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Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Vernonia condensata Baker aqueous extracts in an Allium cepa test system and C2C12 cell culture

2020-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of Vernonia condensata Baker aqueous extracts in an Allium cepa test system and C2C12 cell culture Authors: Silva, W C; Machado, P H A; Santos, B S; Ribeiro, T P; Rocha, E C; Coneglian, A; Morelli, S; Junior, R J de Oliveira; Arruda, A S Abstract: Vernonia condensata Baker is a medicinal species widely used by the Brazilian population for its analgesic, hepatoprotective and digestive properties. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of V. condensata aqueous extracts using Allium cepa test system and in vitro micronucleus test. Fresh V. condensata leaves were collected, dried and ground, and aqueous extracts were prepared at concentrations of 1500; 3000; and 6000 µg/ml of dry extract. In the A. cepa test, ten repetitions were used per treatment. Distilled water was used as negative control and sodium azide (2M) as positive control. The onion bulbs were rooted in distilled water for 72 h and then exposed to the extracts for 24 h. The roots were collected and fixed in Carnoy’s solution (3:1) for 24 h. Smear slides were prepared of the root apical meristems and 2000 cells/concentration was analyzed, measuring the mitotic index, micronuclei frequency and mitotic abnormalities of A. cepa. In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were also performed using the murine myoblast cell line C2C12. In vivo data demonstrated that an increase in the concentration of V. condensata aqueous extracts caused cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in meristematic cells of A. cepa. A concentration of 1500 µg/ml showed no cytotoxic or genotoxic effects, while 3000 µg/ml resulted in mitotic abnormalities and a decline in the mitotic index, indicating cytotoxicity. The 6000 µg/ml aqueous extract showed cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, increasing mitotic abnormalities and micronuclei frequencies in the A. cepa test. An IC₅₀ value of 15.610 µg/mL was obtained for C2C12 cell line and the doses of 6000 µg/mL and 12000 µg/mL of Vernonia extract induced genotoxicity. The data of the present study reveals that V. condensate extract should be used with parsimony, once that it can bring unwanted side effects, which can be dangerous. Page(s): 692-701

Leaf extract of ethnomedicinally important Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) may improve neuromodulatory activity in mice model

2020-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Leaf extract of ethnomedicinally important Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) may improve neuromodulatory activity in mice model Authors: Kar, P; Dutta, S; Chakraborty, A K; Bhattacharya, M; Sen, A Abstract: Ancient civilization to present-day cultural and technological development, human over the world has been using plants as a source of natural medicine for their basic needs. Clerodendrum serratum (Linn.) Moonis one such traditionally well-accepted plant used vigorously in Indian ayurvedic therapeutic purposes. Despite its ethnomedicinal significance, the neuroprotective prospects and relevance of Clerodendrum serratum (CSL) remain unaddressed. Therefore, in the present study, we explored several in-vivo antioxidant enzymatic assays followed by acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitory activity against neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) in mice model and explore the beneficial impact of the plant extract. Furthermore, the in-silico molecular docking approach was employed to evaluate the inhibitory potential of the plant-derived bioactive compounds against the imperative proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders. The plant extract showed promising results in all in-vivo enzymatic assays indicating its positive role over several neurodegenerative disseases namely, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The histological and in-silico investigation also reveled this plant extract is promising in elevating neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, it seems likely that this plant can be used as an anti-cognitive agent for future drug development. Page(s): 702-707

Kadukkai maathirai (a polyherbal traditional siddha formulation) prevents D-galactosamine induced hepatic necrosis in rats

2020-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Kadukkai maathirai (a polyherbal traditional siddha formulation) prevents D-galactosamine induced hepatic necrosis in rats Authors: Shetty, M; Shenoy, S; Kumar, N; Devi, V; Amuthan, A; Shenoy, G K; Pavithra, P Abstract: This study evaluated the prophylactic effect of Kadukkai maathirai in D-galactosamine (D-gal) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. D-galactosamine (D-gal) 400 mg/kg intraperitoneally was used to induce liver damage in rats. To assess the hepatoprotective effect of KM, three different doses of KM (36, 72 and 144 mg/kg body weight) were used. The hepatoprotective effect of KM was compared with standard drug silymarin (50 mg/kg). The biochemical parameters such as AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin were estimated. The livers were dissected out to look for histological changes. KM 144 mg/kg and silymarin showed a significant decrease in AST, ALP and total bilirubin. Both KM and silymarin significantly prevented decrease in liver weight. In KM treated groups, the liver did not show necrosis of hepatocytes, and apoptotic bodies with mild to moderate inflammatory infiltrate in the lobules and portal tracts. Hence, the results of this study confirms the hepatoprotective effect KM in rats. Page(s): 708-713

An ethnobotanical field study; traditional foods production and medicinal utilization of Gundelia L. species in Tunceli (Turkey)

2020-10-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An ethnobotanical field study; traditional foods production and medicinal utilization of Gundelia L. species in Tunceli (Turkey) Authors: Çakılcıoğlu, U Abstract: This article gives important ethnobotanical information about Gundelia L. (Kenger) in Tunceli (Eastern Anatolia Region-Turkey). Traditional use of three newly discovered species of Kenger (G. vitekii, G. dersim, G. munzuriensis) in and around Tunceli, as well as Gundelia glabra Miller, has been investigated. A field study had been carried out for a period of approximately two years (2015–2016). During this period, 27 Gundelia L. species were collected. Nine different traditional uses of Kenger plant as food were recorded. Local people use Kenger plant as egg meal with olive oil, watery food with rice, food with garlic yogurt, salad, pickle, gum, coffee, snack and animal feed. Since the plants are newly discovered, the first literature records have been made by us. Page(s): 714-718