@article {1002, title = {Effects of Extraction Solvents on Phytochemical Screening, Cytotoxicity and Anti-Obesity Activities of Selected Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {October 2021}, pages = {246-256}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {246}, abstract = {

Background: Phytoconstituents are known to have an arena of health benefits. The choice of extraction solvents for a desired pharmacological activity is poorly characterized. Objectives: The present study compared the use of different solvents to extract phytoconstituents, evaluate cytotoxicity and anti-obesity activities. Materials and Methods: Leaves, bark, flowers or tubers of fourteen commonly utilized plants in the Sri Lankan Ayurvedic system were used to prepare extracts of distilled water (DW), ethanol or n-hexane. Phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC), cytotoxicity and triglyceride assays were performed. Results: DW served as the best solvent to extract the highest yield of phytochemicals followed by ethanol marking hexane as the least efficient solvent. The water extract (WE) of Averrhoa bilimbi leaves and ethanol extract (EE) of Cassia auriculata showed the highest TPC. The TFC was lowest in the hexane extract (HE) of all plants. The WE of plants showed >=75\% cell viability below 500 μg/mL with no potential anti-adipogenic activity. The EE of Justicia adhathoda showed maximum lipid inhibition (88.31\%), followed by Aerva lanata (74.65\%), and Cyperus rotundus (74.04\%) at 100 μg/mL. The EE of Ipomoea aquatica (45.11\%), Murrya koenigii (41.04\%), and Hemidesmus indicus (32.97\%) showed the highest viable anti-adiposity activity at 50 μg/mL. Conclusion: The WE of most plants provided a greater yield of phytoconstituents enabling their safe usage in higher doses during Ayurvedic medication. Ethanol served as a better solvent to extract constituents responsible for anti-adipogenesis and no possible correlation was found between the phenolic content and anti-adiposity.

}, keywords = {3T3-L1, Anti-adipogenesis, Ayurveda, cytotoxicity, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals}, doi = {10.5530/pres.13.4.18}, author = {Silva Waruni Randika and Nugara Ruwani Nilushi and Manage Pathmalal and Undugoda Lanka and Udayanga Dhanushka and Liyanage Renuka Nilmini and Galhena Prasanna} } @article {817, title = {Amelioration of Insulin Resistance by Rk 1 + Rg 5 Complex Under Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Conditions}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {August,2014}, pages = {292-296}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {292}, abstract = {

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome exaggerated by stress conditions. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) impairs the insulin signaling pathway making the diabetic conditions worsen. Pharmacological agents are supplied externally to overcome this malfunction. Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng C.A Meyer possesses many pharmacological properties and are used for the treatment of diabetes. Objective: To investigate the effects of the Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex on the amelioration of insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 cells under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions. Materials and Methods: Heat-processed ginseng extracts are found to contain many pharmacologically active ginsenosides. Among them Rk 1 +Rg 5 is found to be present in higher concentrations than the other minor ginsenosides. The Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex was tested for its effect in the 3T3-L1 insulin-resistant model and subjected to the MTT assay, glucose oxidase assay and gene expression studies using RT-PCR and real-time PCR under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions. Results: Rk 1 +Rg 5 treatment is found to increase the glucose uptake into the cells when compared to that of a positive control (tunicamycin treatment group, TM). Further we have analyzed the role at gene expression level. The Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex was found to show an effect on the IGF 2R receptor, CHOP-10, and C/EBP gene at a particular treated concentration (50 μM). Moreover, stress condition (about 50\% decreases) was overcome by the ginsenoside treatments at 50 μM. Conclusion: The present results showed that under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex exhibits a potential protective role in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 cells.

}, keywords = {3T3-L1, Dexamethasone, Diabetes, Ginsenosides, Insulin, Insulin resistance}, doi = { 10.4103/0974-8490.138257}, author = {Shree Priya Ponnuraj and Fayeza Siraj, Sera Kang and Hae Yong Noh, Jin-Woo Min and Yeon-Ju Kim and Deok-Chun Yang} }