scholarly journals Bark Extract of the Amazonian Tree Endopleura uchi (Humiriaceae) Extends Lifespan and Enhances Stress Resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbenya Peixoto ◽  
Mariana Roxo ◽  
Emerson Silva ◽  
Karla Valente ◽  
Markus Braun ◽  
...  

Endopleura uchi (Huber) Cuatrec (Humiriaceae), known as uxi or uxi-amarelo in Brazil, is an endemic tree of the Amazon forest. In traditional medicine, its stem bark is used to treat a variety of health disorders, including cancer, diabetes, arthritis, uterine inflammation, and gynecological infections. According to HPLC analysis, the main constituent of the bark extract is the polyphenol bergenin. In the current study, we demonstrate by in vitro and in vivo experiments the antioxidant potential of a water extract from the stem bark of E. uchi. When tested in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, the extract enhanced stress resistance via the DAF-16/FOXO pathway. Additionally, the extract promoted an increase in the lifespan of the worms independent from caloric restriction. It also attenuated the age-related muscle function decline and formation of polyQ40 plaques, as a model for Huntington’s disease. Thus, these data support anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties of E. uchi, which has not yet been described. More studies are needed to assess the real benefits of E. uchi bark for human health and its toxicological profile.

Author(s):  
SUPRIYA RAJA H

Objective: Knema attenuata (Myristicaceae), popularly known as “wild nutmeg,” is an endemic tree species from Western Ghats, which has been used in folk medicine. Conventionally, the stem bark of K. attenuata is used for treating inflammatory conditions without any scientific information available for the same. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic stem bark extract (ESBE) of K. attenuata using in vivo and in vitro screening models. Methods: The ethanolic extract of stem bark was prepared by soxhlation, and its cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cell line was assessed using MTT assay method. In vivo anti-inflammatory effect of extract was estimated in rats using carrageenan-induced paw edema model and cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was evaluated by cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibition assay, estimation of myeloperoxidase activity, and determination of cellular nitrite levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Results: Toxic symptoms were not observed for the ESBE. The extract demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in both in vivo and in vitro models. The anti-inflammatory action exhibited by the extract was a result of the inhibition of leukocyte migration and nitric oxide pathway and partially by inhibition of mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Conclusion: Findings from the study provide the evidence for the popular use of stem bark extract of K. attenuata as a potential anti-inflammatory agent.


Antioxidants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Saier ◽  
Inge Gommlich ◽  
Volker Hiemann ◽  
Sabrina Baier ◽  
Karoline Koch ◽  
...  

Agrimonia procera is a pharmacologically interesting plant which is proposed to protect against various diseases due to its high amount of phytochemicals, e.g., polyphenols. However, in spite of the amount of postulated health benefits, studies concerning the mechanistic effects of Agrimonia procera are limited. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, we were able to show that an ethanol extract of Agrimonia procera herba (eAE) mediates strong antioxidative effects in the nematode: Beside a strong radical-scavenging activity, eAE reduces accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and protects against paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The extract does not protect against amyloid-β-mediated toxicity, but efficiently increases the life span (up to 12.7%), as well as the resistance to thermal stress (prolongation of survival up to 22%), of this model organism. Using nematodes deficient in the forkhead box O (FoxO)-orthologue DAF-16, we were able to demonstrate that beneficial effects of eAE on stress resistance and life span were mediated via this transcription factor. We showed antioxidative, stress-reducing, and life-prolonging effects of eAE in vivo and were able to demonstrate a molecular mechanism of this extract. These results may be important for identifying further molecular targets of eAE in humans.


2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-62
Author(s):  
P.A. Onyeyili ◽  
K. Aliyoo

Summary The control of trypanosomosis in animals and humans based on chemotherapy is limited and not ideal, since the agents used are associated with severe side effects, and emergence of relapse and drug resistant parasites. The need for the development of new, cheap and safe compounds stimulated this study. Three concentrations (211, 21.1 and 2.11 mg per ml) of chloroform stem bark extract of Annona muricata were screened for trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in vitro. Also, two doses (200 mg per kg and 100 mg per kg) of the extract were evaluated for trypanocidal activity in rats infected with the parasite. Haematological parameters were determined on day 1 post infection and on days 1, 6 and 30-post extract treatment. The extracts inhibited parasite motility and totally eliminated the organisms at the concentrations used in vitro. The extract also showed promising in vivo trypanocidal activity. The observed in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activities may be due to the presence of bioactive compounds present in the extracts as seen in this study. The extract also improved the observed decreases in haematological parameters of the treated rats, which may be due to their ability to decrease parasite load. The observed oral LD50 of 1,725.05 mg per kg of the chloroform A. muricata extract using up and down method is an indication of very low toxicity, implying that the extract could be administered with some degree of safety.


Author(s):  
Merle Marie Nicolai ◽  
Barbara Witt ◽  
Andrea Hartwig ◽  
Tanja Schwerdtle ◽  
Julia Bornhorst

AbstractThe identification of genotoxic agents and their potential for genotoxic alterations in an organism is crucial for risk assessment and approval procedures of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Classically, testing strategies for DNA or chromosomal damage focus on in vitro and in vivo (mainly rodent) investigations. In cell culture systems, the alkaline unwinding (AU) assay is one of the well-established methods for detecting the percentage of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). By establishing a reliable lysis protocol, and further optimization of the AU assay for the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), we provided a new tool for genotoxicity testing in the niche between in vitro and rodent experiments. The method is intended to complement existing testing strategies by a multicellular organism, which allows higher predictability of genotoxic potential compared to in vitro cell line or bacterial investigations, before utilizing in vivo (rodent) investigations. This also allows working within the 3R concept (reduction, refinement, and replacement of animal experiments), by reducing and possibly replacing animal testing. Validation with known genotoxic agents (bleomycin (BLM) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH)) proved the method to be meaningful, reproducible, and feasible for high-throughput genotoxicity testing, and especially preliminary screening.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack W. Rutter ◽  
Tanel Ozdemir ◽  
Leonor M. Quintaneiro ◽  
Geraint Thomas ◽  
Filipe Cabreiro ◽  
...  

