Shahnaz Sultana

Antidiabetic effect of Punica granatum flowers: effect on hyperlipidemia, pancreatic cells lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in experimental diabetes.

The present study investigated the effects of Punica granatum aqueous extract (PgAq) on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats by measuring fasting blood glucose, lipid profiles (atherogenic index), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and activities of both non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg) to albino Wistar rats. The increase in blood glucose level, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), LPO level with decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), reduced glutathione (GSH) content and antioxidant enzymes namely, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were the salient features observed in diabetic rats. On the other hand, oral administration of PgAq at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 21 days resulted in a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and tissue LPO levels coupled with elevation of HDL-C, GSH content and antioxidant enzymes in comparison with diabetic control group. The results suggest that PG could be used, as a dietary supplement, in the treatment of chronic diseases characterized by atherogenous lipoprotein profile, aggravated antioxidant status and impaired glucose metabolism and also in their prevention.

Anti-tumor promoting activity of Asteracantha longifolia against experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Vegetables, natural products of plant origin and numerous non-nutritive dietary constituents have been shown to play a salutary role in cancer chemoprevention. The present study aims to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of the methanol fraction of Asteracantha longifolia seed extract against development of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)-selected gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT)-positive foci following diethylnitrosamine (DEN) initiation. Treatment of rats with doses 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of methanol extract of A. longifolia seeds on alternate days, subsequent to carcinogen treatment, for 6 weeks significantly reduced the incidence and size distribution of gamma-GT-positive foci and tumor formation. Administration of A. longifolia seeds significantly (P<0.001) ameliorated the activities of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT), in a dose-dependent manner. Prophylactic administration of seed extract simultaneous to 2-AAF in the diet, at same doses, significantly suppressed 2-AAF and partial hepatectomy (PH)-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA, in a dose-dependent manner. Assimilation of the quantitative foci data together with the findings of the modulation of tumor promoting markers give ample evidence to the anti-tumor promoting potential of A. longifolia seeds against chemically-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

Attenuation of benzoyl peroxide-mediated cutaneous oxidative stress and hyperproliferative response by the prophylactic treatment of mice with spearmint (Mentha spicata).

The modulating effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata) on benzoyl peroxide-induced responses of tumor promotion in murine skin was investigated. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is an effective cutaneous tumor promoter acting through the generation of oxidative stress, induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity and by enhancing DNA synthesis. BPO treatment (20 mg/animal) increased cutaneous microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation. The activity of cutaneous antioxidant enzymes, namely catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase, was decreased and the level of cutaneous glutathione was depleted. BPO treatment also induced the ornithine decarboxylase activity and enhanced the [3H]thymidine uptake in DNA synthesis in murine skin. Prophylactic treatment of mice with spearmint extract (10, 15 and 20 mg/kg) 1 hr before BPO treatment resulted in the diminution of BPO-mediated damage. The susceptibility of cutaneous microsomal membrane to lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05 ). In addition, depleted levels of glutathione, inhibited activity of glutathione dependent and antioxidant enzymes were recovered to a significant level (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Similarly, the elevated ornithine decarboxylase activity and enhanced thymidine uptake in DNA synthesis was inhibited significantly (P < 0.05 ) in a dose-dependent manner. The protective effect of spearmint was dose dependent in all parameters. The result suggests that spearmint is an effective chemopreventive agent that may suppress BPO-induced cutaneous oxidative stress, toxicity and hyperproliferative effects in the skin of mice.

Anti-oxidative effect of Rhodiola imbricata root extract in rats during cold, hypoxia and restraint (C-H-R) exposure and post-stress recovery.

Anti-oxidative potential of Rhodiola imbricata root aqueous extract was examined in rats, administered orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg both in single and multiple doses, 30 min prior to cold (5 degrees C)-hypoxia (428 mmHg)-restraint (C-H-R) exposure. Lipid per-oxidation, anti-oxidant parameters and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were studied in blood, liver and muscle of rats on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C during C-H-R exposure and after recovery (T(rec)37 degrees C) from C-H-R induced hypothermia. The results of untreated control rats on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C showed a significant increase in blood, liver and muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) and LDH levels. Hepatic catalase (CAT) and muscle glutathione S-transferase (GST) also increased significantly. Administration of single dose of Rhodiola imbricata root aqueous extract significantly restricted rise in blood MDA, increased blood reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity with restricted rise in blood, liver and muscle LDH; improved liver and muscle SOD on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C and T(rec)37 degrees C; liver CAT on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C and liver GST during recovery. Multiple doses treatment of the extract further increased blood, liver and muscle GSH and GST levels; restricted increase in LDH on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C and recovery; increased CAT during recovery. Results suggested the anti-oxidant potential of Rhodiola root extract during C-H-R exposure and post-stress recovery and it also maintained cell membrane permeability.

New sterol esters from the flowers of Punica granatum Linn.

