In vivo analgesic effect of aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica L. fruits

Polyphenolic profile and ethno pharmacological activities of Callistemonsubulatus (Cheel) Craven leaves cultivated in Egypt

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Callistemon (syn. Melaleuca) of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) has been documented as an integral part in the ethnobotanical system of the indigenous people of Australian mainland and many of its islands. Several Callistemons including the species subulatus were used by aboriginal Australians for making rafts, roofs for shelters, bandages, and food recipes, in addition to the management of wounds, infections, pain, cough, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current study is designed to document the therapeutic effect of the aqueous methanolic extract (AME) of C. sabulatus Chell (syn. M. sabulata) leaves in the management of diarrhea and pain. Also, its influence on additional pharmacological modalities that are related to oxidative stress just as skin aging. Ultimately, the polyphenolic profile of the extract is disclosed and correlated to the aforementioned bioactivities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extract was fractionated using various chromatography techniques and the structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on their chemical and spectral data. The antioxidant activity was assessed using multiple models, including 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and β-carotene bleaching assays. The anti-skin aging effect was evaluated using different relevant enzymatic assays. The antinociceptive activity was investigated using acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate test, and formalin-induced paw licking in mice models. The antidiarrheal activity was gauge using the castor oil induced diarrhea, enter pooling and gastrointestinal motility in vivo models.

RESULTS

Diverse polyphenols, including quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (2), strictinin (3), quercetin-3-O-(2``-O-galloyl)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside (4), afzelin (5), di-galloyl glucose (6), mono-galloyl glucose (7), acacetin (8), apigenin-6,7-dimethyl ether (9), kaempferol trimethyl ether (10), dimethoxy chrysin (11), quercetin (12), kaempferol (13), methyl gallate (14), and gallic acid (15) were identified. The extract exhibited as significant antioxidant activity even better than that of Trolox or BHT. Moreover, it exerts elastase, tyrosinase, and collagenase inhibition activities, in addition to the significant peripheral and central analgesic activity in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.0001). In castor oil induced diarrhea model, AME significantly prolonged the diarrhea onset, decreased the frequency of defecation, and weight of feces. Likewise, it exhibited a significant reduction in the gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal model (P < 0.0001) and a considerable inhibitory effect on gastrointestinal transit and peristaltic index with all investigated doses (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Ethnobotanicals are versatile resources for the management of various ailments by indigenous people and the experimental research is utmost to validate and uncover their pharmacological relevance. C. sabulatus leaves have strong antioxidant, analgesic, anti-skin aging, and antidiarrheal activities which are validated for the first time by various in vitro and in vivo models. The metabolic profile of the unprecedented AME of C. sabulatus leaves compromises a wide array of bioactive polyphenolic metabolites including, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids that are correlated to the observed bioactivities. Altogether, ethnobotanicals with high and diverse contents of polyphenols are potential candidates for the management of various human aliments including neuropathies, GIT disorders, and skin aging conditions.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Fabaceae): a narrative review

Chronic inflammation is one of the causes of a number of non-infectious diseases in the world. Over the years, Tamarindus indica has played fundamental roles in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug. It is a commercialized biocompatible medicinal plant species with a wide range of therapeutic window and with suggested LD50 greater than 5000 mg kg⁻¹ body weight when administered to the Wistar rats. This review examined the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential and mechanism of various extracts from T. indica pulp, leaves, seeds, stem bark, and roots. The preclinical studies provided strong pharmacological evidence for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the different parts of T. indica and this may be attributed to the various bioactive compounds in it including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, and steroids. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the extracts from the different parts of T. indica may be due to its ability to inhibit a number of biological processes including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), 5-lipoxygenase biosynthesis, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The analgesic activity of T. indica may also be through the activation of the opioidergic mechanism at both the peripheral and central levels. Although further pre-clinical studies still need to be conducted, these results demonstrated that T. indica has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and hence provides justification for its use in traditional medicine to treat body pain and other inflammatory related diseases including arthritis and offers a basis for future clinical studies and possible drug development.

Preclinical Evaluation of the Haematinic Activity of an Oral Indiffusible Mixture of Tamarindus indica L. Leaf Extract

Objectives

Tamarindus indica L. is known to be a multipurpose traditional plant in India. It is used to treat some bacterial infections, parasitic infestations, constipation, and inflammation. It is also used as a blood tonic and for wound healing. This study was designed to substantiate the traditional claim of haematinic activity for T. indica.

Materials and Methods

T. indica leaf extract was formulated into an oral indiffusible mixture (TIM) and evaluated for its haematinic activity in phenylhydrazine (single dose of 10 mg/kg per oral for 8 days) induced anaemia. Wistar rats were grouped into six (n=6). Groups I and II served as normal control and disease control groups, respectively. Group III received the standard drug (haematinic suspension 2 mL/kg). Groups IV, V, and VI received the formulated oral indiffusible mixture of T. indica at a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively.

Results

The TIM was formulated and pharmaceutically optimized. It produced significant increases in red blood cells, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume and a decrease in mean corpuscular volume.

