Senna singueana: Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antiapoptotic Properties and Phytochemical Profiling of a Methanol Bark Extract

Natural products are considered as an important source for the discovery of new drugs to treat aging-related degenerative diseases and liver injury. The present study profiled the chemical constituents of a methanol extract from Senna singueana bark using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and 36 secondary metabolites were identified. Proanthocyanidins dominated the extract. Monomers, dimers, trimers of (epi)catechin, (epi)gallocatechin, (epi)guibourtinidol, (ent)cassiaflavan, and (epi)afzelechin represented the major constituents. The extract demonstrated notable antioxidant activities in vitro: In DPPH (EC50 of 20.8 µg/mL), FRAP (18.16 mM FeSO₄/mg extract) assays, and total phenolic content amounted 474 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract determined with the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Also, in an in vivo model, the extract increased the survival rate of Caenorhabditis elegans worms pretreated with the pro-oxidant juglone from 43 to 64%, decreased intracellular ROS inside the wild-type nematodes by 47.90%, and induced nuclear translocation of the transcription factor DAF-16 in the transgenic strain TJ356. Additionally, the extract showed a remarkable hepatoprotective activity against d-galactosamine (d-GalN) induced hepatic injury in rats. It significantly reduced elevated AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and total bilirubin. Moreover, the extract induced a strong cytoplasmic Bcl-2 expression indicating suppression of apoptosis. In conclusion, the bark extract of S. sengueana represents an interesting candidate for further research in antioxidants and liver protection.

Lactone Derivatives Produced by a Phaeoacremonium sp., an Endophytic Fungus from Senna spectabilis

Three new isoaigialones, A, B, and C (1-3), along with aigialone (4), were isolated from the crude EtOAc extract of a Phaeoacremonium sp., an endophytic fungus obtained from the leaves of Senna spectabilis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on the analysis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 2 and 4 were active against the phytopathogenic fungi Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum. This is the first report of metabolites produced by an Phaeoacremonium sp., associated with S. spectabilis.

The Effects of Biochar and Intercropping on the Cd, Cr and Zn Speciation in Soils and Plant Uptake by Machilus pauhoi

A greenhouse pot experiment with biochar (BC) applied at 0%, 1%, 4% and 8% (w/w) in monoculture and intercropping settings was used to investigate Cd, Cr and Zn speciation in contaminated soils, the growth of two different plant types, and the heavy metal concentrations within these plants. The results showed that BC application increased the soil pH, decreased the bioavailability of Cd, Cr and Zn, significantly increased the dry biomass of Cassia occidentalis and Machilus pauhoi shoots and slightly increased the root biomass. Both BC addition and intercropping decreased the Cd, Cr and Zn contents in the M. pauhoi shoots and roots, but the effect of BC addition was more significant than the effect of intercropping. The Cd, Cr and Zn uptake by M. pauhoi shoots was reduced by up to 93.91%, 96.41% and 76.76%, respectively, when the concentration and bioavailability of Cd, Cr, and Zn were reduced by using the combination of intercropping and BC application. This treatment resulted in the greatest reduction efficiency, and resulted in a shoot biomass increase of M. pauhoi of up to 122.52% compared to the control (M. pauhoi monoculture). These results could be used as a reference for the promotion of M. pauhoi growth and the utilization of contaminated land.

Simultaneous HPTLC Determination of Rhein and Aloe-emodin in Senna alata Leaves from Thailand and their Commercial Products

A high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of rhein and aloe-emodin, major anthraquinone constituents, in S. alata leaves. The separation was performed on a silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ HPTLC plate using ethyl acetate: methanol: water (100:17:10, v/v/v) as the development system. Validation of the analytical method for rhein and aloe-emodin promoted acceptable parameters. Good linearity in the range of 40-480 ng/band was obtained while intra-day and inter-day precisions were shown to be precise with relative standard deviations of less than 5%. The average percentage recoveries of rhein and aloe-emodin were 98.8% and 98.9%, suggesting acceptable accuracy. The content of rhein and aloe-emodin in S. alata leaves collected from 5 different provinces in Thailand analyzed by the validated HPTLC method were in the ranges of 0.098 ± 0.017 - 0.30±0.02%, w/w, and 0.081 ± 0.0006 - 0.34 ? 0.0009 %, w/w, respectively. Five commercial products of S. alata tea available in the market were purchased and analyzed for rhein and aloe-emodin contents. The contents of rhein and aloe-emodin in the tea samples were in the ranges of 0.085 ± 0.004 - 0:23 ± 0.04%, w/w, and 0.096 ±0.006 - 0.30 ± 0.01 %, w/w, respectively. The HPTLC method is rapid, reliable, sensitive and economical for routine analysis of rhein and aloe-emodin contents in-S. alata leaf raw materials and its commercial products.

