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Staining Effect Of Dye Extracted From Dry Leaves Of Lawsonia Inermis Linn (Henna) On Angiospermic Stem Tissue

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Hikmat Ullah Jan at Quaid-i-Azam University
Hikmat Ullah Jan
Zabta Khan Shinwari at Quaid-i-Azam University
Zabta Khan Shinwari
Ashfaq Ali Khan
Ashfaq Ali Khan
Ashfaq Ali Khan
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Abstract

A natural dye lawsone (2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone) was isolated from dry leaves of Lawsonia inermis L., by extraction with clove oil, ethyl alcohol, water and its effectiveness as staining agent for angiospermic stem tissue was studied. Lawsonia revealed meta-chromatic property of staining. A 10%w/v crude extract of Lawsonia inermis L., leaves in ethyl alcohol and water were used for staining stem cross section of angiospermic plants like Helianthus annuus L., and Zea mays L. Dye extracted from Lawsonia inermis leaves in ethyl alcohol profusely stained vascular bundle (sclerenchyma) of the angiospermic stem cross section of Helianthus annuus L., however, ground parenchyma was stained very lightly Dye extracted from Lawsonia inermis leaves in 10%w/v water though stained the sclerenchyma of Zea mays stem cross section more effectively than parenchyma in Helianthus annuus, but not as profusely as result of Lawsonia inermis in ethyl alcohol. Within each vascular bundle xylem cells were stained very effectively but the cortex and medulla were stained less effectively. However staining power of the extracted dye of Lawsonia inermis L., with respect of different stem tissue was apparently variable according to the solvent used, but the extracted dye of Lawsonia inermis L., proved to be weak staining agent for parenchyma of angiospermic stem tissue in both the species of Helianthus annuus L., and Zea mays L., as members of dicot and monocot respectively. This open a new avenue of research and further probes to discover better method of extraction of the dyes in concentrated form in more different solvents and better method of preparing stains from them, will finally prove their validity and will be useful addition in botanical staining materials.
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Pak. J. Bot., 43(1): 383-389, 2011.
STAINING EFFECT OF DYE EXTRACTED FROM DRY
LEAVES OF LAWSONIA INERMIS LINN (HENNA)
ON ANGIOSPERMIC STEM TISSUE
HIKMAT ULLAH JAN1, ZABTA KHAN SHINWARI1*
AND ASHFAQ ALI KHAN2
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences,
Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan.
2Department of Botany, Govt. Post Graduate College Bannu.
*Corresponding author E-mail: shinwari2002@yahoo.com
Abstract
A natural dye lawsone (2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone) was isolated from dry leaves of
Lawsonia inermis L., by extraction with clove oil, ethyl alcohol, water and its effectiveness as
staining agent for angiospermic stem tissue was studied. Lawsonia revealed meta-chromatic
property of staining. A 10%w/v crude extract of Lawsonia inermis L., leaves in ethyl alcohol and
water were used for staining stem cross section of angiospermic plants like Helianthus annuus L.,
and Zea mays L. Dye extracted from Lawsonia inermis leaves in ethyl alcohol profusely stained
vascular bundle (sclerenchyma) of the angiospermic stem cross section of Helianthus annuus L.,
however, ground parenchyma was stained very lightly Dye extracted from Lawsonia inermis leaves
in 10%w/v water though stained the sclerenchyma of Zea mays stem cross section more effectively
than parenchyma in Helianthus annuus, but not as profusely as result of Lawsonia inermis in ethyl
alcohol. Within each vascular bundle xylem cells were stained very effectively but the cortex and
medulla were stained less effectively. However staining power of the extracted dye of Lawsonia
inermis L., with respect of different stem tissue was apparently variable according to the solvent
used, but the extracted dye of Lawsonia inermis L., proved to be weak staining agent for
parenchyma of angiospermic stem tissue in both the species of Helianthus annuus L., and Zea mays
L., as members of dicot and monocot respectively. This open a new avenue of research and further
probes to discover better method of extraction of the dyes in concentrated form in more different
solvents and better method of preparing stains from them, will finally prove their validity and will
be useful addition in botanical staining materials.
