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Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Effects of Flavonoids from Emilia sonchifolia Linn on Human Cancer Cells
Abstract
In this study we have looked into a fairly less studied, common edible plant- Emilia sonchifolia Linn (ES), for possible antioxidant and antitumor activity. We have isolated the flavonoid fraction from the whole plant and the antioxidant property was assessed by measuring its capacity to inhibit Cu<sup>2+</sup> induced lipoprotein oxidation in human serum and superoxide production in vitro in comparison with Quercetin. The lag time for ES fraction was 60 minutes, whereas for Quercetin it was 72 min. The inhibitory concentration 50% (IC<sub>50</sub>) values obtained for superoxide production was 48 μg (Flavonoid fraction of ES) compared to 32 μg for Quercetin. Based on these results, the efficiency of the plant product to inhibit the proliferation of human cancer cells were evaluated. Treatment of the cancer cells with the flavonoid fraction of ES showed morphological changes characteristics of apoptosis, confirmed by Ethidium bromide-Acridine Orange staining.
... Therefore, the presence of these secondary metabolites could justify the cytotoxicity of this plant and its traditional use against specific pathologies. Indeed, it has already been demonstrated that the antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of plant extracts are linked to these phytochemical compounds [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. ...
Acacia macrostachya is used in Burkina Faso folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of this plant. The cytotoxic effects of root (dichloromethane B1 and methanol B2) and stem (dichloromethane B3 and methanol B4) bark extracts of A. macrostachya were assessed on chronic K562 and acute U937 myeloid leukemia cancer cells using trypan blue, Hoechst, and MitoTracker Red staining methods. The antioxidant content of extracts was evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. The root bark extracts B1 and B2 of A. macrostachya demonstrated higher cytotoxicity with IC50 values in a low µg/mL range on both U937 and K562 cells, while the stem bark B4 extract selectively affected U937 cells. Overall, healthy proliferating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (pPBMCs) were not or barely impacted in the range of concentrations cytotoxic to cancer cells. In addition, A. macrostachya exhibited significant antioxidant content with 646.06 and 428.08 µg ET/mg of extract for the B4 and B2 extracts, respectively. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and terpenoids/steroids. The results of this study highlight the interest of A. macrostachya extracts for the isolation of anticancer molecules.
... The LC-MS/MS could be a better option for identification and structural characterization of glycosylated compounds, as it can ionize polar compounds readily. Various pharmacological studies revealed the potent antioxidant and anticancer effects of flavonoids present in E. sonchifolia (52,53). Another study suggests that the flavonoids present in E. sonchifolia extracts can modulate lens opacification and oxidative stress in selenite-induced cataract (54). ...
The usage of plants as a source of medicine begins with the isolation of active bio-compounds which are responsible for their therapeutic action. Research in flavonols has flourished in the last decades, fueled by the recognized importance of natural antioxidants on health benefits. The current research focused on a novel elicitation approach to improve the therapeutic value of medicinal plants. It attempted to investigate if heat (one-day for 6 hrs, 45 °C) and drought stress (one week) could be used to enhance the production of three flavonols such as rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol in tropical medicinal plant Emilia sonchifolia. The increment in the antioxidant levels of E. sonchifolia plant was attributed to the increased accumulation of three flavonols and total flavonoid content with strong scavenging ability against free radicals. The short-term heat stress and moderate water deficit proved as effective strategies to increase the rutin, quercetin and kaempferol contents in E. sonchifolia.
... Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC (Compositae), an herbaceous plant found in Taiwan and India, is used as folk medicine [1]. Emilia sonchifolia has also been reported to possess anti-fever activities [2,3] antimicrobial activity [4] analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities [5][6][7], anticancer activities [8][9][10] antioxidant activities [11][12][13][14], antidiabetic [15]; anti-cataract activities Asije, Couto, Gao, Cheng et al. [16][17][18][19] anticonvulsant activity [20]. The aerial part of the plant has been reported to contain alkaloids [21] flavonoids, and terpenes [22]. ...