Anti-giardia activity and acute toxicity of a methanol extract of Senna racemosa bark

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Senna racemosa (Mill.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby (syn. Cassia racemosa Mill.) is a plant used in traditional Mayamedicinal practices to treat diarrhea. A methanol extract of S. racemosa bark has been shown to have in vitro activity against Giardia intestinalis. No studies of its efficacy and toxicity in in vivo models have been done. The present study objective was to analyze the activity of this methanol extract of S. racemosa bark against Giardia intestinalis trophozoites in experimentally infected mice, and evaluate its toxicological effects in rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

S. racemosa was collected in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico (21°58'N, 89°36'W) in June 2005. The bark methanol extract was obtained and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) was used to generate a constituent profile. In vivo anti-giardia activity was assayed with an experimental model of G. intestinalis infection in neonatal CD-1 mice. Nine doses ranging from 0.25-15mg extract/kg body weight were tested to determine the dose required to kill 50% of the trophozoites (ED₅₀). An acute toxicity assay was run in which one of four single doses (200, 1000, 2000 and3000mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to adult Wistar rats. Animal weight, death rates, toxic effects and behavioral parameters were observed over a 14-d period. They were then euthanized and a necropsy performed.

RESULTS

The S. racemosa bark extract inhibited growth of G. intestinalis (ED₅₀=1.14mg/Kg) in neonatal CD-1 mice. No toxic or lethal effects were observed even at the highest dosage (3000mg/Kg), and neither were signs of toxicity observed in internal organs. The active compounds chrysophanol and physcion were present in the extract at a 1.76 ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

The results strongly support traditional use of S. racemosa bark for treatment of diarrhea caused by Giardia intestinalis infection.

Senna leaf extracts induced Ca(+2) homeostasis in a zoonotic tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta

Context Plants and plant products have been used in traditional medicine as anthelmintic agents in human and veterinary medicine. Three species of Senna plant, S. alata (L), S. alexandrina (M) and S. occidentalis (L.) Link (Fabaceae) have been shown to have a vermicidal/vermifugal effect on a zoonotic tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta (Rudolphi) (Cyclophyllidean). Objective The present study validates the mode of action of these Senna plants on the parasite. The alcoholic leaf extract was determined to obtain information on the intracellular free calcium concentration level. Materials and methods Hymenolepis diminuta was maintained in Sprague-Dawley rat model for 2 months. Live parasites collected from infected rat intestine were exposed to 40 mg/mL concentration of each plant extracts prepared in phosphate buffer saline at 37 °C, till parasite gets paralyzed. The rate of efflux of calcium from the parasite tissue to the medium and the level of intracellular Ca(2+ )concentration were determined by an atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results This study revealed that exposure of the worms to the plant extract leads to disruption in intracellular calcium homeostasis. A significant increase (44.6% and 25%) of efflux in Ca(2+ )from the tissue to the incubated medium was observed. Senna alata showed high rate of efflux (5.32 mg/g) followed by S. alexandria and S. occidentalis (both 4.6 mg/g) compared with control (3.68 mg/g). Discussion and conclusion These results suggest that leaf extracts caused membrane permeability to Ca(2+ )after vacuolization of the tegument under stress and the extracts may contain compound that can be used as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Validation of a QuEChERS-based gas chromatographic method for analysis of pesticide residues in Cassia angustifolia (senna)

