Parasitol Res. 2010 Dec 22. [Epub ahead of print]
Evaluation of indigenous plant extracts against the malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi (Liston) (Diptera: Culicidae).
Govindarajan M.
Division of Vector Biology and Phytochemistry, Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India, drgovind1979@gmail.com.
Abstract
Since ancient times, plant and microbial products were used in various aspects. However, their use against insects decreased when chemical products became developed. Recently, concerns increased with respect to public health and environmental security requiring detection of natural products that may be used against insects. In this study, mosquito Larvicidal and ovicidal activity of crude hexane, ethyl acetate, benzene, chloroform, and methanol extracts of the leaf of three plants, Eclipta alba, Cardiospermum halicacabum, and Andrographis paniculata, were tested against the early third-instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi (Liston) (Diptera: Culicidae). The larval mortality was observed after 24 h of exposure. All extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects; however, the highest larval mortality was found in methanol extract of A. paniculata, E. alba, and C. halicacabum against the larvae of A. stephensi (LC(50) = 79.68, 112.56, and 133.01 ppm; LC(90) = 154.66, 220.68, and 270.72 ppm), respectively. Mean percent hatchability of the ovicidal activity was observed 48 h post-treatment. The percent hatchability was inversely proportional to the concentration of extract and directly proportional to the eggs. Mortality of 100% with methanol and ethyl acetate extract of A. paniculata and methanol extract of E. alba were exerted at 200 ppm and methanol and benzene extract of C. halicacabum exerted at 150 ppm. This is an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of the malaria vector, A. stephensi. Therefore, this study provides first report on the larvicidal and ovicidal activities against malaria vector, A. stephensi of E. alba plant extracts.
PMID: 21181188 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Traditional herbal medicine in Far-west Nepal: a pharmacological appraisal
J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2010 Dec 13;6(1):35. [Epub ahead of print]
Traditional herbal medicine in Far-west Nepal: a pharmacological appraisal.
Kunwar RM, Shrestha KP, Bussmann RW.
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND: Plant species have long been used as principal ingredients of traditional medicine in far-west Nepal. The medicinal plants with ethnomedicinal values are currently being screened for their therapeutic potential but their data and information are inadequately compared and analyzed with the Ayurveda and the phytochemical findings.
METHODS: The present study evaluated ethnomedicinal plants and their uses following literature review, comparison, field observations, and analysis. Comparison was made against earlier standard literature of medicinal plants and ethnomedicine of the same area, the common uses of the Ayurveda and the latest common phytochemical findings. The field study for primary data collection was carried out from 2006-2008.
RESULTS: The herbal medicine in far-west Nepal is the basis of treatment of most illness through traditional knowledge. The medicine is made available via ancient, natural health care practices such as tribal lore, home herbal remedy, and the Baidhya, Ayurveda and Amchi systems. The traditional herbal medicine has not only survived but also thrived in the trans-cultural environment with its intermixture of ethnic traditions and beliefs. The present assessment showed that traditional herbal medicine has flourished in rural areas where modern medicine is parsimoniously accessed because of the high cost and long travel time to health center. Of the 48 Nepalese medicinal plants assessed in the present communication, about half of the species showed affinity with the common uses of the Ayurveda, earlier studies and the latest phytochemical findings. The folk uses of Acacia catechu for cold and cough, Aconitum spicatum as an analgesic, Aesculus indica for joint pain, Andrographis paniculata for fever, Anisomeles indica for urinary affections, Azadirachta indica for fever, Euphorbia hirta for asthma, Taxus wallichiana for tumor control, and Tinospora sinensis for diabetes are consistent with the latest pharmacological findings, common Ayurvedic and earlier uses.
CONCLUSIONS: Although traditional herbal medicine is only a primary means of health care in farwest Nepal, the medicine has been pursued indigenously with complementing pharmacology and the Ayurveda. Therefore, further pharmacological evaluation of traditional herbal medicine deserves more attention.
Free Article
PMID: 21144003 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Traditional herbal medicine in Far-west Nepal: a pharmacological appraisal.
Kunwar RM, Shrestha KP, Bussmann RW.
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND: Plant species have long been used as principal ingredients of traditional medicine in far-west Nepal. The medicinal plants with ethnomedicinal values are currently being screened for their therapeutic potential but their data and information are inadequately compared and analyzed with the Ayurveda and the phytochemical findings.