Introduction
Small shrub of henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn.) belongs to the family Lythraceae is
widely cultivated in Middle Eastern and northern African countries. The plant has been
introduced widely throughout the tropics and sub-tropics as to enhance beauty, as a
dyestuff and elsewhere as a commercial crop. The plant grows at temperatures higher
than 11oC and needs around 5 years to mature as well as achieves a height of 8 to 10 feet.
The major pigment in henna leaf is lawsone (2-hydroxy-1, 4-napthaquinone), having a
fast-dyeing property. The plant bears great medicinal importance. Al-Arnaoutt et al.,
(1987) reported in the book of "Prophetic Medicine" that henna usage is very obvious at
the beginning of Islamic traditions, where the medicinal usages of Lawsonia, have been
noted by the supporters and others that were close to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in his
family were recorded. According to Pinto et al., (1977) Lawsonia plant possessing
naphthoquinones have been used in treating a disease like cancer by American and
Indians. Pink et al., (2000) also declared that several research reports have also confirmed
cancer treatment activity of Lawsonia. De Almeida et al., (1990) described
HIKMAT ULLAH JAN ET AL.,
384
naphthoquinones being anti-inflammatory, fungicidal, (Gafner et al., 1996), virucidal
(Heinrich et al., 2004), bactericidal (Binutu et al., 1996), trypanocidal, and anti-maleria
(De Moura et al., 2001). Several reports declared that lawsone is the major constituent of
Lawsonia inermis and can treat tuberculosis (Sharma, 1990). From Pakistan such
information has been compiled and reported (Shinwari, 2010; Gilani et al., 2010). Prasirst
et al., (2004) also demonstrated that lawsone is useful against oral Candida albicans
seperated from patients with HIV/AIDS among human. Growth and replication of
retroviruses (HIV) were found to be inhibited through naphthoquinones (Koyama, 2006).
Endrini et al., (2002) demonstrated anticancer trait of Henna's using an extract of
Lawsonia inermis in chloroform by the culture tetrazollium salt (MTT) test on the breast
of human, liver and colon normal cell lines and carcinogenic liver cell lines . Nawaf et
al., (2003) demonstrated that the greater usage of henna for body ornamentation and hair
dyeing, can cause allergic reactions to some contaminants present commercially in
natural henna powders. Lawsonia leaves are used in many countries for hair dyeing,
fingernails and eyebrows during religion festivals and marriages. The use of henna for
dyeing the palms and fingernails is a gifted custom (Probu & Senthilkumar, 1998). Since
time immemorial natural dyes have become a part of human life. From very beginning
the alchemy of colors has started its use (Vankar, 2000). Kumar & Bharti, (1998) pointed
out that natural dyes with the environment show better biodegradability and usually have
a better compatibility. They show lower toxicity and allergic reactions than synthetic
dyes. Histological staining of stem cross section of the plant tissue provides a satisfactory
method for quick and cheap microscopic observation of their internal organization. Drury
& Wallington, (1976) reported that natural as well as synthetic both dyes are used for
cross section staining. Fessenden & Fessenden, (1998) reported that the presence of
quinones in henna, gives its dyeing properties. Al-Abri et al., (unpublished) have
demonstrated that henna extract could be used in histological preparations as a naturally
occurring stain. Habbal et al., (2007) reported that henna extract contains a naturally
occurring pigment naphthoquinone. Dye uptake increases with increase in pH (Badri &
Burkinshaw, 1993) and it stains tissue preparations in histological paraffin sections of
different organs (Veereshkumar, 2005). Aim of the present investigation was to scrutinize
the efficiency of dye extracted from the dry leaves of Lawsonia inermis L., for staining
the vascular stem tissue of Zea mays L., and Helianthus annuus L., as representative of
angiospermic plants.
STAINING EFFECT OF DYE FROM LAWSONIA INERMIS 385
Material and Method
a. Plant material: Fresh plants of Lawsonia inermis L. were collected from the fields of
Shamshi khel, in district Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Plant was identified and
a specimen was submitted vide Voucher No. H-105 to the herbarium in the Department
of Botany, Govt. Post Graduate College Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan for future
reference.
b. Dye extraction: The plant of Lawsonia inermis was dried in shade for several days at
room temperature. The leaves are grinded and powdered mechanically for effective
extraction. Dye was extracted with 1%, 5% and 10% solution using solvents, that is
water, ethanol and clove oil.
c. Tissue staining: Analyzing the staining property of Lawsonia inermis Linn, stem
tissue of Helianthus annuus L., and Zea mays L, representatives of angiosperm were
selected. Microtome cut stem section of Zea mays and Helianthus annuus were prepared
in water, ethanol, clove oil, acetic acid and formalin. Stem tissues of Zea mays and
Helianthus annuus were stained with extract of Lawsonia inermis leaves using water,
ethanol and clove oil (Rozin, 1999).
d. Microscopy: Stained slides of Zea mays and Helianthus annuus were studied under
simple light microscope (Olympus BX51) and their staining intensity were identified
(Lux et al., 2005).
