Antioxidant Activity of some Medicinal Plant Extracts: Implications for Neuroprotection (original) (raw)
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Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2003
A number of Indian medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years in the traditional system of medicine (Ayurveda). Amongst these are plants used for the management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, loss of memory, degeneration of nerves and other neuronal disorders by the Ayurvedic practitioners. Though the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases remains enigmatic, there is evidence, which indicates that defective energy metabolism, excitotoxicity and oxidative damage may be crucial factors (Ann. Neurol. 38 (3) (1995) 357). The part of the Ayurvedic system that provides an approach to prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases is known as Rasayana , and plants used for this purpose are classed as rejuvenators. This group of plants generally possesses strong antioxidant activity (Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 43 (1992) 1175), but only a few have been investigated in detail. In the present study, three such rasayana plants were tested for the first time for their toxicity and free radical scavenging activity both in vitro and ex vivo. All the three plant infusions (up to 1 mg/ml) showed no toxic effects on the viability of PC12 cell line as judged by MTT-test. Both ethanolic extracts and water infusions of the plants were tested for their antioxidant activity in the 2,2?-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS + ') radical cation decolorization assay; inhibition of lipid peroxidation by plant infusions was carried out using spontaneous lipid peroxidation of rat brain homogenate, and IC50 values were determined. The results from the ABTS assay showed that the ethanolic extract of Sida cordifolia was found to be most potent (IC50 16.07 mg/ml), followed by Evolvulus alsinoides (IC50 33.39 mg/ml) and Cynodon dactylon (IC50 78.62 mg/ml). The relative antioxidant capacity for the water infusions was observed in the following order: E. alsinoides (IC50 172.25 mg/ml) /C. dactylon (IC50 273.64 mg/ml) /S. cordifolia (IC50 342.82 mg/ml). The results of water infusions of the plants on lipid peroxidation were as follows: E. alsinoides (IC50 89.23 mg/ml) /S. cordifolia) (IC50 126.78 mg/ml) /C. dactylon (IC50 608.31 mg/ml).
African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2014
The present study compares the protective properties of aqueous extracts of six medicinal plants, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula (black and yellow), Terminalia arjuna, Balsamodendron Mukul and Alium sativum against lipid per-oxidation in mice brain. Methods: The antioxidant activities were analyzed by lipid per-oxidation assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, total antioxidant activity and metal chelation. Results: The extracts (fruits and bark) showed inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced by pro-oxidant (10 µM FeSO4) in mice brain. Moreover, the free radical scavenging activities of the extracts was evaluated by the scavenging of DPPH radical (IC 50 , 23.23±1.2 µg/ml (Phyllanthus emblica), 20.24±0.9 µg/ml (Terminalia chebula yellow) and 17.33±1.1 µg/ml (Terminalia chebula black), 19.44±0.45 µg/ml (Terminalia arjuna), 56.59±2.1 µg/ml (Balsamodendron Mukul) and ˂ 200 µg/ml (Alium sativum). Conclusion: The higher antioxidant and inhibitory effect of Terminalia chebula black in this study could be attributed to its significantly higher phenolic content, Fe(II) chelating ability, reducing ability and free radical scavenging activity. Therefore oxidative stress in brain could be potentially prevented by the intake of these plants.
The present study was designed to explore the potent antioxidant of crude methanol extract (CME) of Feronia limonia bark and its four fractions such as petroleum ether (PEF), chloroform (CLF), ethyl acetate (EAF) and aqueous fractions (AQF) in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, caused by oxidative stress. The highest phenolic and flavonoid content were detected in CLF (18.16 µg of gallic acid equivalent/gm of dried sample &160.20 µg of GAE/gm of extract) suggestive for good source of antioxidant. To the best of the knowledge, the compound C-1, Umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin), reported for the first time from this plant source, was isolated & characterized from the chloroform fraction by column chromatography, PTLC and by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR and HMBC respectively. All the fractions and the compound isolated were investigated for in vitro antioxidant activity by total antioxidant capacity assay, ferric reducing power assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical & hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and lipid peroxidation assay. The total antioxidant activity and reducing capacity of CLF & EAF was higher than CME, AQF & PEF. In case of DPPH assay, all the extracts tested exhibited strong and similar free radical scavenging activity (IC 50 values 15.8-17.4 µg/ml) compared with the reference standard ascorbic acid(IC 50 value 12.6 µg/ml). The AQF had the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity with IC 50 value 12.5 µg/ml. The isolated compound and seven column fractions (F2 to F8) of CLF also possessed good antioxidant activity. The highest lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity was found from F7 (IC 50 value 14 µg/ml) appearing more potent than the standard catechin. Irrefutably, the study revealed that the plant bark inhibits multiple components of the oxidative stress pathway, which is suggestive for using in the effective and safe treatment of neurodegenerative diseases after in vivo effectiveness test is done.
