Achyranthes
Two triterpene saponins from Achyranthes bidentata. (1/17)
Bidentatoside II(1) and chikusetsusaponin V methyl ester (2) are two further triterpene saponins isolated from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata. Chemical and homo and heteronuclear two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques have led to the structural elucidation of 1 which is a new seco-glycoside of oleanolic acid and the full 1H- and 13C-NMR assignments of 2. These compounds did not show any potentiation of the in vitro cytotoxicity of cisplatin in the HT 29 human colon cancer cell line. (+info)Je-chun-jun induced apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. (2/17)
AIM: To study the mechanism of je-chun-jun (JCJ)-inducing the apoptosis of the human cervical carcinoma, HeLa cells. METHODS: The cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. The optical density was measured at 570 nm. The caspase activity was measured using 50 mmol/L of fluorogenic substrate, AC-DEVD-AMC (caspase-3), AC-VEID-AMC (caspase-8) or AC-LEHD-AFC (caspase-9). To confirm the expression of proteins, Western blotting was performed. To detect the characteristic of apoptosis chromatin condensation, HeLa cells were stained with Hoechst 33258 in the presence of JCJ. For the cell cycle analysis, HeLa cells were incubated with Propidium iodide (PI) solution. Fluorescence intensity of cell cycle was measured using flow cytometry system. RESULTS: The loss of viability occurred following the exposure of 10 g/L JCJ. Cells treated with 10 g/L JCJ for 3 d exhibited the apoptotic morphology (brightly blue-fluorescent condensed nuclei by Hoechst 33258-staining) and the reduction of cell volume. Cells incubated with JCJ for 48 h were arrested at the G1 phase of cell cycle and their G1 checkpoint related gene products such as cyclin D1 were transiently decreased. We showed that JCJ induced the p38 MAPK activation in HeLa cells. The p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580 protected Hela cells from the JCJ-induced death as well as intervened the JCJ-induced accumulation of cells at the G1 phase. In contrast, MEK1 (-ERK upstream) inhibitor, PD98059 had no effect on HeLa cells. CONCLUSION: JCJ induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HeLa cells through p38 MAPK pathway. (+info)The cytotoxic saponin from heat-processed Achyranthes fauriei roots. (3/17)
An extract of heat-processed Achyranthes fauriei roots showed more potent cytotoxic activity against human hepatoma SK-Hep-1 cells than that of the crude plant. Employing a bioassay-linked HPLC-ELSD (high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector) method, followed by silica gel column chromatography, a cytotoxic triterpenoid saponin, chikusetsusaponin IVa was isolated. It is contributive to the increased cytotoxic activity of the heat-processed. The amount of chikusetsusaponin IVa from the roots of Achyranthes fauriei was significantly increased after heat-processing. (+info)Effect of Achyranthes aspera L. on fetal abortion, uterine and pituitary weights, serum lipids and hormones. (4/17)
BACKGROUND: The practice of traditional medicine for the control of fertility in rural Ethiopia is based on folk use of numerous antifertility herbs and Achyranthes aspera is one of these used for this purpose. Many plants are known to possess anti-fertility effect through their action on hypothlamo-pituitary-gonadal axis or direct hormonal effects on reproductive organs resulting in inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The present study focused to investigate the effect of methanolic leaves extract of Achyranthes aspera L. on some indicators for anti-fertility activities such as abortifacient, estrogenesity, pituitary weight, and ovarian hormone level and lipids profile in female rats, in attempt to validate the traditional claim. METHODS: The abortifacient effect of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Achyranthes aspera was determined by counting the dead fetuses in vivo. Effect on estrogenesity was assessed by taking the ratio of the uterine weight to body weight. The ratio of the pituitary weight to body weight was also calculated. The effect of the extract on the level of ovarian hormones and lipid profile was evaluated using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: The extract showed significant (p<0.05) abortifacient activity and increased pituitary and uterine wet weights in ovarectimized rats. The extract, however, did not significantly influence serum concentration of the ovarian hormones and various lipids except lowering HDL at doses tested. CONCLUSION: The methanolic leaves extract of Achyranthes aspera possesses anti-fertility activity, which might be exploited to prevent unwanted pregnancy and control the ever-increasing population explosion. (+info)Synergistic effects of the combination of 20-hydroxyecdysone with ampicillin and gentamicin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. (5/17)