Conclusion

The results showed that the treatment with TIM reversed phenylhydrazine induced anemia. However, the short duration of the present study is regarded as a limitation, and therefore a longer duration is required for obtaining better responses.

The Confrontation between Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacological Tests of Medicinal Plants Associated with Mental and Neurological Disorders

For neurological disorders, pharmacological tests have shown promising results in the reduction of side effects when using plants with known therapeutic effects in the treatment of some types of dementia. Therefore, the goals of this study are to gather data about the major medicinal plants used in the nervous system as described in ethnopharmacological surveys from South America and Brazil and to compare this data with the results from pharmacological tests on the active principles of those same plants found in the scientific literature. After collecting the data about each plant, their respective popular indication was compared with the results found through pharmacological tests. The discrepancy rate between the effects observed by ethnopharmacological and pharmacological methods in this study is greater than 50%. In conclusion, despite the importance of ethnopharmacological data, it is important to make comparisons with pharmacological tests for the same plants, since the pharmacological studies, although few, have shown a high rate of discrepancy in the results.

The Distinction of Hot Herbal Compress, Hot Compress, and Topical Diclofenac as Myofascial Pain Syndrome Treatment

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the distinctness after treatment among hot herbal compress, hot compress, and topical diclofenac. The registrants were equally divided into groups and received the different treatments including hot herbal compress, hot compress, and topical diclofenac group, which served as the control group. After treatment courses, Visual Analog Scale and 36-Item Short Form Health survey were, respectively, used to establish the level of pain intensity and quality of life. In addition, cervical range of motion and pressure pain threshold were also examined to identify the motional effects. All treatments showed significantly decreased level of pain intensity and increased cervical range of motion, while the intervention groups exhibited extraordinary capability compared with the topical diclofenac group in pressure pain threshold and quality of life. In summary, hot herbal compress holds promise to be an efficacious treatment parallel to hot compress and topical diclofenac.

Antinociceptive Activity of Methanol Extract of Tabebuia hypoleuca (C. Wright ex Sauvalle) Urb. Stems

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the methanol extract of Tabebuia hypoleuca stems (THME).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The animals were divided into 5 groups of 8 mice for each test (negative controls, positive controls, and 3 groups treated with THME at doses of 150, 300, and 500 mg/kg, p.o.). The antinociceptive effect of THME was evaluated using the writhing, formalin, tail flick, and hot plate models in mice.

RESULTS

In the writhing test, THME (150, 300, and 500 mg/kg) produced significantly (p < 0.001) fewer writhes induced by acetic acid than in the control group. In the formalin test, the licking time for THME at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) compared to the control group in the first phase of the formalin test, whereas in the second phase only the dose of 500 mg/kg showed an antinociceptive effect. In addition, THME at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg significantly increased the latency time in the tail flick test (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) and in the hot plate test (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that THME had antinociceptive activity using several models of nociception, and they suggest that the effect is mediated by the participation of both peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanisms.

Tamarind seed coat extract restores reactive oxygen species through attenuation of glutathione level and antioxidant enzyme expression in human skin fibroblasts in response to oxidative stress

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role and mechanism of tamarind seed coat extract (TSCE) on normal human skin fibroblast CCD-1064Sk cells under normal and oxidative stress conditions induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

METHODS

Tamarind seed coats were extracted with boiling water and then partitioned with ethyl acetate before the cell analysis. Effect of TSCE on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) level, antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activity including antioxidant protein expression was investigated.

RESULTS

TSCE significantly attenuated intracellular ROS in the absence and presence of H2O2 by increasing GSH level. In the absence of H2O2, TSCE significantly enhanced SOD and catalase activity but did not affected on GPx. Meanwhile, TSCE significantly increased the protein expression of SOD and GPx in H2O2-treated cells.

CONCLUSIONS

TSCE exhibited antioxidant activities by scavenging ROS, attenuating GSH level that could protect human skin fibroblast cells from oxidative stress. Our results highlight the antioxidant mechanism of tamarind seed coat through an antioxidant enzyme system, the extract potentially benefits for health food and cosmeceutical application of tamarind seed coat.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Satureja hortensis seed essential oil, hydroalcoholic and polyphenolic extracts in animal models

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Satureja hortensis seed extracts and to analyze their essential oil constituents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hydroalcoholic and polyphenolic extracts and essential oil of S. hortensis seeds were prepared using standard methods. Analgesic activity was assessed in male mice (25-35 g) using standard methods (acetic acid and formalin tests). For the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test was used. The mice were pretreated with 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p., hydroalcoholic or polyphenolic extracts or 100 or 200 μl/kg, p.o.

RESULTS

Hydrodistillation of the seeds of S. hortensis afforded a pale yellowish oil in a yield of 0.05% (v/w). Pretreatment of mice with hydroalcoholic or polyphenolic extracts or essential oil significantly (p < 0.001) reduced acetic acid-induced abdominal twitches. Hydroalcoholic extracts also significantly reduced pain responses in early and late phases of the formalin test whereas the polyphenolic extract and essential oil were only effective in the late phase of the formalin test. All three fractions were found to reduce paw edema in the carrageenan test.

