Antidiabetic and Antilipidemic Activity of Root Extracts of Salacia oblonga against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Wistar Rats

Salacia oblonga is used to treat diabetes, hypocholesteremia, gonorrhea, rheumatism, asthma, inflammation, oxidative stress, etc. In the present study, the antidiabetic activity of S. oblonga methanolic root extracts collected from three geographical locations, viz., Eleshwaram (Andhra Pradesh), Thoothukudi (Tamil Nadu), and Karwar (Karnataka), was studied in vitro. Among the three extracts, S. oblonga root extracts from Eleshwaram showed maximum α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities, indicating better antidiabetic activity. Acute toxicity studies of S. oblonga carried out in Albino Wistar rats showed no toxicity. Further, in vivo studies showed antidiabetic and antilipidemic activities in Albino Wistar rats with induced type II diabetes mellitus. Type II diabetes mellitus was induced in the experimental rats by intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin. The rats were orally fed different doses (ranging from 0 to 400 mg/kg body weight) of S. oblonga root extracts from Eleshwaram for 14 days. Blood glucose, lipid, bilirubin, and creatinine levels were analyzed on day 0, 7, and 14. The S. oblonga root extract from Eleshwaram decreased the glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner as well as the lipid, creatinine, and bilirubin levels in diabetic rats. Thus, the present study demonstrates antidiabetic and antilipidemic properties of S. oblonga root extracts.

Diversity and Threatened Climber Plants in Tropical Forests of Courtallam Hills, Southern Western Ghats, India

Investigated the distribution of climber and its conservation status in tropical forests of Courtallam hills in southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India during 2017-2018. A total of five 1 ha plots were established, and all climber species ≥1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were counted, which resulted in a total of 81 climbing plant species that representing to 62 genera under 30 families. Study plots revealed the most abundant climber species are Jasminum flexile (Oleaceae), Salacia oblonga (Celastraceae) and Ziziphus oenopolia (Rhamnaceae). The dominant climber species families in the study plots include Apocynaceae (11 species), Leguminosae (10 species), Menispermaceae and Vitaceae (6 species each), Capparaceae and Oleaceae (5 species each) and Convolvulaceae (4 species). Among 81 climber species, about 12 species are documented as threatened species of Courtallam hills. The results of this investigation suggest that forest management and forest protection is important for in-situ conservation of liana diversity with the involvement of local community.

EFFECT OF SALACIA OBLONGA ROOT EXTRACT AGAINST CLINICAL ISOLATES STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Objective: Salacia oblonga Wall. is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Celastraceae. The study reports the effect of S. oblonga root extracts against clinical isolate Staphylococcus aureus Methods: Antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar diffusion method and assay for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of extract. Further, the effect of S. oblonga extract determined by DNA fragmentation and respiratory dehydrogenase enzyme activity assays. Results: S. oblonga ethyl acetate root extract was evaluated for antibacterial activity towards clinical isolate S. aureus. Bacterial growth was determined in treated and control cells. Extract displayed good growth inhibition and MIC of the extract was 80 μg/ml. DNA fragmentation assay was carried out, this result has shown that treated bacterial cell has DNA damage compared to the control cell. Further, respiratory dehydrogenase enzyme activity was determined. In the treated cells, enzyme activity was low compared to the control cells. Conclusion: Salacia oblonga root extract inhibiting the growth of S. aureus by different modes of action.

An Account of Fruit and Seed Morphology, Germination and Seedling growth of Four Species of Salacia L

Seeds are the most effective and thriving propagation material of Salacia. As part of ex-situ conservation programme, four highly sought Salacia species, viz., Salacia brunoniana Wight & Arn., Salacia fruticosa Wall. Salacia malabarica Gamble and Salacia oblonga Wall. through fruit, seed and seedling characterization was carried out. For this, phenology and morphology of fruits and seeds with reference to polymorphism were documented. Effect of fresh and desiccated moisture content especially that of critical moisture were tested to understand the extent of viability of seeds. Since, these species became threatened in their natural habitat; attempts were made to standardize their seed germination characters and seedlings were raised. Seedling characters along with seedling vigour were documented up to 6 leaf stage and also an identification key was made based on their seedling characters which would aid in the demarcation of the species at their juvenile stage.

Effects of Salacia oblonga on aluminium induced changes in membrane ATPases in brain cortex and hematological parameters in Wistar albino rats

Background: The current study was done to evaluate the effect of hydro alcoholic extract of Salacia oblonga on aluminum induced toxicity in brain cortex and blood in Wistar albino rats.Methods: The experimental animals were divided into four groups, each group comprising of six animals for 36 days of experimental duration. We investigated Na+/K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ ATPases enzyme activity in brain cortex and hematological changes if any, upon administration of aluminum chloride (Alcl3) (300 mg/kg b.w), hydro alcoholic extract of Salacia oblonga (67 mg/kg b.w) and Alcl3+ Salacia oblanga with control (distilled water).Results: In brain cortex, Salacia caused an increased in activity of ATPases. Combined administration of Salacia suppressed the influence of aluminum on the ATPases in the brain cortex (p<0.05). Both aluminum as well as Salacia did not cause any alteration in the hemoglobin content of blood in Wistar albino rats. The erythrocytes count was also not altered by treatment with either aluminum or Salacia. Combined treatment with Salacia suppressed the influence of aluminum with reference to neutrophil count and significant increases in monocyte as well as lymphocyte count were seen. Thus, repeated administration of aluminum causes a decrease in neutrophil and increase in lymphocyte count.Conclusions: All the ATPases in brain cortex were found to be affected by aluminum administration and Salacia is found to counteract the ATPase effect to a particular extent implying the presence of an active principle that can counteract the aluminium toxicity indicating its possible usefulness in aluminum toxicity.