A simple multi-residue method based on modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) approach was established for the determination of 17 organochlorine (OC), 15 organophosphorous (OP) and 7 synthetic pyrethroid (SP) pesticides in an economically important medicinal plant of India, Senna (Cassia angustifolia), by gas chromatography coupled to electron capture and flame thermionic detectors (GC/ECD/FTD) and confirmation of residues was done on gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The developed method was validated by testing the following parameters: linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), matrix effect, accuracy-precision and measurement uncertainty; the validation study clearly demonstrated the suitability of the method for its intended application. All pesticides showed good linearity in the range 0.01-1.0 μg mL(-1) for OCs and OPs and 0.05-2.5 μg mL(-1) for SPs with correlation coefficients higher than 0.98. The method gave good recoveries for most of the pesticides (70-120%) with intra-day and inter-day precision < 20% in most of the cases. The limits of detection varied from 0.003 to 0.03 mg kg(-1), and the LOQs were determined as 0.01-0.049 mg kg(-1). The expanded uncertainties were <30%, which was distinctively less than a maximum default value of ±50%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine pesticide residues in 12 commercial market samples obtained from different locations in India.

Control of citrus molds using bioactive coatings incorporated with fungal chitosan/plant extracts composite

BACKGROUND

The ongoing postharvest loss in citrus fruits, due to fungal infection, is a chronic economic and agricultural problem. Most of citrus damage is caused by Penicillium spp., e.g. green mold (P. digitatum) and blue mold (P. italicum). Fungal chitosan, from Mucor rouxii, and plant extracts from cress seeds, olive leaves, pomegranate peels and senna pods, were evaluated as antifungal agents against the phytopathogenic fungi, P. digitatum and P. italicum, using in vitro qualitative and quantitative assays.

RESULTS

All natural agents tested exhibited potent antifungal activity; the most powerful agent was cress (Lepidium sativum) seed extract, followed by pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract. Fungal chitosan also had a remarkable fungicidal potentiality using both evaluation assays. Penicillium digitatum was generally more resistant than P. italicum toward all examined agents. The incorporation of each individual natural agent in coating material resulted in a great reduction in fungal growth and viability. The addition of chitosan combined with cress and pomegranate extracts, to the coating materials, prevented coated citrus fruit from decay by green and blue mold for a 2-week storage period.

CONCLUSION

Natural derivatives could be recommended as powerful antifungal alternatives to protect citrus fruits from postharvest fungal decay.

Immunomodulatory potential of Rhein, an anthraquinone moiety of Cassia occidentalis seeds

Rhein, the most toxic anthraquinone moiety in Cassia occidentalis seeds, has been associated with hepatomyoencephalopathy (HME) in children. Structural and functional alterations in the lymphoid organs have been reported both in HME patients and experimental animals indicating a possibility of the dysfunction of immune system following exposure to CO seeds or its toxic anthraquinones (Panigrahi et al., 2014a). In the present study the mechanism of immune response of Rhein in splenocytes has been investigated by measuring functional assays of lymphocyte, cell surface receptor expression and analysis of cytokine levels. Results indicate that Rhein at a maximum dose of 10 μM is non cytotoxic up to 72 h in splenocytes. In addition to its potential to decrease the allogenic response of T-cells, Rhein significantly suppresses the proliferation of the concavalin A (Con A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated splenocytes. Lymphocyte receptor expression analysis revealed that Rhein exposure significantly down regulate the expression of CD3e, CD4, CD8, CD28, CD69 molecules in T-cells. The expression of CD19, CD28, CD40 in B-cells were also found to be significantly decreased following Rhein exposure. In accordance with the functional responses, Rhein treatment significantly lowered the expression of IL2 and IL6 cytokines in Con A stimulated splenocytes, and IL6, IL10, IFNγ and TNFα in LPS stimulated splenocytes. Over all, the study suggests the immunomodulatory activity of Rhein and that it would be useful in understanding the immune response of CO seeds in human subjects.

Serum concentrations of anthraquinones after intake of Folium Sennae and potential modulation on P-glycoprotein

Folium Sennae (leaves of Cassia angustifolia or senna) is a laxative and a component in diets for weight control. It contains a variety of anthranoids such as sennosides, aloe-emodin, and rhein. In order to measure the serum concentrations of senna anthranoids, Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with single dose and multiple doses of Folium Sennae. The concentrations of anthranoids in serum were determined by HPLC method before and after hydrolysis with sulfatase and β-glucuronidase. The results showed that in the serum, aloe-emodin glucuronides and rhein glucuronides were the major metabolites. Traces of rhein free form were present transiently during the early phase, whereas the free form of aloe-emodin was not detected. We also evaluated the modulation effect of Folium Sennae on P-glycoprotein by using the LS 180 cell model which showed that it significantly inhibited P-glycoprotein by 16-46 %. In conclusion, senna anthranoids were rapidly and extensively metabolized to rhein glucuronides and aloe-emodin glucuronides in rats. Folium Sennae ingestion inhibited the efflux function of P-glycoprotein in the intestine.

Identification of indicator components for the discrimination of Cassia plants in health teas and development of analytical method for the components

Components that could be used as indicators for the discrimination of senna (Cassia angustifolia) from other cassia plants contained in health teas were identified, and an analytical method for the components was developed. Our results revealed two components in senna that were not found in other Cassia spp. widely used in health teas, such as C. alata, C. corymbosa, C. obtusifolia, and C. occidentalis. Structural elucidation of the two components showed that they were isorhamnetin-3-O-gentiobioside and tinnevellin glucoside. We analyzed commercial health teas using the HPLC method developed in this study. The two indicator components were detected at 366 nm using an RP C18 column and gradient elution with a mixture of water and acetonitrile (with formic acid), as the mobile phase. Our analytical method by HPLC enabled the differentiation of senna from other Cassia plants present in health teas in which sennosides A and B were detected. Moreover, this method allowed us to predict the parts of senna in health teas from the amounts of isorhamnetin-3-O-gentiobioside and tinnevellin glucoside contained in the teas.

Leishmanicidal activity of the crude extract, fractions and major piperidine alkaloids from the flowers of Senna spectabilis

Senna spectabilis (sin. Cassia excelsa, C. spectabilis) is an endemic tree of South America and Africa, very common in Brazil, where it is known as "canafistula-de-besouro" and "cassia-do-nordeste". In folk medicine, this plant is indicated for the treatment of constipation, insomnia, anxiety, epilepsy, malaria, dysentery and headache. Phytopharmacological studies have also confirmed anticonvulsive, sedative, anti-malarial, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of many parts of S. spectabilis. In this communication, we present a comparative study of the leishmanicidal activity of the crude ethanolic extract, its fractions and also the two major alkaloidal metabolites (-)-cassine/(-)-spectaline, trying to establish a relationship between the presence of piperidine alkaloidal constituents and leishmanicidal activity. The growth inhibitory effect of promastigote forms of Leishmania major was determined for the crude extract, fractions of the flowers of S. spectabilis and a mixture of (-)-cassine/(-)-spectaline in comparison to pentamidine used as standard drug. The cytotoxic effects were assessed on macrophage strain J774 by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Fractions dichloromethane (FL-DCM) and n-butanol (FL-Bu) and a mixture of (-)-cassine/(-)-spectaline (∼7:3) exhibited significant activity against the parasite Leishmania major (IC50 values of 0.6±0.1 μg/ml, 1.6±0.9 μg/ml and 24.9±1.4 μg/ml, respectively), without toxic effects on murine macrophages. Due to the promising results elicited, further studies in vivo need to be performed to confirm the therapeutic potential of Senna spectabilis.

An HPLC method to determine sennoside A and sennoside B in Sennae fructus and Sennae folium

INTRODUCTION

The current Ph. Eur. monographs for senna pods, senna leaf and senna leaf dry extract standardised describe a photometric assay based on the Bornträger reaction to determine hydroxyanthracene glycosides, calculated as sennoside B. The method is timeconsuming, unspecific for sennosides and the precision is not adequate for a modern assay.

AIM

The photometric method shall therefore be replaced by a modern HPLC method. About 70 % of the total anthrachinone content in herbal drugs of senna species is due to sennoside A and sennoside B. These substances are therefore suitable for the standardisation of Senna products. The Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) already describes an HPLC method to determine sennoside A and sennoside B in the monograph for senna leaf. It uses ion-pair chromatography with tetraheptylammoniumbromide. The procedure described in the monograph has a runtime of 70 min.