... Oral administration of the extract (100 mg/kg, b. wt) to mice reduced the development of both solid and ascites tumors and increased the life span of these tumor bearing mice. 77 ...
Cancer is actually a group of many related diseases that all have to do with cells. Cancer cells are characterized by unregulated growth, as well as insufficient and inappropriate vascular supply. Moreover, a core of cells was subjected to micro environmental stress conditions, and has decreased apoptotic potential through genetic alterations, thereby resulting in resistance to apoptosis. Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide where the number of cancer patients is in continuous rise. Cancer is a major public problem whose estimated worldwide new incidence is about 6 million cases per year. It is the second major cause of deaths after cardiovascular diseases. Chemotherapy remains the principal mode of treatment for various cancers. A number of synthetic anticancer drugs are available in practice, but the side effects and the drug interactions are major drawbacks in its clinical utility. Most of the currently used chemotherapy drugs for cancers are known to develop resistance, exhibit non-selective toxicity against normal cells and restrict by dose-limiting side effects. Hence, cancer treatment and development of drugs for this disease remains a major clinical challenge. On the other hand, plants are an exceptionally viable source of biologically active natural products which may serve as commercially significant entities in themselves or which may provide lead structures for the development of modified derivatives possessing enhanced activity and/or reduced toxicity in traeatment of cancer. Herbal medicines are now attracting attention as potential sources of anticancer agents and are widely used due to availability of the materials, affordability, relatively cheap and little or no side effects, wide applicability and therapeutic efficacy which in turn has accelerated the scientific research. For these reasons, World Health Organization (WHO) supports the use of traditional medicines which are efficacious and non toxic. In this review we have summarized few plants having anticancer activity.
... Cibin et al. 44 reported the antioxidant and antitumor properties of the flavonoid fraction isolated from the whole plant of E. sonchifloia. The ability of the flavonoid fraction to inhibit Cu 2+ induced lipoprotein oxidation in human serum and superoxide production was measured to assess the antioxidant property in comparison to quercetin. ...
Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC (Family: Asteraceae), commonly known as 'lilac tasselflower' is an important edible medicinal plant found to be used as one of the popular ingredients of traditional vegetable salads in Malaysia, Bangladesh and India. In addition to its use as a vegetable, the plant is documented in ethnomedicine to possess several medicinal benefits in treating night blindness, epilepsy, fever and inflammatory diseases, malaria, asthma, liver diseases, eye inflammation, influenza, burns and breast abscesses. The pharmacological studies have shown that the plant possesses numerous notable biological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antianxiety, anticataract and anticonvulsant activities. A few phytoconstituents have been isolated from the plant. The plant is rich with flavonoids. Presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been reported in the plant. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are considered to be hepatotoxic and therefore, the use of the plant either as a food or in ethnomedicine need to be restricted. With the availability of primary investigations, further investigations are recommended to study the toxicity of the plant in detail before rationalizing its use as a health food.
... Emilia sonchifolia possess antioxidant activities [16][17][18][19]; analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities [20,21]; anticancer activities [22][23][24]; anti-cataract activities [25][26][27][28]; antimicrobial activity [29]; anti-diabetic [30]; anticonvulsant activity [31]; anti-fever activities [32,33]. ...
... Precipitates were further separated by centrifugation. These precipitate were further dissolved in methanol and methanol was evaporated slowly, to get crystalline powder (Aliyu et al., 2011;Cibin et al., 2006;Cabrini et al., 2008) Antimicrobial activity of extract Stock solution sample was prepared (1mg /ml) then the dilution dilutions of 50%, 37.5%, 25% and 12.5% were prepared. Wells of 6mm was prepared using a sterile cork borer. ...