AbstractCaenorhabditis elegans has become a key model organism within biology. In particular, the transparent gut, rapid growing time and ability to create a defined gut microbiota make it an ideal candidate organism for understanding and engineering the host microbiota. Here we present the development of an experimental model which can be used to characterise whole-cell bacterial biosensors in vivo. A dual-plasmid sensor system responding to isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside was developed and fully characterised in vitro. Subsequently, we show the sensor was capable of detecting and reporting on changes in the intestinal environment of C. elegans after introducing exogenous inducer into the environment. The protocols presented here may be used for aiding the rational design of engineered bacterial circuits, primarily for diagnostic applications. In addition, the model system may serve to reduce the use of current animal models and aid in the exploration of complex questions within general nematode and host-microbe biology.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mariscal Brice Tchatat Tali ◽  
Cedric Derick Jiatsa Mbouna ◽  
Lauve Rachel Yamthe Tchokouaha ◽  
Patrick Valere Tsouh Fokou ◽  
Jaures Marius Tsakem Nangap ◽  
...  

Background. Terminalia mantaly is used in Cameroon traditional medicine to treat malaria and related symptoms. However, its antiplasmodial efficacy is still to be established. Objectives. The present study is aimed at evaluating the in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity and the oral acute toxicity of the Terminalia mantaly extracts. Materials and Methods. Extracts were prepared from leaves and stem bark of T. mantaly, by maceration in distilled water, methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane (DCM), and hexane. All extracts were initially screened in vitro against the chloroquine-resistant strain W2 of P. falciparum to confirm its in vitro activity, and the most potent one was assessed in malaria mouse model at three concentrations (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/bw). Biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters were also determined. Results. Overall, 7 extracts showed in vitro antiplasmodial activity with IC50 ranging from 0.809 μg/mL to 5.886 μg/mL. The aqueous extract from the stem bark of T. mantaly (Tmsbw) was the most potent (IC50=0.809 μg/mL) and was further assessed for acute toxicity and efficacy in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Tmsbw was safe in mice with a median lethal dose (LD50) higher than 2000 mg/kg of body weight. It also exerted a good antimalarial efficacy in vivo with ED50 of 69.50 mg/kg and had no significant effect on biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters. Conclusion. The results suggest that the stem bark extract of T. mantaly possesses antimalarial activity.


Author(s):  
Sulaiman S. Rukayyah ◽  
Jigam, Audu Ali ◽  
Abubakar Abdulkadir ◽  
Salau, Rasaq Bolakale

Malaria is a global problem, as treatment failure has hampered the efficacy of most anti-malarial medications. The goal of this study was to see if stem bark extract from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides had antiplasmodial properties that could be used to treat both susceptible and resistant parasites. The stem bark of Z. zanthoxyloides (500g) was crushed and extracted with ethanol. The extract was tested for antiplasmodial activity in vitro against the chloroquine-sensitive (CQS) strain NF54 and chloroquine-resistant strains (CQR) K1 of P. falciparum, as well as in vivo against the CQS(NK65) strain of P. berghei at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract was performed. The crude extract had an in vitro activity of 1076.4 56.4 and 1315.1 121.6 ng/ml against chloroquine sensitive and resistant parasites, respectively while standard drugs (chloroquine and artesunate) were 10.94 nM (3478.92 ng/ml) and 9.24 nM (3215.52ng/ml) for CQS and 310.68 nM (98796 ng/ml) and 10.94 nM (3650.52 ng/ml) for CQR respectively. At Day 7, mice treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw crude extract had parasite densities of 1159, 928, and 869 parasites/ µl, respectively (compared to positive control that had 123 parasites /µl). In vitro antiplasmodial activity was best in the K2, K4, and K6 fractions (IC50 were 6670, 6890, and 6480 ng/ml), but in vivo antiplasmodial activity was best in the K4 fraction (1183 parasites/ µl).The stem bark extract of Z. zanthoxyloides have remarkable antiplasmodial activity against both chloroquine sensitive and drug resistant P. falciparum supporting it ethnomedicinal use in malaria treatment.The extract of Z. zanthoxyloides has promising antiplasmodial activity and could be used to generate therapeutic leads against the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum, in addition to providing an alternative allopathic antiplasmodial medication.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 198-206
Author(s):  
Kiran Singh ◽  
Shweta Yadav

Owing to ubiquitous distribution, high abundances and ecological relevance, Caenorhabditis elegans has strong potential interest as barometer of environment and human health. Ecotoxicological methods are used to evaluate the effect of various anthropogenic contaminants on the ecosystems that circumscribe both in-vivo and in-vitro toxicities to explore the pathways and mechanisms of toxicity and to set precise toxicity thresholds. The interest in C. elegans, as a model organism in toxicological studies, has increased over the past few decades. The enticement of C. elegans comes from the ease of metabolically active digestive, sensory, endocrine, neuromuscular, reproductive systems and genetic manipulation along with the ability to fluorescently label neuronal subtypes. The study reviews the competence of Caenorhabditis elegans as a potential model organism in various toxicity assays specifically neurotoxicity and oxidative stress.


2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Canevari Oliveira ◽  
Larissa Maria Scalon Lemos ◽  
Ruberlei Godinho de Oliveira ◽  
Evandro Luiz Dall׳Oglio ◽  
Paulo Teixeira de Sousa Júnior ◽  
...  

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