@article {917, title = {A Methanolic Extract of Ocimum basilicum Exhibits Antioxidant Effects and Prevents Selenite-induced Cataract Formation in Cultured Lenses of Wistar Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {May 2019}, pages = {496-504}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {496}, abstract = {

Objective: An extract (Methanolic) of the Ocimum basilicum leaf was analysed for potential to abrogate experimental formation of cataract in-vitro. Methods: Phytoconstituents were first detected in O. basilicum extracts (Aqueous or methanolic) by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. The putative antioxidant activity of these extracts was then assessed by measuring in-vitro radical-scavenging activity, ion-chelating potential and reducing potency. Potential cytotoxicity of the extract on Human lenticular epithelial B3 (HLE-B3) cells was also sought. Finally, possible prevention of cataract formation by the methanolic extract was gauged in selenite-exposed lenses obtained from Wistar rats. There were 3 groups (8 Lenses in each): Group I (Lenses incubated in Dulbecco{\textquoteright}s modified Eagle{\textquoteright}s medium [DMEM] alone); Group II (Lenses incubated in DMEM with sodium selenite [100 μM/ml]); Group III (Lenses incubated in DMEM with selenite [100 μM/ml] and the O. basilicum methanolic extract (200 μg/ml DMEM). Gross lenticular morphology was assessed. Levels of lenticular malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also measured. Results: A higher intensity of antioxidative activity was noted in the methanolic extract than in the aqueous extract. The methanolic extract exhibited negligible cytotoxicity. On morphological examination, marked opacification was seen in all 8 Group II lenses whereas there was no opacification in 7 of 8 Group III lenses. Near normal mean levels of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, were noted within Group III lenses. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of the O. basilicum leaf appears to prevent selenite-induced cataract formation in-vitro.

}, keywords = {Antioxidants, Cataract, Crystallins, Ocimum basilicum, Oxidative stress, Phytoconstituents}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.79}, author = {Thiraviyam Anand and Mahalingam Sundararajan and Muniyandi Anbukkarasi and Philip Aloysius Thomas and Pitchairaj Geraldine} } @article {190, title = {Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry Analysis and In vitro Antioxidant Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of the Leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {Oct 2016}, pages = {451-458}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {451}, abstract = {

Objective: To identify phytoconstituents present in an ethanolic extract of the leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata and to evaluate its in-vitro antioxidant potential. Methods: The extract was subjected to gas chromatography- mass spectrometry analysis to identify phytoconstituents, and screened for hydroxyl, superoxide and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and metal-chelating activity as a measure of potential antioxidant activity. Results: GC-MS analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 96 phytoconstituents, of which 17 are reported to be bioactive and 11 of these to possess antioxidant potential. When tested in-vitro, the extract exhibited the most potent radical-scavenging activity at a maximum concentration of 10 mg/ml, scavenging effects of 64\%, 67\% and 69\% and corresponding half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 6.7 mg/ml, 6.8 mg/ml and 6.2 mg/ml on hydroxyl, superoxide and DPPH radicals, respectively. Ascorbic acid used as a standard (10 mg/ml) showed scavenging effects of 73\%, 73\% and 75\% and corresponding IC50 values of 5.3 mg/ml, 5.8 mg/ml and 5.2 mg/ml, respectively, on hydroxyl, superoxide and DPPH radicals. At 10 mg/ml, the extract and an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid standard exhibited 68\% and 78\%, respectively, chelation of ferrous ions; at the same concentration, the reducing power of the extract and that of a butylated hydroxytoluene standard was found to be 3.855 and 4.308, respectively. Conclusion: These observations strongly suggest that the ethanolic extract of T. divaricata leaves has potent in-vitro antioxidant activity and thereby could act as a possible therapeutic agent for oxidative stressinduced pathological states.

}, keywords = {antioxidant activity, GC-MS analysis, Metal chelating activity., Phytoconstituents, Reducing power, Tabernaemontana divaricata}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2016.5.7}, author = {Muniyandi Anbukkarasi and Philip A Thomas and Mahalingam Sundararajan and Pitchairaj Geraldine} }