@article {326, title = {Effects of Ligusticum porteri (Osha) Root Extract on Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {April 2017}, pages = {156-160}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {156}, abstract = {

Background: Ligusticum porteri roots have been traditionally used in folk medicine, but the scientific basis is unclear. Objective: To investigate the cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of L. porteri root extract on human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells and H2O2-induced oxidative damaged HL-60 cells. Materials and Methods: HL-60 cells were incubated with different concentrations of root extract, and cells were harvested for viability assays on day 3 and 7. Cytokine levels (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], interleukin-2 [IL-2], and interleukin-10 [IL-10]) and antioxidant indexes (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase [CAT]) in H2O2-induced-stressed HL-60 were measured after 2 days. Results: The viability of HL-60 challenged with H2O2 declined by 42\% compared to unstressed cells. After 7 days of incubation with 200 or 400 μg/mL L. porteri, the viability of HL-60 cells was two-fold higher than the control. Stressed HL-60 cells treated with 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL L. porteri reduced the lipid peroxidation by 12\%{\textendash}13\%. We noted an increase in GSH levels, SOD and CAT activities in stressed HL-60 supplemented with 400 μg/mL root extract. Treatment with 400 μg/mL L. porteri significantly (P \< 0.05) increased IFN-γ and IL-2 in H2O2-challenged cells. Conclusion: Our data do not support the use of the extract as an antiproliferation and differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia. The protective function of L. porteri root extract against oxidative stress could occur through increasing GSH and higher expression of antioxidant enzymes.

}, keywords = {Antioxidative, cytotoxicity, Human promyelocytic leukemia cells, Immune-modulatory, Ligusticum porteri}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.204641}, author = {Khanh Nguyen and Jean Sparks and Felix Omoruyi} } @article {482, title = {Oxidative Stress Parameters and Erythrocyte Membrane Adenosine Triphosphatase Activities in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats Administered Aqueous Preparation of Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaves}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {February 2016}, pages = {85-88}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {85}, abstract = {

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that according to the World Health Organization affects more than 382 million people. The rise in diabetes mellitus coupled with the lack of an effective treatment has led many to investigate medicinal plants to identify a viable alternative. Objective: To evaluate red blood cell (RBC) membrane adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities and antioxidant levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats administered aqueous preparation of Kalanchoe pinnata leaves. Materials and Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by a single administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were then treated with aqueous K. pinnata preparation (three mature leaves ~ 9.96 g/70 kg body weight or about 0.14 g/kg body weight/ day) for 30 days. Serum glucose, RBC membrane ATPase activities, and antioxidant levels were determined. Results: We noted weight loss and reduced food consumption in the treated diabetic group. Serum glucose levels were reduced in the treated diabetic group compared to the other groups. Superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels were not significantly elevated in the treated group compared to the diabetic group. However, serum catalase activity was significantly (P \< 0.05) increased in the treated diabetic group compared to the other groups. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were not significantly altered among the groups. There was a significant (P \< 0.05) increase in Mg2+ ATPase activity and a nonsignificant increase in Na+/K+ ATPase activity in the RBC membrane of the treated diabetic group compared to the diabetic group. Conclusion: The consumption of aqueous preparation of K. pinnata may accrue benefits in the management of diabetes by lowering oxidative stress often associated with the disease and improving the availability of cellular magnesium through an increase in the magnesium ATPase pump in the RBC membrane for increased cellular metabolism of glucose through the glycolytic pathway.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant enzymes, Diabetes, Kalanchoe pinnata, red blood cell membrane adenosine triphosphatases}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.172656}, author = {Nikhil Menon and Jean Sparks and Felix O. Omoruyi} }