Anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity and antilipidemic properties: novel bioactivities of true cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) leaf.

Background: The leaf of Ceylon cinnamon (true cinnamon) is traditionally claimed for a variety of health benefits. However, reported scientific information is scanty and needs urgent attention for value addition.

Methods: Ethanolic (95%) and Dichloromethane:Methanol (DM, 1:1 v/v) leaf extracts of Ceylon cinnamon were evaluated for a range of medically important bioactivities namely anti-inflammatory [nitric oxide scavenging activity (NOSA), superoxide scavenging activity (SCA), COX1 and COX2 inhibition], growth inhibition & cytotoxicity against MCF7, HePG2 and AN3CA carcinoma cell lines, glutathionase-S-transferase (GST) inhibition and antilipidemic (anti-HMG-CoA reductase, anti-lipase, anti-cholesterol esterase, and cholesterol micellization inhibition) properties in vitro (n = 3).

Platelet augmentation activity of mature leaf juice of Sri Lankan wild type cultivar of Carica papaya L: Insights into potential cellular mechanisms.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Carica papaya L., a common fruit crop of the family Caricaceae and its leaf juice/extract is a traditionally commended preparation against dengue and other thrombocytopenic diseases by many Asian countries.

Aim Of The Study: The present study posits the potential cellular mechanisms of platelet augmentation activity of mature leaf juice of Sri Lankan wild-type Carica papaya.

Immunomodulatory Activity of a Traditional Sri Lankan Concoction of L. and G.

Objective: To investigate the immunomodulatory activity of a traditional Sri Lankan concoction of L. and (Gaertn.) Colebr.

Antioxidant and Glycemic Regulatory Properties Potential of Different Maturity Stages of Leaf of Ceylon Cinnamon ( Blume) .

Dichloromethane:methanol (1:1, v/v) extracts of different maturity stages (immature, partly mature, and mature) of authenticated leaves of Ceylon cinnamon (CC) were used in this study. Antioxidant properties [total polyphenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS)), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)] and glycemic regulatory properties [antiamylase (AA); antiglucosidase (AG)] were evaluated using 96-well microplate based bio assays (TPC, TFC, DPPH, ABTS, ORAC n=4 each; FRAP, AA, AG n=3 each). Results clearly revealed significant differences (p<0.

Antiamylase, Anticholinesterases, Antiglycation, and Glycation Reversing Potential of Bark and Leaf of Ceylon Cinnamon ( Blume) In Vitro.

Ethanol (95%) and dichloromethane : methanol (DCM : M, 1 : 1 v/v) bark extracts (BEs) and leaf extracts (LEs) of authenticated Ceylon cinnamon (CC) were studied for antiamylase, antiglucosidase, anticholinesterases, and antiglycation and glycation reversing potential in bovine serum albumin- (BSA-) glucose and BSA-methylglyoxal models in vitro. Further, total proanthocyanidins (TP) were quantified. Results showed significant differences ( < 0.

Bark Extracts of Ceylon Cinnamon Possess Antilipidemic Activities and Bind Bile Acids In Vitro.

Ethanol (95%) and dichloromethane : methanol (1 : 1) bark extracts of authenticated Ceylon cinnamon were investigated for range of antilipidemic activities (ALA): HMG-CoA reductase, lipase, cholesterol esterase, and cholesterol micellization inhibitory activities and bile acids binding in vitro. Individual compounds in bark extracts were also evaluated. Bark extracts showed ALA in all the assays studied.

Heavy metal-induced toxicity in the Indian green frog: Biochemical and histopathological alterations.

Heavy metal contamination may have adverse effects on wetland biota, particularly on amphibians. Severe immunotoxic effects elicited in Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Indian green frog) because of metal exposure (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the Bellanwila-Attidiya Sanctuary, a polluted urban wetland in Sri Lanka, provided the rationale for the present study. We evaluated the biochemical and histopathological effects of this metal contamination with a reference E.

Heavy metal mediated innate immune responses of the Indian green frog, Euphlyctis hexadactylus (Anura: Ranidae): Cellular profiles and associated Th1 skewed cytokine response.

Immune cell and cytokine profiles in relation to metal exposure though much studied in mammals has not been adequately investigated in amphibians, due mainly to lack of suitable reagents for cytokine profiling in non-model species. However, interspecies cross reactivity of cytokines permitted us to assay levels of IFNγ, TNFα, IL6 and IL10in a common anuran, the Indian green frog (Euphlyctis hexadactylus), exposed to heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb, at ~5ppm each) under field and laboratory settings in Sri Lanka. Enumeration of immune cells in blood and melanomacrophages in the liver, assay of serum and hepatic cytokines, and Th1/Th2 cytokine polarisation were investigated.

Antiinflammatory Activity of Hot Water Infusion of Nyctanthes arbo-tristis Flowers.

In Sri Lankan ethnomedicate it is claimed the flowers of Nyctanthes arbo-tristis is effective in the treatment of inflammatory conditions but this has not been scientifically validated. This experiment was carried to investigate the antinflammatory potential of hot water infusion of Nyctanthes arbo-tristis flowers. Oral antiinflammatory activity of hot water infusion of Nyctanthes arbo-tristis flowers (concentrations: 3.

Artemisia vulgaris L. ethanolic leaf extract reverses thrombocytopenia/thrombocytosis and averts end-stage disease of experimental severe Plasmodium berghei murine malaria.

Background & Objectives: Artemisinin isolated from Artemisia annua is the most potent antimalarial against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. We previously reported that the ethanolic leaf extract of Artemisia vulgaris, an invasive weed and the only Artemisia species in Sri Lanka, possess both potent and safe antimalarial activity (in terms of antiparasitic properties) in a P. berghei murine malaria model.

Gastroprotective effect of Piper betle Linn. leaves grown in Sri Lanka.

Background: Piper betle Linn. (Piperaceae) is used as a remedy for gastric ulcers in traditional medicinal systems in Sri Lanka. However, the gastroprotective activity has never been proven scientifically using betel leaves grown in Sri Lanka.

Inhibition of phagocytic and intracellular killing activity of human neutrophils by aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Ixora coccinea.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ixora coccinea is widely used in Ayurveda and traditional medicinal practices in Sri Lanka and in Asia for acute bronchitis, reddened eyes and eruptions and dermatological disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the underling mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of Ixora coccinea with respect to its inhibitory activity on human neutrophils.

Materials And Methods: Freeze-dried products of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts (ALE and MLE) prepared from mature fresh leaves of Ixora coccinea and total human leukocytes purified by Dextran sedimentation were used in this study.

Antimalarial properties of Artemisia vulgaris L. ethanolic leaf extract in a Plasmodium berghei murine malaria model.

Background & Objectives: Artemisinin isolated from Artemisia annua is the most potent antimalarial drug against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Artemisia vulgaris, an invasive weed, is the only Artemisia species available in Sri Lanka. A pilot study was undertaken to investigate the antiparasitic activity of an A.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity Is a Possible Mechanism by Which the Polyherbal Formulation Comprised of Nigella sativa (Seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (Root), and Smilax glabra (Rhizome) Mediates Its Antihepatocarcinogenic Effects.

The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a polyherbal decoction comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus, and Smilax glabra in order to justify its claimed antihepatocarcinogenic activity. Activation of hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), IκB kinase (IKK α/β) proteins, and TNFα and IL-6 expression was investigated in diethylnitrosamine- (DEN-) induced C3H mice-bearing early hepatocarcinogenic changes. Acute phase inflammatory response was evaluated by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema formation.

Cadmium-induced toxicity on larvae of the common Asian toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider 1799): evidence from empirical trials.

This paper investigates the toxicity of cadmium (Cd) on young stages of the common Asian toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider 1799). Signs of acute toxicity were evident in tadpoles repeatedly exposed to five concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 2 mg L(-1)of Cd which included environmentally relevant levels.

Pro blood clotting activity of Scoparia dulcis in rats.

Scoparia dulcis Linn (Family: Scrophulariaceae, Sinhala: WalKoththamalli) is a perennial herb growing in many tropical countries including Sri Lanka. Traditional Physicians in rural down south areas apply crushed S. dulcis plant on cuts and bruises to stop bleeding.

Investigations on Piper betle grown in Sri Lanka.

Piper betle is an economically important plant cultivated in Sri Lanka. Although more than 12 cultivars of betel are reported in Sri Lanka, very few scientific investigations have been carried out on them. Studies on the chemical constituents indicated that safrole is the major constituent, followed by chavibitol acetate, in the essential oil of common betel leaves of Sri Lanka.

Alpinia calcarata Roscoe: a potent antiinflammatory agent.

Aim Of The Study: Alpinia calcarata Roscoe (Family: Zingiberaceae) rhizomes are often used in Sri Lankan traditional systems of medicine as a remedy for bronchitis, cough, respiratory ailments, diabetics, asthma and arthritis. Generally drugs that are used for arthritis have antinociceptive and antiinflammatory properties. However, validity of the antiinflammatory activity has not been scientifically investigated so far.

Oral hypoglycaemic, antihyperglycaemic and antidiabetic activities of Sri Lankan Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings (BOPF) grade black tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in rats.

Unlabelled: ETHNOPHARMCOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sri Lankan traditional practitioners recommend the consumption of black tea infusion (BTI) made from Camellia sinensis L. plant for regulation of glycaemia. However, they do not specify the grade of tea and their origin (i.

Relationship between seminal plasma zinc and semen quality in a subfertile population.

Rationale: Current knowledge on the relationship between seminal zinc levels and different parameters of human semen is inconsistent.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between seminal plasma zinc and semen quality using two markers; zinc concentration (Zn-C) and total zinc per ejaculate (Zn-T).

Design: The study was carried out as a cross-sectional study.

Oral diuretic activity of hot water infusion of Sri Lankan black tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in rats.

Background: Black tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (family: Theaceae)] has been used by Sri Lankan traditional practitioners to promote diuresis.

Chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity in Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider 1799) larvae.

This study investigates the effects of continuous exposure to a widely used organophosphate pesticide, chlorpyrifos, on survival, growth, development, and activity of larvae of the Asian common toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus Schneider 1799. Larvae were continuously exposed to six different concentrations (1-1,500 μg l(-1)) of commercial-grade chlorpyrifos for 14 days and monitored for 1 additional week. Chlorpyrifos at ≥1,000 μg l(-1) caused significantly high and dose-dependent mortality, and the weekly LC50(7 day-21 day) values ranged from 3,003 to 462 μg l(-1).

Transcranial route of brain targeted delivery of methadone in oil.

The unique anatomical arrangement of blood vessels and sinuses in the human skull and the brain, the prevalence of a high density of skin appendages in the scalp, extracranial vessels of the scalp communicating with the brain via emissary veins and most importantly, the way that the scalp is used in Ayurvedic medical system in treating diseases associated with the brain show that a drug could be transcranially delivered and targeted to the brain through the scalp. The present study was to investigate by measuring the antinociceptive effect on rats whether the opioid analgesic methadone could be delivered and targeted to the brain by transcranial delivery route. A non aqueous solution of methadone base in sesame oil was used for the application on the scalp.

Haplotype data for 12 Y-chromosome STR loci of Sri Lankans.

Haplotype data estimated from 12 Y-chromosomal STRs were obtained from a sample of 207 unrelated male individuals from Sri Lanka. A total of 195 different haplotypes were identified, of which 183 were unique. Haplotype diversity was found be high (0.