METHODS: The present study evaluated ethnomedicinal plants and their uses following literature review, comparison, field observations, and analysis. Comparison was made against earlier standard literature of medicinal plants and ethnomedicine of the same area, the common uses of the Ayurveda and the latest common phytochemical findings. The field study for primary data collection was carried out from 2006-2008.
RESULTS: The herbal medicine in far-west Nepal is the basis of treatment of most illness through traditional knowledge. The medicine is made available via ancient, natural health care practices such as tribal lore, home herbal remedy, and the Baidhya, Ayurveda and Amchi systems. The traditional herbal medicine has not only survived but also thrived in the trans-cultural environment with its intermixture of ethnic traditions and beliefs. The present assessment showed that traditional herbal medicine has flourished in rural areas where modern medicine is parsimoniously accessed because of the high cost and long travel time to health center. Of the 48 Nepalese medicinal plants assessed in the present communication, about half of the species showed affinity with the common uses of the Ayurveda, earlier studies and the latest phytochemical findings. The folk uses of Acacia catechu for cold and cough, Aconitum spicatum as an analgesic, Aesculus indica for joint pain, Andrographis paniculata for fever, Anisomeles indica for urinary affections, Azadirachta indica for fever, Euphorbia hirta for asthma, Taxus wallichiana for tumor control, and Tinospora sinensis for diabetes are consistent with the latest pharmacological findings, common Ayurvedic and earlier uses.
CONCLUSIONS: Although traditional herbal medicine is only a primary means of health care in farwest Nepal, the medicine has been pursued indigenously with complementing pharmacology and the Ayurveda. Therefore, further pharmacological evaluation of traditional herbal medicine deserves more attention.
Free Article
PMID: 21144003 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Anthelmintic activity of botanical extracts against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes, Haemonchus contortus
Parasitol Res. 2010 Dec 14. [Epub ahead of print]
Anthelmintic activity of botanical extracts against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes, Haemonchus contortus.
Kamaraj C, Rahuman AA, Elango G, Bagavan A, Zahir AA.
Unit of Nanotechnology and Bioactive Natural Products, Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, 632 509, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
The source of chemical anthelmintics (levamisole, flubendazole, and thiabendazole) had limited the success of gastrointestinal nematodiasis control in sheep and goats and thus awakened interest in the study of medicinal plant extracts as alternative sources of anthelmintics. The egg hatching and larvicidal effect of indigenous plant extracts were investigated against the sheep parasite, Haemonchus contortus. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of leaf, bark, and seed ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees., Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R. Br., Annona squamosa L., Datura metel L., and Solanum torvum Swartz were tested against the parasitic nematode of small ruminants H. contortus using egg hatch assay (EHA) and larval development assay (LDA). The assays were run in 24-well cell culture plates at room temperature with five replicates. All plant extracts showed moderate parasitic effects after 48 and exposure for egg hatching and LDA, respectively; however, 100% egg hatching and larvicidal inhibition were found in the methanol extracts of A. paniculata, A. squamosa, D. metel, and S. torvum at 25 mg/ml and the effect was similar to positive control of Albendazole (0.075 mg/ml) and Ivermectin (0.025mg/ml) against H. contortus, respectively. The EHA result showed the ED(50) of methanol extracts of A. paniculata and D. metel, which were 2.90 and 3.08 mg/ml, and in larval development assay, the ED(50) was 4.26and 3.86 mg/ml, respectively. These effects remain to be confirmed through in vivo studies.
PMID: 21161270 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Anthelmintic activity of botanical extracts against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes, Haemonchus contortus.
Kamaraj C, Rahuman AA, Elango G, Bagavan A, Zahir AA.
Unit of Nanotechnology and Bioactive Natural Products, Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, 632 509, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
The source of chemical anthelmintics (levamisole, flubendazole, and thiabendazole) had limited the success of gastrointestinal nematodiasis control in sheep and goats and thus awakened interest in the study of medicinal plant extracts as alternative sources of anthelmintics. The egg hatching and larvicidal effect of indigenous plant extracts were investigated against the sheep parasite, Haemonchus contortus. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of leaf, bark, and seed ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees., Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R. Br., Annona squamosa L., Datura metel L., and Solanum torvum Swartz were tested against the parasitic nematode of small ruminants H. contortus using egg hatch assay (EHA) and larval development assay (LDA). The assays were run in 24-well cell culture plates at room temperature with five replicates. All plant extracts showed moderate parasitic effects after 48 and exposure for egg hatching and LDA, respectively; however, 100% egg hatching and larvicidal inhibition were found in the methanol extracts of A. paniculata, A. squamosa, D. metel, and S. torvum at 25 mg/ml and the effect was similar to positive control of Albendazole (0.075 mg/ml) and Ivermectin (0.025mg/ml) against H. contortus, respectively. The EHA result showed the ED(50) of methanol extracts of A. paniculata and D. metel, which were 2.90 and 3.08 mg/ml, and in larval development assay, the ED(50) was 4.26and 3.86 mg/ml, respectively. These effects remain to be confirmed through in vivo studies.
PMID: 21161270 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Andrographolide down-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in human non-small cell lun g cancer A549 cells
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2010 Dec 3. [Epub ahead of print]
Andrographolide down-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in human non-small cell lun g cancer A549 cells.
Lin HH, Tsai CW, Chou FP, Wang CJ, Hsuan SW, Wang CK, Chen JH.
School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract
Andrographolide (Andro), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from a traditional herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata, is known to possess multiple pharmacological activities. In our previous study, Andro had been shown to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cell migration and invasion via down-regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Here we demonstrated that Andro inhibited the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in A549 cells. HIF-1α plays an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis of NSCLC. The Andro-induced decrease of cellular protein level of HIF-1α was correlated with a rapid ubiquitin-dependent degradation of HIF-1α, and was accompanied by increased expressions of hydroxyl-HIF-1α and prolyl hydroxylase (PHD2), and a later decrease of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) upon the treatment of Andro. The Andro-inhibited VEGF expression appeared to be a consequence of HIF-1α inactivation, because that its DNA binding activity was suppressed by Andro. Molecular data showed that all these effects of Andro might be mediated via TGFβ1/PHD2/HIF-1α pathway, as demonstrated by the transfection of TGFβ1 overexpression vector and PHD2 siRNA, and the usage of a pharmacological MG132 inhibitor. Furthermore, we elucidated the involvement of Andro in HIF-1α transduced VEGF expression in A549 cells and other NSCLC cell lines. In conclusion, these results highlighted the potential effects of Andro, which may be developed as a chemotheraptic or an anti-angiogenesis agent for NSCLC in the future.
Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.
PMID: 21134392 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Andrographolide down-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in human non-small cell lun g cancer A549 cells.
Lin HH, Tsai CW, Chou FP, Wang CJ, Hsuan SW, Wang CK, Chen JH.
School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract
Andrographolide (Andro), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from a traditional herbal medicine Andrographis paniculata, is known to possess multiple pharmacological activities. In our previous study, Andro had been shown to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cell migration and invasion via down-regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Here we demonstrated that Andro inhibited the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in A549 cells. HIF-1α plays an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis of NSCLC. The Andro-induced decrease of cellular protein level of HIF-1α was correlated with a rapid ubiquitin-dependent degradation of HIF-1α, and was accompanied by increased expressions of hydroxyl-HIF-1α and prolyl hydroxylase (PHD2), and a later decrease of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) upon the treatment of Andro. The Andro-inhibited VEGF expression appeared to be a consequence of HIF-1α inactivation, because that its DNA binding activity was suppressed by Andro. Molecular data showed that all these effects of Andro might be mediated via TGFβ1/PHD2/HIF-1α pathway, as demonstrated by the transfection of TGFβ1 overexpression vector and PHD2 siRNA, and the usage of a pharmacological MG132 inhibitor. Furthermore, we elucidated the involvement of Andro in HIF-1α transduced VEGF expression in A549 cells and other NSCLC cell lines. In conclusion, these results highlighted the potential effects of Andro, which may be developed as a chemotheraptic or an anti-angiogenesis agent for NSCLC in the future.
Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.
PMID: 21134392 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Efficacy of medicinal plant extracts against malarial vector, Anopheles subpictus Grassi
Parasitol Res. 2010 Dec 7. [Epub ahead of print]
Efficacy of medicinal plant extracts against malarial vector, Anopheles subpictus Grassi.
Elango G, Rahuman AA, Kamaraj C, Bagavan A, Zahir AA.