Results and Discussion
Solution of dye prepared from crude extract of Lawsonia inermis Linn., leaves in clove
oil, water and ethanol were found to stain the vascular tissue of stem in Zea mays. Water
extract showed significant effect as compared to ethanol and clove oil extracts (Table 3).
The color of the dye extracted from Lawsonia leaves with water was dark brown while that
extracted with ethanol and clove oil were light brown. The dye extracted in water imparted
grayish green color to the sclerenchyma and parenchyma stem tissue of cross section (Fig
1). A 10% (w/v) extract of dye from Lawsonia in water was found to be effective in
staining dicotyledonous stem tissues. With in each vascular bundle, xylem cells were
stained very effectively, while the cortex and medulla were stained less effectively. But the
10% (w/v) extract of dye in water was found to be more effective in staining sclerenchyma,
but not as profusely as results of Lawsonia inermis in ethanol, while less effective in
staining parenchyma of dicotyledonous (Helianthus annuus L.). The same extract of dye
also showed slight effect on monocotyledenous stem tissues (Tables 1 and 2). The dye
extract of Lawsonia inermis leaves in clove oil does not show their effect to stain the stem
vascular tissues of angiosperm. The solubility of the dye in water, ethyl alcohol and clove
oil was quite evident, however in clove oil solubility was not equally profuse.
A 10% (w/v) dye extract of Lawsonia leaves with ethyl alcohol imparted greenish
color to the sclerenchyma and parenchyma of monocotyledons stem cross section (Zea
mays L.) and produced a very interesting but connecting xylery rays among the stem
vascular tissue and would be useful addition in new research studies (Fig. 2). Although,
the staining effects were more prominent on the former tissue (sclerenchyma). A 10%
(w/v) extract of Lawsonia dye in ethyl alcohol was found to be more effective in staining
HIKMAT ULLAH JAN ET AL.,
386
sclerenchyma but less effective in parenchyma of monocotyledons (Zea mays L).
However dye extract of Lawsonia in clove oil was not found to be effective for staining
monocot stem tissue. In this investigation Lawsonia revealed meta-chromatic property of
staining. A stain that dyes certain tissue and imparts different color other than the dye
solution is a metachromatic stain.
Table 1. Staining effect of Lawsonia inermis L., leaves dye on stem tissues of Zea mays L.
Lawsonia inermis leaves extract Tissue stained Intensity of staining
I. In water
1% _ _
5% Parenchyma +
10% Sclerenchyma + +
II. In ethanol
1% _ _
5% Parenchyma +
10% Sclerenchyma + + +
III. In clove oil
1% _ _
5% Parenchyma Trace
10% Sclerenchyma Trace
Table 2. Staining effect of Lawsonia inermis L., leaves dye on stem tissues of
Helianthus annuus L.
Lawsonia innermis leaves extract Tissue stained Intensity of staining
I. In water
1% _ _
5% Parenchyma + + +
10% Sclerenchyma + + + +
II. In ethanol
1% _ _
5% Parenchyma +
10% Sclerenchyma + +
III. In clove oil
1% _ _
5% Parenchyma Trace
10% Sclerenchyma Trace
Table 3. Variation in staining intensity of Lawsonia inermis L., leaves dye
on Zea mays L., and Helianthus annuus L.
Staining intensity
(Zea mays, L.) Staining intensity
(Helianthus annuus, L.)
Dyes (stain) Parenchyma Sclerenchyma Parenchyma Sclerenchyma
Lawsonia in water + + + + + + + + + +
Lawsonia in ethanol + + + + + + +
Lawsonia in clove oil Trace Trace Trace Trace
STAINING EFFECT OF DYE FROM LAWSONIA INERMIS 387
Fig. 1. Stem cross section of Helianthus annuus L., stain with extract of Lawsonia inermis L., in water.
