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Context:Aerva pseudotomentosaBlatt. & Hallb. (Amaranthaceae), commonly called ‘Bui’, is a medicinal plant of the arid region. It is used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatic pain, and healing of wounds, which are associated with oxidative stress. Objective:The present study evaluated the antioxidant potential ofAerva pseudotomentosaleaves byin vitromodels and its anti-inflammatory effect in rats. Material and methods:The aqueous extract (APAE) was analyzed by HPTLC and HPLC. The antioxidant effect of APAE was evaluated by variousin vitromethods [DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil) and hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging, reducing power, and anti-lipid peroxidation assays]. Anti-inflammatory effect was studied in carrageenan and formalin-induced paw oedema models in rats. APAE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and standard drug, indomethacin (10 mg/kg), were administered orally 1 h before carrageenan/formalin administration and inflammation was noted up to 5 h. Results:HPLC analysis of APAE revealed the presence of rutin. APAE showed significant scavenging effect on DPPH (IC5049.37 μg/mL) and peroxide (IC50288.2 μg/mL) radicals. The extract exhibited reducing potential and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. APAE treatment significantly attenuated mean increase in paw volume and exhibited inhibition of paw oedema in bothin vivomodels with inhibition of 45.11% and 49.42%, respectively at 5 h. Discussion and conclusion:APAE exhibitedin vitroantioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Anti-inflammatory effect of APAE may be attributed to its antioxidant potential, due to the presence of rutin and other phenolics. This study substantiates folk use of leaves in inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context:Amaranthus spinosusLinn. (Amaranthaceae), commonly known as ‘‘spiny pigweed’’, is used in both Indian traditional system and folk medicine for treatment of infectious diseases for a long time in several traditional herbal medicinal preparations. A novel fatty acid [(14E, 18E, 22E, 26E)-methyl nonacosa-14, 18, 22, 26 tetraenoate] is the major metabolite present. Objective: This study examines the antibacterial potential of the fatty acid isolated from theA. spinosusagainst some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Materials and methods: Three Gram-positive and seven Gram-negative bacterial strains were used for antibacterial assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fatty acid was analysed by dilution method and the effects of the fatty acid on the bacterial membrane were studied in detail by flow cytometry analysis. Results and discussion: All the studied bacterial strains were found to be inhibited at a concentration of 100 μg/mL.Staphylococcus aureusML-59,Bacillus lycheniformis10341,Shigella boydii8,Vibrio cholera811,Vibrio cholera854 andVibrio alginolyteuswere susceptible and sensitive to the tested fatty acid with a MIC value of 25 μg/mL. It proved a full spectrum of antibacterial activity associated with alterations in the permeability of bacterial membranes. Conclusion: The fatty acid from theA. spinosuspossesses potent antibacterial action. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Context: Alternanthera repens (L.) Kuntze (Amaranthaceae) is widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders that are mainly related to diarrhea. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the spasmolytic effect of hexane (Hx), methanol (Me) and aqueous (Aq) extracts as well as chromatographic Me fractions (F1-F6) of A. repens in rat ileum. Materials and methods: Dried and powdered aerial parts were used to obtain the extracts. The rat ileum preparations were incubated in Tyrode's solution gassed (95% O2-5% CO2) at 37 °C. The effect on the contractile response of isolated ileum was evaluated by obtaining cumulative concentration-response curves to CaCl2, KCl, 5-HT and acetylcholine in the absence and presence of different doses of Aq (0.56-2.09 mg/mL), Me (0.24-0.91 mg/mL) and Hx (0.24-0.91 mg/mL) extracts, as well as six Me fractions of 0.66 mg/mL (F1 to F6). Results: The A. repens Me (0.24 mg/mL) caused an inhibitory response of the Ca2+-induced contractions, with IC50 values of 0.18 ± 0.061 and 0.67 ± 0.061 mM in the presence and absence of the Me, respectively. Me fractions F2 to F4 presented a significant inhibitory effect (F(3,8) = 60.17, p = 0.0001), causing a reduction in the CaCl2-induced contractions and shifting the Ca2+ (0.39 to 1.81 mM) concentration-response curves to the right. With respect to the effect on 5-HT-induced contractions, IC50 values Hx extract (0.24 mg/mL) were 5.44 ± 0.08 × 10−6 M and 3.38 ± 0.07 × 10−6 M in the presence and absence of the Hx, respectively. Discussion and conclusion: The spasmolytic effects induced by Me and Me fractions of A. repens may involve a serotonergic and Ca2+ influx blockade mechanisms, which may justify the use of A. repens extracts as an effective traditional treatment against diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Traditionally, many cultures use chewing sticks for oral hygiene maintenance. When properly used, these chewing sticks are found to be efficient due to the combined effect of mechanical cleaning, enhanced salivation and the antimicrobial action of leached out plant compounds. Objective: Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae), an ethanomedicinal herb was evaluated for its potential to inhibit growth and biofilm formation by cariogenic isolate Streptococcus mutans as an alternative means of caries management by quorum quenching (QQ). Materials and methods: Biofilm forming cariogenic isolates were isolated and their susceptibility to the petroleum ether, benzene, methanol, aqueous extracts of A. aspera was evaluated. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), phytochemical analyses and structure-based virtual screening for their quorum sensing (QS) inhibitory activities, drug-likeness and bioavailability were also carried out. Results: The biofilm inhibition percentage obtained for methanol, benzene, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts (125 µg/mL) were ≤94%, ≤74%, ≤62% ≤42%, respectively. GC-MS analyses indicated 61 compounds, of which betulin recorded efficient interaction exhibiting comparable binding energy of −8.72 with S. mutans glycosyltransferase (GTF-SI) whereas 3,12-oleandione exhibited binding energy −5.92 with OmpR subfamily QS regulatory DNA-binding response regulator. Computer-assisted molecular descriptor and Lipinski's rule violation calculation uncovered the presence of more drug-like compounds. Discussion and conclusion: Anticaries bioactive compounds of A. aspera with higher QS response regulator binding energy, low toxicity and optimal pharmacokinetic properties were revealed. These compounds with possible QQ ability hold the potential for use as anticaries drug leads and antibiofilm preventative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Alternanthera brasiliana (L.) Kuntze (Amarantaceae) is widely used in Brazilian traditional medicine as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Objective: To investigate the potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, and locomotor effect of the infusions in preclinical models. Materials and methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by a carrageenan-induced pleurisy test in Wistar rats (200 and 400 mg/kg, n = 6-7). Analgesic activity was evaluated by the number of abdominal contractions induced by 0.6% acetic acid administered to Swiss mice (25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, n = 10). Effects on the central nervous system (CNS) were evaluated in Wistar rats (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, n = 10) using open field and plus maze models. Results and discussion: Possible anti-inflammatory activity was indicated by the significant reduction of 19.8% for 200 mg/kg ( p < 0.05) and 23.9% for 400 mg/kg ( p < 0.05) of polymorphonuclear cells in pleural exudate. Analgesic activity was suggested by the significant reduction ( p < 0.01) of number of abdominal contractions for all doses under study. No anxiolytic effect was noted, but there was an increase in the number of rearings in the group of rats treated with 100 mg/kg dose ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the aqueous extract of the leaves of A. brasiliana has a potential pharmacological effect on inflammation and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The floral richness of the North-East Indian region cannot be neglected in context to its medicinal importance. Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae; Prickly Chaff flower) is an indigenous plant species of this region. Although the local traditional healers have ethnomedical knowledge on the use of this plant, there is no scientific study on wound-healing activity of this plant. Objective: The healing efficacy of methanol leaf extract of A. aspera (MEAA) in granulation tissue of burn wound and its antioxidant activity are investigated. Materials and methods: Methanol extract of leaves of A. aspera was used for compounding 5% (w/w) ointment, which was applied topically twice daily in experimental burn wound in rats. Healing potential was assessed by rate of wound contraction, antioxidant and biochemical assay which was supported by gelatin zymography and histopathology. Results: In the present study, 5% ointment of A. aspera showed significant ( p < 0.05) wound healing, which was evident by wound contraction, elevation of various antioxidant enzymes viz. SOD, catalase, vitamin C and prohealing and biochemical parameters like hydroxyproline and protein content than the control animals. Up-regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9) was also observed by gelatin zymography. Histopathological examination of the granulation tissues in the A. aspera-treated animals showed collagen deposition, fibroblast proliferation and formation of epidermis. Discussion and conclusion: The methanol leaf extract of A. aspera showed excellent wound-healing activities which has great potential for development of plant-based product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethanol extract (50%) of the whole plant of Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (Amaranthaceae) (ASE) significantly inhibited travel of a charcoal meal at three different doses of ASE, but when 400 mg/kg of ASE was repeated in the presence of yohimbine, intestinal propulsive inhibition decreased, while morphine reversed the activity. The percentages related to controls for the onset of diarrhea were 16.58, 83.42, and 116.18% at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of ASE, while with morphine this value was 123.93% compared to controls. The percentage purging frequency related to controls was 41.09, 64.38, 71.23, and 86.30% at three different doses of ASE and with morphine, respectively. The inhibitions in intestinal accumulation were 8.9, 48.16, and 