Unit of Nanotechnology and Bioactive Natural Products, Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, C.Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, 632 509, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontrol techniques in the future. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adulticidal activity and adult emergence inhibition (EI) of leaf hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol extracts of Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa ex Roxb, Andrographis lineata Wallich ex Nees., Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees., Cocculus hirsutus L. Diels, Eclipta prostrata L., and Tagetes erecta L. tested against malarial vector, Anopheles subpictus Grassi (Diptera: Culicidae). All plant extracts showed moderate adulticidal activity and EI effects after 24 h of exposure at 1,000 ppm; however, the highest adulticidal activity was observed in ethyl acetate extract of A.lineata, chloroform extract of A.paniculata, acetone extract of C.hirsutus, and methanol extract of T.erecta (LD(50) = 126.92, 95.82, 109.40, and 89.83 ppm; LD(90) = 542.95, 720.82, 459.03, and 607.85 ppm); and effective EI was found in leaf acetone extract of the A. marmelos, ethyl acetate extract of A.lineata, methanol extracts of C. hirsutus, and T.erecta, (EI(50) = 128.14, 79.39, 143.97, and 92.82 ppm; EI(90) = 713.53, 293.70, 682.72, and 582.59 ppm), respectively, against A. subpictus. These results suggest that the leaf methanol extract of C. hirsutus and T.erecta have the potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of A. subpictus. Therefore, this study provides first report on the mosquito adulticidal activity and EI of plant extracts against malaria vector.
PMID: 21136078 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Randomised clinical trial: herbal extract HMPL-004 in active ulcerative colitis - a double-blind comparison with sustained release mesalazine
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Nov 30. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04515.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Randomised clinical trial: herbal extract HMPL-004 in active ulcerative colitis - a double-blind comparison with sustained release mesalazine.
Tang T, Targan SR, Li ZS, Xu C, Byers VS, Sandborn WJ.
Hutchison Medipharma Ltd., Shanghai, China. Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Immunology Inc., Incline Village, NV, USA. Division of Gastroenterology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Abstract
Background Andrographis paniculata is an herbal mixture used to treat inflammatory diseases. An extract of the herb, HMPL-004, inhibits TNF-α and IL-1β, and prevents colitis in animal models. Aim To determine the efficacy and safety of HMPL-004 in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. Methods A randomised, double-blind, multicentre, 8-week parallel group study was conducted using HMPL-004 1200 mg/day compared with 4500 mg/day of slow release mesalazine (mesalamine) granules in patients with mild-to-moderately active ulcerative colitis. Disease activity was assessed at baseline and every 2 weeks for clinical response, and at baseline and 8 weeks by colonoscopy. Results One hundred and twenty patients at five centres in China were randomised and dosed. Clinical remission and response were seen in 21% and 76% of HMPL-004-treated patients, and 16% and 82% of mesalazine-treated patients. By colonoscopy, remission and response were seen in 28% and 74% of HMPL-004-treated patients and 24% and 71% of mesalazine-treated patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Conclusion HMPL-004 may be an efficacious alternative to mesalazine in ulcerative colitis.
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
PMID: 21114791 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Randomised clinical trial: herbal extract HMPL-004 in active ulcerative colitis - a double-blind comparison with sustained release mesalazine.
Tang T, Targan SR, Li ZS, Xu C, Byers VS, Sandborn WJ.
Hutchison Medipharma Ltd., Shanghai, China. Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. Immunology Inc., Incline Village, NV, USA. Division of Gastroenterology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Abstract
Background Andrographis paniculata is an herbal mixture used to treat inflammatory diseases. An extract of the herb, HMPL-004, inhibits TNF-α and IL-1β, and prevents colitis in animal models. Aim To determine the efficacy and safety of HMPL-004 in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. Methods A randomised, double-blind, multicentre, 8-week parallel group study was conducted using HMPL-004 1200 mg/day compared with 4500 mg/day of slow release mesalazine (mesalamine) granules in patients with mild-to-moderately active ulcerative colitis. Disease activity was assessed at baseline and every 2 weeks for clinical response, and at baseline and 8 weeks by colonoscopy. Results One hundred and twenty patients at five centres in China were randomised and dosed. Clinical remission and response were seen in 21% and 76% of HMPL-004-treated patients, and 16% and 82% of mesalazine-treated patients. By colonoscopy, remission and response were seen in 28% and 74% of HMPL-004-treated patients and 24% and 71% of mesalazine-treated patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Conclusion HMPL-004 may be an efficacious alternative to mesalazine in ulcerative colitis.
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
PMID: 21114791 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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