CONCLUSION

These results clearly demonstrate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of S. hortensis seeds and since the hydroalcoholic extract relieved pain in the first phase of the formalin test, it seems that at least part of its analgesic activity may be mediated centrally. The results of this study substantiated the traditional use of S. hortensis plant seeds in painful and inflammatory ailments.

The study of antinociceptive effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium oliverianum (a plant used in southern Iranian traditional medicine) in rat by formalin test

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium Oliverianum were investigated by formalin test model. This study was conducted in on the male Wistar rats, weighting 150-180 g. The animals were divided into seven groups (n = 7) and received 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg kg(-1) of hydroalcoholic extract of teucrium oliverianum intraperitoneally, respectively. Negative control group received normal saline (5 mL kg(-1)) and the positive control groups received 2.5 mg kg(-1) morphine and 300 mg kg(-1) aspirin, intraperitoneally respectively. The results showed that all doses of extract have significant analgesic effect (p < 0.05) in all studies times in comparison with negative control. The best result achieved with 600 mg kg(-1) of extract. The result revealed that the analgesic effect of the extract (600 mg kg(-1)) \was less than aspirin (300 mg kg(-1)) on the second phase of pain and less than morphine (2.5 mg kg(-1)) in both phases of the pain, more than aspirin in first phase of pain. One group of animals was treated with naloxone (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and suitable dose of extract (600 mg kg(-1), i.p.). Also, Naloxone inhibited analgesic effect of alcoholic extract of Teucrium Oliverianum. It can be concluded that the alcoholic extract of Teucrium oliverianum may exert its effect through opioid receptors, stimulating GABAergic system or promotes the release of endogenous opipeptides or decreasing free radicals.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2010

This paper is the thirty-third consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2010 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior (Section 2), and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia (Section 3); stress and social status (Section 4); tolerance and dependence (Section 5); learning and memory (Section 6); eating and drinking (Section 7); alcohol and drugs of abuse (Section 8); sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (Section 9); mental illness and mood (Section 10); seizures and neurologic disorders (Section 11); electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (Section 12); general activity and locomotion (Section 13); gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (Section 14); cardiovascular responses (Section 15); respiration (Section 16); and immunological responses (Section 17).

Hypolipidemic and weight reducing activity of the ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp in cafeteria diet- and sulpiride-induced obese rats

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of fruit pulp of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) on obesity in rats using cafeteria diet-induced obesity and antipsychotic drug (sulpiride)-induced obesity.

Materials and Methods:

Cafeteria dietwas administered for 40 successive days to male Wistar rats and sulpiride (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered for 28 successive days to female Wistar rats. In separate groups of animals, the ethanolic extract (50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) of Tamarindus indica fruit was administered along with cafeteria diet for 40 successive days to Wistar male rats and along with sulpiride for 28 successive days to Wistar female rats.

Results:

Cafeteria diet alone significantly increased body weight, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels and decreased HDL cholesterol in male rats as compared to control. Sulpiride per se significantly increased the levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and there was no significant effect on HDL-cholesterol in female rats as compared to control. Ethanolic extract showed a significant decrease in body weight, serum cholesterol, and triglycerides and a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol in cafeteria diet- and sulpiride-induced obese rats as compared to their respective control groups.

Conclusions:

Thus, the ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp showed a significant weight-reducing and hypolipidemic activity in cafeteria diet- and sulpiride-induced obese rats.

Antinociceptive activity of a synthetic curcuminoid analogue, 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone, on nociception-induced models in mice

This study investigated the potential antinociceptive efficacy of a novel synthetic curcuminoid analogue, 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone (BHMC), using chemical- and thermal-induced nociception test models in mice. BHMC (0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) administered via intraperitoneal route (i.p.) produced significant dose-related inhibition in the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test in mice with an ID(50) of 0.15 (0.13-0.18) mg/kg. It was also demonstrated that BHMC produced significant inhibition in both neurogenic (first phase) and inflammatory phases (second phase) of the formalin-induced paw licking test with an ID(50) of 0.35 (0.27-0.46) mg/kg and 0.07 (0.06-0.08) mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, BHMC also exerted significant increase in the response latency period in the hot-plate test. Moreover, the antinociceptive effect of the BHMC in the formalin-induced paw licking test and the hot-plate test was antagonized by pre-treatment with the non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. Together, these results indicate that the compound acts both centrally and peripherally. In addition, administration of BHMC exhibited significant inhibition of the neurogenic nociception induced by intraplantar injections of glutamate and capsaicin with ID(50) of 0.66 (0.41-1.07) mg/kg and 0.42 (0.38-0.51) mg/kg, respectively. Finally, it was also shown that BHMC-induced antinociception was devoid of toxic effects and its antinociceptive effect was associated with neither muscle relaxant nor sedative action. In conclusion, BHMC at all doses investigated did not cause any toxic and sedative effects and produced pronounced central and peripheral antinociceptive activities. The central antinociceptive activity of BHMC was possibly mediated through activation of the opioid system as well as inhibition of the glutamatergic system and TRPV1 receptors, while the peripheral antinociceptive activity was perhaps mediated through inhibition of various inflammatory mediators.