Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 87 in total

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  1. Abrika OS, Yam MF, Asmawi MZ, Sadikun A, Dieng H, Hussain EA
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud, 2013 Aug;6(4):199-207.
    PMID: 23972242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jams.2013.01.020
    There is currently a great deal of research interest in utilizing plant compounds against human diseases, including hypertension. The present study investigated the effects of different extracts and fractions from leaves of Gynura procumbens Merr. on rat atrial contraction in vitro. Isolated left and right atria, mounted in a 20-ml organ bath, were allowed to equilibrate for 15 min before the application of the extracts or fractions. The extracts (petroleum-ether extract (PE) and methanol extract (ME)) and the fractions (chloroform fraction (CHL), ethyl-acetate fraction (EA), n-butanol fraction (NB) and water fraction (WA) of the methanol extract) were tested at three concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml), with a β-adrenergic agonist (isoprenaline) as a control. All data on contraction responses were log-transformed and analyzed. When exposed to the different extracts, both atria tended to exhibit greater contractive responses with the NB whereas cardiac contractions had a tendency to be reduced with most other extracts. For a given extract, the contraction responses were particularly greater at 0.5 mg/ml for the right atrium and at 1 mg/ml for the left atrium. Further analysis focusing on the NB fraction revealed that positive inotropism was greater in left atria exposed to highly-concentrated F2 and F3 sub-fractions. Taken together, our results suggest that NB extracts and fractions from the G. procumbens-leaf methanol extract have positive inotropic activities and, hence, can be considered as an alternative/traditional medicine against increased blood pressure in humans or can be used in strategies aimed at finding antihypertensive biomolecules from an accessible source.
  2. Akinboro A, Bin Mohamed K, Asmawi MZ, Yekeen TA
    Acta Biochim. Pol., 2014;61(4):779-85.
    PMID: 25520963
    Natural plant extracts offer a promising hope in the prevention/treatment of cancer arising from genetic mutations. This study evaluated in vitro and in vivo mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of aqueous fraction of Myristica fragrans (AFMF) leaves on TA100 strain of Salmonella typhimurium and Mus musculus (Male Swiss albino mice), respectively. The antioxidant activity of AFMF against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined, followed by its phytochemical elucidation using the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography technique (UPLC). The mutagenicity of AFMF at 4, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 µg/well was <2.0 in S. typhimurium and the induced micronucleated polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg were not significantly different from the negative control (p≥0.05). The mutagenic activity of benzo[a]pyrene and cyclophosphamide was significantly suppressed above 50.0% throughout the tested concentrations. Fifty percent of the free radicals from DPPH were scavenged by AFMF at 0.11 mg/ml. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of AFMF were 51.0 mg GAE/g and 27 mg QE/g, respectively. Rutin was elucidated by the UPLC technique, and thereby suspected to be the phytochemical responsible for the observed antimutagenic activity. Thus far, AFMF seems to contain a promising chemotherapeutic agent for the prevention of genetic damage that is crucial for cancer development.
  3. Akinboro A, Mohamed KB, Asmawi MZ, Othman AS, Ying TH, Maidin SM
    Drug Chem Toxicol, 2012 Oct;35(4):412-22.
    PMID: 22149219 DOI: 10.3109/01480545.2011.638300
    The role of diets in causing cancers necessitates the ongoing search for natural antimutagens of promising anticancer therapeutics. This study determined the potential anticancer efficacy of the leaf extract of Myristica fragrans (Houtt.). Methanol leaf extract of M. fragrans (Houtt.) alone was screened for mutagenicity in the bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test, using the Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain, the Allium cepa, and the mouse in vivo bone marrow micronucleus tests. The antimutagenicity of this extract against benzo[a]pyrene- and cyclophosphamide-induced mutations was evaluated. An antioxidant test on the extract was performed with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, using butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as the standards, whereas its phytochemicals were elucidated by following the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry protocol. In S. typhimurium (TA100), the mutagenicity ratio at 200,500 and 1,000 µg/well was >2. Cell division in the A. cepa root tips and mouse bone marrow was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) inhibited at 2,000 and 4,000 mg/kg, whereas the observed chromosomal aberrations and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were non-dose-related and were insignificantly (P ≥ 0.05) different from the negative control. Inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene- and cyclophosphamide-induced mutagenicity by this extract was above 40%. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration of the extract in the antioxidant test was lower than that of BHA and BHT. Phytochemical compounds, possessing antioxidant activity, may be responsible for the observed effects, suggesting a strong antimutagenic activity of the MeOH leaf extract of M. fragrans, a necessary characteristic of a promising anticancer agent.
