scholarly journals Uterotonic Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Lannea Acida in Wistar Rats: An in Vitro Study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
esther simo ngadjui ◽  
Jibril Yves Kouam ◽  
Georges Romeo Fozin Bonsou ◽  
Aimé Césaire Tetsatsi Momo ◽  
Patrick Brice Defo Deeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Lannea acida (Anacardiaceae), commonly called Kikié in the Noun division (West-Cameroon), is a tree whose bark is used locally to solve difficult childbirth. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro uterotonic effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of L. acida in female Wistar rats. Uterine strips isolated from female rats pretreated (48h) with oestradiol (5μg) were mounted in a single-organ bath containing a well aerated and thermostated De Jalon solution (37°C). The effects of L. acida extracts were recorded in a non-cumulative manner after application. The effect of the methanolic extract (the most active extract) was monitored in the presence of atosiban (a competitive antagonist of oxytocin receptors), atropine (a specific type 3 muscarinic receptor antagonist), nifedipine (an L-type calcium channel antagonist) and 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-ADB, a specific antagonist of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors type 1), and in calcium-free medium containing EGTA. Results: L. acidainduced uterine contraction in a concentration-dependent manner with the methanolic extract (1.506 ± 0.032 gf) being the most effective. Administration of atosiban (2 μmol/l), atropine (1 μmol/l), nifedipine (5 μmol), 2-APB (100 μmol), and calcium free medium containing EGTA (2 mmol) reduced the contractile effect of L. acida. Complete inhibition was observed with nifedipine, 2-APB, and calcium free medium containing EGTA.Conclusions: These results suggest that L. acida possesses an uterotonic effect mediated through oxytocin receptors with mobilization of extracellular calcium.

Author(s):  
Nestor Gipwe Feussom ◽  
Hermine Boukeng Jatsa ◽  
Mérimé Christian Kenfack ◽  
Emilienne Tienga Nkondo ◽  
Ulrich Membe Femoe ◽  
...  

Aims: Continuous attempts are being made to develop new and more effective drugs for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Ozoroa pulcherrima Schweinf. is a medicinal plant used in Africa for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, lower abdominal pain, dystocia and intestinal helminthiasis. This study provides findings on the cercaricidal and schistosomicidal activity of extracts and fractions of Ozoroa pulcherrima in in vitro assays. Methodology: The aqueous and methanolic extracts from Ozoroa pulcherrima root parts (62.5 – 2000 µg/mL), as well as the methanol derived fractions (n-hexane and ethyl acetate: 31.25 – 1000 µg/mL) were tested on cercariae and adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. Niclosamide-olamine 5% (1 µg/mL) and praziquantel (10 µg/mL) were respectively used as reference drugs. During the assays, the mortality of cercariae after 2 hours, and adult worms’ mobility and mortality after 48 hours of incubation were evaluated. Results: Ozoroa pulcherrima extracts and fractions significantly increased cercariae and worm mortality in a concentration-dependent manner. The methanolic extract was the most active on cercariae with a LC50of 20.65 µg/mL after 30 minutes, while the n-hexane fraction was the most active on worm with a LC50 of 79.54 μg/mL (65.58 – 96.47 μg/mL) after 48 hours. Significant reduction of motor activity (18.47 to 100%) was recorded for surviving worms incubated in different concentrations of the extracts and fractions. Conclusion: This study proves that Ozoroa pulcherrima extracts and fractions have cercaricidal and schistosomicidal activities. Ozoroa pulcherrima may have great potential as an anti-schistosomal agent for further research.


Zygote ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Krischek ◽  
Burkhard Meinecke

In the present study the effects of roscovitine on the in vitro nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes were investigated. Roscovitine, a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent protein kinases, prevented chromatin condensation in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition was reversible and was accompanied by non-activation of p34cdc2/histone H1 kinase. It also decreased enzyme activity of MAP kinase, suggesting a correlation between histone H1 kinase activation and the onset of chromatin condensation. The addition of roscovitine (50 μM) to extracts of metaphase II oocytes revealed that the MAP kinase activity was not directly affected by roscovitine, which indicates a possible link between histone H1 and MAP kinase. Chromatin condensation occurred between 20 and 28 h of culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in inhibitor-free medium (germinal vesicle stage I, GV1: 74.6% and 13.7%, respectively). Nearly the same proportion of chromatin condensation was detected in COCs incubated initially in inhibitor-free medium for 20-28 h and subsequently in roscovitine-supplemented medium (50 μM) for a further 2-10 h (GV I: 76.2% and 18.8%, respectively). This observation indicates that roscovitine prevents chromatin condensation even after an initial inhibitor-free cultivation for 20 h. Extending this initial incubation period to ≥22 h led to an activation of histone H1 and MAP kinase and increasing proportions of oocytes exhibiting chromatin condensation in the presence of roscovitine. It is concluded that histone H1 kinase is involved in the induction of chromatin condensation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Sadraei ◽  
Seyed Mostapha Ghanadian ◽  
Gholamreza Asghari ◽  
Aminreza Gavahian

