Iron modulatory property of a polysaccharide from Indian medicinal plant .

Despite being an essential element for normal functioning of cells and organisms, iron, in excess, can induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species. A water-soluble, non-toxic iron chelator can reduce the iron-induced oxidative stress in the body as well as help in extricating excess iron. Herein, we report an -derived antioxidant polysaccharide (OSP) that inhibits the deleterious effect of iron.

Molecular events in the activation of B cells and macrophages by a non-microbial TLR4 agonist, G1-4A from Tinospora cordifolia.

G1-4A, a polysaccharide from an Indian medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia, was recently shown to protect mice against septic shock by modulating the proinflammatory cytokines. G1-4A also activated B cells polyclonally. The present report describes in detail the molecular events associated with G1-4A-induced immunomodulation in vitro and in vivo.

G1-4A, an immunomodulatory polysaccharide from Tinospora cordifolia, modulates macrophage responses and protects mice against lipopolysaccharide induced endotoxic shock.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are known to be the mediators of endotoxic shock and several immunomodulatory herbs can modulate the expression of these cytokines. Therefore we have investigated the possibility of using an arabinogalactan polysaccharide, G1-4A, from the stem of Tinospora cordifolia, for protection against endotoxin induced sepsis. There was 100% protection against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced mortality in mice pretreated with G1-4A.

Antioxidant and radioprotective properties of an Ocimum sanctum polysaccharide.

The antioxidant activity of two polysaccharides isolated from the Indian medicinal plants, Ocimum sanctum and Tinospora malabarica, was studied. Only the O. sanctum polysaccharide (OSP) showed significant activity.

Structural confirmation of decussatin, a Swertia decussata xanthone.

Reinvestigation of the plant, Swertia decussata resulted in the isolation of four antioxidant xanthones, which were characterized as 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxy, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy, 1,7-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxy and 1,7,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthones. The structural ambiguity of the first compound was settled by ASIS-NMR and 2D NOESY spectroscopy.