METHOD

The adapted and validated method described here uses solid-phase extraction (SPE) which allows a selective sample preparation by using an anion exchange phase. A conventional RP C18 column Tosh TSKgel ODS-80TS (4.6 mm × 150 mm), 5 μm, was used as stationary phase and acetonitrile for chromatography R, water R, phosphoric acid R (200:800:1 V/V/V) as mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.2 mL/min, the column temperature 40 °C, the detection wavelength 380 nm, and the injection volume 20 μL. The runtime is 10 min, the chromatogram shows 2 peaks due to sennoside A/B and 2 additional smaller compounds. One of them is rhein-8-O-glucoside.

RESULTS

The procedure has been successfully validated according to ICH guidelines. We analysed 6 batches of Senna. The pods (Senna angustifolia) showed a total content of sennoside A and B of 1.74-2.76 % m/m and the content of senna leaves was clearly lower with 1.07-1.19 % m/m, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The suggested method is considered to be suitable to determine sennoside A and sennoside B in senna leaves and senna pods. The consideration is based on the performed validation and on the results for the analysed samples. A short run time and better resolution are clear advantages of the suggested method, compared to other methods.

Larvicidal effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Senna alata on Anopheles gambiae, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti

Senna alata is locally used in South Eastern Nigeria in the treatment of several infections which include ringworm and other parasitic skin diseases.The larvicidal activities of aqueous and ethanolic leaf and stem extracts of S. alata were evaluated in static bioassays, on fourth instar larvae of Anopheles gambiae, Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti, at extract concentrations of 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60 and 0.75% w/v, for 72 hours. Mortality of larvae exposed to the different extracts increased with increase in extract concentration and time of exposure. This study revealed a differential potency of the extracts used and a difference in susceptibility of larvae to the extracts as evident by the 72hLC₅₀ values obtained. The leaf extract proved to be more lethal to the larvae than the stem extract as judged by the 72hLC₅₀ values obtained both for the aqueous as well as the ethanolic extracts assayed. Phytochemical screening of the plant parts investigated revealed the presence of some plant metabolites, which have been reported in separate studies to be lethal to mosquito larvae. Results obtained from this study suggest that the leaf and stem extracts of S. alata possess a promising larvicidal potential which can be exploited in mosquito vector control.

Antidiabetic components of Cassia alata leaves: identification through α-glucosidase inhibition studies

CONTEXT

Cassia alata Linn. [syn. Senna alata (L.) Roxb.] (Caesalpiniaceae) is used for treating various disease conditions including diabetes but its mechanism(s) of action and active principles remain to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

The antidiabetic principles were identified using an in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methanol extract of leaves of C. alata, which showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀, 63.75 ± 12.81 µg/ml), was fractionated. Active fractions were taken for further analysis by a variety of techniques including HPLC and Combiflash chromatography. The identity of the isolated compounds was established by spectroscopic analysis while their potential antidiabetic activity was assessed by in vitro enzyme inhibition studies.

RESULTS

The α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the crude extract was far better than the standard clinically used drug, acarbose (IC₅₀, 107.31 ± 12.31 µg/ml). A subsequent fractionation of the crude extract was made using solvents of ascending polarity (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water). The ethyl acetate (IC₅₀, 2.95 ± 0.47 µg/ml) and n-butanol (IC₅₀, 25.80 ± 2.01 µg/ml) fractions which contained predominantly kaempferol (56.7 ± 7.7 µM) and kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside (50.0 ± 8.5 µM), respectively, displayed the highest carbohydrate enzyme inhibitory effect.

DISCUSSION

One of the possible antidiabetic mechanisms of action of C. alata is by inhibiting carbohydrate digestion. This is the first report on α-glucosidase activity of kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside.

CONCLUSION

Considering the activity profile of the crude extract and isolated bioactive compounds, further in vivo and clinical studies on C. alata extracts and compounds are well merited.

Cycloartane triterpenoids from Cassia occidentalis

A phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Cassia occidentalis led to the isolation of two new cycloartane triterpenoids, cycloccidentalic acids A and B (1 and 2), and five new related saponins, cycloccidentalisides I-V (3-7), together with sixteen known compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated through detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and chemical methods. Compounds 2 and 5 showed modest anti-HIV-1 activities with EC₅₀ values of 2.23 µM and 4.36 µM, respectively, in comparison to the positive control.

