• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

To determine the effect of Vitex doniana (leaves stem and root bark) ethanolic extracts on lipid profiles of Poloxamer 407 (P407) induced hyperlipidemic and normal rats. Fifty four mixed sex rats weighing 100-200g were divided into nine groups comprising six animals per group. At the end of the 21 day, the animals were sacrificed and blood sample were collected for determination of serum levels of: Total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerides (TAG), High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). The studies showed that all induced treated groups significantly (P<0.05) lower serum levels of TC, TAG, LDL-c and significantly (P<0.05) increased HDL-c when compared to the P407 induced hyperlipidemic control. The normal treated groups showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in the serum levels of TC, TAG, LDL and HDL when compared to the normal control group. Calculation of atherogenic risk predictor indices of the induced treated groups showed that all the extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered the LDL-c/HDL-c, log (TAG/HDL-c) and significantly (P<0.05) increased HDL-c/TC ratio when compared to the P407 induced hyperlipidemic control group. The atherogenic risk predictor indices of normal treated groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in LDL-c/HDL-c, Log (TAG/HDL-c) and HDL-c/TC ratio when compared to the normal control group. The study demonstrates the phytotherapeutic effect of Vitex doniana (leaves, stem and root bark) ethanolic extract in poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemia.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.180-185
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• 2007

Dichrostachys cinerea (Linn.) is commonly known as Vadatalla and used as phytotherapeutic agent. Tender shoots of the plant bruised and applied to the eyes in case of ophthalmia. The root is astringent and used in rheumatism, urinary calculi and renal troubles. The effect of the Ethanolic and aqueous extract of the root of D. cinerea were studied for its anti-urolithiatic and diuretic activity at 200 mg/kg dose level in male Wistar albino rats. Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium and phosphate. Supplementation with aqueous and ethanolic extract of the plant significantly reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, showing a regulatory action on endogenous oxalate synthesis. Compared to ethanolic extract, aqueous extract exhibited significant anti-urolithiatic activity. Both the extracts showed significant diuretic activity. The results of our present study supports folklore claim of D. cinerea.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.8.1-8.6
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• 2014

Despite the remarkable advancements of the modern medicine, the traditional system of medicine (TSM) still serves as a potential primary health care modality in the in low- and middle-income countries. The recent reports suggest that there is a renewed interest has been observed towards TSM in the developed countries too, because of the adverse side-effect of modern medicines. Medicinal plants have been widely serving as a rich source of therapeutic agent. Ethiopia is one of the most reserves rich countries in the world. It is renowned for well-diversified and natural resources in terms of its unique flora and fauna. Ethiopian deep-rooted tradition and culture largely depends on the usage of plants for their religious ceremonies, impressive festivals, traditional medicinal uses and other basic necessities. The present scrutiny is an attempt to understand the omnipotent nature of an Ethiopian Ethnomedicinal plant called Tinjute [vernacular name (local native language, Amharic); Otostegia integrifolia]. There are several studies suggest that Tinjute can be used as a natural medicine or health-promoting agents for various disorders and ailments. Nevertheless, in Ethiopia, it is renowned as an insect repellent to drive-away insect vector of diseases, particularly mosquitoes in the early evening. However, there are many more issues and challenges which must be urgently addressed to scientifically formulate various potent, efficacious, safe and highly selective phytotherapeutic agents and insects' repellent from the Tinjute plant in the near future.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1263-1272
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• 2009

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) is a traditional Korean medicine that is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as edema, arthritis, hepatitis, and endangitis. The several extracts of danshen were tested for antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in clinic by broth microdilution method, the checkerboard, and time-kill methods to evaluate the synergistic effects of the combination of the extracts with antibiotics. The chloroform ($CHCl_3$) and n-hexane (HEX) extracts [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.0078-0.3125${\mu}g/mL$; minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), 0.019-0.625${\mu}g/mL$] were found to have strong antibacterial activity against MRSA. Additionally, when the $CHCl_3$ and HEX extracts were co-administered with ampicillin or oxacillin, a synergistic effect against MRSA was observed. Furthermore, a time-kill study evaluating the effects of the extracts against MRSA indicated that treatment with the $CHCl_3$ extract in combination with ampicillin or oxacillin produced rapid bactericidal activity. These results suggest that danshen extracts may have potently antimicrobial activity and thus, it can be a suitable phytotherapeutic agent for treating MRSA infections.

• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.6
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• 2015

Antioxidative and free radical scavenging properties of different stem extracts of Euphorbia trigona were evaluated and correlated with its total phenolic content. Aqueous, acetone and methanolic extracts of shade dried stem were obtained and were concentrated in vacuo. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of stem extracts was determined by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, reducing power assay, deoxyribose degradation assay and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating assay. Total phenolic contents (TPC) were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The results confirmed that the plant is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds which are invariably higher compared to other herbs. All extracts showed TPC in the range of 146.6 - 168.6 mg/g gallic acid equivalents at $300{\mu}g/ml$ of extract. Among the three extracts ME showed highest scavenging activity as evidenced by maximum scavenging of DPPH (83.2%), $OH{\bullet}$ radicals (94.81%), $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity (88.59%) and a high reducing power 0.623 at $300{\mu}g/ml$. Our results demonstrate that Euphorbia trigona, an unexplored xerophytic plant could be potential source of natural antioxidants and phytotherapeutic agents. The plant possess invariably high amount of polyphenolic compounds with a broad spectrum of antioxidant properties and could be further used for food, feed and pharmaceutical applications.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.241-247
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• 2015

In an effort to discover alternative phytotherapeutic antimicrobial agents to combat Streptococcus parauberis, a fish pathogenic bacterium, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of seaweed extracts in vitro. A methanolic extract of Ecklonia cava exhibited strong antibacterial activity against S. parauberis isolated from olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Furthermore, the n-hexane soluble (Hexane) fraction of the E. cava methanolic extract exhibited the greatest antibacterial effect on S. parauberis strains with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 256 to $1,024{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, the MIC values of oxytetracycline against antibiotic-resistant S. parauberis were markedly reduced up to 64-fold in combination with the Hexane fraction, suggesting that the antibacterial activity of the antibiotic was restored when combined with the Hexane fraction. The interaction between both antibiotics and the Hexane fraction was assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index. The Hexane fraction and oxytetracycline combination against antibiotic-resistant S. parauberis strains resulted in a median ${\sum}FIC$ range of 0.502 to 0.516. Thus, the synergistic ranges of median ${\sum}FIC$ < 1 were observed for all combinations of the Hexane fraction and oxytetracycline against S. parauberis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report indicating the efficacy of an E. cava extract against fish pathogenic bacterium S. parauberis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2016

The goal of this study was to determine whether gypenosides (GPS) exert protective effects against dopaminergic neuronal cell death in a 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA)-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) with or without long-term 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) treatment. Rats were injected with 6-OHDA in the substantia nigra to induce PD-like symptoms; 14 days after injection, groups of 6-OHDA-lesioned animals were treated for 21 days with GPS (25 or 50 mg/kg) and/or L-DOPA (20 mg/kg). Dopaminergic neuronal cell death was assessed by counting tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunopositive cells in the substantia nigra and measuring levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the striatum. Dopaminergic neuronal cell death induced by 6-OHDA lesions was ameliorated by GPS treatment (50 mg/kg). L-DOPA treatment exacerbated 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neuronal cell death; however, these effects were partially reversed by GPS treatment (25 and 50 mg/kg). These results suggest that GPS treatment is protective against dopaminergic neuronal cell death in a 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of PD with long-term L-DOPA treatment. Therefore, GPS may be useful as a phytotherapeutic agent for the treatment of PD.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2009

Pterocarpus marsupium, Clitoria ternatea, and Sanseveiria cylindrica are some of the important and endangered medicinal plant species of India. Despite of medicinal properties, antibacterial potential of the plants have not yet been explored. The present study was designed to optimize the in vitro technique for micropropagation and to screen the extracts from leaves and in vitro raised calli for antibacterial properties. Excised leaf-explants from the parent plants were surface sterilized and cultivated on Murashige & Skoog's (MS) medium containing $N^6$-benzyladenine (BA) in concentrations of 1, 2, 5, and $10{\mu}M$. Optimal growth of calli was noticed at a concentration of $5{\mu}M$, therefore the extracts from calli grown at this concentration were further studied for antibacterial activity. Both alcoholic and aqueous extracts from leaves of respective plants, and their in vitro raised calli were tested for antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Aqueous extracts showed antibacterial activity against limited number of bacterial species; notably the extracts of C. ternatea which showed antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus. Alcoholic extracts of all three plants showed antibacterial activity against a wider range of bacteria. Among the Gram-positive bacteria, extracts from C. ternatea showed strong antibacterial activity against Bacillus spp., whereas the extracts of S. cylindrica showed good antibacterial potential for Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S. pyogenes. The extracts from all three plants showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including, Salmonella spp. and Shigella dysenteriae; organisms causing enteric fever and dysentery. In most of the cases, the extracts from respective calli showed comparable, and in some cases better, result in comparison to the extracts from parent leaves. To the best of our knowledge this is the first preliminary report on antibacterial potential, especially through calli extracts, of these plants; and in vitro cultivation of the explants may be used to obtain phytotherapeutic compounds.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.350-356
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• 2015

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent idiopathic upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by diverse symptomatology including epigastric pain or discomfort, postprandial fullness, and early satiety. Although its pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully established, the available studies suggest that the etiology of FD is invariably multifactorial. Benachio-F$^{(R)}$ (BF) is a proprietary liquid formulation of 7 herbal extracts that has been proposed to address this multifactorial etiology using multi-drug phytotherapy. The pharmacological effects of BF, in comparison with those of two other herbal products (Whalmyungsu$^{(R)}$; WM and Iberogast$^{(R)}$; IB) were evaluated in rats. In a laparotomy-induced rat model of delayed GI transit, BF significantly accelerated the delayed gastric emptying caused by morphine, apomorphine, and cisplatin, and also significantly increased mean gastric transit, as compared to the control animals. BF markedly increased gastric accommodation in rats and produced higher gastric volume values than did the control treatment. The effects of BF were generally comparable or superior to those of WM and IB in these models. Furthermore, BF significantly stimulated biliary flow, as compared to the control treatment. These results indicated that BF might have great potential as an effective phytotherapeutic agent capable of reducing GI symptoms and increasing quality of life in FD patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.801-808
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• 2022

Background: Diesel exhaust particle (DEP) is a harmful kind of particulate matter known to exacerbate pre-existing respiratory diseases. Although their adverse effects on airway pathologies have been widely studied, the mechanistic analysis of signaling pathways and potential targets in reducing DEP-induced mucin secretion and pro-inflammatory cytokine production remain elusive. We, for the first time, investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extracts on mucin overproduction and airway inflammation induced by DEP. Methods: The effects of KRG and saponin on DEP-induced expression of MUC5AC and interleukin (IL)-6/8 were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in human airway epithelial NCI-H292 cells. We conducted Western blotting analysis to analyze the associated signaling pathways. To evaluate the effects of saponin treatment on DEP-induced MUC5AC expression and inflammatory cell infiltrations in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and real-time PCR were implemented. Results: The KRG extracts markedly attenuated DEP-induced MUC5AC expression in vitro by inhibiting the TLR4/TRIF/NF-𝛋B pathway. Furthermore, KRG and saponin inhibited DEP-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6/8 production. The in vivo study revealed that saponin blocked DEP-induced inflammation, mucin production and MUC5AC expression. Conclusion: Our study revealed that KRG extracts have inhibitory effects on DEP-induced expression of MUC5AC and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This finding provides novel insights into the mechanism by which saponin alleviates diesel-susceptible airway inflammation, elucidating its potential as a phytotherapeutic agent for inflammatory pathologies of airway.