  4. Akinboro A, Mohamed KB, Asmawi MZ, Sulaiman SF, Sofiman OA
    J Zhejiang Univ Sci B, 2011 Nov;12(11):915-22.
    PMID: 22042656 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B1000315
    In this study, freeze-dried water extract from the leaves of Myristica fragrans (Houtt.) was tested for mutagenic and antimutagenic potentials using the Allium cepa assay. Freeze-dried water extract alone and its combination with cyclophosphamide (CP) (50 mg/kg) were separately dissolved in tap water at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg. Onions (A. cepa) were suspended in the solutions and controls for 48 h in the dark. Root tips were prepared for microscopic evaluation. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals' scavenging power of the extract was tested using butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as standards. Water extract of Myristica fragrans scavenged free radicals better than BHA, but worse than BHT. The extract alone, as well as in combination with CP suppressed cell division, and induced chromosomal aberrations that were insignificantly different from the negative control (P ≤ 0.05). However, cytotoxic and mutagenic actions of CP were considerably suppressed. The observed effects on cell division and chromosomes of A. cepa may be principally connected to the antioxidant properties of the extract. The obtained results suggest mitodepressive and antimutagenic potentials of water extract of the leaves of M. fragrans as desirable properties of a promising anticancer agent.
  5. Al Zarzour RH, Ahmad M, Asmawi MZ, Kaur G, Saeed MAA, Al-Mansoub MA, et al.
    Nutrients, 2017 Jul 18;9(7).
    PMID: 28718838 DOI: 10.3390/nu9070766
    Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the major global health issues, strongly correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and oxidative stress. The current study aimed to evaluate anti-NAFLD effects of three different extracts of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri). NAFLD was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using a special high-fat diet (HFD). A 50% methanolic extract (50% ME) exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against NAFLD progression. It significantly reduced hepatomegaly (16%) and visceral fat weight (22%), decreased NAFLD score, prevented fibrosis, and reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) (48%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (65%), free fatty acids (FFAs) (25%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (45%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (38%), insulin concentration (67%), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (73%), serum atherogenic ratios TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (29%), LDL/HDL (66%) and (TC-HDL)/HDL (64%), hepatic content of cholesterol (43%), triglyceride (29%) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (40%) compared to a non-treated HFD group. In vitro, 50% ME of P. niruri inhibited α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase enzymes and cholesterol micellization. It also had higher total phenolic and total flavonoid contents compared to other extracts. Ellagic acid and phyllanthin were identified as major compounds. These results suggest that P. niruri could be further developed as a novel natural hepatoprotective agent against NAFLD and atherosclerosis.
  6. Al-Akwaa AA, Asmawi MZ, Dewa A, Mahmud R
    Heliyon, 2020 Jul;6(7):e04588.
    PMID: 32775735 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04588
    Background: Vitex pubescens has been used traditionally in hypertension treatment but not yet scientifically assessed. The objective of the study is to investigate the antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities of V. pubescens, study its underlying pharmacological mechanisms, and identify the relevant vasoactive compounds.