Pyridine alkaloids from Senna multijuga as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

As part of an ongoing research project on Senna and Cassia species, five new pyridine alkaloids, namely, 12'-hydroxy-7'-multijuguinol (1), 12'-hydroxy-8'-multijuguinol (2), methyl multijuguinate (3), 7'-multijuguinol (4), and 8'-multijuguinol (5), were isolated from the leaves of Senna multijuga (syn. Cassiamultijuga). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. Mass spectrometry was used for confirmation of the positions of the hydroxy groups in the side-chains of 1, 2, 4, and 5. All compounds exhibited weak in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity as compared with the standard compound physostigmine.

Barakol-induced apoptosis in P19 cells through generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of caspase-9

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Barakol, an anxiolytic agent isolated from Senna siamea leaves which has been traditionally used for producing natural sleep, has been described as toxic to patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of current study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of barakol-induced toxicity in mouse embryonal carcinoma P19 cell model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

XTT assay was used to determine cell viability in P19 cells treated with barakol. Apoptotic cells were detected by Hoechst 33342 staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was analyzed by flow cytometry using a fluorescent dye, DCFH-DA. Detection of apoptotic protein expression in P19 cells was performed by Western blot analysis. Caspase-9 activity was measured using a fluorescent immunosorbent enzyme assay kit.

RESULTS

Treatment with barakol decreased cell viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with an IC(50) value of 1.5mM in 24-h treated cells. A Hoechst 33342 assay revealed that barakol cytotoxicity was due to a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells. Different scavengers to characterize ROS were utilized and revealed that hydroxyl radicals played a major role in ROS-induced apoptosis in barakol-treated cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that barakol-induced apoptosis was mediated by the increase in expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Furthermore, increase in caspase-9 activity after exposure to barakol for 24h was also observed. Pretreatment of cells with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) attenuated intracellular ROS generation, the Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression, and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism of barakol-mediated toxicity in P19 cells is mainly associated with the ROS generation, followed by the imbalance of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and caspase-9 activation leading to apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment of cells with NAC could antagonize the toxicity produced by barakol.

An experimental model to study the effects of a senna extract on the blood constituent labeling and biodistribution of a radiopharmaceutical in rats

Cassia angustifolia Vahl (senna) is a natural product that contains sennosides, which are active components that affect the intestinal tract and induce diarrhea. Authors have shown that senna produces DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) lesions in Escherichia coli cultures and can act as an antifungal agent. Natural drugs can alter the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-⁹⁹m (⁹⁹mTc) and can affect the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. In this work, we have evaluated the influence of a senna extract on the radiolabeling of blood constituents and on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na⁹⁹mTcO₄)in Wistar rats. Twelve animals were treated with senna extract for 7 days. Blood samples were withdrawn from the animals and the radiolabeling procedure was carried out. The senna extract did not modify the radiolabeling of the blood constituents. A biodistributional assay was performed by administering Na⁹⁹mTcO₄ and determining its activity in different organs and in blood. The senna extract altered the biodistribution of Na⁹⁹mTcO₄ in the thyroid, liver, pancreas, lungs and blood. These results are associated with properties of the chemical substances present in the aqueous senna extract. Although these assays were performed in animals, our findings suggest that caution should be exercised when nuclear medicine examinations using Na⁹⁹mTcO₄ are conducted in patients who are using senna extract.

Anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipidperoxidant effects of Cassia occidentalis Linn

Cassia occidentalis Linn. mast cell degranulation at a dose of 250 mg/kg, showed dose dependent stabilizing activity towards human RBC, with is widely used in traditional medicine of India to treat a number of clinical conditions including allergy and inflammatory manifestations. In the present study anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of C. occidentalis whole plant ethanolic extract (CO) was investigated. Effects of CO on rat mast cell degranulation inhibition and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization were studied in vitro following standard methods. The anti lipidperoxidant effects of CO were also studied in vitro. Effect of CO on carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema inhibition was also assessed. CO significantly decreased maximum protection of 80.8% at 15 microg/ml. The extract also caused significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of murine hepatic microsomes at 100 microg/ml (56%) and significantly reduced carrageenan induced inflammation in mice at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Results of the present study indicated that CO inhibited mast cell degranulation, stabilized HRBC membrane thereby alleviating immediate hypersensitivity besides showing anti oxidant activity.

