Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research

75-86

Authors: Aderiye B. I., David O. M. and Atere V. A.

The cashew, Anacardium occidentale (L), has been reported for its usage in many life applications. Some of the medicinal uses of cashew include the antimicrobial effect of extracts of the leaves, apple, stem and the nut shell oil against many microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Ascaridia galli and Leishmania sp. The anti-microbial activities of cashew extract involve the anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-helminthics, anti-protozoan and anti-viral. The phytochemicals present in cashew extracts such as anacardic acid, flavonoid and tannins are responsible for the anti-microbial activities of the extract by inactivation of microbial adhesions enzymes and cell envelop transport cells, flavonoids, which are responsible for the inhibition of DNA gyrase thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis; phenolic compounds like anacardic acids, cardols, triterpenoids, methylcardols, xantoprotein and cardanols that are responsible for bacteria cell wall inhibition, by inhibiting the cell wall synthesis in addition to a growing cell and blocking the DNA, RNA and protein pathways. The extracts of cashew have also been used in treating gastro-intestinal tract syndromes such as diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia and nausea. Allergies and inflammation syndromes are also managed by administration of extracts from cashew; tannins inhibit the migration of leucocytes to an inflammatory site thereby reducing inflammatory response; on the other hand flavonoids present in extracts of cashew inhibit the cyclo-oxygenase, which is important in the genesis of edema and pain. Cardiovascular diseases are often treated by extract of cashew because of the presence of phenolic compounds that are antioxidant in nature. The endocrine diseases are also being treated by cashew extract as in the case of diabetes mellitus. The presence of saponin, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, anacardic acid and tannin had been reported to increase the regeneration rate of the beta cells. The anacardic acid from cashew nut can also inhibit the growth of some cancerous cells, also agathisflavone was shown to be cytotoxic against malignant cell lines. A likely mechanism of action of agathisflavone would be by inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). This paper discusses the usefulness of cashew in addressing many human medical challenges; without the use of synthesized drugs. Keywords: Anacardium occidentale L., anacardic acid, cashew, ethanol extract, water extract, flavonoids, tannin.

92-105

Authors: Nadja Engel, Karin Kraft, Petra Müller, Kathrin Duske, Juliane Kühn, Christina Oppermann and Barbara Nebe

The intention of this systematic cell biological study was to analyze the effects of the phytoestrogen-rich, ethanolic flax root extract (Linum usitatissimum L.) on human MCF-7 estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells in order to identify the main anti-tumor action by focusing on adhesion and migration related features. Cell impedance, initial adhesion capacity, cell migration ability, and actin cytoskeleton formation was determined by live cell monitoring, flow cytometry, scratch assay and confocal microscopy. Detailed expression analyses of adhesion- and actin-related proteins were performed by flow cytometry and western blotting, respectively. The effect on anchorage-independent growth of MCF-7 cells was analyzed by colony formation on soft agar. 50 µg/ml flax root extract reduced cell impedance (50%), initial adhesion capacity (18%), migration ability (72%) and colony formation (83%) in MCF-7 cells significantly. Increased stress fiber formation (9-fold higher filament number and a 12-fold elevation of the total filament length) was initiated by overexpression of profilin-1 and down regulation of arp-2, two important regulators of actin dynamics. In conclusion, the flax root extract exhibits anti-tumor potential for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells mainly by remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, leading to significant reduction of migration and colony formation in vitro. Keywords: Breast cancer, flax, lignans, actin cytoskeleton, profilin, migration.

113-119

Authors: Pragati Kumar and Prabodh Shukla

In the present study, the antinociceptive and the gastroprotective effects of orally administered or inhaled Thevetia peruviana Pers. K. (Schum) (Oleander) volatile oil, and its principal constituents linalool and 1,8-cineole were evaluated in mice. Either when orally administered (100 µl/kg) or inhaled for 60 min, T. peruviana volatile oil significantly reduced the acetic acid-writhing response in a naloxone-sensitive manner. In the hot plate test, analgesic activity observed after oil inhalation was inhibited by naloxone and atropine sulphate pretreatment suggesting the involvement of opioidergic as well as cholinergic pathways. Regardless of the administration route and the experimental model used both linalool and 1,8-cineole did not produce significant analgesic response. Oral or inhalatory treatment with analgesic doses of volatile oil did not affect mice spontaneous locomotors activity. Concerning the gastric effects, Oleander oil, linalool and 1,8-cineole oral administration protected against acute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers but did not prevent indomethacin-induced lesions indicating no interference with arachidonic acid metabolic cascade. In conclusion, besides this gastroprotection, Oleander oil reveals an interesting analgesic activity mainly relevant after inhalation, at doses devoid of sedative side effect, suggesting the interest for potential application of this oil in aromatherapy. Keywords: Antinociceptive activity, gastroprotection, essential oils, Thevetia peruviana, writhing test, locomotors activity, hot plate test.

126-136

Authors: Adesina Adebiyi Omoloye, Ladoja Faruk and Murtala Abdullahi Akanji

The rapid increase in consumption of herbal remedies worldwide has been stimulated by several factors, including the notion that all herbal products are safe and effective. However, over the past decade, several news-catching episodes in developed communities indicated adverse effects, sometimes life-threatening, allegedly arising as a consequence to taking herbal products or traditional medicines from various ethnic groups. Therefore, this present study aimed to carry out extensive toxicological evaluation of hydro-ethanolic extract of the leaf of Solenostemon monostachyus (P. Beauv.) Lamiaceae. In an acute toxicity tests of five groups of mice (n = 5/group), male albino mice were orally treated with aqueous extract of S. monostachyus up to 25000 mg/kg and general behavioral activity, adverse effects, and mortality were recorded for up to 14 days. A sub-chronic toxicity test was performed by daily administration with the extract at 75, 112.5 and 225 mg/kg orally (n = 6/group) for 49 days, while control rats received distilled water. Haematological and biochemical (liver enzymes, proteins and bilirubin) parameters were determined and histopathological examination was carried out. The LD50 was estimated to be 22,500 mg/kg, with acute behavioural manifestations of reduced locomotion and calmness. The extract showed statistical significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in haematological and biochemical parameters in the treated rats compared to the control in subchronic treatment. While, subchronic administration of the extract affected some vital organs evident by slight distortion in histo-architecture, degeneration and fat deposits. Results obtained in this study suggest hydro-ethanolic extract of the leaf of S. monostachyus is relatively safe when administered orally in traditional medicine. Keywords: Solenostemon monostachyus, haematology, liver and biochemical function, sub-chronic toxicity.