68.06% at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of ASE, respectively, compared to control, while inhibition with yohimbine was 50.78%. Antidiarraheal indices of ASE were 23.55, 49.16, and 76.53 at the three different doses of ASE, while morphine had a maximum index of 88.45. Protection in ethanol- induced ulcer was 51.07, 55.91, 77.95, and 60.75%, but in aspirin-induced ulcer it was 41.33, 61.77, 80.88, and 74.66% at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of ASE and with cimetidine, respectively. Lipid peroxidation was also associated with a concomitant decrease in ulcer index, while protection was 56.96, 63.29, 81.01, and 52.32% at three different doses of ASE and with cimetidine in cold restraint-induced ulcer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achyranthes aspera Linn (Amaranthaceae), commonly known as apamarga, is a commonly available plant in India. This plant has been used in the treatment of cuts by the people living in Tamil Nadu. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of Achyranthes aspera were prepared and its wound healing and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The wound healing activity was studied using two wound models, excision wound model and incision wound model. The free radical scavenging activity of the extracts was also assessed using two methods, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and superoxide scavenging activity. The extracts responded significantly in both the wound models tested. Also, the plant exhibited good antioxidant effect by preventing the formation of free radicals in the two models studied. Comparatively, the aqueous extract was found to be more effective. These findings could justify the inclusion of this plant in the management of cuts by the local people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts (aerial parts and roots), fractions and isolated compounds of Alternanthera maritima (Mart.) St. Hil. (Amaranthaceae) were evaluated against microorganisms involved in human infections. These bioassays were conducted using thirty strains including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and dermatophytes. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values for isolated constituents varied from 25 to 500 µg/ml. Bioassay-guided fractionation, purification and isolation were performed by chromatographic methods and the structures of isolated compounds were established by analysis of chemical and spectral evidences (UV, IR, NMR and ES-MS). The following bioactive compounds were isolated: steroids (stigmasterol 1 , β-sitosterol 2 , campesterol 3 , spinasterol 4 and Δ 7 stigmastenol 5 ), organic acids (palmitic 6 and vanillic 13 acids), saponins (stigmasterol 7 and Δ 7 stigmastenol-3- O -β-D-glucopyranosides 8 , β-sitosterol 9 and spinasterol-3- O -α-D-glucopyranosides 10 ), flavonoid aglycones (quercetin 3-methyl ether 11 and kaempferol 12 ) and flavonoid glycosides (vitexin 14 , isovitexin 15 , isorhamnetin-3- O -robinobioside 16 and quercetin-3- O -rutinoside 17 ). The results were analyzed statistically by cluster analysis and principal components analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae) was found to enhance the induction of ovalbumin (OVA)specific humoral antibody response in mice, on intraperitoneal injection of extract along with OVA. The antibody response was evaluated by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and ELISA for IgE and other classes or subclasses of antibodies, respectively. Furthermore, the plant extract was found to increase the induction of OVA-specific antibody response in a dose-dependent manner. A significant elevation of IgM, IgG[sub 1] and IgG[sub 3] antibodies was observed (p < 0.01); however, interestingly, the anti-OVA PCA titers were suppressed. The adjuvant property of the extract was further examined in different strains of mice and a significant elevation of the OVA-specific IgG antibody response in all strains tested was found. When the extracts of different parts of the herb were tested, the seed and root extracts appeared to exhibit relatively higher activity. These results confirm the immunostimulatory properties of Achyranthes aspera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three saponins, oleanolic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), chikusetsusaponin V (2), and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Blume (Amaranthaceae). No activity was shown in the granulocyte phagocytosis test nor in the test of the potentiation of the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in human colon cancer cells. This is the first report of compounds 1, 2 and 3 isolated from Achyranthes species. Furthermore, the NMR data of 2 completed the partially published data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of the alcohol extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae) in Wistar rats after oral administration (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). This was done using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method (acute inflammatory model) and cotton pellet granuloma test (chronic inflammatory model). The alcohol extract showed significant suppressed granuloma formation. Collectively, these data demonstrate promising anti-inflammatory activity against both acute and chronic inflammation. In addition, inhibition of prostaglandins and bradykinins may play a role. This study revealing the promising anti-inflammatory activity of Achyranthes aspera roots has been carried out scientifically for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]