Introduction: Aqueous extract of Lagerstroemia SPECIOSA (EALS) (Lythraceae) is widely used to treat diabetes. This plant has been shown an in vitro thrombolytic activity that indicates its potential to prevent the formation of blood clots in vivo. Thus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the antithrombotic and antihemolytic effects of EALS. Methods: Rats of both sexes (200 ±,5 g) were divided into five groups of six animals. Each group received orally distilled water, EALS (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg), and acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) for five days. After treatment, the FeCl3-induced arterial thrombus formation method was used to determine occlusion time. A coagulometer was used to detect activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Rabbit blood was used to determine clot lysis activity in vitro and antihemolytic activity using the 2, 2-azobis hydrochloride (2-methylpropionamidine) (AAPH) method. Results: EALS increased the occlusion time in a dose-dependent manner. At the dose of 1000 mg/kg, EALS increased the occlusion time significantly, from 4. 59 ±,2. 45 minutes to 15. 52 ±,2. 38 minutes (P < 0. 01). At high concentrations (1-4 mg/mL), EALS showed a significant increase in aPPT and PT (P < 0. 05). Streptokinase and EALS (4 mg/mL) induced significant clot lysis with percentage values of 78. 48 ±,2. 2 % and 49. 5 ±,1. 53 %, respectively (P < 0. 001). EALS inhibited AAPH-induced hemolysis. Conclusion: EALS exhibited antithrombotic and antihemolytic activities. The antithrombotic property of the plant could be attributed to its anticoagulant and thrombolytic activities. Regular consumption of L. SPECIOSA leaves may prevent or treat thrombotic diseases.

Data from World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the number of people aged 60 years old and above will increase from 605 million to 2 billion from the year 2000 to the year 2050 (Rahim et al., 2018). Malaysia is currently battling with the increasing number of elderly and aging people....

The present report is an investigation of antiepileptic activity of Guettarda SPECIOSA (L.), is a well known plant which is being used in Indian Traditional Medicines for epilepsy and CNS associated disorders. The ethanolic (95%) extract of inner bark of G.SPECIOSA. Linn (EEGS) was subjected to acute toxicity and then screened for antiepileptic activity on Maximal Electroshock (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures models in albino wistar rats. Acute toxicity of extract was non toxic up to the recommended dose 2000mg/kg body weight orally as per OECD guidelines No.423. Animals were pretreated with EEGS at the doses of 200 and 400mg/kg body weight. The study reported the significant delay in clonic seizure induced by PTZ and dose dependent decrease in duration of hindleg extensor phase in MES model. In MES model, EEGS showed significant reduction in duration of hindleg extension with 200 mg/kg dose and effect was dramatically reduced with 400mg/kg. Similar dose dependent results were obtained in PTZ model by delayed the onset of clonic convulsions. The complete protective effect against mortality was reported in both the tests. This study predicted possible mechanism of the formulation mediated through chloride channel of the GABA or benzodiazepine receptor complex. However, the exact mechanism of action is not clear, but attributed to its antiepileptic effect. The ethanol extract of the inner bark of G.SPECIOSA (L.) deserve further investigation for detailed elucidation of active constituents and the mechanisms of action.

The aerial parts essential oils of nine populations of four Nepeta species (N. straussi Hausskn. & Bornm., N. amoena Stapf., N. haussknechtii Bornm. and N. SPECIOSA Boiss. & Noë), from Iran, were analyzed by gas chromatography, flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS). In the oil of one population of N. straussi, 1, 8-cineole (40. 1%) was the main constituent. In contrast, the oil of the second population consisted of germacrene D (11. 6%), caryophyllene oxide (11. 9%), and n-nonadecane (10. 3%) as major compounds. Caryophyllene oxide (36. 2%) in one population and hexadecanoic acid (33. 4%) in another population of N. amoena were the major compounds. In the oils of two populations of N. haussknechtii, 1, 8-cineole (45. 1% and 48. 6%) was the main constituent, while 4aα-7α-7aα-nepetalacton (26. 7%) and 1, 8-cineole (24. 5%) were major components in the oil of third population. In the essential oil of one population of N. SPECIOSA, 4aα-7β-7aα-nepetalacton (74. 8%) and the other population, 1, 8-cineole (32. 3%), were the main constituents. Therefore, in addition to variations between essential oil compositions of different Nepeta species, there are variations in the oil composition of one Nepeta species from different localities that may be due to climatic conditions or having the potential to form chemotypes.

Background & Aim: Chorisia is an important Bombacaceous plant that is traditionally used for a variety of ailments. Due to its richness in several bioactive phytocompounds, some Chorisia species showed a wide range of important biological effects. Accordingly, the present work was undertaken to comparatively evaluate the antioxidant potential and effects on adipogenesis of Chorisia chodatii Hassl. and Chorisia SPECIOSA A. St.-Hil. in relation to their phenolic contents.Experimental: Total polyphenol contents and free radical scavenging potentials of the total ethanol extracts of leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of both species, in addition to four main fractions of their leaf and flower extracts, were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu's method and the DPPH assay, respectively. Besides, their effects on adipogenesis were studied using the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes model. A phytochemical screening of their different phytoconstituents was also considered.Results & Discussion: Total ethanol extracts along with their successive fractions of various parts of both species caused a concentration-dependent induction of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiation, but with a noticeable reduction of the size of the lipid droplets at the lower concentrations 5 and 10 mg/ml. In addition, these extracts showed a strong evidence of their richness in free radical scavengers. The ethyl acetate, aqueous and chloroform fractions of different plant parts exhibited the greatest effects on adipogenesis, substantial free radical scavenging properties and the highest polyphenol contents, respectively.Industrial and practical recommendations: Results collectively revealed that the observed effects of both Chorisia species on adipogenesis as well as their anti-radical properties are positively related to their pool of flavonoids and other phenolics. They also suggest their potential value in obesity-related disorders and for prevention of free radical mediated diseases. Further studies for investigating the molecular basis of their effects on adipogenesis accompanied by detailed phytochemical analysis, especially of their polar and flavonoids-rich extracts, will also be strongly recommended.