In the present investigation, the saponins rich fraction of roots of Cassia auriculata L. was evaluated for antimicrobial activity against P. vesicularis, Streptococcus faecalis, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Salmonella typhae, Staphylococcus cohni, Serratia ficaria and E. coli at concentration of 12.5 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml, 37.5 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml. Antimicrobial activity of Cassia auriculata L. was carried out by well diffusion method. At maximum conc i.e. 50 mg/ml antimicrobial effect of Saponin rich extract can be arranged in sequence of - P. vesicularis > Serratia ficaria > Streptococcus cohni > Aeromonas hydrophilic>, Salmonella typhae > Sterptococcus faecalis > E. coli. The results indicate the saponins rich fraction of roots of Cassia auriculata L. might be exploited as natural drug for the treatment of several infectious diseases caused by these organisms. Cassia auriculata L. was observed to have antibacterial activity and can be used for medicinal purposes.
... Globally, an estimated 3.3 billion people were at risk of malaria in 2011, with populations living in sub-Saharan Africa having the highest risk of acquiring malaria [2]. Emilia sonchifolia has also been reported to possess anti-fever activities [3,4] antimicrobial activity [5] analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities [6][7][8]; anticancer activities [9][10][11]; antioxidant activities [12][13][14][15]; anti-diabetic [16]; anti-cataract activities [17][18][19][20]; anticonvulsant activity [21]; antinociceptive effect [22]. ...
Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Emilia sonchifolia on the haematological parameters and histomorphology of the liver of male Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei (Pbb).
Material and Methods: 35 mice were divided into; Group 1 (control) given normal saline 0.3 ml, Group 2 passaged with Pbb only, Group 3 passaged with Pbb, and then treated with Coartem®, Group 4 treated with E. sonchifolia 325 mg/kg only, Group 5 treated with E. sonchifolia 650 mg/kg only, Group 6 passaged with Pbb then treated with E. sonchifolia 325 mg/kg, while Group 7 was passaged with Pbb then treated with E. sonchifolia 650 mg/kg. Pbb was passaged intraperitoneally, while the test drug and extracts was given via orogavage once daily.
Results: The result showed significantly (P<0.001) reduced RBC parameters at in Group 5 treated with 650 mg/kg similar with Group 2 compared to Group 1, while there was significant (P<0.01) increased WBC and differentials in Parasitized groups compared with Group 1. The micrographs showed slightly inflamed nuclei in Group 4, with few nuclei shrinkage Group 5, whereas in the parasitized groups treated with the extract there appeared to be hepatoprotection compared to Group 2.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the extract promotes erythropoiesis at 325 mg/kg, but was haemolytic at 650 mg/kg, and exerts its effect possibly through an agonistic and a synergistic activity of its rich bioactive ingredients. It showed mild toxic effect in the histomorphology of the non-parasitized mice at 325 mg/kg and 650 mg/kg, and also appeared to offer hepatoprotection in parasitized mice compared to the parasitized group that had no treatment.
... from grape showed antioxidant and antiproliferative activity (Matito et al., 2003). Previous reports from our laboratory also established the antiproliferative and antioxidant effects of flavonoids from Emilia Sonchifolia (Cibin et al., 2006). ...
Cassia tora Linn (Leguminacea) is a medicinal plant traditionally used as laxative, for the treatment of leprosy and various skin disorders. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of leaf showed the presence of polyphenols (3.7 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram dried leaves). The presence of phenolic compound prompted us to evaluate its antioxidant and antiproliferative potential. In the present study C. tora methanolic leaf extract (CTME) was evaluated for its nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power assays using Rutin and BHT as standards. The extract was studied for its lipid peroxidation inhibition assay using rat liver and brain. In all assays, a correlation existed between concentration of extract and percentage inhibition of free radical, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The antiproliferative activity of CTME with Cisplatin, anticancer drug was studied using human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Proliferation of HeLa was measured by MTT assay, cell DNA content by modified diphenylamine method and apoptosis by Caspase 3 activity. The plant extract induced a marked concentration dependent inhibition on proliferation, reduced DNA content and apoptosis in HeLa. These results clearly indicate that C. tora is effective against free radical mediated diseases.
