Acute oral toxicity assessment of ethanolic extracts of Antidesma bunius (L.) Spreng fruits in mice

A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of the genus Antidesma L

The genus Antidesma L. (Phyllanthaceae) consists of 102 species and is distributed throughout the subtropical, temperate, and subpolar regions. Numerous species in this genus are employed in ethnomedical practices to treat a range of ailments including anaemia, diabetes, herpes, skin infections, typhoid, throat and lung diseases, gastrointestinal, jaundice, rheumatic, and many more diseases. This review aimed to highlight the ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemical components, biological activities, and future research opportunities of the genus. A total number of 112 research papers published between the period 1977 and 2023 were considered and reviewed were retrieved from scientific databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Elsevier Scient Direct, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The literature study revealed that both plant extracts and phytochemicals exhibited a wide range of biological activities including antidiabetes, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, and many other activities. Overall, a total number of 236 compounds have been encountered from the different species of Antidesma. These compounds belong to different chemical groups such as alkaloids, flavonoids, fatty acids, lignans, sterols, terpenoids, coumarins, and others. Three compounds such as antidesmone, amentoflavone, and β-sitosterol were found to be possible chemotaxonomic markers for the genus Antisema. Furthermore, only 16 species have been investigated in the context of phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the genus so far. This review could serve as a comprehensive resource for future research in drug discovery and also lay the groundwork for the exploration of additional species within this genus for pharmaceutical applications.

Enhancing the potential of rapeseed cake as protein-source food by γ-irradiation

Rapeseed cake serves as a by-product in the oil extraction industry, characterized by its elevated protein content. However, the presence of antinutritional factors limits the utilization of rapeseed cake as a viable protein source. In this study, different doses of γ-irradiation were used to irradiate rapeseed cake and rapeseed protein isolate was extracted through a modified alkaline solution and acid precipitation method from rapeseed cake. The chemical composition and in vivo acute toxicity of rapeseed protein isolate were determined. The protein recovery rate of rapeseed protein isolate was 39.08 ± 3.01% after irradiation, while the content of antinutritional factors was significantly reduced. Moreover, γ-irradiation did not have any experimentally related effects on clinical observations or clinicopathology in mice. Overall, the reduced antinutrients and increased functional properties suggest that the irradiation of rapeseed cake (<9 kGy) could be utilized as a pre-treatment in the development of rapeseed cake-based value-added protein products.

Neuroprotective Effects of Isolated Mangiferin from Swertia chirayita Leaves Regulating Oxidative Pathway on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Neuropathy in Experimental Rats

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress has an important role in the pathogenesis and development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), the most common and debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus. Swertia chirayita is a rich source of phenolic constituents and has hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

AIMS

This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect in diabetes by enhancing antioxidant defense against oxidative stress, which exhibits a neuroprotective effect in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to elucidate the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds of Swertia chirayita for diabetic complications.

METHODS

The present work focused on isolating the bioactive from the leaves of Swertia absinthe for acute toxicity studies, assessing its protective effects against diabetes and diabetic neuropathy as well as its mode of action in STZ-induced Wistar rats. The local area of Moradabad is the place from where the leaves of Swertia chirayita were gathered. Mangiferin was isolated and identified using spectroscopic techniques, such as UV, HPLC, 1H NMR, C13 NMR, MAS, and FTIR. Mangiferin was administered in doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg to test its effect on experimentally induced diabetes. The sciatic nerves of all groups were examined histopathologically. The protective effect of the drug against diabetes and diabetic neuropathy was demonstrated by measures, such as blood glucose level, body weight, food intake, thermal hyperalgesia, grip strength, spontaneous locomotor test, and lipid profile analysis. Sciatic nerve cells of the treated groups showed less inflammation, degeneration, and necrosis.

RESULTS

The results of this study confirmed that mangiferin alleviated diabetic neuropathic pain, possibly by reducing inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-1β, and IL-6), strong antioxidant activity, and NGF in sciatic nerves. It may be a therapeutic agent.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that active phytochemicals of Swertia chirayita showed preventive and curative effects against STZ-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats, which might be due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.

Exploring therapeutic potential of Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz leaf and bark focusing on antioxidant, antithrombotic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidiarrheal properties

Background and Aims

The study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological properties of methanolic extracts of leaves and barks of Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz (family: Lythraceae) focusing on antioxidant, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, and antidiarrheal effects.

Methods

1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, clot lysis, disc diffusion, and membrane stabilizing methods were employed to assess in vitro antioxidant, thrombolytic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of the leaf and bark methanolic extracts (ME) of W. fruticosa and different organic solvents, that is, petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), chloroform (CL), and aqueous (AQ) fractions. In addition, in vivo central and peripheral analgesic and antidiarrheal activities of both crude extracts were evaluated at two doses (200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight [bw]).

Results

All the extracts and fractions showed promising antioxidant properties by scavenging DDPH free radicals with IC50 of 6.11-20.79 μg/mL. AQ fraction (41.24%) of leaves and ME (44.90%) of bark exerted notable in vitro thrombolytic activity. The CL fraction of leaves and AQ fraction of the bark showed 43.16% and 45.37% inhibition of RBC hemolysis, respectively, compared to the inhibition of RBC hemolysis by aspirin in a hypotonic-induced membrane stabilizing assay. Besides, both extracts were observed to provide significant (p < 0.001) central and peripheral analgesic responses at both doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg bw. Furthermore, both doses of bark extract (p < 0.001) and the 400 mg/kg bw of leaf extract (p < 0.05) were observed to possess statistically significant antidiarrheal activity. Additionally, in an in vivo acute toxicity investigation, both extracts had a median lethal dose (LD50) greater than 5000 mg/kg bw, indicating their safety level.

Conclusion

The current study proves the ethnomedicinal uses of W. fruticosa; however, further studies are required for phytochemical screening to isolate the responsible bioactive compounds and discover the lead molecules from the plant species.

Oral acute, sub-acute toxicity and phytochemical profile of Brassica carinata A. Braun microgreens ethanolic extract in Wistar rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Currently, there is a remarkable increase in the consumption of microgreens, (young edible vegetables or herbs), as potential nutraceuticals for the management of diseases. Brassica carinata A. Braun is one of the traditional leafy vegetables cultivated in various parts of Sub- Saharan Africa. The plant is revered for its efficacy in the treatment of wounds and gastrointestinal disorders among other medicinal benefits. It is therefore crucial to characterize Brassica carinata microgreens for their phytoconstituents and ascertain their safety for use.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study evaluated the oral acute and subacute toxicity of Brassica carinata microgreens ethanol extract (BMEE) in Wistar rats and identification of its chemical composition and profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For acute toxicity (14 days), rats were grouped into four and received a single oral dose, the control group received distilled water, while others received 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 2000 mg/kg of BMEE. For the subacute toxicity (28 days), rats in four groups received daily doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg and distilled water. Daily clinical observations like lethargy and mortality were conducted. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations were performed at the end of each experiment. Phytochemical profile was determined using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis determined the potential bioactive components in the microgreens extract.

RESULTS

In both acute and sub-acute toxicity studies, no mortalities, indications of abnormality, or any treatment related adverse effects were observed at doses of 2000 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg. The LD₅₀ of BMEE was above 2000 mg/kg. No significant (p > 0.05) changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters of the treated groups compared to the control groups in both studies. Histopathological examination of the liver, kidney, lungs, and heart revealed a normal architecture of the tissues in all the treated animals. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids (most abundant), phenols and alkaloids. Phytol, linoleic acid, and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, among other compounds, were identified by GC-MS analysis.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that B. carinata microgreens ethanol extract is nontoxic and found to have several compounds with reported pharmacological significance suggesting safety for use.