Tablet Formula Optimization From Helminthostachys Zaylanica Extract Using A Simplex Lattice Design

Helminthostachys zeylanica extract has pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antiinflamatory, and antihyerucemia. This extract is nontoxic substance from the acute and subchronic toxicity tests. This extract has a potency to be formulated into tablet dosage forms. This study aims to optimize a tablet formula from Helminthostachys zeylanica extract. Disintegrant and binder concentrations were independent variables, while physical properties and dissolution time of the tablets were dependent variables. The tablet was prepared by a wet granulation method. Formula was optimized by Simplex Lattice Design. Physicochemical propertiesof granule, physical properties and dissolution of tablet were then analyzed with One Way ANOVA (p = 0.05). Based on granule analysis, specification of physicochemical parameters, such as hausner’s ratio, compressibility index, flowability, repose angle, and water content, met standard British Pharmacopeia. In addition, the starch and PVA concentrations influenced thickness, weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time and dissolution of the tablets (p <0.05), except for friability (p> 0.05). Based on this study, the starch and PVA concentrations for the optimum tablet formula were 19.5% and 1.05%, respectively.

Helminthostachys zeylanica Water Extract Ameliorates Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Eosinophil Infiltration by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Th2 Cytokine Production in a Mouse Asthma Model

Helminthostachys zeylanica is a traditional folk herb used to improve inflammation and fever in Taiwan. Previous studies showed that H. zeylanica extract could ameliorate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether H. zeylanica water (HZW) and ethyl acetate (HZE) extracts suppressed eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthmatic mice, and decreased the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in tracheal epithelial cells. Human tracheal epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) were pretreated with various doses of HZW or HZE (1 μg/ml–10 μg/ml), and cell inflammatory responses were induced with IL-4/TNF-α. In addition, female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA), to induce asthma, were orally administered with HZW or HZE. The result demonstrated that HZW significantly inhibited the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species in activated BEAS-2B cells. HZW also decreased ICAM-1 expression and blocked monocytic cells from adhering to inflammatory BEAS-2B cells in vitro. Surprisingly, HZW was more effective than HZE in suppressing the inflammatory response in BEAS-2B cells. Our results demonstrated that HZW significantly decreased AHR and eosinophil infiltration, and reduced goblet cell hyperplasia in the lungs of asthmatic mice. HZW also inhibited oxidative stress and reduced the levels of Th2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our findings suggest that HZW attenuated the pathological changes and inflammatory response of asthma by suppressing Th2 cytokine production in OVA-sensitized asthmatic mice.

KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS TUMBUHAN PAKU (PTERIDOPHYTA) DI KAWASAN HUTAN TUMBANG MANGGU, KECAMATAN SANAMAN MANTIKEI, KABUPATEN KATINGAN, KALIMANTAN TENGAH

Research on the diversity of ferns in the forests of Tumbang Manggu, Sub-district Sanaman Mantikei, Central Kalimantan, has been done. The study was conducted in March – April 2016 by using explorative methods. The results show, at least 28 species of ferns were found in the forest area, of which 16 species are terrestrial ferns and 12 species of epiphytic ferns. These species are included in 22 genera and 14 families. Huperzia and Pyrrosia are most abundant, each genus were consists of 3 species. The most rich families in term number of species are Polypodiaceae and Lycopodiaceae, with 6 species and 4 species respectively. Abundance of each species in the region was different, Blechnum orientale L., Dicranopteris linearis (Burm. f.) Underw., Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm., and Vittaria scolopendrina (Bory) Schkuhr ex Thwaites were found in large quantities and spread almost all over the region. Asplenium nidus L., Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm., Stenochlaena palustris (Burm. f.) Bedd., Lygodium circinatum (Burm. f.) Sw., Pyrrosia lanceolata (L.) Farw., Nephrolepis falcata (Cav.) C. Chr. and Vittaria ensiformis Sw. were found in considerable numbers. Asplenium pellucidum Lam., Athyrium bantamense Milde, Helminthostachys zeylanica (L.) Hook. and Tectaria crenata Cav. were found in small quantities and only in certain places. Local communities around the region have not much utilizing the ferns yet.

Natural Antidiabetic of Tunjuk Langit (Helminthostachys zeylanica) Rhizome Extracts

The use of medicinal plants in treating diabetes mellitus is increasing in Indonesia. Plenty of plants from different regions may have anti-diabetic effect, including Helminthostachys zeylanica. This plant is commonly used as a traditional medicine to treat inflammation, cough, dysentery, and malaria in Talang Mamak tribe, Indragiri Hulu, Riau, however in China it is used to treat diabetic. Thus, we examined whether the extract of H. zeylanica originated from Riau have potential antidiabetic activity. We assessed the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the extract of H. zeylanica rhizome. The results showed the antidiabetic values of n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MetOH), and ethanol (EtOH) extracts were 380.88 ± 0.09; 190.76 ± 0.22; 61.18 ± 0.59; 47.86 ± 0.06; and 60.78± 0.02, respectively. Acarbose were used as standard with antioxidant values of 19.73± 0.07. It can be concluded that the methanol extract is potential to be proposed as antidiabetic.

Helminthostachys zeylanica alleviates hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in diet-induced obese mice

Background Obesity and its associated health conditions, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are worldwide health problems. It has been shown that insulin resistance is associated with increased hepatic lipid and causes hepatic steatosis through a myriad of mechanisms, including inflammatory signaling. Methods Helminthostachys zeylanica (HZ) is used widely as a common herbal medicine to relieve fever symptoms and inflammatory diseases in Asia. In the present study, we evaluated whether HZ has therapeutic effects on obesity, NAFLD and insulin resistance. The protective effects of HZ extract were examined using free fatty acid-induced steatosis in human HuS-E/2 cells and a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in mice. Results The major components of the HZ extract are ugonins J and K, confirmed by HPLC. Incubation of human hepatocytes, HuS-E/2 cells, with palmitate markedly increased lipid accumulation and treatment with the HZ extract significantly decreased lipid deposition and facilitated AMPK and ACC activation. After 12 weeks of a high-fat diet with HZ extract treatment, the HFD mice were protected from hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. HZ extract prevented body weight gain, adipose tissue expansion and adipocyte hypertrophy in the HFD mice. In addition, fat accumulation was reduced in mice livers. Moreover, the insulin sensitivity-associated index, which evaluates insulin function, was also significantly restored. Conclusions These results suggest that HZ has a promising pharmacological effect on high-fat diet-induced obesity, hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, which may have the potential for clinical application.