    Methods: Successive extractions of V. pubescens leaf were carried out to produce petroleum ether (VPPE), chloroform (VPCE), methanol (VPME), and water (VPWE) extracts. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) received a daily oral administration of the extracts (500 mg/kg/day; n = 6) or verapamil (15 mg/kg/day; n = 6) for 2 weeks, while the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured using non-invasive tail-cuff method. Vasorelaxation assays of the extracts were later conducted using phenylephrine (PE, 1 μM) pre-contracted aortic ring preparation. Mechanisms of vasorelaxation by the most potent fraction were studied using vasorelaxation assays with selected blockers/inhibitors. GC-MS was conducted to determine the active compounds.

    Results: VPPE elicited the most significant diminution in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of treated SHRs and produced the most significant vasorelaxation in the aortic rings. Vasorelaxant effects of F2-VPPE were significantly reduced in endothelium-denuded aortic rings by glibenclamide (1 μM), whereas calcium chloride and PE-induced contractions were significantly suppressed. Endothelium removal of the aortic rings or incubation with indomethacin (10 μM), atropine (1 μM), methylene blue (10 μM), propranolol (1μM) and L-NAME (10 μM) did not significantly alter F2-VPPE-induced vasorelaxation. Seven compounds were identified using GC-MS, including spathulenol.

    Conclusion: F2-VPPE exerted its endothelium-independent vasorelaxation by inhibition of vascular smooth muscle contraction induced by extracellular Ca+2 influx through trans-membrane Ca+2 channels and/or Ca+2 release from intracellular stores, and by activation of KATP channels. The vasorelaxation effects of V. pubescens could be mediated by the compound, spathulenol.

  7. Al-Hindi B, Yusoff NA, Ahmad M, Atangwho IJ, Asmawi MZ, Al-Mansoub MA, et al.
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2019 Jun 28;19(1):152.
    PMID: 31253153 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2573-x
    BACKGROUND: The leaves of Gongronema latifolium Benth. have long been recognized traditionally as a remedy for a variety of ailments in Africa. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety profile of the ethanolic extract of G. latifolium (GLES) leaves through a repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study in male and female of Sprague Dawley rats.

    METHODS: GLES was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day consecutively for 90 days.

    RESULTS: No behavioral or physiological changes and mortality were observed. GLES did not have a marked impact on general hematological parameters and did not precipitate nephrotoxicity. However, compared to the control, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were lower and white adipose tissue paired retroperitoneal fat depots were depleted in male rats treated with GLES3 by the end of the experiment. The liver was significantly enlarged in GLES-treated rats of both sexes. Negative gender-specific alterations were observed with the highest dose. Adverse risk was evident in the female rats mainly due to marked body weight gain and cerebrum weight reduction.

    CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to reach more specific conclusions about to the safety of ingesting high doses of GLES for long periods of time.

  8. Al-Mansoub MA, Asmawi MZ, Murugaiyah V
    J Sci Food Agric, 2014 Jun;94(8):1552-8.
    PMID: 24166055 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6456
    Garcinia atroviridis is a seasonal fruit plant found in many parts of South East Asia. The fruit rind is used in cooking and traditionally consumed for various reasons, including to lower blood cholesterol. A comparative study was undertaken to investigate the influence of extraction solvents and plant parts used on the lipid-lowering and antioxidant activities of Garcinia atroviridis.
  9. Algariri K, Meng KY, Atangwho IJ, Asmawi MZ, Sadikun A, Murugaiyah V, et al.
    Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2013 May;3(5):358-66.
    PMID: 23646298 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60077-5
    To study the antidiabetic activity of Gynura procumbens (G. procumbens) used in the traditional management of diabetes in Southern Asia.
  10. Algariri K, Atangwho IJ, Meng KY, Asmawi MZ, Sadikun A, Murugaiyah V
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2014 Aug;25(1):75-93.