Introduction: Dracocephalum kotschyi is a native Iranian plant with antispasmodic activities on smooth muscles such as ileum and uterus. However, so far antispasmodic effect of D. kotschyi on tracheal smooth muscle has not been reported. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate antispasmodic activity of D. kotschyi extract and two of its components luteolin and apigenin on rabbit tracheal contraction in vitro. Methods: Rabbits were euthanized by carbon dioxide and the trachea was dissected and immersed in a Tyrode’s solution. Tracheal rings were prepared and mounted vertically in an organ bath at 37°C and gassed continuously with O2. The tracheal ring preparations were contracted with acetylcholine (ACh) and KCl. The isotonic tension was recorded before and after addition of aminophylline, apigenin, luteolin or flavonoids rich extract of D. kotschyi. Flavonoids rich extract were prepared from D. kotschyi using solvent-solvent fractionation technique. Results: Standard drug aminophylline, prevented tracheal ring preparation contracted with ACh. Cumulative addition of aminophylline also attenuated tonic contraction induced by KCl on tracheal smooth muscle. D. kotschyi extract at concentration ranges of 32-512 μg/mL in a concentration dependent manner inhibited KCl and ACh induced tracheal contraction. Apigenin and luteolin (range 16–512 μg/mL) relaxed KCl and ACh-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that D. kotschyi extract is a relaxant of tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect of D. kotschyi extract could be due to its flavonoids component such as apigenin and luteolin.


Planta Medica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Islam Husain ◽  
Olivia R. Dale ◽  
Vamshi Manda ◽  
Zulfiqar Ali ◽  
Bill J. Gurley ◽  
...  

Abstract Bulbine natalensis, an emerging medicinal herb on the global market with androgenic properties, is often formulated in dietary supplements that promote perceived sexual enhancement. However, to date, comprehensive safety studies of B. natalensis are lacking, particularly those related to its herb-drug interaction potential. The purpose of this study was to assess the inductive and inhibitory effects of extracts and pure compounds of B. natalensis on human cytochrome P-450 isozymes in vitro. Our findings demonstrated that both water and methanolic extracts of B. natalensis as well as knipholone, bulbine-knipholone, and 6′-O-methylknipholone dose-dependently increased mRNA expression encoded by CYP2B6, CYP1A2, and ABCB1 genes. Functional analyses showed that water (60 to 2.20 µg/mL) and methanolic (30 to 3.75 µg/mL) extracts and knipholones (10 to 0.33 µM) increased CYP2B6 and CYP1A2 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, water extract (60 µg/mL), methanolic extract (30 µg/mL), and knipholone (10 µM) caused activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor up to 11.1 ± 0.7, 8.9 ± 0.6, and 7.1 ± 2.0-fold, respectively. Furthermore, inhibition studies revealed that methanolic extract attenuated the activity of metabolically active CYP1A2 (IC50, 22.6 ± 0.4 µg/mL) and CYP2B6 (IC50, 34.2 ± 6.6 µg/mL) proteins, whereas water extracts had no inhibitory effect on either isoform. These findings suggest that chronic consumption of B. natalensis may affect normal homeostasis of select CYPs with subsequent risks for HDIs when concomitantly ingested with conventional medications that are substrates of CYP2B6 and CYP1A2. However, more in-depth translational studies are required to validate our current findings and their clinical relevance.


2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Egerbacher ◽  
B. Wolfesberger ◽  
C. Gabler

