Journal of Natural Remedies

Salma Khanam , Kshama Devi

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of methanolic extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Mitomycin C induced damage in mouse bone marrow and antioxidant enzymes in liver. Materials and Methods: Protective effect of methanolic extract of Ashwagandha (250 mg/kg b.w. p.o, for 7 days) was assessed against formation of micronuclei (MN) in polychromatic cells (PCEs) and normochromatic cells (NCEs) induced by Mitomycin C (4 mg/kg b.w., i.p) using mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. The effect of Mitomycin C and Ashwagandha extract on liver enzymes, superoxide desmutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) was also evaluated. Results: The frequency of occurrence of micronucleated cells in bone marrow was reduced significantly when methanolic extract of Ashwagandha was administered before Mitomycin C. There was a reversal of decrease in P/N ratio. The level of SOD and GSH in liver was significantly depressed by Mitomycin C treatment and the Ashwagandha treatment enhanced level of these enzymes significantly. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Ashwagandha extract is effective in preventing DNA damage, and one of the mechanisms of action might involve scavenging of active oxygen radicals generated in reactions initiated by the mutagens.

Keywords

Ashwagandha, Antimutagens, Micronucleus Test, Mitomycin

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V. S. P. Saradhi , Salma Khanam , B. G. Shivananda , T. Vasantha Kumar , T. N. Shivananda

Abstract

A field study was conducted in Aloe vera syn Aloe barbadensis with an objective to determine the effect of various levels of synthetic fertilizers (10:10:10: 20:20:20: 40:40:40: 80:80:80: N:P₂O₅:K₂O kg/ha) on chemical constituents at the inflorescence stage of the plant (12 months old). The active principles were assessed from the gel (mucilaginous tissue of leaf) and juice (yellow exudate from the base of leaf). The results suggested that free o-glycones and o-glycosides were not affected by levels of NPK nutrients applied, but c-glycosides, anhydrous barbaloin and hydroxy anthroquinone derivatives were significantly affected with application of NPK fertilizers at 40:40:40 or 80:80:80 N:P₂O₅:K₂O kg/ha. The recovery of total polysaccharides from gel ranged from 0.52% from control to 0.89% in 40:40:40 applied plots. Anhydrous barbaloin content estimated using HPLC technique and colorimetric methods were comparable Aloe emodin was found absent in all samples. Aloesin content ranged from 10.60 to 13.10% in Aloe juice and there was no significant difference across treatments. The recovery of Aloe juice ranged from 0.050 to 0.066% on dry weight basis.

Keywords

Aloe vera, NPK, Juice, Gel, Total Polysaccharides, Free o-glycones, o-glycosides, Anhydrous Barbaloin, Hydroxy Anthroquinone Derivatives

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