    PMID: 25210589 MyJurnal
    The acute and sub-chronic antihyperglycaemic activity, safety margin evaluations and chemical composition of ethanol extract (EE) and fractions of Gynura procumbens (GP) were studied. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (SDRs) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines 425 and 407 were used in the antidiabetic and toxicity studies, respectively. Biochemical and haematological data obtained from both acute and sub-chronic procedures suggest that the extract is safe at the limit test dose (2000 mg/kg); thus, the oral lethal dose (LD50) exceeds 2000 mg/kg. The acceptable daily intake (ADI) was determined to be 700 mg/kg/day. In the acute antihyperglycaemic study, the n-butanol fraction (n-BF) was found to consistently lower glucose levels the most effectively, which was also demonstrated in the 14-day study. Not only did the n-BF show the highest dose-dependent glucose-lowering action (51.2% and 62.0% at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg, respectively), its effect was the closest to that of metformin (63.6%, p<0.05). The estimated amount of flavonoids in n-BF were 62.90% and 79.68% higher than the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and aqueous fraction (AF), respectively (p<0.05), with a corresponding value of 61.22% and 49.33% for phenolics (p<0.05). GP leaves have a no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) and antihyperglycaemic activity corresponding to the high content of phenols and flavonoids. Therefore, GP leaves are a promising source of new antidiabetic natural products.
  11. Ali RB, Atangwho IJ, Kuar N, Ahmad M, Mahmud R, Asmawi MZ
    PMID: 23425283 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-39
    One vital therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is the use of agents that can decrease postprandial hyperglycaemia by inhibiting carbohydrate digesting enzymes. The present study investigated the effects of bioassay-guided extract and fractions of the dried fruit pericarp of Phaleria macrocarpa, a traditional anti-diabetic plant, on α-glucosidase and α-amylase, in a bid to understand their anti-diabetic mechanism, as well as their possible attenuation action on postprandial glucose increase.
  12. Ali RB, Atangwho IJ, Kaur N, Abraika OS, Ahmad M, Mahmud R, et al.
    Molecules, 2012 Apr 30;17(5):4986-5002.
    PMID: 22547320 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17054986
    An earlier anti-hyperglycemic study with serial crude extracts of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) fruit indicated methanol extract (ME) as the most effective. In the present investigation, the methanol extract was further fractionated to obtain chloroform (CF), ethyl acetate (EAF), n-butanol (NBF) and aqueous (AF) fractions, which were tested for antidiabetic activity. The NBF reduced blood glucose (p < 0.05) 15 min after administration, in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) similar to metformin. Moreover, it lowered blood glucose in diabetic rats by 66.67% (p < 0.05), similar to metformin (51.11%), glibenclamide (66.67%) and insulin (71.43%) after a 12-day treatment, hence considered to be the most active fraction. Further fractionation of NBF yielded sub-fractions I (SFI) and II (SFII), and only SFI lowered blood glucose (p < 0.05), in IPGTT similar to glibenclamide. The ME, NBF, and SFI correspondingly lowered plasma insulin (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently inhibited glucose transport across isolated rat jejunum implying an extra-pancreatic mechanism. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenes and tannins, in ME, NBF and SFI, and LC-MS analyses revealed 9.52%, 33.30% and 22.50% mangiferin respectively. PM fruit possesses anti-hyperglycemic effect, exerted probably through extra-pancreatic action. Magniferin, contained therein may be responsible for this reported activity.
  13. Altaf R, Asmawi MZ, Dewa A, Sadikun A, Umar MI
    Pharmacogn Rev, 2013 Jan;7(13):73-80.
    PMID: 23922460 DOI: 10.4103/0973-7847.112853
    Phaleria macrocarpa, commonly known as Mahkota dewa is a medicinal plant that is indigenous to Indonesia and Malaysia. Extracts of P. macrocarpa have been used since years in traditional medicine that are evaluated scientifically as well. The extracts are reported for a number of valuable medicinal properties such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant and vasorelaxant effect. The constituents isolated from different parts of P. macrocarpa include Phalerin, gallic acid, Icaricide C, magniferin, mahkoside A, dodecanoic acid, palmitic acid, des-acetylflavicordin-A, flavicordin-A, flavicordin-D, flavicordin-A glucoside, ethyl stearate, lignans, alkaloids andsaponins. The present review is an up-to-date summary of occurrence, botanical description, ethnopharmacology, bioactivity and toxicological studies related to P. macrocarpa.
