Ashraful Alam

HPLC-Analysis of Polyphenolic Compounds in Gardenia jasminoides and Determination of Antioxidant Activity by Using Free Radical Scavenging Assays

PURPOSEnGardenia jasminoides is a traditional medicinal plant rich in anti-inflammatory flavonoids and phenolic compounds and used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and pain. In this present study, antioxidant potential of Gardenia jasminoides leaves extract was evaluated by using various antioxidant assays.nnnMETHODSnVarious antioxidant assays such as 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, reducing power and total antioxidant capacity expressed as equivalent to ascorbic acid were employed. Moreover, phenolic compounds were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with diode-array detection.nnnRESULTSnThe methanol extract showed significant free radical scavenging activities in DPPH radical scavenging antioxidant assays compared to the reference antioxidant ascorbic acid. Total antioxidant activity was increased in a dose dependent manner. The extract also showed strong reducing power. The total phenolic content was determined as 190.97 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent. HPLC coupled with diode-array detection was used to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds in the extracts. Gallic acid, (+)-catechin, rutin hydrate and quercetin have been identified in the plant extracts. Among the phenolic compounds, catechin and rutin hydrate are present predominantly in the extract. The accuracy and precision of the presented method were corroborated by low intra- and inter-day variations in quantitative results in leaves extract.nnnCONCLUSIONnThese results suggest that phenolic compounds and flavonoids might contribute to high antioxidant activities of Gardenia jasminoides leaves.

Supplementation of Citrus maxima Peel Powder Prevented Oxidative Stress, Fibrosis, and Hepatic Damage in Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Treated Rats.

Citrus maxima peel is rich in natural phenolic compounds and has a long use in the traditional medicine. HPLC-DAD analysis on Citrus maxima peel powder exhibited the presence of various phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid and (−)-epicatechin. To determine the plausible hepatoprotective activity of Citrus maxima peel powder, we used carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treated rat model. Liver damage in rats was confirmed by measuring the AST, ALT, and ALP enzyme activities. In addition, lipid peroxidation products (MDA), nitric oxide, advanced protein oxidation products level (APOP), and catalase activities were also analyzed along with the histological profiling for the inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen, and iron deposition in liver. Dietary supplementation of Citrus maxima peel powder exhibited significant reduction of serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities in carbon tetrachloride treated rats. Moreover, Citrus maxima peel powder also showed a significant reduction of the oxidative stress markers (MDA, NO, and APOP level) and restored the catalase activity in CCl4 treated rats. Histological examination of the liver section revealed reduced inflammatory cells infiltration, collagen, and iron deposition in CCl4 treated rats. The results from this study demonstrated that Citrus maxima peel powder produced significant hepatoprotective action in CCl4 administered rats.

In vitro anti-oxidant activity of the leaves of Dillenia indica

SUMMARY The methanol extract of Dillenia indica was tested for antioxidant activity as determined by free radicalscavenging of DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power, total antioxidant capacity measuredby phosphomolybdenum method, total phenolic content and total flavonoids content determinationassays. The extract showed significant activities in all antioxidant assays compared to the standardantioxidant in a dose dependent manner. In DPPH radical scavenging assay the IC 50 value of theextract was found to be 100.53 µg/ml while ascorbic acid has the IC 50 value 58.92 µg/ml. Dillenia indicaextract showed strong reducing power and total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, methanol extractsalso possess high amount of phenolics and flavovonoids and expressed as gallic acid and rutinequivalent respectively. The remarkable activities exhibited in reactive oxygen species scavengingmay attributed to the high amount of hydrophilic phenolics present in Dillenia indica.Key words: Dillenia indica; DPPH; Total antioxidant capacity; Reactive oxygen species

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP), a Major Responsible Downstream Signaling Molecule for Cellular Damage - A Review

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) family members are well known signaling molecules. MMPs are involved in tissue remodeling and are affiliated with several pathological, pharmacological and physiological processes. In addition, these also facilitate other downstream pathways such as cellular inflammation. However, members of this family are being investigated in several diseases as a clinical marker. These proteins are often found responsible in the development of various dysfunctions such as cardiovascular, kidney, liver, and nervous system disorder. Evidences also suggest that MMPs take part in organ rejections during organ transplantations. Besides, MMPs also trigger accumulation of unnecessary immune cells which further exacerbate the situation resulting in a drug therapy failure. Furthermore, many harmful downstream kinases are induced by MMPs signaling. Therefore, it has been an imperative issue to establish a noble and alternative drug therapy against MMPs family for ensuring safety against several lives threatening phenomenon. Thus this review will explain the molecular mechanism of MMP family members and few possible drug therapies modulating MMPs function.

Antinociceptive and gastro-protective effect of the ethanolic extract of the flowering top of Anthocephalus Cadamba Roxb

The effect of alcoholic extract of Anthocephalus (A.) Cadamba Roxb. was evaluated in experimental models of pain and ulcer. Hot tail flick test, hot plate test and acetic acid induced writhing test were employed for evaluating the peripheral as well as central analgesic mechanism exerted by the extracts. Gastroprotective activity was examined by HCl and ethanol induced gastric damage test. Test group received crude extract 500 mg/kg showed maximum time needed for the response against thermal stimuli (6.26 ± 0.439 s) which is comparable to diclofenac sodium (6.56 ± 0.381 s) in hot tail flick method. These experimental results also followed the experimental results of hot plate test where crude extract 500 mg/kg showed maximum time needed for the response against thermal stimuli (4.74 ± 0.234 s) which is comparable to diclofenac sodium (5.58 ± 0.585 s). The crude extract at 500 and 250 mg/kg showed significant reduction in acetic acid induced writhing in mice with a maximum effect of 68.026% reduction at 500 mg/kg dose which is comparable to standard diclofenac sodium (79.93%). In gastroprotective study the extract of A. Cadamba (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly inhibited ulceration induced by both HCl and ethanol dose dependently. Results of the study suggest that the extract possesses both analgesic and gastroprotective activity on mice.