Phytochemical study and anti-cancer effects of Vinca difformis.
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Phytochemical investigation and anti-cancer activity of aerial parts of vinca difformis
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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*George Mathew
Principal, Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy, Tiruvalla, Kerala.
Joseph Lincy
Professor, Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy, Tiruvalla, Kerala.
Sabu.S. Naina
Assistant Professor, Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy, Tiruvalla, Kerala.
Singh Balawant
Research scholar, Dept. of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical sciences, Jaipur University, Jaipur
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Phytochemical investigation and anti-cancer activity of aerial parts of vinca difformis
Year: 2015
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study focuses on the phytochemical and therapeutic properties of the aerial parts of Vinca difformis and its potential anticancer activity, particularly in the context of cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in mice. Cancer remains a significant cause of mortality globally, with a notable need for new and effective treatment options. While traditional medicinal plants have been utilized for centuries, there is renewed interest in their phytotherapeutic properties as many modern medicines are derived from natural sources. This research examines the phytochemical constituents of Vinca difformis, assessing its antioxidant capacity and possible protective effects against the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide.
Phytochemical Investigation
The phytochemical screening revealed that the extract of Vinca difformis contains various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, phenolic compounds, glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids. The presence of these compounds suggests that Vinca difformis could have significant medicinal properties. Specifically, the total alkaloid content was found to be 8%, while there was 0.348 mg/mg of gallic acid equivalent phenolic content in the extract. The ability of phenolic compounds to scavenge free radicals is particularly noteworthy, as they may contribute to the plant's antioxidant and anticancer activities by mitigating oxidative stress.
Antioxidant and Anti-Cancer Activity
The study further investigates the protective effects of Vinca difformis extract against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress. Cyclophosphamide treatment led to increased levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and significant reductions in glutathione (GSH) levels, indicating that it induces oxidative stress in the brain tissues of mice. However, treatment with the Vinca difformis extract significantly reduced LPO levels and increased GSH levels compared to the cyclophosphamide-only group. These findings suggest that the extract possesses antioxidant properties, which could potentially protect brain cells from the cytotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide and could be leveraged for therapeutic applications in cancer treatment.
Conclusion
The research concludes that the extract of Vinca difformis offers substantial protection against cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity, primarily through its antioxidant effect. By reducing oxidative stress markers and protecting liver cells, the extract demonstrates potential as a complementary approach in cancer therapy. These findings highlight the importance of exploring traditionally used medicinal plants like Vinca difformis for their pharmacological benefits, showcasing their potential role in developing new anticancer strategies. The observed properties warrant further investigation into their clinical applications and efficacy in cancer treatment protocols.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the main objective of the study on Vinca difformis?
The study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and the anti-cancer activity of aerial parts of Vinca difformis, specifically focusing on its effects against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in mice.
What phytochemicals were found in the extract of Vinca difformis?
The extract contained various phytochemicals including alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, phenolic compounds, and volatile oils, with a total alkaloid content of 8% and a phenolic content of 0.348 mg/mg gallic acid equivalent.
How did Vinca difformis extract affect cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity?
The extract demonstrated significant protective effects against cyclophosphamide toxicity by reducing lipid peroxidation levels, increasing glutathione levels in the brain, and lowering serum GPT and GOT levels, suggesting its potential antioxidant properties.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Phytochemical study and anti-cancer effects of Vinca difformis.�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Cancer:
Cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Despite advances in medicine, it continues to necessitate the development of new and improved anticancer drugs to treat malignancies and control the growth of cancerous cells.
2) Drug:
Anti-cancer drugs are agents used to control the growth of cancerous cells by targeting DNA either directly or indirectly through various mechanisms. They aim to eradicate cancer cells without harming normal cells. Cyclophosphamide is one such drug.
3) Toxicity:
Cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity was studied in the context of its oxidative stress effects on mice brain. The aerial parts of Vinca difformis extract showed significant protection against this toxicity, suggesting its potential to safeguard brain cells.
4) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical investigations of Vinca difformis revealed the presence of useful compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, steroids, glycosides, and flavonoids. The total alkaloid content was found to be 8%, and 0.348 mg/mg of gallic acid equivalent phenolic compounds were identified.