  14. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Asmawi MZ, Ibraheem ZO, Yam MF
    J Med Food, 2012 Aug;15(8):678-90.
    PMID: 22846075 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2011.1973
    Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. (Lambiaceae) is an important plant in traditional folk medicine. This review is a comprehensive summary of the currently available chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological investigations as well as the traditional and therapeutic uses of this plant. Different in vitro and in vivo models have been addressed along with a survey of all phytochemicals identified in this plant, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential oils. Previous studies revealed that O. stamineus possesses several pharmacological activities, which are attributed to its phytochemical content. It was found that O. stamineus exhibits diuretic, hypouricemic, renal protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, and anorexic activities. In conclusion, O. stamineus has wide traditional and pharmacological uses in various pathophysiological conditions. Therefore, it is an attractive subject for further experimental and clinical investigations.
  15. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Najim HS, Abdullah GZ, Abdulkarim MF, Yam MF, et al.
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud, 2010 Dec;3(4):272-82.
    PMID: 21185543 DOI: 10.1016/S2005-2901(10)60048-9
    The mode by which Loranthus ferrugineus methanol extract antagonizes and/or modulates norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction was investigated in rat aortic rings. The vascular effects of three different concentrations of this extract were challenged against cumulative additions of norepinephrine. Phentolamine, a nonselective α-adrenoceptor antagonist, verapamil, an L-type calcium channel blocker, and papaverine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, were used in three different concentrations as positive controls. Log concentration-response curves and double-reciprocal plots were constructed for the extract and each vasorelaxant. To characterize antagonism reversibility, the norepinephrine maximum contractile effect was examined before extract addition to the aortic ring chamber and after its removal. Phentolamine shifted the norepinephrine log concentration-response curve to the right with no significant depression in the maximum response. Similar to verapamil and papaverine, the extract produced a rightward shift in norepinephrine log concentration-response curve and a significant drop in maximum response. The double-reciprocal plots showed comparable y-intercept values for all phentolamine concentrations, a characteristic of competitive antagonism. In contrast, different y-intercept values on double-reciprocal plots were obtained for each concentration of extract, verapamil, and papaverine, typical of noncompetitive antagonism. The norepinephrine maximum contractile response was approximately similar before the addition of extract and after its removal. The data collectively showed that L. ferrugineus methanol extract exerted its vascular effect by reversible noncompetitive antagonism of norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction. These findings add to the understanding of the cardiovascular mechanisms by which L. ferrugineus, a plant traditionally used for the management of hypertension, elicits its action.
  16. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Siddiqui MJ, Yam MF, Sriramaneni RN, Sadikun A, et al.
    J Acupunct Meridian Stud, 2009 Dec;2(4):288-93.
    PMID: 20633504 DOI: 10.1016/S2005-2901(09)60070-4
    This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism(s) of the spasmogenic action of Loranthus ferrugineus in isolated guinea pig ileum. Thus the contractile responses of guinea pig ileum to graded additions of either L. ferrugineus methanol extract or its n-butanol fraction were tested in the presence and absence of various pharmacological interventions. The data showed that L. ferrugineus methanol extract and the n-butanol fraction produced a concentration-dependent spasmogenic effect in isolated guinea pig ileum segments. These effects were significantly inhibited in the presence of 1 microM atropine. In contrast, the response to the lowest concentrations of L. ferrugineus methanol extract (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL) and n-butanol fraction of L. ferrugineus (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL) were considerably enhanced in the presence of 0.05 microM neostigmine. Neither L. ferrugineus methanol extract nor n-butanol fraction contractile responses were affected upon the incubation of the ileal segments with 100 microM hexamethonium. The results of this study show that the spasmogenic effect of L. ferrugineus is possibly mediated through a direct action on intestinal muscarinic receptors. It is suggested that the bioactive constituents of L. ferrugineus serve as a substrate for acetylcholinesterase.
