scholarly journals In Vivo Cognitive-Enhancing, Ex Vivo Malondialdehyde-Lowering Activities and Phytochemical Profiles of Aqueous and Methanolic Stem Bark Extracts of Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gervason Apiri Moriasi ◽  
Anthony Muriithi Ireri ◽  
Mathew Piero Ngugi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Thiobarbituric Acid ◽  
Stem Bark ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Contributing Factors

Cognitive impairment (CI) is among the leading causes of disability in humans. It is estimated that over 35.6 million people are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease- (AD-) associated cognitive deficits globally with these statistics projected to rise over 115.4 million by the year 2050. There is no specific etiology for this cognitive impairment; however, various contributing factors including advancing age (>60 years old), oxidative stress, cerebral injuries, infections, neurologic disorders, and cancer have been implicated. Despite various attempts to manage CI, no curative medicines are yet available. The current drugs used to manage symptoms of AD-associated CI including Donepezil and Rivastigmine among others are only palliative rather than therapeutic. Furthermore, these agents have been associated with undesirable side effects. This calls for alternative and complementary approaches aimed at either preventing or reverting AD-related CI in a curative way without causing adverse events. It is estimated that over 80% of the world’s population utilize herbal medicines for basic healthcare as it is considered safe, affordable, and easily accessible as opposed to conventional healthcare. Various parts of P. thonningii are used in traditional medicine to manage various conditions including CI. However, empirical and scientific data to validate these uses is lacking. In this study, the Morris water maze (MWM) experiment was adopted to evaluate the cognitive-enhancing effects of the studied plant extracts. The malondialdehyde (MDA) profiles in the brains of experimental mice were determined using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) test. Moreover, qualitative phytochemical profiling of the studied plant extracts was performed using standard procedures. The results showed remarkable cognitive-enhancing activities which were reflected in significantly shorter transfer latencies, navigation distances, longer time spent in platform quadrant, and lower MDA levels compared with those recorded for the negative control mice (p<0.05). Phytochemical screening of the studied plant extracts revealed the presence of antioxidant phytocompounds, which may have played key roles in the extracts’ potency. Based on the findings herein, P. thonningii extracts, especially the aqueous ones have a promising potential for the management of AD-associated CI. Further studies aimed at isolating and characterizing specific active compounds for CI from P. thonningii are recommended. Additionally, specific mode(s) of action of active principles should be elucidated. Moreover, toxicity studies should be done on the studied plant extracts to ascertain their safety.

scholarly journals Cognitive-Enhancing, Ex Vivo Antilipid Peroxidation and Qualitative Phytochemical Evaluation of the Aqueous and Methanolic Stem Bark Extracts of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx (Harms.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Gervason Moriasi ◽  
Anthony Ireri ◽  
Mathew Ngugi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Negative Control Group ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Isolation And Characterization

Over 50 million persons are living with cognitive deficits worldwide, with over 80% of these individuals living in the developing world. The number of affected persons is projected to go over 152 million by the year 2050. Current drugs used for cognitive impairment are debatably ineffective, costly, inaccessible, and associated with undesirable events that call for the search for alternative and complementary approaches. Plants are arguably affordable, accessible, and efficacious. However, despite the reported healing claims, scientific data validating these claims are lacking. L. eriocalyx is traditionally used for the management of various conditions, including cognitive impairment but has not been scientifically explored. In this study, the Morris Water Maze (MWM) method was used to evaluate in vivo cognitive-enhancing effects of studied extracts of L. eriocalyx. Furthermore, following MWM experiments, brains were dissected and processed, and malondialdehyde profiles were determined. Qualitative phytochemical profiles of the studied plant extracts were also determined. The results showed that mice that were treated with the studied plant extracts took significantly shorter transfer latencies, navigation distances, and significantly longer latencies in the target quadrant (NW) ( p < 0.05 ) compared with the negative control mice, indicating cognitive-enhancing activities. Furthermore, cognitively impaired mice that received the studied plant extracts had significantly lower MDA profiles compared with the MDA profile of the negative control group mice ( p < 0.05 ). The cognitive-enhancing and MDA profile lowering effects were attributed to the presence of antioxidant phytoconstituents that ought to have modulated the redox state, thereby attenuating brain damage. These extracts can be, therefore, used for the management of cognitive deficits. Further studies leading to isolation and characterization of active molecules for cognitive impairment are recommended. Furthermore, the precise mechanism(s) through which these extracts exert their pharmacologic activity should be established.

scholarly journals In vivo study on the toxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potentials of stem bark ethanolic extract of Cenostigma gardnerianum Tul. (Caneleiro)