A new bianthracene C-arabinopyranoside from Senna septemtrionalis

Chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, floribundone-1, 5,7'-physcion-fallacinol, and the novel 5,7'-physcion-physcion-10'-C-alpha-arabinopyranoside were isolated from the stem bark of Senna septemtrionalis. The structures of these secondary metabolites were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially from NMR spectra in conjunction with COSY, HMQC, HMBC and TOCSY.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory pyridine alkaloids of the leaves of Senna multijuga

Two unusual pyridine alkaloids, 7'-multijuguinone (1) and 12'-hydroxy-7'-multijuguinone (2), were isolated from the leaves of Senna multijuga, together with the known flavonoid rutin. The structures of the new alkaloids were established on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, in comparison with the standard compound physostigmine.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Cassia siamea Lam. stem bark extracts

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study was carried out to investigate analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Cassia siamea Lam stem bark extracts. We have also determined the cytotoxicity of each extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C. siamea, a widespread medicinal plant traditionally used in sub-Saharan Africa, was collected in Congo Brazzaville. Stem bark was extracted with petroleum ether (CSE1), chloroform (CSE2), ethanol (CSE3) and water (CSE4). Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of these extracts were assessed in rats with hot plate test, paw pressure and carrageenan induced paw oedema. Cytotoxicity was assessed against KB and Vero cells.

RESULTS

At the doses used (100, 200, and 400mg/kg) ethanol and water extracts showed significant and dose-dependent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. None of the extracts had cytotoxic activity on KB and Vero cell lines and the most active extracts (CSE3 and CSE4) had no acute toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlighted the analgesic and anti-inflammatory of C. siamea stem bark. Four major families of compounds present in the plant may explain these activities: triterpenes (lupeol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, friedelin, betulin), flavonoids (apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin), anthraquinones (emodin), phytosterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol).

Evaluation of the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative activities of the acetone extract of the roots of Senna italica (Fabaceae)

Senna italica, a member of the Fabaceae family (subfamily Caesalpinaceae), is widely used traditionally to treat a number of disease conditions, such as sexually transmitted diseases and some forms of intestinal complications. The roots of Senna italica were collected from Zebediela subregion, Limpopo province (S.A), powdered and extracted with acetone by cold/shaking extraction method. The phytochemical composition of the extract was determined by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The chromatograms were visualised with vanillin-sulphuric acid and p-anisaldehyde reagents. The total phenolic content of the extract was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and expressed as TAE/g dry weight. The extract was assayed for the in vitro anticancer activity using Jurkat T cells, antioxidant activity using DPPH assay and antibacterial activity by bioautographic method and the microtitre plate method. The acetone extract of the roots of Senna italica inhibited the growth of Jurkat T cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The extract also had free radical scavenging activity as well as reasonable antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with MICs ranging from 0,08 to 0.16 mg/ml in the same order as ampicillin the positive control. The biological activities observed in the acetone extract validated the ethnomedicinal use of Senna italica.

Laxative anthraquinone contents in fresh and cooked Senna siamea leaves

This study determined the contents of total anthraquinone glycosides in Senna siamea, which are active laxative form, and total anthraquinones in the fresh young leaves, the boiled leaves, and the boiled filtrates by a UV-vis spectrophotometric method. Total anthraquinone glycosides and total anthraquinones, calculated as rhein, in the fresh young leaves were 0.0523 and 0.0910% w/w, respectively. The first and second boiled filtrates contained total anthraquinone glycosides 0.0334 and 0.0031% fresh weight, respectively. The first boiled leaves contained 0.0161% fresh weight and the second boiled leaves contained non-detected amount. Total anthraquinones contents in the first and second filtrates and the first and second boiled leaves were found to be 0.0721, 0.0069, 0.0167% fresh weight and non-detected amount, respectively. The results showed that the process of preparation of khi lek curry by boiling S. siamea young leaves twice with water reduced total anthraquinone glycosides content more than 75%. This confirms the traditional use of khi lek curry as a very mild laxative drug.