  17. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Siddiqui MJ, Yam MF, Sriramaneni RN, Sadikun A, et al.
    Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res., 2010 Feb;43(2):186-94.
    PMID: 20084331
    We investigated the vascular responses and the blood pressure reducing effects of different fractions obtained from the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb. (F. Loranthaceae). By means of solvent-solvent extraction, L. ferrugineus methanol extract (LFME) was successively fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The ability of these LFME fractions to relax vascular smooth muscle against phenylephrine (PE)- and KCl-induced contractions in isolated rat aortic rings was determined. In another set of experiments, LFME fractions were tested for blood pressure lowering activity in anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g, 14-18 weeks). The n-butanol fraction of LFME (NBF-LFME) produced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of PE- and KCl-induced aortic ring contractions compared to other fractions. Moreover, NBF-LFME had a significantly higher relaxant effect against PE- than against high K+-induced contractions. In anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, NBF-LFME significantly lowered blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner and with a relatively longer duration of action compared to the other fractions. HPLC, UV and IR spectra suggested the presence of terpenoid constituents in both LFME and NBF-LFME. Accordingly, we conclude that NBF-LFME is the most potent fraction producing a concentration-dependent relaxation in vascular smooth muscle in vitro and a dose-dependent blood pressure lowering activity in vivo. The cardiovascular effects of NBF-LFME are most likely attributable to its terpenoid content.
  18. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Siddiqui MJ, Yam MF, Sriramaneni RN, Mohamed AJ, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2010 Jan 8;127(1):19-25.
    PMID: 19808083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.057
    The present study was aimed to investigate the pharmacological basis for the use of Loranthus ferrugineus in hypertension.
  19. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Quek KJ, Asmawi MZ
    J Pharmacopuncture, 2015 Mar;18(1):7-18.
    PMID: 25830054 DOI: 10.3831/KPI.2015.18.001
    Loranthus ferrugineus (L. ferrugineus) from Loranthaceae, a mistletoe, is a medicinal herb used for a variety of human ailments. Traditionally, decoctions of this parasitic shrub have been mainly used to treat high blood pressure (BP) and gastrointestinal complaints; usage which is supported by experimental based pharmacological investigations. Nonetheless, there is still limited data available evaluating this plant's traditions, and few studies have been scientifically translated toward evidence based phytomedicine. We therefore provide a concise review of the currently available L. ferrugineus literature and discuss potential directions for future areas of investigation.
  20. Ameer OZ, Salman IM, Siddiqui MJ, Yam MF, Sriramaneni RN, Sadikun A, et al.
    Am J Chin Med, 2009;37(5):991-1008.
    PMID: 19885958
    In the present study, L. ferrugineus methanol extract (LFME) was evaluated for its blood pressure lowering effect in anesthetized normotensive Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and its spasmogenic effect in isolated guinea pig ileum. The possible mechanism(s) of action were also investigated. LFME was obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The rats were fasted overnight and anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (60 mg/kg i.p.). LFME was administered in i.v. boluses in the concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively, with concomitant monitoring of mean arterial pressure (MAP). It was found that LFME dose-dependently reduced MAP. An i.v. bolus injection of atropine significantly decreased the blood pressure lowering effect of LFME. Similarly, L-NAME (Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) significantly lowered both the MAP and the action duration. Conversely, no significant change in MAP was seen following i.v. injections of neostigmine, hexamethonium, prazosin and propranolol. LFME also produced a dose-dependent contractile effect in guinea pig ileum. This contraction was significantly reduced in atropine pre-incubated tissue segments, yet it was significantly enhanced in the presence of neostigmine. No appreciable change in the ability of LFME to contract guinea pig ileum was seen in the presence of hexamethonium. Accordingly, it can be postulated that LFME possesses a marked hypotensive effect that can be attributed to stimulation of muscarinic receptors and/or stimulation of nitric oxide (NO) release. Moreover, LFME retains a considerable spasmogenic action due to its cholinergic properties. The hypotensive and spasmogenic effects of LFME justify its traditional uses.
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