The emergence of methicillin-resistant of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has led to an urgent need for the discovery and development of new antibacterial agents. As part of an ongoing investigation into the antibacterial properties of the natural products, 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E), isolated from the roots of Achyranthes japonica Nakai, was found to be active methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), either alone or in combination with ampicillin (AM) or gentamicin (GM), vis checkerboard assay. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of 20E, which exhibited poor antibacterial activity (MIC=250-500 microg/mL) against all the bacterial strains tested. The combined activity of ampicillin (AM), gentamicin (GE) plus 20E against MRSA resulted in fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) ranging from 4.00 to 0.031 microg/mL, respectively. Meanwhile, the FIC index ranged from 0.16-4.50, indicating a marked synergistic relationship between AM, GE and 20E against MRSA with enterotoxin gene. Time-kill assays also showed a decrease remarkably between the combination and the more active compound. Therefore, this study demonstrated that AM, GE, and 20E can act synergistically in inhibiting MRSA in vitro. (+info)Distribution and biosynthesis of 20-hydroxyecdysone in plants of Achyranthes japonica Nakai. (6/17)
There is increasing interest in phytoecdysteroids (PEs) because of their potential role in plant defense against insects. To understand the mechanism regulating their levels in plants, the fluctuation, distribution, and biosynthesis of PE 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) examined in Achyranthes japonica. The total amount of 20E per individual plant initially remained at a constant level, and increased markedly after the first leaf pair (LP) stage, while the concentration of 20E in a given plant decreased rapidly during vegetative growth. In addition, the incorporation of [2-(14)C]-mevalonic acid into 20E did not differ significantly depending on plant organs and developmental stages, suggesting that biosynthesis of 20E is not restricted to particular organs or growth stages. (+info)Conversion of airborne nerolidol to DMNT emission requires additional signals in Achyranthes bidentata. (7/17)
(+info)Effect of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides on the expression of BCL-2 and bax in hepatic tissues after exhaustive exercise in rats. (8/17)
This study aims to assess the effects of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPS) on the expression of bcl-2 and bax in hepatic tissues after exhaustive exercise in order to provide theoretical support for the application of ABPS in the field of sports nutrition. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups, each consisting of 10 rats: Normal control group (NCG), Exhausting exercises control group (EECG), ABPS treated group (ATG). ABPS were fed orally by gastric intubation to rats of ABPS treated group (ATG) once daily for 7 days. Control animals (EECG and NCG) received the same amount of isotonic sodium chloride solution. Exhaustive exercise was performed on a rodent treadmill. The SP (streptavidin peroxidase) method for immunohistochemical staining was adopted to test the protein expression of bax and bcl-2 in the hepatic tissues of the rats. Exhausting exercises increased bax protein expression of hepatic tissues of rats and bax/bcl-2 ratio dramatically, but a decreased bcl-2 protein expression. In the rats fed ABPS orally by gastric intubation, the bax protein expression and bax/bcl-2 ratio obviously decreased, while bcl-2 protein expression increased. The result indicated that bax and bcl-2 co-regulated the exercise-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Feeding ABPS orally by gastric intubation to rats can inhibit the hepatocyte apoptosis in exhaustive exercise. (+info)'Achyranthes' is a genus of plants, including the species 'A. aspera' and 'A. bidentata,' which have been used in traditional medicine for their supposed anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic properties, although scientific evidence supporting these uses is generally lacking.
"Achyranthes" is a genus of plants in the family Amaranthaceae, which includes around 50 to 60 species. These plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Some common names for these plants include "devil's horsewhip," "prickly chaff flower," and "aparami."
In a medical context, certain species of Achyranthes have been used in traditional medicine in various parts of the world. For example, Achyranthes aspera has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including skin diseases, respiratory disorders, and gastrointestinal complaints. Similarly, Achyranthes bidentata has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat arthritis, anemia, and kidney disease.
However, it's important to note that the use of these plants in traditional medicine does not necessarily mean that they are effective or safe for treating medical conditions. More research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of Achyranthes species for medicinal purposes.
Abortifacient agents are substances or medications that have the ability to induce abortion, typically by interfering with the implantation and maintenance of the fertilized ovum or causing the expulsion of a developing embryo or fetus from the uterus.
An abortifacient agent is a substance or drug that causes abortion by inducing the uterus to contract and expel a fetus. These agents can be chemical or herbal substances, and they work by interfering with the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine lining or by stimulating uterine contractions to expel the developing embryo or fetus.
Examples of abortifacient agents include misoprostol, mifepristone, and certain herbs such as pennyroyal, tansy, and black cohosh. It is important to note that the use of abortifacient agents can have serious health consequences, including infection, bleeding, and damage to the reproductive system. Therefore, it is essential to consult with a healthcare provider before using any abortifacient agent.