EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND IN VIVO HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF BAUHINIA VARIEGATA ROOT ETHANOLIC EXTRACT AGAINST CCL4 INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

Plant derived herbal formulations and remedies provide an effective means for the treatment of various types of disease that are dogmatic and incurable in other types of systems of medicines, but it is essential to explore and establish the scientific basis for therapeutic action of herbal plant medicines. Bauhinia variegata root ethanolic extract was studied for the hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced liver injury in rats. For estimation of hepatoprotective role of B. variegata, total bilirubin count, serum enzymes level and finally histopathological study of liver were performed. This extract’s DPPH radical scavenging potential was also studied. The ethanolic extract of B. variegata root administered orally to animal showed significant depletion in CCL4 induced increased level of SGPT, SGOT, ALP and total bilirubin concentration. Significantly (p<0.05), hepatotoxicity is reversed by treatment with Liv 52 syrup also. For initiation of biochemical analysis, the histopathological studies are provided supportive evidence. This extract also showed better activity in quenching DPPH radical. The ethanolic extract of B. variegata root shows antioxidant property by preventing the formation of trichloromethyl peroxy radicals, and thus reduce tissue damage, which is examined and confirmed by the histopathological studies. Therefore, the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of B. variegata root may be due to its antioxidant potential. Previously studies have reported that plants containing flavonoids possess antioxidant properties. The antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of the test plant may be attributed to the presence flavonoids. B. variegata root ethanolic extract is shown to have hepatoprotective and antioxidant action.

INVENTÁRIO ARBÓREO DE TRÊS PRAÇAS DO MUNICÍPIO DE DOIS CÓRREGOS, SÃO PAULO, BRASIL

As praças são um importante componente das áreas urbanas, trazendo diversos benefícios à população e à fauna. Além disso, são locais que permitem maior liberdade na implantação de projetos de arborização urbana que, se bem realizados, não acarretam em problemas e gastos futuros. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o inventário arbóreo das três praças da região central do Município de Dois Córregos. Nas três praças inventariadas foram registrados 322 indivíduos arbóreos pertencentes a 48 espécies distribuídas em 24 famílias e 45 gêneros. As famílias Fabaceae (9 spp. – 18,7%), Bignoniaceae (5 spp. – 10,4%), Arecaceae e Moraceae (4 spp. – 8,3% cada) foram as mais representativas. A espécie Cenostigma pluviosum (sibipiruna) apresentou a maior frequência, correspondendo a 16,1% do total de indivíduos amostrados. No entanto, 40 espécies apresentaram frequência inferior a 2,2% e foram consideradas raras. Apenas oito espécies foram encontradas em todas as praças: Bauhinia variegata (pata-de-vaca), Delonix regia (flamboyant), Dypsis lutescens (areca-bambu), Eugenia uniflora (pitangueira), Handroanthus heptaphyllus (ipê-roxo), Ligustrum lucidum (alfeneiro), Nectandra megapotamica (canelinha) e Cenostigma pluviosum (sibipiruna). Constatou-se que 60,4% das espécies são exóticas do Brasil. Portanto, fica evidente que apesar de uma riqueza de espécies considerável, o alto número de espécies exóticas aliado à alta frequência de algumas espécies podem trazer problemas no futuro.

Identification and Isolation of lupeol and β-sitosterol from Iraqi Bauhinia variegata and determination the cytotoxic activity of the hexane extract of its leaves, stems and flowers

Objective: Bauhinia variegata is evergreen small medicinal tree grows all over the world especially in the tropical regions. The aims of the study were detection, isolation quantification and identification of β-sitosterol and lupeol of Iraqi B. variegata stem using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, beside the cytotoxic investigation of hexane extract of different aerial parts. Methods: detection by GC mass spectroscopy, isolated by preparative TLC. The identification and the structural elucidation of isolated β-sitosterol and lupeol were performed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and FTIR. While the cytotoxic activity was performed against MCF-7 cells line. Results: Results highlighted that β-sitosterol and lupeol present in Iraqi B. variegata stem that confirmed by different chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis. Also the leaves extract has the superior action on MCF-7 cells followed by stem extract and end up by flower extract. Conclusions: The plant has a good content of both β-sitosterol and lupeol and the good cytotoxic action of aerial parts hexane extract confirm the successful plantation of B. variegata. These isolated compounds are a suitable candidate for further pharmacological study.