Fig. 2. Stem cross section of Zea mays L., stain with extract of Lawsonia inermis L., in ethyl alcohol.
HIKMAT ULLAH JAN ET AL.,
388
The result analysis declared that the extract of dye from Lawsonia in ethyl alcohol
and water could be used effectively to stain lignified plant tissues when employed in
single staining. Avwioro et al., (2005) has provided similar results for dye extracted from
wood of Pterocarpus osun and Jan, (2004) for dye extracted from wood of Berberis, that
can be used as an effective histological stain without addition of oxidants, mordants and
accelerators, used for increasing the intensity of staining. Lux et al., (2005) reported that
berberin show effective staining for root tissue when dissolved in lactic acid. Cytoplasm
of the cell is usually stained with Acidic stains, while the basic stains usually stain the
nucleus of the cell (Baker & Silverton, 1976). From this observation it can be estimated
that the dye extracted from leaves of Lawsonia is acidic in nature. Using advanced
chromatographic techniques, further research are required to recognize the accurate
nature of the brown dye extracted in water and ethyl alcohol from Lawsonia leaves, as
majority of the natural dyes contains several impurities (Banerjee & Mukherjee, 1981).
The recognition of dynamic ingredients of dye will open a new way of research in the
field of dyeing. The dye extracted in water and ethyl alcohol could be tested for bacteria
and fungi as histological stain. In addition, investigation of diverse solvents for dye
extraction and their use as staining agent is also desired.
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(Received for publication 5 March 2010)
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Lawsonia inermis and Lagenaria breviflora are important tropical pesticidal plants with some potential for industrial wood protection uses. However, little is known about their elemental composition of wood protection importance. In this study, three agro-ecosystems: Guinea savan-nah (A), Dry rainforest (B), and Fresh water swamp forest (C) were selected and from each zone Lawsonia inermis leaves and Lagenaria breviflora fruits were collected and extracted. Six most important elements: arsenic (As), boron (B), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) used to formulate outlawed standard wood preservatives, were quantitatively analysed by the spectrophotometric method. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test at α 0.05. All the elements were present in both plants, with chromium being most copious. Arsenic concentrations were in the range of 1.05±0.04 to 1.19±0.02 mg kg-1 for L. inermis and 1.16±0.05 to 1.34±0.10 mg kg-1 for L. breviflora. Boron ranged from 1.59±0.09 to 1.75±0.06 mg kg-1 for L. inermis and 2.15±0.24 to 3.00±0.14 mg kg-1 for L. breviflora. Chromium ranged from 28.94±0.21 to 44.15±0.13 mg kg-1 for L. inermis and 0.63±0.05 to 21.55±0.47 mg kg-1 for L. brevi-flora. Copper ranged from 2.55±0.17 to 11.35±0.17 mg kg-1 for L. inermis and 9.94±0.21 to 15.83±0.17 mg kg-1 for L. breviflora. Lead ranged from 21.36±0.44 to 22.86±0.11 mg kg-1 for L. inermis and 19.41±0.33 to 32.50±0.47 mg kg-1 for L. breviflora. Zinc ranged from 2.35±0.19 to 21.85±0.19 mg kg-1 for L. inermis and 6.18±0.10 to 7.10±0.14 mg kg-1 for L. breviflora. Lawsonia inermis and Lagenaria breviflora from Dry rainforest had significantly high pesticidally relevant elements, producing extracts that could be best explored as bio-preservatives for wood protection. Further research covering all the agro-ecosystems with individual and extract synergising tests against wood degrading agents are suggested.
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... 5 Phytochemical screening for Henna leaf sample reveals the presence of Naphthaqunone (hannotanic acid), Mannite, Tannic acid, Gallic acid, Crysophanic acid etc. 6 Henna extract has been used for staining stem cross section of angiospermic plants like Helianthus annuus, and Zea mays. 7 It has been used as a natural counter stain in Gram's staining reaction. 8 Despite all these dyeing potentials of Henna extracts, it has not been reported to been use as histological stain especially as an alternative counter stain in H and E staining technique. ...
