Biological Insights and NMR Metabolic Profiling of Different Extracts of Spermacoce verticillata (L.) G. Mey.

Spermacoce verticillata (L.) G. Mey.

Relationship between total phenolic content, antioxidant potential, and antiglycation abilities of common culinary herbs and spices.

Advanced glycation endproducts and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, and antiglycation properties of crude ethanolic extracts of 10 common culinary herbs and spices from Mauritius were investigated in vitro. Fluorescence at 370 nm/440 nm was used as an index of albumin glycation.

Antioxidant, antiglycation and cytotoxicity evaluation of selected medicinal plants of the Mascarene Islands.

Background: Many indigenous plants of Mascarene Islands have been used in folkloric medicine to manage diabetes but few species have received scientific attention. Selected traditional medicinal plants (Antidesma madagascariense Lam. -Euphorbiaceae (AM), Erythroxylum macrocarpum O.

In vitro modulation of oxidative burst via release of reactive oxygen species from immune cells by extracts of selected tropical medicinal herbs and food plants.

Objective: To evaluate in vitro immunomodulating properties and potential cytotoxicity of six tropical medicinal herbs and food plants namely Antidesma madagascariense (Euphorbiaceae) (AM), Erythroxylum macrocarpum (Erythroxylaceae) (EM), Faujasiopsis flexuosa (Asteraceae) (FF), Pittosporum senacia (Pittosporaceae) (PS), Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) (MC) and Ocimum tenuiflorum (Lamiaceae) (OT).

Methods: Initially, the crude water and methanol extracts were probed for their capacity to trigger immune cells' NADPH oxidase and MPO-dependent activities as measured by lucigenin- and luminol-amplified chemiluminescence, respectively; as compared to receptor-dependent (serum opsonised zymosan- OPZ) or receptor-independent phorbol myristerate acetate (PMA).

Results: Preliminary screening on whole human blood oxidative burst activity showed significant and concentration-dependent immunomodulating properties of three plants AM, FF and OT.

In vitro anti-glycation and anti-oxidant properties of synthesized Schiff bases.

A series of mono, bis and mixed Schiff bases (1-7) were synthesised and evaluated for potential anti-glycation and anti-oxidant activities using the bovine serum albumin-glucose assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay respectively. All compounds showed significant (p<0.05) antiglycating activities with IC50 values (4.

Screening for anti-infective properties of several medicinal plants of the Mauritians flora.

Several plants of the Mauritian flora alleged to possess anti-infective properties were studied against different strains of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The grounded dried plant materials were extracted with different extractants and screened for anti-microbial activity using the disk diffusion and the micro-dilution techniques. Preliminary screening revealed that the methanol extracts were most active.

Experimental evidence for in vitro fluid transport in the presence of a traditional medicinal fruit extract across rat everted intestinal sacs.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous fruit extract of Momordica charantia (MC), a traditional medicinal plant, on the transport of fluid in vitro. Everted intestinal sacs from rats were mounted in an organ bath containing Krebs solution. We compared the effect of MC extract on water transport with increasing inorganic phosphate concentration with or without D-glucose in the buffer.

Aprotinin suppresses ACE-inhibitor cough triggered by TAME-esterase.

N-alpha-Tosyl l-arginine methyl ester [TAME]-esterase appears to be an important biochemical marker, which displays potent contractile properties on bronchial tissues and aorta in vitro. TAME-esterase induced contractions have been shown to be mediated via a nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway. TAME-esterase has also been described to be a possible new cardiovascular risk factor among smokers.

Momordica charantia extracts inhibit uptake of monosaccharide and amino acid across rat everted gut sacs in-vitro.

The inhibitory effects of Momordica charantia extracts were studied on the uptake of glucose and tyrosine across rat everted gut sacs in vitro. The aqueous extract of the plant was found to inhibit primarily the uptake of glucose in a dose-dependent manner. Uptake of tyrosine was affected at high substrate concentrations only.

Effects of aspirin on N-alpha-tosyl L-arginine methyl ester [TAME]-esterase induced contractions on rat aorta in vitro.

The present study was designed to investigate whether N-alpha-tosyl L-arginine methyl ester [TAME]-esterase activation could be the result of endothelial dysfunction. Thoracic aorta from rats was mounted in an organ bath containing Krebs solution. Intact and endothelium denuded aortic strips were challenged with different concentrations of TAME (10(-15)-10(-1) m).