Browsing by Author "Arawwawala, L.D.A.M."

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Extra - pancreatic actions of Trichosanthes cucumerina
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2008) Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.; Thabrew, M.I.; Arambewela, L.S.R.
Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn (Family: Cucurbitaceae), locally known as Dummella is commonly found in Asian countries including Sri Lanka. The aerial parts of T. cucumerina (T.C) are widely used in combination with other plants in the traditional medicinal systems as a remedy for fever, dropsy, acute bronchitis, boils, inflammation, skin diseases, jaundice, gastric lesions and diabetes. In Sri Lanka, the aerial parts of T.C are used as a remedy for diabetes. In a previous study we demonstrated that hot water extract (HWE) of T.C aerial parts can exert significant hypoglycemic activity in both normaglycemic and streptozotocine (STZ) induced diabetic rats. It was also shown that HWE had no effect on intestinal glucose absorption. A study was therefore, carried out to determine if extra - pancreatic effects were the main mechanisms by which the HWE exerts its hypoglycemic effect in rats. Extra - pancreatic effects were investigated by comparison of (a) Liver glycogen levels and (b)Triglyceride level in adipose tissue in normaglycemic and STZ - induced (by i.v. 50 mg/kg) diabetic rats that were orally treated with the HWE with those that did not receive the extract in the corresponding groups. Wistar rats (175 - 200 g body weight) were randomly divided in to 4 groups. Rats in Group 1 (n = 12; normal controls) were orally administered distilled water (1.0 ml/Kg), Group 2 (n = 12; normal test) received HWE (750 mg/kg of body weight), Group 3 (n = 7; diabetic control) received distilled water (1.0 ml/Kg) while group 4 (diabetic test) received HWE consecutively for 28 days. The dose of 750 mg/kg T.C was used because it exerted the maximum hypoglycemic effect in the previous study. Rats were kept fasting and, blood samples were collected from their tails at 14 days and 28 days post treatment and serum glucose levels determined. Subsequently, rats were sacrificed, livers and adipose tissues were harvested and subjected for estimation of glycogen levels and triglyceride levels respectively. In the diabetic rats, compared to the control group HWE significantly reduce the blood glucose levels at the end of 14 days and 28 days. The reduction in blood glucose was comparable to that produced by the antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide (0.6 mg/Kg). In normaglycemic rats HWE reduced the blood glucose levels at the end of 14 and 28 days. At the end of 28 days, it was found that in both normaglycemic and STZ - induced diabetic rats, there was a significant (P= 0.05) increase in the levels of liver glycogen (normaglycemic rats by 55.8 %; diabetic rats by 93.6 %) and adipose tissue triglyceride (normaglycemic rats by 14.3 %; diabetic rats by 16.7 %) in comparison with the respective controls that were not treated with HWE. It may be concluded that hypoglycemic effects demonstrated by T.C are mediated mainly via enhanced up take of blood glucose in to extra - pancreatic tissues. Financial assistance by National Science Foundation (Research Grant NSF/SCH/2005/13) is acknowleged.
Gastroprotective activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina aerial parts
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007) Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.; Thabrew, M.I.; Arambewela, L.S.R.
Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. (Family: Cucurbitaceae), locally known as Dummella is commonly found in Asian countries including Sri Lanka. The aerial parts of T. cucumerina are widely used in combination with other plants in the traditional medicinal systems as a remedy for fever, dropsy, acute bronchitis, boils, inflammation, skin diseases, jaundice, diabetes and gastric lesions. The aim of the present study was to scientifically investigate whether Trichosanthes cucumerina (T.C.) has gastroprotective activity. The oral gastroprotective effect of hot water extract (HWE) of T.C. aerial parts was evaluated by determining its ability to protect against gastric lesions in rats induced by absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg) or indomethacin (5 mg/kg). All the experiments were conducted using Wistar strain rats (weight: 200 - 220 g). The food was withdrawn for 36 h and water for 12 h in rats, before the commencement of the experiment. These rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8 rats/group; 3 males + 3 females) and groups 1 - 3 were orally administrated with HWE at a dose of 375, 500 and 750 mg/kg, respectively. Group 4 was orally treated with equal volume of distilled water (1 mL; control) while group 5 was orally treated with the reference drug, cimetidine (100 mg/kg). In the indomethacin experiment, only one dose of HWE (750 mg/kg) was tested, as this was found to have the maximum effect in the alcohol model. Results show that the HWE of T.C. possess significant (P < 0.05) and dose dependent gastroprotective effects in the alcohol model in terms of the length and number of gastric lesions mediated by alcohol, with a maximum effect at 750 mg/kg. A significant (P < 0.05) gastroprotective activity was also observed in the indomethacine model. In the ethanol model, the protective effect demonstrated by the HWE of T.C was comparable with that produced by cimetidine. However, a significantly higher gastroprotective activity was observed in the ethanol model than in the indomethacin model. The HWE significantly increased the amount of mucus produced by the rat gastro mucosa (by 39%) and reduced the gastric acidity (by 36 %). pH of the gastric juice increased from 4.1 to 6.02. However, no change in the volume of gastric juice was observed. It may be concluded that HWE of T.C can exert a significant protection against ethanol or indomethacin induced gastric damage. Increasing the protective mucus layer and decreasing the acidity of the gastric juice are probable mechanisms by which the HWE of T.C. mediates its gastroprotective actions. Acknowledgement: National Science Foundation (research grant No: NSF/SCH/2005/13)
In vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents of Barleria prionitis Linn. extracts
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2020) Amarasiri, A.M.S.S.; Attanayake, A.P.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.; Jayatilaka, K.A.P.W.; Mudduwa, L.K.B.