A study of various modifications of Lawsonia inermis (Henna) leaf extract as a cytoplasmic stain in liver biopsies
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2017
Background: The leaves of Lawsonia inermis (henna) is widely used as cosmetic agent for body art to colour the hair, skin and nails, and hence is considered as a candidate stain for tissues. Lawsonia inermis leaves contain a pigment which is the source of red-brown dye. The application of natural dyes for staining biological tissues will reduce cost and is more environmentally friendly.Methods: The natural dye Lawson (2-hydroxy-1,4-napthaquinone) was extracted from the dry leave of Henna using two solvents (distilled water and ethanol). The two extracts were formulated into various staining solutions at different concentrations. The staining solutions were modified with potassium alum and phenol. Liver sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin method alongside various modifications of the plant extract as counterstain at different timing and temperature conditions.Results: The solutions were found to be acidic in nature and stained the cytoplasm golden brown with a well-defined cytoplasmic boundary of hepatocytes. The best staining effect was obtained with 1% concentration at room temperature for 10 minutes. This provides a measure of contrast between the nuclei, cytoplasm and connective tissue that is adequate for diagnosis. Phenol used as an accentuator has been found to improve the staining but caused swelling of cell. Mordanting with potassium alum did not cause swelling but did not give the kind of resolution as obtained with Phenol. Use of the henna extract at 60oC gave the poorest result which showed that high temperature adversely affect the staining reaction by presenting almost the same color to the structures irrespective of the solvent or concentration.Conclusions: This findings suggest that Henna leave extract can be used as a suitable cytoplasmic connective tissue stain.
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Utilization of Natural Dyes Substances for Histological Staining: A Review
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2021
Histological staining is one the technical processes in the preparation of tissue samples by coloring using histological staining to assist in the study. Natural dyes as an alternative solution to replace synthetic dyes because it can affect human health such as skin allergies, digestive system and respiratory system. This review article aims to determine the quality of natural dyes used to color tissue in the process of making animal and plant tissue preparations. Some of the plants used as natural dyes, coloring indicates a change in tissue preparations. From some plants used for natural dyes in the histology of animal and plant tissues, chemical compounds contained there in that can provide colors such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthocyanins, betasianins, and curcuminoids. The resulting dye looked good or not is influenced by the pH, concentration, staining time, method and solvent used in the staining.
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Prophetic Medicine: Building an Epistemological Framework to Overcome the Conflict between Religion and Evidence- Based Medicine
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2022
Prophetic medicine (PM) is the body of medical advice given by the Prophet Muhammad (the Prophet of Islam). Although various theories have been advanced to explain the articulation of PM in Islamic history, the most coherent theory is that PM was articulated by Islamic scholars to reconcile the Prophet's medical advice with Greek medicine. In a similar fashion, faced with the current-era domination of the medical scene by Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), some Muslim researchers have hastened to attempt combining EBM with PM by using EBM tools to validate PM. A literature review revealed four features shared by most of the current PM studies. First, they were conducted in Islamic countries. Second, their main purpose was to confirm the validity of PM. Third, they lacked a consistent epistemological framework. Fourth, they used deductive reasoning that treated PM as absolute truth in their introductory sections, restricting their purpose to proving the validity of PM and leaving no room for refutation. To draw more effectively on the PM heritage without contradicting current scientific method, it is instructive to extract and adapt the methods used by earlier Islamic scholars to combine PM with Greek medicine. After an extensive textual analysis of the books of the Prophet's sayings (Hadiths) and scholars' commentaries, the methods by which scholars combined PM and Greek medicine were extracted. The study concludes by proposing several models that combine PM with EBM. The closest model found to acknowledge the holiness of the Prophet's Hadiths without contradicting the scientific nature of EBM is to limit the divine validity of the Prophet's medical Hadiths to those to whom the Prophet prescribed the medicine, without including those who came after them in later times. This approach opens the door to benefiting from these Hadiths as indicating possible directions for modern scientific research without calling the Prophet's prophecies or the validity of his words into question.
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Natural Alternatives for Chemicals Used in Histopathology Lab- A Literature Review
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2016
Histopathology lab is the place where the specimen gets processed and stained to view under microscope for interpretation. Exposure to the chemicals used in these processes cause various health hazards to the laboratory technicians, pathologists, and scientists working in the laboratory. Hence, there is a dire need to introduce healthy and bio-friendly alternatives in the field. This literature review explores the natural products and their efficiency to be used as alternatives for chemicals in the histopathology lab.