Approximately 6 million new cases per year are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. Cancer is a crucial disease responsible for enormous mortality. Human body is composed of millions of cells. Normally all multicellular organisms including plants and animals cells grow and divide for a limited period of time and then show apoptosis by stopping growth and division. An uncontrolled growth and division has been observed in the cancerous cells due the damage in the genetic material of cells. Apoptosis plays an important role in the growth of humans and to sustain a healthy immune system. Caspases, proteolytic enzymes mediate Apoptosis by triggering cell death through the breakdown of few specific proteins present in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Caspases exist in all cells as inactive precursors, or procaspases, which are usually activated by cleavage by other caspases, producing a proteolytic caspase cascade. Subsequently, they only reproduce themselves as necessary to replace defective or dying cells. Sometimes this cellular reproduction and growth goes beyond control due to the damaged and defective cellular DNA which give rise to Cancer. There are many factors such as Genetic, environmental and chemical factors, such as exposure to tobacco smoke or radiation can produce a chain of events that result in cellular DNA deterioration that lead to cancer. Sometimes the defective genetic material is inherited from parents to children. These defects in genes or in genetic material, which actually organize the mode of actions of cells, particularly their growth and division cause cancer. Numerous synthetic anticancer drugs are available in the market, but with their multiple side effects that are the major drawbacks in their effectiveness. Chemotherapy has been established as the most important approach for treating various cancers. However most of the currently used chemotherapy drugs are identified to develop resistance, thus show toxicity against normal cells and many other side effects. Treatment strategies rely on the type and stages of cancer. Major treatment protocols include Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Hormone therapy etc. Nowadays treatments have been improvised and in fact have increased the survival rate positively. Allopathic medications, Chemotherapy and radiation therapy give rise to an array of traumatic and unpleasant side effects such as vomiting, fatigue, dry mouth, anemia, hair loss, impotency, panic attacks, high blood sugar, dizziness, insomnia, diarrhea, constipation, hostility, depression, mania, seizures, coma, swelling, confusion, fainting and death. Therefore, cancer treatment and drug development for this disease still seems to be a major clinical challenge. Due to the numerous side effects of allopathic medicines, plant based medicines and alternative medicines have now drawn attention as an efficient source of anticancer agents and are extensively used because of their accessibility, affordability and modest to no side effects. According to WHO, half of reported cancer cases are preventable, by using medicinal plants for cancer treatment as well as to prevent the deaths caused by the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also supported the use of these traditional medicines which are effective and non toxic. Furthermore, the plants are actually very easy to find around you. Plants possess biologically active natural products which may serve as an anticarcinogenic agent. In this review we have summarized a few plants having anticancer activity.
The Malayalam month of Karkidaka, also known as the Varsha ritu, falls during the monsoon season (July-August). Karkidaka kanji" is one of the special therapeutic Ayurvedic diets that is prescribed during the Karkidakam season to overcome many diseases caused during the monsoon and to improve the immunity of body. Kanji is a favorite food with Keralites, prepared by boiling rice in water. It helps to overcome fatigue and enables easy digestion. Kanji also help to maintain water content in the body. This porridge is made of njavara rice which are boiled with ingredients like cumin seed, malli, vizalari, fenugreek, karkokilari, aniseed, mustard seed, ayamodakom, aashali, dry ginger, putharichundaveru, nutmeg varattumanjal, grambu etc. Karkidakachikitsa are well known tradition of Kerala, which focuses on detoxification of the body and prevention of monsoon related diseases. Karkidaka kanji" (the medicinal porridge) is an ayurvedic preparation taken during the month of "Karkidaka" month in the Malayalam calendar. A soup made of Dashapushpam is also consumed during this time. This article is an attempt to scientifically analyze the special monsoon dietetics of Kerala mainly Karkitaka kanji and Dashapushpachurna.