Medicinal and Antioxidant Properties of Some Medicinal Plants
Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 2016
Medicinal plants play a significant role in the health care of ancient and modern cultures. Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine mainly uses plant based formulations to treat various human diseases because they contain the components of therapeutic potential 1. Plant based drugs are an important source of therapeutic agents because of their abundant availability, relatively cheaper cost and non-toxic nature when compared to modern medicine 2 .The demand of medicinal plant products has been increased tremendously in recent years. More attention is being given to antioxidant property of plants and their associated health benefits. Many herbs contain antioxidant compounds which protects the cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. It has been reported that oxidative stress is one of the major causative factors in inducing many chronic and degenerative ailments including atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, immunosuppression and others 3. Oxidative process provides important routes for generating free radicals in foods, drugs and even in living systems 4. Free radicals, also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), are atoms or group of atoms with unpaired electrons and can be formed when oxygen reacts with certain molecules. Free radicals are highly reactive, that's why they can initiate a chain reaction immediately once they are formed 5. They have the capability to disrupt cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and the cell membranes with whom they react. Free radicals accumulation is mainly responsible for human aging where the use of antioxidants can help to prevent the aging process by deterring the progression of free radicals. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed in vivo, such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and H 2 O 2 are highly energetic and potentially damaging transient species. They are continuously produced in the human body, as they are necessary for energy supply, detoxification, chemical signalling and immune function. However, these free radicals produced by sunlight, ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation, chemical reactions and various metabolic processes have a wide variety of pathological effects and the most notorious among them is Alzheimer's disease 6,7,8. Other neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress include multiple sclerosis, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and meningo-encephalitis. All these disorders are associated with significant increase in the specific and persistent lipid peroxidation marker F2-isoprostane 9 .
Food Science and Biotechnology, 2014
The antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts of 6 medicinal plants, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula (black and yellow), Terminalia arjuna, Balsamodendron Mukul, and Alium sativum against lipid peroxidation in mouse tissues were investigated. Extracts showed inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced by pro-oxidant (5 µM sodium nitroprusside) in the mouse brain and liver. Extracts displayed high free radical scavenging activities against DPPH (IC 50 , 23.23±1.2 µg/ mL, P. emblica), 20.24±0.9 µg/mL (T. chebula yellow), 17.33±1.1 µg/mL (T. chebula black), 19.44±0.45 µg/mL (T. arjuna), 56.59±2.1 µg/mL (Balsamo-dendron Mukul), and higher than 200 µg/mL (A. sativum). Higher antioxidant and inhibitory effects of T. chebula black are attributed to a higher phenolic content, Fe(II) chelating ability, reducing ability, nitric oxide radical scavenging, and free radical scavenging activity. Oxidative stress in the brain and liver could potentially be managed/prevented by dietary intake of these plants.
Therapeutic Effects of Natural Antioxidant on Neurodegenerative Disease
2011
The free radical theory of aging hypothesizes that oxygen-derived free radicals are responsible for age-related damage at the cellular and tissue levels. In a normal situation, a balanced equilibrium exists among oxidants, antioxidants and biomolecules. Excess generation of free radicals may overwhelm natural cellular antioxidant defenses, leading to oxidation and further contributing to cellular functional impairment. The identification of free radical reactions as promoters of the neurodegenerative process implies that interventions aimed at limiting or inhibiting them should be able to reduce the rate of formation of degenerative changes with a consequent reduction in the aging rate and disease pathogenesis. Although the human diet is the main source of antioxidants, medicinal plants have received increasing attention in this context. Because antioxidant therapy is vital for the elimination of free radicals and ROS prevent the propagation of tissue damage and neuronal degeneratio...
