Evaluation of a root extract gel from Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) as analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy in rheumatoid arthritis in mice

Purpose: To develop and characterize an herbal gel prepared from methanol root extract of Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) (Stinging nettle) for the treatment of arthritis in mice. Methods: A methanol root extract from Urtica dioica was prepared, and a gel was then prepared using Carbopol 934. The prepared gel was subjected to various physical tests (color, appearance, pH, texture, viscosity) and in vivo evaluation, including primary skin irritation, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory tests, in arthritic mice and compared with 2 % indomethacin gel, which was used as standard. Results: The prepared herbal gel was of light gray color with a smooth texture. It showed a pH of 7.1 and a viscosity of 21.2 cps. The gel exhibited pseudoplastic rheology, as evidenced by shear thinning with increased shear rate. It was non-irritating to the skin in primary skin irritation test in mice and showed 55.05 % inhibition of paw edema in a carrageenan-induced hind rat paw edema model, comparable to that of the standard gel (53.93 %), after 24 h. The gel showed 58.21 % analgesia, versus 61.19 % analgesia for the indomethacin gel standard in writhing test. Conclusion: The topical gel from methanol root extract of U. dioica may be an efficacious and safe alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but this requires further investigations to ascertain its safety and clinical efficacy.

Characterization of volatile compounds of Albertisia papuana Becc root extracts and cytotoxic activity in breast cancer cell line T47D

Purpose: To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of chloroform and water root extracts of Albertisia papuana Becc. on T47D cell line and identify the volatile compounds of the extracts. Methods: The plant roots were extracted with chloroform and water using maceration and boiling methods, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the extracts on T47D were determined using 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Doxorubicin was used as reference drug in the cytotoxicity test while Probit analysis was used to calculate the Median Growth Inhibitory Concentration IC50 of the extracts. The volatile compounds in the chloroform and water root extracts were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry GC-MS. Results: The IC50 of the chloroform and water extracts were 28.0 ± 6.0 and 88.0 ± 5.5 μg/mL, respectively whereas that of doxorubicin was 8.5 ± 0.1 μg/mL. GC-MS results showed that there were 46 compounds in the chloroform extract, out of which the five major components are ethyl linoleate (49.68 %), bicyclo (3.3.1) non-2-ene (29.29 %), ethyl palmitate (5.06 %), palmitic acid (3.67 %) and ethyl heptadecanoate (1.57 %).The water extract consisted of three compounds, butanoic acid (15.58 %); methyl cycloheptane (3.45 %), and methyl 2-O-methylpentofuranoside (80.96 %). Conclusion: The chloroform root extract of A. papuana Becc. had a fairly potent anticancer activity against breast cancer cells and may be further developed as an anticancer agent. Its major components were fatty acids and fatty acid esters.

Effects of aqueous extract from Asparagus officinalis L. roots on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels and the number of ovarian follicles in adult rats

Background: Asparagus is a plant with high nutritional, pharmaceutical, and industrial values. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of asparagus roots on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and oogenesis in female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult female Wistar rats were divided into five groups, which consist 8 rats. Groups included control, sham and three experimental groups receiving different doses (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/bw) of aqueous extract of asparagus roots. All dosages were administered orally for 28 days. Blood samples were taken from rats to evaluate serum levels of Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinal hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone hormones. The ovaries were removed, weighted, sectioned, and studied by light microscope. Results: Dose-dependent aqueous extract of asparagus roots significantly increased serum levels of GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen, and progestin hormones compared to control and sham groups. Increase in number of ovarian follicles and corpus luteum in groups treated with asparagus root extract was also observed (p<0.05). Conclusion: Asparagus roots extract stimulates secretion of hypothalamic- pituitary- gonadal axis hormones. This also positively affects oogenesis in female rats.

Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extract of root bark of Acacia jacquemontii Benth (Fabaceae) in experimental animals

Purpose: To investigate the ethnomedicinal claims regarding the use of Acacia jacquemontii Benth. (Fabaceae) in fever, pain and inflammation. Methods: The methanol root bark extract (AJRBM) of the plant was used in the studies. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out according to established methods. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities were evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, carrageennan-induced rat paw edema and Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia models, respectively. The extract was administered at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Aspirin (300 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a reference drug in all models. Normal saline (10 mL/kg p.o.) was used as negative control. Results: Phytochemical screening results indicate the presence of cardioactive glycosides, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. In the acetic acid-induced writhing model, the methanol extract exhibited significant (p < 0.05) analgesic effect with 58.98 % reduction in writhing response at a dose of 100 mg/kg, compared with untreated control group. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced carrageenan-induced edema at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg to 36.84 and 47.36 %, respectively, after 1 h of extract administration. The extract exhibited predominantly dose-dependent antipyretic effect in Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia model. Maximum reduction in body temperature to 37.07 and 38.29 ºC at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, was observed, compared with untreated group (38.90 ºC) after 1 h, but this was not significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The plant extract exerts inhibitory effect on peripheral pain stimuli, edema and dosedependent anti-pyrexia, and thus justifies the ethnomedicinal use of Acacia jacquemontii Benth. in the management of pain, fever and inflammation.

Chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of ethanol extract of Maesa perlaria var formosana

Purpose: This study analyzes the chemical composition of ethanol root extracts of Maesa perlaria var formosana by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Methods: The dried root of Maesa perlaria var formosana was extracted with 95 % ethanol for composition analysis under the following optimum GC-MS conditions: 250 °C inlet temperature, 250 °C MSD detector temperature, and GC oven temperature programmed as follows: initial temperature held at 70 °C for 15 min, then increased at a rate of 2.5 °C/min and held at 170 °C for 15 min; then raised at a rate of 2 °C/min and kept at 180 °C for 20 min; then raised at 2 °C/min and kept at 250 °C for 20 min. Finally, it was raised at 3 °C/min and kept at 280 °C for 15 min. Results: A total of 59 chemical compounds were identified, representing 88.82 % of the composition of the ethanol extracts. The three major components, include 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (16.76 %), stigmasterol (15.86 %) and campesterol (7.33 %). Conclusion: The results show that a total of 59 components were identified in the ethanol extract of Maesa perlaria var. formosana. The major component, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, exhibits various biological activities.

Immunomodulatory activity of methanol extract of Adansonia digitata L

Purpose: To evaluate the immune-modulatory activities of various plant parts Adansonia digitata L. using delayed-type hypersensitivity rat model. Methods: Defatted leaf, root bark and fruit pulp of A. digitata were extracted with methanol. Immunomodulatory activity of the methanol extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) were evaluated in sheep RBC (SRBC)-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity model, cell mediated immune re-sponse and phagocytic activity using carbon clearance test. Results: The extracts exhibited significant increase in delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, indicating the ability of the extracts to stimulate T-cells. It also increased SRBC induced anti-body titer in immunesuppressed rats, and produced significant increase in phagocytic index by rapid removal of carbon particles from the blood stream. Conclusion: These results indicate that methanol extracts of the leaf, root bark and fruit pulp of A. digitata hold promise as immunemodulatory agents.