Objectives: Cassia obtusifolia L. belonging to the Family Caesalpiniaceae, proposed to have abundant pharmacological potential and widely consumed as laxative, diuretic, and stomachic. The aim of the present research was to study the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and antioxidant potentials of C. obtusifolia plant. Methods: Various acute and chronic animal models such as Carrageenan-induced paw edema, tail immersion method, acetic acid-induced writhing, and in vitro methods were used to study the profound pharmacological and antioxidant potentials. Results: The results for pharmacological study were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons using INTA software. Conclusion: The present study reveals that C. obtusifolia possesses comparable anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and antioxidant potential.
Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Emilia sonchifolia on the haematological parameters and histomorphology of the liver of male Swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei (Pbb).
Material and Methods: 35 mice were divided into; Group 1 (control) given normal saline 0.3 ml, Group 2 passaged with Pbb only, Group 3 passaged with Pbb, and then treated with Coartem®, Group 4 treated with E. sonchifolia 325 mg/kg only, Group 5 treated with E. sonchifolia 650 mg/kg only, Group 6 passaged with Pbb then treated with E. sonchifolia 325 mg/kg, while Group 7 was passaged with Pbb then treated with E. sonchifolia 650 mg/kg. Pbb was passaged intraperitoneally, while the test drug and extracts was given via orogavage once daily.
Results: The result showed significantly (P
A viral disease like dengue lacking a specific form of treatment is a high menace to human health. Situation becomes worse in developing countries like Pakistan because of poor health care services and facilities. Using data from earlier works and analyzing them, this review aims to explore the disease epidemiology. Dengue Virus (DENV) destroys the immune system and causes health problems like headache, inflammation, bleeding, hypertension and mental disorders. Death also can be caused through dengue because of its adverse effects on liver which also may result in hepatitis. Dengue spread can be controlled through many ways like modulating the environment and devastating its vector. Biological control appears as potential approach to control its vector, especially the use of Wolbachia. Currently, no vaccines are available against this virus and antiviral drugs are also not significantly effective. Phytochemical studies revealed that apple, papaya and lemon are rich source of carotenoids, esters, flavonoids, phenolic acid, terpene and vitamins. Apple was found to have a number of antiviral compounds like phytoestrogens, procyanidins and rosmarinic acid. Although there are few reports of antiviral compound obtained from papaya but it has been reported to have evocative beneficial effects on immune system. The phytochemicals behave as strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agents which can help the body against dengue-induced inflammation and oxidation stresses. Several other features are also found in these reviewed phytochemicals that can protects the human body from the adverse effects of dengue infection. In nutshell, the consuming of papaya and apple should be incorporated in daily routine life especially during the season when this disease appears in its epidemic form.
The wild cosmos (Cosmos caudatus Kunth, Asteraceae) is one of the vegetables mostly consumed by rural people of Central and East Java Provinces of Indonesia and those of the Malay Peninsula. Yet, it has not been widely used medicinally. The leaf has distinctive taste as well as odor and contains high level of flavonoid, especially flavonol and flavon glycosides which have potent antioxidant activity. In this study, in an attempt to explore the antihypertensive effect, wild cosmos leaf aqueous extract was tested in rats treated with adrenaline and sodium chloride. The frequency of heart rate and amplitude of stroke volume were measured using the non-invasive tail cuff method. The extract at doses of 500 and 1000 mg kg-1 showed similar potency to that of 9 mg kg-1 atenonol, in lowering both parameters, induced by adrenaline. However, after sodium chloride, the extract only suppressed the amplitude and this effect was comparable to that of 0.45 mg kg-1 hydrochlorothiazide and 13.5 mg kg-1 captopril. Besides cardiac effects, the extract also demonstrated diuretic activity which was comparable to that of 1.8 mg kg-1 furosemide. Taken together, results of present study suggest that wild cosmos leaf extract have antihypertensive effect which may be related, at least in part, to the decreased cardiac output and induction of diuresis. The results may further indicate that consumption of wild cosmos leaf in diet is beneficial for hypertensive patients.