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e37985015
Author(s):  
Lígia Lages Sampaio ◽  
Jéssica de Andrade Gomes ◽  
Leonardo William Braga de Araújo ◽  
Nágila Iane Pacheco ◽  
Izabella Cardoso Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Ethanolic Extract ◽  
Stem Bark ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
The Body ◽  
Toxicity Evaluation ◽  
Extract Concentration ◽  
Dechlorinated Water

Many species of medicinal plants have been used as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of diseases around the world, as well as promoting advances in the production of herbal medicines. However, this use is often done indiscriminately and leads to serious consequences in the body of those who use them. Therefore, studies on the toxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potentials of medicinal plant species are necessary for their safe use. Cenostigma gardnerianum Tul, popularly known as Caneleiro or Canela-de-velho, is widely used by the population for its anti-inflammatory, antispassmolytic, antitussive, antifungal properties, among others. The aim of this research was to study and analyze a possible toxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity of the ethanolic extract from the bark of the stem of Cenostigma gardnerianum Tul. by means of the Allium cepa in vivo bioassay. The extract was divided into four concentrations, divided into groups A, B, C and D, respectively: 0.5mg/ml, 1.0mg/ml, 2.0mg/ml and 5.0mg/ml, in addition to the Negative Control (dechlorinated water), Positive Control (dimethyl sulfoxide) and Blank control (distilled water). The roots were measured for toxicity evaluation, the Mitotic Index (MI) was calculated for cytotoxicity research, and finally micronuclei count was performed to study the genotoxicity of each extract concentration. The low growth of the meristems indicated the presence of toxicity; the mitotic indices found were statistically lower than in the negative control, revealing cytotoxicity; and the high micronucleus count showed the presence of genotoxicity. From the results obtained, it was concluded that the ethanolic extract of the Caneleiro bark presents toxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic activity, with statistically significant values for concentrations starting from 2mg/ml.

Traditional Herbal Medicines, Newer Herbs and Other Novel Approaches Integrated in Herbal Medicine for Atopic Dermatitis-A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-208
Author(s):  
Pravin Kumar ◽  
Dinesh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Mahendra Singh Ashawat
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Herbal Drugs ◽  
Biological Drugs ◽  
Alternative Treatment Option

Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a prolonged reverting skin ailment with characteristically distributed skin lesions. In the previous decades, researchers had shown a marked interest in AD due to its increased prevalence in developed countries. Although different strategies including biological and immune modulators are available for the treatment of AD, each has certain limitations. The researchers had shown considerable interest in the management of AD with herbal medicines. The establishment of herbal drugs for AD might eliminate local as well as systemic adverse effects associated with long term use of corticosteroids and also higher cost of therapy with biological drugs. The present review discusses the traditional East Asian herbal medicines and scientific data related to newer herbal extracts or compositions for the treatment of AD. In vivo animal models and in vitro cell cultures, investigated with herbal medicines to establish a possible role in AD treatment, have also been discussed in the paper. The paper also highlights the role of certain new approaches, i.e. pharmacopuncture, a combination of allopathic and herbal medicines; and novel carriers (liposomes, cubosomes) for herbal drugs on atopic skin. In conclusion, herbal medicines can be a better and safe, complementary and alternative treatment option for AD.

scholarly journals Optimizing cisplatin delivery to triple-negative breast cancer through novel EGFR aptamer-conjugated polymeric nanovectors

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Agnello ◽  
Silvia Tortorella ◽  
Annachiara d’Argenio ◽  
Clarissa Carbone ◽  
Simona Camorani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Targeting ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Metastatic Setting

Abstract Background Management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still challenging because of its aggressive clinical behavior and limited targeted treatment options. Cisplatin represents a promising chemotherapeutic compound in neoadjuvant approaches and in the metastatic setting, but its use is limited by scarce bioavailability, severe systemic side effects and drug resistance. Novel site-directed aptamer-based nanotherapeutics have the potential to overcome obstacles of chemotherapy. In this study we investigated the tumor targeting and the anti-tumorigenic effectiveness of novel cisplatin-loaded and aptamer-decorated nanosystems in TNBC. Methods Nanotechnological procedures were applied to entrap cisplatin at high efficacy into polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) that were conjugated on their surface with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) selective and cell-internalizing CL4 aptamer to improve targeted therapy. Internalization into TNBC MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells of aptamer-decorated PNPs, loaded with BODIPY505-515, was monitored by confocal microscopy using EGFR-depleted cells as negative control. Tumor targeting and biodistribution was evaluated by fluorescence reflectance imaging upon intravenously injection of Cyanine7-labeled nanovectors in nude mice bearing subcutaneous MDA-MB-231 tumors. Cytotoxicity of cisplatin-loaded PNPs toward TNBC cells was evaluated by MTT assay and the antitumor effect was assessed by tumor growth experiments in vivo and ex vivo analyses. Results We demonstrate specific, high and rapid uptake into EGFR-positive TNBC cells of CL4-conjugated fluorescent PNPs which, when loaded with cisplatin, resulted considerably more cytotoxic than the free drug and nanovectors either unconjugated or conjugated with a scrambled aptamer. Importantly, animal studies showed that the CL4-equipped PNPs achieve significantly higher tumor targeting efficiency and enhanced therapeutic effects, without any signs of systemic toxicity, compared with free cisplatin and untargeted PNPs. Conclusions Our study proposes novel and safe drug-loaded targeted nanosystems for EGFR-positive TNBC with excellent potential for the application in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

scholarly journals A Tumbling Magnetic Microrobot System for Biomedical Applications

Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 861
Author(s):  
Elizabeth E. Niedert ◽  
Chenghao Bi ◽  
Georges Adam ◽  
Elly Lambert ◽  
Luis Solorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Circular Path ◽  
Rotational Axis ◽  
Significant Difference

A microrobot system comprising an untethered tumbling magnetic microrobot, a two-degree-of-freedom rotating permanent magnet, and an ultrasound imaging system has been developed for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications. The microrobot tumbles end-over-end in a net forward motion due to applied magnetic torque from the rotating magnet. By turning the rotational axis of the magnet, two-dimensional directional control is possible and the microrobot was steered along various trajectories, including a circular path and P-shaped path. The microrobot is capable of moving over the unstructured terrain within a murine colon in in vitro, in situ, and in vivo conditions, as well as a porcine colon in ex vivo conditions. High-frequency ultrasound imaging allows for real-time determination of the microrobot’s position while it is optically occluded by animal tissue. When coated with a fluorescein payload, the microrobot was shown to release the majority of the payload over a 1-h time period in phosphate-buffered saline. Cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the microrobot’s constituent materials, SU-8 and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), did not show a statistically significant difference in toxicity to murine fibroblasts from the negative control, even when the materials were doped with magnetic neodymium microparticles. The microrobot system’s capabilities make it promising for targeted drug delivery and other in vivo biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Larvicidal action of Nux-vomica (Strychnus nux-vomica L.) against Diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella L.)

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2291-2299
Author(s):  
C. Selvaraj ◽  
J. S. Kennedy ◽  
M. Suganthy
Keyword(s):  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Plutella Xylostella ◽  
Larval Mortality ◽  
Leaf Disc ◽  
Stem Bark ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Root Bark ◽  
Cent Mortality ◽  
Hexane Extracts ◽  
Fruit Rind

The present investigation reports on larvicidal efficacy of plant extracts of Nux-vomica, Strychnus nux-vomica against Diamond back moth (DBM). In this investigation shade dried and powdered nux-vomica plant sam-ples (leaves, root bark, stem bark, seed and fruit rind) were extracted with organic solvents ethanol, methanol, ace-tone, hexane and chloroform and also formulated as Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) using surfactant and solvents. This formulated plant extracts were tested against third instar larvae of DBM for larvicidal efficacy using leaf disc bioassay method under laboratory condition. Among the five solvent extracts tested, hexane extracts of root bark 11.11 EC @ 2 % showed highest larval mortality of 76.66 % followed by seed 14.25 EC, leaf 16.66 EC, stem bark 12.50 EC and fruit rind 12.50 EC extracts exhibited maximum mortality @ 2 % concentration recording 66.66, 63.33, 56.66 and 40.00 per cent mortality respectively. Positive and negative control such as respective solvent and water showed 10.00 and 3.33 % larval mortality respectively. The results of these experiment clearly indicate that nux-vomica plant possess promising larvicidal action against diamond back moth.

Characterizing the Ex-Vivo Mechanical Properties and Corresponding In-Vivo Impact of Synthetic Urogynecological Meshes

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Feola ◽  
Pamela Moalli ◽  
Suzan Stein ◽  
Zegbeh Jallah ◽  
Jon Shepherd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Abdominal Wall Hernia ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pelvic Organ ◽  
Synthetic Mesh ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Societal Costs ◽  
Large Numbers

Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence are common conditions in women that significantly diminish quality of life. With roughly 225,000–280,000 women requiring surgery each year in the United States alone, societal costs are over a billion dollars annually (1). While repair with synthetic mesh products have become the surgical treatment of choice, these meshes require very little premarket testing because they are based on previously approved abdominal wall hernia products (510K devices). Thus, there is little scientific data on the efficacy of meshes for gynecological surgery. Moreover, with the recent FDA warning citing large numbers of unreported complications in patients, there is growing concern about the use of gynaecological mesh, especially for transvaginal placement (2). Thus, there is a need to examine the ex-vivo properties of these meshes and relate them to their in-vivo function and outcomes for gynecological applications.