Nutraceutical Antioxidants as Novel Neuroprotective Agents
Molecules, 2010
A variety of antioxidant compounds derived from natural products (nutraceuticals) have demonstrated neuroprotective activity in either in vitro or in vivo models of neuronal cell death or neurodegeneration, respectively. These natural antioxidants fall into several distinct groups based on their chemical structures:
Potential Antioxidant Capacities and Neuroprotective Properties of Six Tunisian Medicinal Species
International Journal of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products, 2017
Pulverulenta belonging to Frankeniaceae family are two endemic xero-halophyte species, which have Abstract: Potential antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts from six Tunisian halophytes were assessed. Significant differences were observed in phenolic contents and composition and antioxidant capacities between species. Frankenia pulverulenta extract exhibited the highest phenolic content and the strongest radical scavenging activities and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). High correlations were found between total phenolics with scavenging capacities and ORAC, indicating an important role of these compounds as chain-breaking antioxidants. Nevertheless, no correlation was found between ferrous ionchelating activity and polyphenols, suggesting that other components were more effective chelators. Protective effect of extracts on the Aβ-induced toxicity in PC12 cells was investigated. Both Frankenia species exhibited an extremely efficient protection. Other species except Solanumsodomaeum show a moderate neuroprotective capacity. Thus, these results suggest the value of these species and especially F. pulverulenta as a new source of bioactive compounds and in particular for its preventive effect against neurodegenerative diseases.
Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2017
Background: Several factors including neuroinflammation and oxidative stress formation contribute to the progression and development of cognitive impairment. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection has been used as non-transgenic mouse models for Alzheimer's diseases (AD). Plant medicine has been proposed to be the prospect in treatment/ management of neurodegenerative disease. Aim: The present study sought to evaluate the effect of three medicinal plants (Bacopa floribunda (R.Br)Wettst, Scoparia dulcis L and Cordia millenii Bak.) locally used for memory enhancement on neuronal histology and antioxidant status against Lipopolysaccharide induced neuronal damage in mice. Methods: Forty-nine (49) BALB/c male mice were randomly grouped into seven (7) groups of 7 mice each. All animals except in group I control (vehicle), were injected intraperitoneally (I.P.) with LPS (250 μg/kg) once, after oral pre-treatment with plant extracts and control drugs for 7 days. Group II (untreated) received LPS only (250 μg/kg) , group III received LPS + Sulindac Sulfide (SS, 4 mg/kg), group IV received LPS + Donepezil (DPZ, 1 mg/kg) group V, VI, and VII received LPS + 200 mg/kg of plant extracts [Scoparia dulcis (SD), Bacopa floribunda (BF), and Cordia millenii (CM)] respectively. After the experiment, histological analysis of the hippocampus from the whole brain was carried out while the other brain tissues comprising frontal cortex and cerebellum were used for determination of biomarkers of antioxidant status such as catalase (CAT); superoxide dismutase (SOD); malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results: Oral administration of LPS induced neuronal damage through cell death as evidenced by the histological analysis and altered brain antioxidant status in mice. However, the plant extracts were able to prevent such neuronal alterations and restored the antioxidant status when compared to the LPS induced neuronal damage in mice. Conclusion: LPS induced neuroinflammation was prevented by the extracts of; B. floribunda, S. dulcis and C. millenni. Neural damage was also prevented by the extracts. This activity could be attributed to their antioxidant potential as evidenced from their inhibitory effect on MDA and increased CAT activity and GSH. Nevertheless, other possible mechanisms of action against neuronal damage need to be assessed to further justify their use traditionally in the treatment/management of neurodegenerative diseases.
Botanical Phenolics and Brain Health
NeuroMolecular Medicine, 2008
The high demand for molecular oxygen, the enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids in membrane phospholipids and the relatively low abundance of antioxidant defense enzymes are factors rendering cells in the central nervous system (CNS) particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain has been implicated as a common underlying factor for the etiology of a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and stroke. While ROS are generated by enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions in the mitochondria and cytoplasm under normal conditions, excessive production under pathological conditions is associated with activation of Ca 2+ -dependent enzymes including proteases, phospholipases, nucleases, and alterations of signaling pathways which subsequently lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, release of inflammatory factors and apoptosis. In recent years, there is considerable interest to investigate anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic compounds from different botanical sources. In this review, we describe oxidative mechanisms associated with AD, PD, and stroke, and evaluate neuroprotective effects of phenolic compounds, such as resveratrol from grape and red wine, curcumin from turmeric, apocynin from Picrorhiza kurroa, and epi-gallocatechin from green tea. The main goal is to provide a better understanding of the mode of action of these compounds and assess their use as therapeutics to ameliorate age-related neurodegenerative diseases.