5) Animal:
Experimental animals like male Swiss albino mice were used for the study to test for acute oral toxicity and anti-cancer activity induced by cyclophosphamide. The ethical conduct of these experiments was overseen by an Institutional Animal Ethics Committee.
6) Medicine:
Despite advancements in modern medicine, herbal drugs derived from plants continue to play a significant role in health care and the treatment of various diseases, including cancer.
7) Diet:
In the in vivo studies, mice were divided into groups and fed basal diets. One group received this diet alone while another received the diet along with Vinca difformis extract to study its protective effects against cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity.
8) Pharmacological:
The pharmacological screening focused on the anti-cancer activity of Vinca difformis extract against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in the brain. Various assays were conducted to gauge its efficacy.
9) Pushpagiri (Pushpa-giri, Puspagiri):
George Mathew is affiliated with Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy in Tiruvalla, Kerala, where some of the research on Vinca difformis was conducted.
10) Disease:
Cancer is described as a major cause of disease and mortality worldwide, prompting the continuous search for new and better treatment options.
11) Mineral:
Mice were fed a basal diet which included vitamin and mineral supplements as a part of the control and treatment groups in the in vivo study.
12) Kerala:
Kerala is the location of Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy in Tiruvalla, where research on Vinca difformis was conducted under George Mathew's guidance.
13) Jaipur:
Singh Balawant is a research scholar from the Department of Pharmacology at Jaipur University, one of the institutions involved in this study.
14) Genu:
[see source text or glossary: Genu]
15) Fish:
Fish meal was a component of the basal diet fed to the mice during the in vivo pharmacological study to evaluate Vinca difformis extract.
16) Pharmacology:
The Department of Pharmacology at Jaipur University also contributed to the study, highlighting its interdisciplinary nature in evaluating Vinca difformis for its therapeutic properties.
17) Chemotherapy:
Cyclophosphamide serves as a chemotherapy agent used in the study to induce oxidative stress in mice brain, against which the efficacy of Vinca difformis extract was tested.
18) Discussion:
The study discusses the protective effects of Vinca difformis extract on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity, emphasizing its antioxidant activity and potential anti-cancer applications.
19) Inference:
The inference drawn from the study is that Vinca difformis extract contains compounds which could provide significant protection against oxidative stress and may possess anti-cancer properties.
20) Flavonoid:
Flavonoids were identified in the phytochemical analysis of Vinca difformis. These compounds are known for their antioxidant properties and potential role in fighting cancer.
21) Gelatin:
Gelatin solution was used in the phytochemical screening to test for the presence of tannins and phenolic compounds in the Vinca difformis extract.
22) Nature:
The study of Vinca difformis reveals its non-toxic nature up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg in acute oral toxicity tests. No major behavioral changes or mortality were observed in the tested animals.
23) Powder:
The aerial parts of Vinca difformis were powdered using a grinder mill and then extracted with an ethanol:acetone mixture for further study.
24) India:
India is home to several researchers and institutions such as Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy and Jaipur University, who contributed to this study on Vinca difformis.
25) Ayus (Ayush):
The journal AYUSHDHARA focuses on research in AYUSH and allied systems. The study on Vinca difformis was published in the November-December 2015 issue.
26) Glass:
Tissue homogenates were prepared using Teflon glass for lipid peroxidation assays to measure the impact of cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress and the protective effects of Vinca difformis extract.
27) Death:
Despite cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity, the Vinca difformis extract demonstrated protective effects which could potentially reduce mortality due to oxidative stress-related conditions.
28) Sabu:
S.Naina, an Assistant Professor at Pushpagiri College of Pharmacy, was one of the contributors to the research on Vinca difformis.
29) Food:
The study mentions antitumoral drugs derived from plants that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vinca rosea is one such source for vincristine, a chemotherapy agent.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: �Phytochemical study and anti-cancer effects of Vinca difformis.�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Medicinal plant, Statistical analysis, World Health Organization, Acute toxicity, Animal Ethics Committee, Anti-cancer activity, Phytochemical Investigation, Oxidative damage, Institutional animal ethics committee, Lipid peroxidation assay, Gallic acid, Herbal drug, Traditional medicinal system, Acute oral toxicity study, Phenolic content determination, Biochemical parameter, Anti-cancer agent, Alkaloidal content.