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Quantifications of phytochemicals and biocide actions of Lawsonia inermis linn. Extracts against wood termites and fungi
Article
  • Jan 2017
  • INT BIODETER BIODEGR
In this study, Lawsonia inermis stem bark and leaf extracts compounds were quantitatively determined using Spectrophoto-metric and Forlin-Ciocalteu methods. The wood protection abilities of the leaf extract (LILE) against termites and fungi were investigated on Triplochiton scleroxylon and Vitex doniana woods. Sample woods were treated with four different formulations (5%–20%) of LILE in 70% ethanol for three days. The treated wood block samples including control as reference were exposed to termites under field conditions and two fungi (white rot, Ganoderma lucidum and brown rot, Sclerotium rolfsii) under laboratory (RH = 65%, Temperature = 27 °C) conditions for six months. The leaf extract yield was 5.7%. The stem bark of L. inermis contained 273.16 ± 0.25 mg/g total alkaloids, 6.81 ± 0.10 mg/g total flavonoids, 51.39 ± 0.28 mg/g total phenol, 47.98 ± 0.27 mg/g total saponins and 54.22 ± 0.30 mg/g total tannins while the leaf contained 236.60 ± 1.32 mg/g total alkaloids, 4.43 ± 0.05 mg/g total flavonoids, 30.96 ± 1.15 mg/g total phenol, 21.41 ± 0.44 mg/g total saponins and 37.44 ± 0.24 mg/g total tannins. The results showed that the extractives compounds from L. inermis had significant biocide actions against both termite attack and fungi decay, and conclusively rendering the study findings promising for the future use as protective agent for wood.
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Phytotoxic studies of medicinal plant species of Pakistan
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2010
Allelopathic screening of 81 medicinal plant species, collected from North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Pakistan, was carried out to identify significantly higher allelopathic species for future phytochemical analyses. For this purpose, sandwich method was used to test allelopathic potentials of leaf leachates of these plant species against lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.). Two different concentrations of 10 mg and 50 mg of leaf leachates were used in the study. The radicle and hypocotyl growths were measured and compared with control treatments. It was observed that an endemic species Seriphidium kurramense, Andrachne cordifolia and Rhazya stricta were the stronger phytotoxic plants as compared to the other test species. Based on the current screening, three potential medicinal plants are recommended for future bioassay guided isolation of allelochemicals and for genetic diversity studies. It would also be interesting to see correlation between genetic markers and isolated allelochemicals.
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NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase Activity Is the Principal Determinant of ??-Lapachone Cytotoxicity
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2000
β-Lapachone activates a novel apoptotic response in a number of cell lines. We demonstrate that the enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) substantially enhances the toxicity of β-lapachone. NQO1 expression directly correlated with sensitivity to a 4-h pulse of β-lapachone in a panel of breast cancer cell lines, and the NQO1 inhibitor, dicoumarol, significantly protected NQO1-expressing cells from all aspects of β-lapachone toxicity. Stable transfection of the NQO1-deficient cell line, MDA-MB-468, with an NQO1 expression plasmid increased apoptotic responses and lethality after β-lapachone exposure. Dicoumarol blocked both the apoptotic responses and lethality. Biochemical studies suggest that reduction of β-lapachone by NQO1 leads to a futile cycling between the quinone and hydroquinone forms, with a concomitant loss of reduced NAD(P)H. In addition, the activation of a cysteine protease, which has characteristics consistent with the neutral calcium-dependent protease, calpain, is observed after β-lapachone treatment. This is the first definitive elucidation of an intracellular target for β-lapachone in tumor cells. NQO1 could be exploited for gene therapy, radiotherapy, and/or chemopreventive interventions, since the enzyme is elevated in a number of tumor types (i.e. breast and lung) and during neoplastic transformation.