Two new β-sitosterol esters have been isolated from the flowers of Punica granatum Linn. (Punicaceae) along with the known compounds n-tricosane (3), n-heptacosanyl n-hexanoate (4), olean-5,12-dien-3β-ol-28-oic acid (5), and olean-12-en-3β-ol-28-oic acid (6). The structures of the new phytosterols have been elucidated as stigmast-5-en-3β-ol-3β-dodecanoate (β-sitosterol laurate, 1) and stigmast-5-en-3β-ol-3β-tetradecanoate (β-sitosterol myristate, 2) on the basis of spectral data and chemical analyses.

New flavonoids from Punica granatum flowers

Two new flavonoids were isolated from the flowers of Punica granatum Linn. (Punicaceae) along with the known compounds ellagic acid, gallic acid, sucrose, and gallic acid glycoside. The structures of the new flavonoids have been characterized as 5,6,7,8,2′,3′,5′-heptahydroxy-4′-methoxyflavanone (punicaflavanol) and 5,6,7,8,2′,5′-hexahydroxy-4′-methoxyflavanone-7-β-D-xylopyranoside (granatumflavanyl xyloside) on the basis of spectral data analyses and chemical reactions.

Mechanism of action of Rhodiola imbricata Edgew during exposure to cold, hypoxia and restraint (C-H-R) stress induced hypothermia and post stress recovery in rats

Mechanism of rhodiola root extract adaptogenic activity was studied in rats. The extract was orally administered in rats (100mg/kg body weight), 30 min prior to cold (5 degrees C)-hypoxia (428 mmHg)-restraint (C-H-R) exposure up to fall of T(rec)23 degrees C and recovery (T(rec)37 degrees C) from hypothermia. In untreated control rats serum lactate and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C with decreased blood enzyme activities hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), citrate synthase (CS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C and T(rec)37 degrees C. Decreases were also observed in liver and muscle tissues HK and G-6-PD enzyme activities and liver glycogen and CS on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C and recovery; muscle PFK during recovery; muscle CS on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C. Single and five doses of extract administration restricted increase in serum lactate values of rats on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C and maintained blood NEFA in single dose extract treated animals, indicating improved utilization of NEFA as energy fuel. The single and five doses extract treatment decreased or better maintained tissue glycogen and enzyme activities, viz. HK, PFK, CS and G-6-PD, in blood, liver and muscle, on attaining T(rec)23 degrees C and recovery. The results suggest that rhodiola extract treatment in rats shifted anaerobic metabolism to aerobic, during C-H-R exposure and post stress recovery.

New 4′-substituted flavones from the fruit peels of Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f.

Two new 4′-substituted flavones isolated from the fruit peels of Citrus limon (L.) Burm.f. (Rutaceae) have been characterized as 4′-(9′-ethylene-16′-methylnon-9′,15′-dien-7′,11′-oate)-5,7-dimethoxyflavone (limonflavonyl lactone A, 1) and 4′-(9′-ethylene-16′-methylnon-9′,15′-dien-7′,11′-oate)-5,7,3′-trimethoxyflavone (limonflavonyl lactone B, 2) on the basis of spectral data and chemical analyses. Both the flavones are reported for the first time from a plant source.

Effect of physical factors on the volatile constituents of Elettaria cardamomum fruits.

Abstract The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from dried fruits of Elettaria cardamomum Maton. (Zingiberaceae) of Delhi region was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The variations in essential oil components under different physical factors have been determined. The oil was characterized by a large number monoterpenes (97.6 %) constituting 1,8-cineole (89.6 %), cis-ocimene (3.7 %) and α-terpinene (2.2 %) as the major components. Except the volatile oil exposed to sunlight, 1,8-cineole was detected in all the oil samples and its amount varied from 29.4 % in heated oil to 89.4 % in untreated oil. Linalool, thujyl alcohol, limonene-1,2-epoxide, citronellol, trans-pinocarveol, nerol and linalyl acetate were generated when the oil was heated at 110°C. Exposer of the oil with sunlight, enhanced the production of linalyl acetate (17.8 %) and borneol (12.1 %). 1,4-Cineole, pcymene-8-ol and isoborneol were only detected in UV exposed oil while the 2-heptane was only identified in high amounts in silica gel and alumina treated volatile oils.

The Effect of Physical Factors on Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. Leaves

Abstract The essential oil of the fresh leaves of Eucalyptus citriodora of Delhi region was composed predominantly of 1,8-cineole (45.2%), camphene (30%), α-pinene, linalyl acetate and ledol. When the oil was heated at 110°C for 24 hours, camphene (31.1%), 1,4-Cineole (37.8%), α-pinene (12.4%), veridifloral and 1-terpinene-4-yl acetate were the prominent constituents. Exposure of the oil to the sunlight for 48 hours and UV light for 24 showed percentage variation slightly. Silica gel treat sample exhibited little variation in the chemical composition. Treatment of the oil with alumina neutral decreased the concentration of 1,8-cineole to 0.3% and occurrence of camphene and 1,4-cineole in 36.5 and 39.9 % yields, respectively.