Cytotoxic activity of a flavanone from the stem of Bauhinia variegata Linn.

A flavanone has been isolated first time from the stem of Bauhinia variegata, and its structure was identified by colour reactions and spectral analysis. In a search for novel anticancer compounds from medicinal plants, the isolated flavanone was tested for cytotoxic activity against 57 human tumour lines, representing leukaemia, non-small cell lung, colon, central nervous system, melanoma, ovarian, renal, prostate and breast cancers. The results showed that the flavanone has cytotoxic activity against human tumour cell lines.

Anti-influenza virus activities of 4-[(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)amino]-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulphonamide and its derivatives.

4-[(1,2-Dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)amino]-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)-benzenesulphonamide (SPIII-5H) and related compounds were tested for antiviral activity against influenza A (H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1) and B viruses in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell culture. Among the compounds tested, SPIII-5H and four derivatives (5-chloro [SPill-5Cl], 5-bromo [SPIII-5Br], 5-methyl [SPIII-5Me] and N-acetyl [SPIII-NA]) showed similar antiviral potencies, with only the 5-fluoro (SPIII-5F) derivative being ineffective. Fifty percent effective concentration (EC50) values were determined in cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assays quantified by neutral red dye uptake.

Short communication inhibitory activity of 4-[(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)amino]-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl) benzenesulphonamide and its derivatives against orthopoxvirus replication in vitro.

4-[(1,2-Dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidene)amino]-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl) benzenesulphonamide and its derivatives were tested in vitro for antiviral activity against vaccinia and cowpox virus replication in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells, and their activity was compared with cidofovir (CDV). Among the tested compounds, 4-[(5-methyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-H-indol-3-ylidene)amino]-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)benzene-sulphonamide was the most active against vaccinia virus, with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) value of 18 microM and 4-[(N-acetyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-H-indol-3-ylidene)amino]-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl) benzenesulphonamide was the most active against cowpox virus (EC50=33 microM). Cidofovir was found to have an EC50 of 20 microM and 32 microM against vaccinia and cowpox virus, respectively.

Chemoprevention of N-nitrosodiethylamine induced phenobarbitol promoted liver tumors in rat by extract of Indigofera aspalathoides.

The chemopreventive effect of ethanol extract of Indigofera aspalathoides (EIA) on N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg)-induced experimental liver tumor was investigated in male Wistar rats. Oral administration of ethanol extract of Indigofera aspalathoides (250 mg/kg) effectively suppressed liver tumor induced with DEN as revealed by decrease in the levels of extend of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP), lipid peroxidase (LPO), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) with a concomitant increase in enzymatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) levels when compared to those in liver tumor bearing rats. The histopathological changes of liver sample were compared with respective control.

Effect of dried fruits of Carica papaya Linn on hepatotoxicity.

Ethanol and aqueous extracts of Carica papaya has been evaluated for its anti hepatotoxic activity. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of Carica papaya showed remarkable hepatoprotective activity against CCl(4) induced hepatotoxicity. The activity was evaluated by using biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGTP).