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Encouraged by the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract of Ilex asprella stems, a further phytochemical investigation on I. asprella stems oriented by the in vitro NO production inhibition in RAW264.7 cells was conducted, which led to the isolation of eight new phenolic constituents, namely asprenols A–H (1–8), together with 12 known ones (9–20). The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive spectroscopic data analyses of HR-ESI-MS, IR, UV, and 1D and 2D NMR, and the absolute configurations were determined by comparison of experimental and calculated ECD analyses. All isolated were evaluated for the inhibition against NO production in RAW 264.7 cells, and several compounds showed moderate inhibitory effect.

Two new indole alkaloids, identified as (E)-1-(5,6-dihydroxy-1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, named oleraindole A (1), and (E)-1-(5,6-dihydroxy-1H-indol-1-yl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one, named oleraindole B (2), together with five known indole alkaloids, (−)-neoechinulin A (3), neoechinulin D (4), isoechinulin A (5), MT-6 (6) and echinulin (7) were isolated from the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. for the first time, using various chromatographic techniques. The structures of seven alkaloids were elucidated by the 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-TOF-MS spectroscopic methods. Oleraindole A (1) and oleraindole B (2) exhibited a relatively high anticholinesterase activity with IC50 values of 55.12 ± 0.20 μΜ and 46.76 ± 0.08 μM, and antioxidant activities with the IC50 values of 16.20 ± 0.11 μM and 13.88 ± 0.06 μM among seven alkaloids.

Four new xanthones, 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone-1-C-beta-D-glucoside (1), 7-hydroxy-3,4,8-trimethoxyxanthone-1-O-(beta-D-glucoside) (2), 6-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone-1-O-(beta-D-glucoside) (3), 3,4,7,8-tetramethoxyxanthone-1-O-(beta-D-glucoside) (4), together with twenty-one known xanthones (5-25) were isolated from the ethanol aqueous extract of Swertia mussotii. Their structures were elucidated via spectroscopic analyses. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity of all the isolated xanthones was systematically evaluated by ORAC(FL) assay. Results disclose that all the tested xanthones display moderate to excellent antioxidant activity, where I is the most active compound and 13 is the least one. A preliminary structure-activity relationship is also discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In this study the effect of the Achyranthes bidentata root aqueous extract on regeneration of the crushed common peroneal nerve in rabbits by using a combination of electrophysiological assessment and histological aspect were investigated. The examined functional and morphological parameters suggest that A. bidentata extract could accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration in a dose-dependent manner (10–20 µg/kg, i.v.).

Administration of the aqueous extract of Mitragyna speciosa at a dose of 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited ethanol withdrawal-induced behaviors that included rearing, displacement and head weaving. The results also showed that at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg M. speciosa showed antidepressant activity without effect on the spontaneous motor activity.

Acalypha langinia is a well-known plant in the traditional medicine. Based on its traditional use, this plant was selected for evaluation of its wound healing potential. Topical application twice a day for 7 days of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.5% sterile solution of aqueous extract from leaves of A. langinia significantly increased the healing process.

The aqueous extract of Liuweidihuang-tang given to rats at doses of 100 mg/kg/day for 10 days induced a reduction in the frequency of error and increased neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Our data suggest that Liuweidihuang-tang improves spatial learning ability by increasing neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus.

The aqueous extract of Crinum giganteum given intraperitoneally at doses of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg in rats prolonged the duration of pentobarbital sleeping time and in mice reduced spontaneous motor activity, decreased the exploratory activity and attenuated amphetamine-induced stereotype behavior. The intraperitoneal and oral preliminary LD50 in mice were found to be 627 and 1468 mg/kg, respectively. The data obtained suggest that the aqueous extract of C. giganteum contains some biologically active principles with sedative activity.

The oral treatment with the aqueous extract of Momordica cymbalaria fruit (MC) (0.5 g/kg) for 6 weeks showed a significant antihyperglycemic as well as antihyperlipidemic effects in the alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The aqueous extract of the leaves of Musanga cecropioides did not affect ache-induced contractile response, but produced significant inhibition of the twitch and pendular movement of the rat and rabbit smooth muscles, respectively, and reduced writhing induced by acetic acid in mice.

Two new chromones, 5-((S)-2'-oxo-4'-hydroxypentyl)-2-(β-glucopyranosyl-oxy-methyl)chromone (1) and 5-((S)-2'-oxo-4'-hydroxypentyl)-2-methoxychromone (2), together with four known analogues, 8-C-glucosyl-7-O-methyl-(S)-aloesol (3), isoaloeresin D (4), 8-C-glucosyl-(R)-aloesol (5), and aloesin (6) were isolated from the aqueous extract of Aloe barbadensis Miller. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidences (1-D and 2-D NMR, HRMS, UV, and IR data), chemical methods and the literature data. The Mosher's method was applied to establish the absolute configuration of compounds 1 and 2. The inhibitory effects of these chromones on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase were examined, and compound 6 was identified as a noncompetitive tyrosinase inhibitor with an IC(50) value of 108.62μg·mL(-1).