Quinolones and magnesium deficiency cause similar lesions in joint cartilage of young animals. Chondrocytes cultivated in the presence of quinolones and in Mg-free medium show severe alterations in cytoskeleton and decreased ability to adhere to the culture dish. We investigated whether Mg2+ supplementation can prevent quinolone-mediated effects on chondrocytes in vitro. Chondrocytes cultivated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/HAM's F-12 medium were treated with ciprofloxacin (80 and 160 μg/ml) and enrofloxacin (100 and 150 μg/ml). Mg2+ was added at a concentration of 0.0612 mg/ml (MgCl) and 0.0488 mg/ml (MgSO4) or a triple dose. In addition, cells were cultivated in Mg-free medium and accordingly treated with Mg2+ supplementation. After 5 days in culture, the number of adherent cells per milliliter was determined. The number of chondrocytes in quinolone-treated groups decreased to 12-36% that of the control group within the culture period. With Mg2+ supplementation, the number of attached cells increased to 40-70% that of control cells. The threefold dose of Mg2+ led to better results than did the single dose. Cell proliferation tested by immunohistochemical staining with Ki67 (clone MIB5) decreased from 70% in control groups to 55%, 48%, and 30% in enrofloxacintreated groups in a concentration dependent manner (50, 100, and 150 μg/ml). Addition of Mg2+ did not increase the rate of cell proliferation. These results suggest that a great part of quinolone-induced damage is due to magnesium complex formation, as Mg2+ supplementation is able to reduce the effects in vitro. However, quinolone effects on cell proliferation seem to be an independent process that is not influenced by magnesium supplementation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 401-405
Author(s):  
H. Ocal ◽  
M. Yuksel ◽  
A. Ayar

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gentamycin on KCl-induced contractions of myometrium isolated from both non-pregnant and pregnant cows. Myometrial strips were isolated from non-pregnant and pregnant cows and suspended in a jacketed organ bath filled with Krebs&rsquo; solution at 37&deg;C (pH 7.4) continuously bubbled with 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide; isometric contractions were recorded using an isometric force displacement transducer. After manifestation of spontaneous contractions, KCl (60 mM) was applied to the bath and the effects of gentamycin (300 &micro;M, 600 &micro;M) on the amplitude (g) and frequency of KCl-induced contractions were evaluated in 10-minute intervals. Data were statistically analysed using Student&rsquo;s t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Gentamycin inhibited the frequency and amplitude of KCl-induced contractions in a concentration dependent manner. At 300 &micro;M and 600 &micro;M, gentamycin significantly inhibited the amplitude and reduced the frequency of contractions of myometrium isolated from both pregnant and non-pregnant cows. However, an increase in the extracellular Ca<sup>+</sup> ion concentration virtually reversed this blockade. The results of this in vitro study indicate that gentamycin inhibits KCl-induced contractions of myometrium isolated from both non-pregnant and pregnant cows.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (3) ◽  
pp. G431-G438 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Muinuddin ◽  
W. G. Paterson

The balloon distension (BD)-induced descending peristaltic reflex in the opossum smooth muscle esophagus is abolished in vitro when a Ca2+-free Krebs solution is placed at the site of distension, suggesting that either synaptic transmission occurs at the origin of the reflex or initiation of the reflex requires the development of muscle tension in response to BD. To test the latter possibility, an 8- to 10-cm length of smooth muscle esophagus was placed in a dual-chamber organ bath, isolating the stimulating (orad) from the recording site (aborad). Nifedipine addition to the orad chamber (i.e., site of distension) inhibited the BD-induced “off” contractions in both chambers in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the aborad response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) was unaffected. Atropine addition to the orad chamber had no effect on BD or EFS responses in either chamber. To examine the effects of these agents on tonic contractility, an isobaric barostat was employed. Pressure-volume curves were not altered by Ca2+-free Krebs solution, nifedipine, or TTX, suggesting that resting esophageal tone is not dependent on neural factors or muscle contractility. However, both Ca2+-free Krebs solution and nifedipine markedly decreased phasic contractions over the top of the distending bag. These observations suggest that local, stretch-induced phasic muscle contraction is required for initiation of the BD-induced descending peristaltic reflex.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-362
Author(s):  
Renan S. Teixeira ◽  
Paulo H.D. Carvalho ◽  
Jair A.K. Aguiar ◽  
Valquíria P. Medeiros ◽  
Ademar A. Da Silva Filho ◽  
...  

Background: Arctigenin is a lignan found in Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) that displays anti-inflammatory activities. Previous studies showed that the crude extract of A. Lappa has antitumor activity in human liver carcinoma, lung and stomach cancer cells. The aim of this study was to obtain arctigenin from A. lappa L., as well as to evaluate its antiproliferative effects in cells of liver carcinoma (HepG2) and fibroblasts (NIH/3T3). Methods: Arctigenin was obtained from the hydrolysis of arctiin, which was isolated from the crude extract of A. lappa. The effects of arctigenin and arctiin on HepG2 cell viability and cell adhesion were analyzed by MTT method. Adhesion assay was also carried out to evaluate the antitumor activity. Results: Our results showed that the analytical process to obtain arctigenin was fast and easy. In vitro experiments showed that arctigenin (107-269 μM) decreased HepG2 cells viability and did not cause cytotoxicity on NIH/3T3 cells. Arctigenin (27-269 μM) demonstrated anti-adhesion in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, when compared with control. Conclusion: These results suggest a promising pharmacological activity for arctigenin as an antiproliferative compound.


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