Cancer is recognized primarily as a disease of uncontrolled cell division. Hence, all efforts are directed toward the identification of antiproliferative compounds. Accordingly, regression of tumor size and increase of survival time has been recognized as the primary objective end point of effectiveness in preclinical and clinical testing for the discovery of a new anticancer drug. Dried roots from P. zeylanica were powdered and extracted with methanol. The root extract then at the dose of 20, 30 and 40 mg kg-1 day (i.p.) was evaluated for antiproliferative activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells in swiss albino mice. The experimental parameters like tumor cell count, mean survival time and increase in life span were evaluated to assess antiproliferative activity. The extract was administered intrapretoneally for 14 consecutive days to EAC cell bearing group of mice. Bleomycin at the dose of 0.3 mg kg-1 (i.p.) was used as a positive control. It has been found that the root extract at the dose of 40 mg kg-1 day (i.p.) significantly (p<0.05) decreases tumor weight, increases life span and reduces tumor cell growth rate in comparison to those of EAC bearing mice receiving no extract (negative control) in a dose-dependant manner. In vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the same extract were also assessed to link the finding with the strong antiproliferative activity.
The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anticoagulant activities of the ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus fraternus. The antioxidant and anticoagulant activity of an ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus fraternus (gulf leaf-flower) was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The results obtained indicate that the extract of P. fraternus (PFE) exhibits antioxidant activity by significantly scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, concentration-dependent reducing capacity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Detection of phenols in the extract gave preliminary evidence of its possible antioxidant activity which correlated with the total antioxidant capacity. The extract significantly increased in vitro clotting time and bleeding time in rabbits. Heparin and aspirin exhibited similar effects. Since thrombus formation and oxidative stress are known to be main risk factors contributing to stroke, the anticoagulant and antioxidant activity in the plants makes it useful as adjuncts in the management of stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The antiproliferative activities of six medicinal plant extracts from Burkina Faso were evaluated in order to justify their traditional use for the treatment of cancer. The SOS chromotest method was used in vitro on Escherichia coli PQ37 to evaluate the mutagenic effect of the plant extracts. The DPPH method was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of each plant. The antiproliferative activity was evaluated by MTS method on normal cells (Vero and MCR5) and cancer cells (KB) in contact with the extracts for 72 h. The results showed that the studied plants are not genotoxic. Lantana ukambensis and Acacia macrostachya induced a very significant antiproliferative effect against cancer cells with 94% and 95%, respectively. They also developed a strong antioxidant activity. The IC₅₀ values were 5.96 ± 0.40 µg mL⁻¹ for L. ukambensis and 4.30 ± 0.26 µg mL⁻¹ for A. macrostachya. These two plants are therefore potential sources for isolating new antioxidant and anticancer molecules.
It has been shown that several extracts and compounds derived from garlic are able to inhibit Cu2+-induced low density lipoprotein oxidation. In this work we explored if the ability of aqueous garlic extract to prevent in vitro Cu2+-induced lipoprotein oxidation in human serum is affected by heating (a) aqueous garlic extracts or (b) garlic cloves. In the first case, aqueous extract of raw garlic and garlic powder were studied. In the second case, aqueous extract of boiled garlic cloves, microwave-treated garlic cloves, and pickled garlic were studied. It was also studied if the above mentioned preparations were able to chelate Cu2+.
Cu2+-induced lipoprotein oxidation in human serum was followed by the formation of conjugated dienes at 234 nm and 37 degrees C by 240 min in a phosphate buffer 20 mM, pH 7.4. Blood serum and CuSO4 were added to a final concentration of 0.67% and 0.0125 mM, respectively. The lag time and the area under the curve from the oxidation curves were obtained. The Cu2+-chelating properties of garlic extracts were assessed using an approach based upon restoring the activity of xanthine oxidase inhibited in the presence of 0.050 mM Cu2+. The activity of xanthine oxidase was assessed by monitoring the production of superoxide anion at 560 nm and the formation of uric acid at 295 nm. Data were compared by parametric or non-parametric analysis of variance followed by a post hoc test.