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Medicinal plants research in Pakistan
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2010
  • J MED PLANTS RES
Out of about 258,650 species of higher plants reported from the world; more than 10% are used to cure ailing communities. Beside many known drugs (e.g. tubocurarine, reserpine, aspirin and morphine etc) are discovered based on traditional knowledge. Majority of the people in Pakistan rely on medicinal plants to find treatment for their minor, even in some cases major diseases. Some wild plants are now being commonly used e.g. Ephedra, Artimisia, St. John's wort, Hippophae beside some that have been domesticated e.g. Garlic, Ginseng and Cumin etc. There is a local market system (Pansara) specifically dealing with medicinal plants business in Pakistan and several plants are exported. Plants having active constituents are used to treat various ailments in both human and animal. In most instances, certain plant species are considered specific for a particular illness but occasionally they have mixed usage. Women, followed by children, are identified as the principal collectors of medicinal plants. Due to over-collection, several species have gone extinct in the Hindukush-Himalayan regions. Local collectors, vendors, herbal drug dealers and others are the ones who threaten the flora of Pakistan contribute (though unknowingly) to the extinction of some and bringing others to the brink of extinction. Though medicinal plants from wild are important source of income for local communities, but if not properly managed, this may lead to the destruction of habitat and in return extinction of species. There is therefore, a need to find ways to harvest medicinal plants sustainably from the wild, train local collectors (in proper collection techniques, train the people in growing medicinal plants, and remove some of the middlemen from the trading chain. In the present article, an effort was made to review the status of medicinal plants research in Pakistan.
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Extracts of Pterocarpus osun as a histological stain for collagen fibres
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2005
  • AFR J BIOTECHNOL
The staining ability of Pterocarpus osun extract on tissue sections was determined. 2 kg of P. osun stem was dried, milled to obtain a fine powder and a red pigment extracted from the powder with 1 L of 70% ethanol at 78°C for 24 h. The alcoholic alkaline and acidic extracts were used to stain tissue sections. Collagen fibres, red blood cells and muscles were stained in shades of reddish brown. Preliminary phytochemical screening of this extract revealed that it contained alkaloids, steroid ring, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugar.
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Antimicrobial properties of Lawsonia inermis (henna): A review
Article
  • Jan 2007
Naphthoquinones are compounds present in various families of plants; their molecular structures endow them with redox properties which confer activity in various biological oxidative processes. In ethnomedicine, plants containing naphthoquinones have been employed for treatment of a number of diseases including cancer. Lawsonia inermis (henna) is widely cultivated and used in many oriental, Middle Eastern and northern African countries. It is best known for its colouring matter contained in the leaves. Henna extract contains lawsone (C10H6O3), the active ingredient and a naturally occurring naphthoquinone. The development of new antimicrobial agents is a research area of utmost importance. Antimicrobial resistance among key microbial pathogens continues to grow at an alarming rate worldwide. The challenge of synthesising derivatives of natural antimicrobial naphthoquinones to improve their pharmaceutical properties has been accepted by several laboratories. In this review we describe the antimicrobial activity of Lawsonia inermis Linn as a natural resource of naphthoquinones. Work in our laboratory in this area will also be elucidated.
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Dyeing of wool and nylon 6.6 with Henna and Lawsone
Article
  • Dec 1993
  • DYES PIGMENTS
HPLC was employed to show that Henna extract contained 0·57% Lawsone together with a high proportion of another colorant. When applied to wool and nylon 6.6, both Henna extract and Lawsone behaved as acid levelling, non-metallised acid dyes in so far as dye uptake increased with decreasing pH. Afterchroming improved both the wash and light fastness of Henna extract and Lawsone on each substrate and also altered the depth, chroma and colour of the dyeings, this being attributable to the formation of a dye-chromium complex.
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Anticarcinogenic Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Henna (Lawsonia inermis)
Article
  • Apr 2002
The research was conducted to examines the anticarcinogenic properties of henna ( Lawsonia inermis ) extract (using chloroform as a solvent) by the microculture tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay on the human breast (dependent-hormone, MCF-7; non-dependent hormone, MDA-MB-231), colon (Caco-2), liver (HepG2) carcinoma cell lines and normal human liver cell lines (Chang Liver). The preliminary results showed that the henna extract displayed the cytotoxic effects against HepG2 and MCF-7 with IC<SUB>50</SUB>-value of 0.3 and 24.85 ? g ml -1 , respectively. However, no IC<SUB>50</SUB> values were obtained from Caco-2 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines at the concentration studied. This extract also did not show the IC<SUB>50</SUB> value against normal human liver cell lines, Chang Liver, indicated the selectivity of its cytotoxic properties. The antioxidative activities of this extract which could contribute to its cytotoxic properties were also studied. Antioxidant activity in henna was found to be the highest as compared to vitamin E or α-tocopherol. The strong cytotoxic properties of this extract could be due to its high antioxidant activities.
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