Ekramul Haque

Comparative study of antidiabetic activity of Cajanus cajan and Tamarindus indica in alloxan-induced diabetic mice with a reference to in vitro antioxidant activity

Background: Oxidative stress not only develops complications in diabetic (type 1 and type 2) but also contributes to beta cell destruction in type 2 diabetes in insulin resistance hyperglycemia. Glucose control plays an important role in the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance. Some antidiabetic agents may by themselves have antioxidant properties independently of their role on glucose control. Objective: The present investigation draws a comparison of the protective antioxidant activity, total phenol content and the antihyperglycemic activity of the methanolic extract of Cajanus cajan root (MCC) and Tamarindus indica seeds (MTI). Materials and Methods: Antidiabetic potentials of the plant extracts were evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic Swiss albino mice. The plant extracts at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight was orally administered for glucose tolerance test during 1-hour study and hypoglycemic effect during 5-day study period in comparison with reference drug Metformin HCl (50 mg/kg). In vitro antioxidant potential of MCC and MTI was investigated by using 1, 1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity at 517 nm. Total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity and reducing power activity was also assayed. Results: There was a significant decrease in fasting serum glucose level (P < 0.001), reduction in blood glucose level (P < 0.001) in 5-days study, observed in the alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The reduction efficacy of blood glucose level of both the extracts is proportional to their dose but MCC is more potent than MTI. Antioxidant study and quantification of phenolic compound of both the extracts revealed that they have high antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: These studies showed that MCC and MTI have both hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential but MCC is more potent than MTI. The present study suggests that both MCC and MTI could be used in managing oxidative stress.

Antipyretic Activity of Rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia. in Rabbit

Abstract The antipyretic effect of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of ethanol extract of the rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia. J. Smith (Polypodiaceae) was investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of boiled milk at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg body weight in albino rabbit leads to pyrexia. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of ethanol extract of the rhizome of D. quercifolia. at a dose of 80 mg/kg body weight were shown to significantly reduce the elevated body temperature of rabbit, which was compared with standard aspirin (market product) and solvent used.

A new triterpenoid from roots of Laportea crenulata and its antifungal activity

A new triterpenoid 2α,3β,21β,23,28-penta hydroxyl 12-oleanene and two known compounds were isolated from the roots of Laportea crenulata Gaud. The structures of all compounds were elucidated on the basis of various spectroscopic data. The two known compounds β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol 3-β-D-glucopyranoside are also the first report of isolation from this plant. The antifungal activity of new triterpenoid was studied against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Rhizopus aurizae, and compared with the activity of nystatin (30 µg disc−1). This compound has shown moderate activity against tested fungi.

Bioactivity of Roots of Laportea crenulata

The roots of Laportea crenulata Gaud (Urticacae) were collected in Bangladesh and the bioactivity was evaluated by two bioassays. The brine shrimp lethality test and the antibacterial activity were conducted on the different organic solvent root extracts of this plant. In addition minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using serial dilution technique. On the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol extracts of roots of L. crenulata displayed LC50 values of 20.87, 14.43, and 31.02 μ g/ml respectively. Furthermore, the antibacterial assay on these extracts indicated activity against several pathogenic bacteria. The MIC values against Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus-β -haemolyticus were ranged from 32 to 128 μ g/ml. The positive results on these bioactive extracts should encourage the further investigation of the active principles responsible for these activities.

TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF A MONOTERPENE ESTER, BORNYL PIPERATE FROM PIPER CHABA ROOT

Toxicological evaluat ion of bornyl piperate, a cytotoxic, antifungal and anti tubercular compound isolated from Piper chaba , was carried out on Swiss albino mice. After administration of the compound, blood and tissue samples of the mice were examined for h a ematological, bioch emical and histopathological assay. A decrease in serum levels of SGPT, SGOT and ALP was observed when two groups of the experimental mice were given dose s of 10 and 20 mg/kg of bornylpiperate, respectively, for 14 days. Other parameters such as RBC, WBC a nd platelet counts were found normal. Microscopic examination of the heart, liver, lung and kidney tissues showed inflammation, sinusoidal congestion and necrosis only at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Thus the r esults indicate that the bornylpiperate showed moderate toxicity at higher dose in mice.