Extracts from garlic powder and raw garlic inhibited in a dose-dependent way Cu2+-induced lipoprotein oxidation. The heating of garlic extracts or garlic cloves was unable to alter significantly the increase in lag time and the decrease in the area under the curve observed with the unheated garlic extracts or raw garlic. In addition, it was found that the garlic extracts were unable to chelate Cu2+.
(a) the heating of aqueous extracts of raw garlic or garlic powder or the heating of garlic cloves by boiling, microwave or pickling do not affect garlic's ability to inhibit Cu2+-induced lipoprotein oxidation in human serum, and (b) this ability is not secondary to Cu2+-chelation.
A simple and rapid quantitative procedure for determining total phenols is described based on the colored complex formed with titanium. Determination of the chlorogenic acid content of defatted sunflower meal by the titanium reagent demonstrates the applicability of this method to agricultural products.
Lipoprotein oxidation is a process thought to be involved in atherogenesis. Dietary antioxidants that prevent or inhibit oxidative damage to lipoproteins may help to prevent atherosclerosis. Both black and green teas can be major dietary sources of flavonoids and other phenolics with antioxidant activity. Results of previous studies suggest that green tea may have a greater antioxidant potential than black tea. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of black and green tea on in vitro lipoprotein oxidation. The tea extracts were prepared using a method similar to that used to prepare infusions of tea for drinking. Antioxidant activities of seven black teas and four green teas were assessed using an in vitro assay that measures Cu2+ -induced oxidation of lipoproteins in human serum. All tea extracts inhibited in vitro lipoprotein oxidation in human serum to a similar extent. No significant difference in antioxidant activity was found between black and green tea. Caffeine prepared to a comparable concentration to that found in tea had no effect on lipoprotein oxidation. Further studies are required to determine the importance of these findings in relation to possible protective effects of black and green tea consumption against atherogenesis and cardiovascular disease.© 1999 Society of Chemical Industry
Five known compounds were obtained from the whole plant of Emilia sonchifolia. By means of chemical and spectral methods, they were identified to be simiral, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, palmitic acid and honey acid.
Methanolic extract of Emilia sonchifolia (Compositae), a folklore medicinal plant, was found to be cytotoxic to Daltons lymphoma (DL), Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and mouse lung fibroblast (L-929) cells, but not toxic to normal human lymphocytes, under in vitro conditions. Oral administration of the extract (100 mg/kg, b. wt) to mice reduced the development of both solid and ascites tumors and increased the life span of these tumor bearing mice. Further, the extract inhibited DNA synthesis as judged from a reduction in tritiated thymidine incorporation into DL cells under in vitro conditions.
The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Emilia sonchifolia leaves progressively reduced rat paw oedema induced by subplantar injection of albumin, the aqueous extract showing a more pronounced effect than the methanol extract.
There is an emerging evidence that plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone) may have potential as a chemotherapeutic agent. However, the growth inhibitory mechanisms of plumbagin have remained unexplored. The aim of the study was to determine whether plumbagin-induced cell death in human cervical cancer cell line, ME-180, exhibited biochemical characteristics of apoptosis and to check whether N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), which is a free radical scavenger, can reverse the cytotoxic effects of plumbagin. It can be concluded from the results that plumbagin inhibits the growth of ME-180 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of plumbagin induced cell death is through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent induction of apoptosis as demonstrated by the present data. Treatment of cells with plumbagin caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), and morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis, such as the translocation of phosphatidyl serine, nuclear condensation, and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, plumbagin-induced apoptosis involved release of mitochondrial cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), thus activation of caspase-dependent and -independent pathways, as shown by the plumbagin-mediated activation of caspase-3 and -9. Our results also show that pretreatment of ME-180 cells with NAC blocks plumbagin-induced loss of DeltaPsi(m) and subsequent release of cytochrome c, AIF, and caspase-9 and -3 activation, thus inhibiting the apoptotic ability of plumbagin.