This study analyzed the plasma lipid profile, glucose levels and fat deposits in male rats treated with aqueous extract of gross yerba mate, commercial yerba mate or water. Yerba mate treatment did not change body weight gain and lipid profile. The consumption of gross yerba mate significantly increased blood glucose (6.6 mmol/L) as compared to the water (4.8 mmol/L) and commercial group (5.2 mmol/L) and decreased epididymal and intra-abdominal deposits (10.1mg/g and 23.7 mg/g of weight) as compared to the water (15.4 mg/g and 36.9 mg/g of weight) and commercial group (12.5mg/g and 28 mg/g of weight). The results suggest that gross yerba mate reduces fat more efficiently but produces a greater increase in blood glucose when compared to commercial yerba mate and water groups.

A quantitative HPLC analysis of the major triterpenoids present in an aqueous extract of powdered neem kernels prepared in the traditional manner was undertaken. The study shows that water extracts contain all the principal triterpenoids in neem kernel though the quantities extracted are much less than in the subsequent extraction with methanol.

In contrast to what was reported for the Indian plant, the aqueous leaf extract of Sri Lankan Erythrina indica showed potent sedative activity but no analgesic effects, as claimed by Sri Lankan Ayurvedic physicians.

The aqueous extract of the Parinari excelsa barks at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days has a significant antihyperglycemic effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. At the same dose the acute oral administration of aqueous extract of the P. excelsa barks (100 and 300 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease of blood glucose on glucose-loaded normoglycaemic rats. Our results seem to confirm the rational bases for its use in traditional medicine.

The root barks of Zizyphus lotus were extracted with water, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol to determine their antiinflammatory and analgesic activities. Aqueous extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally (i.p.) showed a significant and dose-dependent antiinflammatory and analgesic activity.

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts, volatile oil and four flavonoids, xanthomicrol ( 1 ), kumatokenin ( 2 ), jaceidin ( 3 ) and 3, 3′-di- O -methylquercetin ( 4 ), isolated from Varthemia iphionoides were investigated for their in vitro anti-platelet activity. Aqueous extract and compounds ( 1 ), ( 2 ) and ( 4 ) showed anti-platelet activity. Volatile oil and the alcoholic extract did not exhibit any anti-platelet activity. Structures of the isolated compounds ( 1 )–( 4 ) were determined by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, MS, 1 H-NMR).

The analgesic properties of dried leaves of Capraria biflora were investigated. The aqueous extract (50–200 mg kg −1 ) produced moderate inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. At the same doses, a better analgesic effect was observed on the hot plate test.

The methanol soluble fraction of the aqueous extract obtained from the dry heads of Centaurea diffusa demonstrated antimicrobial activity in twelve evaluated microorganisms.

The aqueous extract of Calotropis procera was evaluated for its spasmolytic effect using in vitro trachea smooth muscle chain of Guinea-pig. The extract (50, 100 and 200 microg/ml) showed a dose-dependent relaxant activity probably exhibited through the direct relaxant action on the smooth muscle.

The effects of fractions from hot aqueous extract, acetone extract and the folklore preparation of Clausena excavata were studied on mouse splenocyte proliferation. The fractions of hot aqueous and acetone extracts were found to be the most active. On the contrary, the fractions from the crude folklore preparation resulted less active. This result could partly explain the popularity of this plant in folk medicine as a remedy for cancer and HIV patients in the eastern part of Thailand.

The ethanolic extracts of the leaves and flowering tops of Acanthospermum hispidum showed varying degrees of activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. The activity resided mostly in the polar fractions of the alcoholic extract, being only slight in the non-polar fractions. No activity was observed for the aqueous extract of the fresh plant material.

The in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of the aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea, was investigated in Trypanosoma brucei brucei 'Lafia' strain. The extract was found to be effective by immobilizing the trypanosomes within the 3-h incubation period and thereafter rendering them not infective to mice.

The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Emilia sonchifolia leaves progressively reduced rat paw oedema induced by subplantar injection of albumin, the aqueous extract showing a more pronounced effect than the methanol extract.

Villagers have traditionally used the poultice prepared from the fruits of Thespesia populnea to treat a variety of skin ailments including wounds. In the present study, the aqueous extract of T. populnea fruit showed significant wound healing activity in the excision wound and incision wound models in rats following topical and oral administration, respectively.

Aqueous extract of Pteris multifida showed scavenging activities on DPPH, hydroxyl radicals and reducing power.

In the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, the aqueous extract of Butea frondosa leaves showed dose-dependent (25–100 mg/kg, p.o.) anti-inflammatory activity which at the highest dose was almost comparable to ibuprofen (25 mg/kg, p.o.).The LD50 was higher than 5 g/kg, p.o. in rats.