflera stellata plants were collected from different localities of Mysore. Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extracts of the plant parts was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum, Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus sp. by paper disc diffusion assay. The methanolic extract of the plants were qualitatively screened for phytochemicals using standard procedures which revealed the presence of various important bioactive chemical entities. The methanolic extracts of leaves and fruits of Rhus mysorensis, leaves and flowers of Boswellia serrata and leaves of Schefflera stellata have exhibited significant broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. Further work is being carried out to isolate and identify the active constituents of the plants responsible for antimicrobial activity.
Sarah Onyenibe Nwozo, Ibironke Adetolu Ajayi, Margaret Obadare (Nigeria) Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of 10 Medicinal Seeds from Nigeria (pp 73-75)
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Research Note: The phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of 10 medicinal seeds (Albizzia lebbeck, Strychnos spinosa, Myristica fragrans, Monodora myristica, Aframomum melegueta, Croton penduliflorus, Blighia sapida, Antiaris africana, Thevetia nerifolia and Terminalia catappa) from Nigeria was carried out. The study revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannin, saponin, flavonins, anthraquinones, phenols, phlobatannins, chalcones, steroids, terpenes, cardenolides and glycosides. These metabolites are present in the seeds at different concentrations ranging from 0.21 to 3.67%. The study also showed inhibitory activity against tested microorganisms, all of them being active against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at a concentration of 25%. Some of the extracts tested did not show activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study suggests that the aqueous extracts from these seeds could be explored as possible antimicrobial agents.
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