scholarly journals Phytochemical Screening and In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of Two Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants of Afar Region, Ethiopia, against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss Albino Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibhatu Gebrehiwot ◽  
Mohammed Shumbahri ◽  
Amelework Eyado ◽  
Tilahun Yohannes
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Antimalarial Activity ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Phytochemical Screening ◽  
Salvadora Persica ◽  
Swiss Albino Mice ◽  
Albino Mice

The objective of the present study was to investigate phytochemical components, antiplasmodial activity (in vivo) and evaluate the toxicity of two local medicinal plants, namely, Salvadora persica L. and Balanites rotundifolia (Van Tiegh.) used in Afar ethnomedicine for the treatment of malaria. In this study, phytochemical screening has been done using standard methods and the existence of antiplasmodial compounds was detected in these plant extracts. Four-day Peter’s test was used to determine parasite inhibition, PCV was determined by Wintrob’s method, and effects against loss of body weight and improvements on survival time were determined. LD50s of the crude extracts have been also done. Acute toxicity studies of the extracts were carried out in Swiss albino mice prior to antimalarial activity test. All extracts revealed no obvious acute toxicities on mice up to the highest (5000mg/kg) dose given. The crude extract was estimated to have oral median lethal dose higher than 5,000 mg/kg. With the 4-day suppressive test, both plant extracts demonstrated dose-dependent significant reduction in parasitemia level at all test doses compared to the negative control: in the extract of B. rotundifolia 500 mg/kg extract (60.59±3.25%), 350 mg/kg extract (48.1±1.4), and 200 mg/kg extract (41.33±1.1%) were found. And in case of S. Persica 500 mg/kg extract (50.6±4.01%), 350 mg/kg extract (35.85±0.89), and 200 mg/kg extract (27.69±1.14%) were found. The results of this study provide support for the traditional therapeutic value and the reported antimalarial activity.

scholarly journals Zingiber Officinale Roscoe and Echinops Kebericho Mesfin Showed Antiplasmodial Activities against Plasmodium Berghei in a Dosedependent Manner in Ethiopia

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdissa Biruksew ◽  
Ahmed Zeynudin ◽  
Yonas Alemu ◽  
Lemu Golassa ◽  
Moti Yohannes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Dose Dependent

BACKGROUND: The emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to antimalarial drugs necessitated the search for new drugs from natural products. Zingiber officinal Roscoe and Echinops Kebericho Mesfin are traditional herbal medicines widely used for the treatment of malaria in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the toxicity profile and in vivo antiplasmodial activities of 70% methanol crude extracts of both plant materials against Plasmodium berghei.METHODS: Healthy male Swiss Albino mice of age 4-5 weeks and weight 25-36 g were infected by P. berghei. The extracts were administered orally at doses 5000, 2500 and 1250 mg/kg for acute toxicity of E. kebericho Mesfin. Graded doses at 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg used for four days suppressive studies. Parasitemia, body weight, packed cell volume (PCV) and survival time were determined. SPSS Version 20 was used for the analysis of data of parasitemia, body weight, PCV, and survival times. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA. Independent ttest was used to compare results. Results were presented as a mean ± standard error of the mean (M ± SEM). All data were analyzed at a 95% confidence interval (α= 0.05).RESULTS: At the dose of 5000 mg/kg, E. kebericho Mesfin showed no toxic effects. The LD50 of extract could go beyond the dose used. In vivo antiplasmodial activity of extracts showed excellent chemo suppression at 500 and 1000 mg/kg in a dose dependent manner compared with the negative control. The chemo suppressions of the 1000 mg/kg of both plant extracts were 49.53 ± 1.90% and 32.83 ± 1.03%, respectively. The survival times of P. berghei infected mice were also a dose dependent manner while failed to prevent weight loss.CONCLUSION: The extracts of both medicinal plants showed antiplasmodial activities against P. berghei. It confirmed the literature findings and their traditional uses. 

LĖTINE INKSTŲ LIGA SERGANČIŲ VAIKŲ KRAUJAGYSLIŲ KALCIFIKACIJA IR KALCIFIKACIJOS PROFILAKTIKA

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2.1) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Ernestas Viršilas ◽  
Augustina Jankauskienė ◽  
Rukshana Shroff
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
End Stage Renal Disease ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Great Complexity

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributing factor of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Increased burden of CVD is partly due to damage to the arterial vessels by the uremic environment. Purpose of this article is to outline main calcification mechanism taking place and address each of the occurring biochemical and mineral imbalances in CKD population. In end stage renal disease (ESRD) calcification promoters and inhibitors intertwine with each other resulting in vascular calcification, a subject of great complexity. Vascular calcification share many similarities to bone ossification and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial to the process. Steps to undergo osteochondrocytic conversion are explained as well as biomarkers possibly postponing or reversing the process. Data from clinical trials, animal model in in vivo and ex vivo human vessel models are used to represent vascular calcification and it’s contributing factors.

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