Medicinal plants are natural sources of antioxidants. The use of antioxidants in the management of chronic diseases is an emerging therapeutic approach in the present era. Administration of several antioxidant compounds has demonstrated protective effects against nephrotoxicity induced by the anticancer drug; adriamycin in preclinical studies. Barleria prionitis Linn. (Family; Acanthaceae, common name: Katukarandu), is a medicinal plant with various therapeutic applications in kidney related diseases in Sri Lankan traditional medicine system. It is hypothesized that, nephroprotective effects of the plant is via its antioxidant potential. Herein, we aimed to assess the antioxidant potential of selected extracts of B. prionitis whole plant in adriamycin induced nephrotoxicity in vivo, to determine the total antioxidant activity in vitro and to identify the phytoconstituents in selected extracts. The hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous extracts of B. prionitis were prepared by sequential Soxhlet extraction. Plant extracts were administered to adriamycin induced (5 mg/kg, ip) nephrotoxic Wistar rats (n = 6) at the human equivalent therapeutic dose (25 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg, 70 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg respectively), and standard drug fosinopril sodium (0.09 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days as a daily single dose. The kidney tissues were excised from the sacrificed rats on the 28th day. The total antioxidant level and activity of glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) and glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) were estimated in the kidney homogenates of all experimental rats. Results were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Dunnett post hoc test and compared against the adriamycin induced nephrotoxic control group. The in vitro total antioxidant activity was determined by 2, 2’- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The qualitative screening of phytoconstituents was carried out for the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroid glycosides, saponins, coumarins, and alkaloids using standard procedures. A significant increase in the total antioxidant concentration (62%, 71%, 59%, 58%) and in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (439%, 298%, 286%, 234%) was perceived following the treatment with hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous extracts of B. prionitis respectively (p < 0.05). A significant increase in the concentration of glutathione reductase was noted only with the ethyl acetate (32.58 ± 2.55 U/L), butanol (27.66 ± 1.86 U/L) and with the aqueous (26.72 ± 1.57 U/L) extracts. No significant improvement in the activity of antioxidant enzymes was observed in fosinopril treated rats (p > 0.05). The in vitro total antioxidant capacity was deviated in the descending order of butanol (IC50; 163.1 ± 2.1 μg/mL), aqueous (IC50; 297.0 ± 2.3 μg/mL), ethyl acetate (IC50; 775.6 ± 10.8 μg/mL), and hexane (IC50; 961.7 ± 13.9 μg/mL) extracts of B. prionitis respectively. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, steroid glycosides, terpenoids and saponins were present in the selected extracts at varying extents. The results revealed that selected extracts of B. prionitis improved the antioxidant enzyme levels in adriamycin induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Further, the selected plant extracts showed relatively high antioxidant activity in vitro. The phytoconstituents present in the B. prionitis extracts may attribute to its antioxidant potential.
An investigation of therapeutic properties of trichosanthes cucumerina
(2009) Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.
An investigation of toxicity of Trichosanthes cucumerina
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2006) Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.; Thabrew, M.I.; Arambewela, L.S.R.
Phyllanthus niruri Linn grown in Sri Lanka: evaluation on phyto and physico-chemical properties of the whole plant
(Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Perera, H.A.R.P.; Karunagoda, K.; Perera, P.K.; Samarasingha, K.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.
Phyllanthus niruri Linn is a small, erect annual herb belonging to the family of Euphobiaceae. It is widely distributed in Asia and used in the treatment of jaundice, asthma, hepatitis, diabetes, fever caused by malaria. Though it is commonly used in Ayurveda and traditional systems of medicine in Sri Lanka, very few scientific experiments have been carried out using P. niruri. Therefore, an attempt was made to evaluate phyto and physico-chemical properties of P. niruri grown in Sri Lanka. According to the results, 7.7±0.2% of total ash, 3.4±0.1% of water soluble ash and 0.9±0.0% of acid insoluble ash were present in the whole plant of P. niruri. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of tannins, flavonoids, steroid glycosides, coumarins, saponins and cardiac glycosides in both hot water and hot methanolic extracts of P. niruli. TLC fingerprint profile of the methanolic extract of P. niruri consists of 8 and 9 prominent spots at 254 nm and 366 nm respectively. Heavy metals such as Cd, Hg and As were not detected in the P. niruri grown in Sri Lanka. However, 0.5 mg/kg of Pb was detected in the plant. In conclusion, these physico and phytochemical properties of P. niruri grown in Sri Lanka can be used as a reference standard for quality control of P. niruri grown in Sri Lanka.
Physico-chemical standardization and preliminary phyto-chemical studies on fruits of Averrhoa carambola L. (star fruit) grown in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2014) Gunawardana, M.B.D.S.S.; Wasalamuni, W.A.D.D.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.
Quality assessment of Mustadi Taila: An Ayurvedic oil as a remedy for Dental Caries (Krimi Danta)
(Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2015) Kumaradharmasena, L.S.P.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.; Fernando, P.I.P.K.; Peiris, K.P.P.; Kamal, S.V.
A randomized single blind comparative trial to evaluate the efficacy of whole plant of Phyllanthus niruri Linn. crude powder with Pushyanuga Churna in the management of Rakta Pradara due to Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB).
(Department of Shalya Shalakya,Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute,University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka, 2017) Perera, H.A.R.P.; Karunagoda, K.; Perera, P.K.; Samarasingha, K.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.
According to Ayurveda, Raktapradara has been explained under Artava Vyapad. It resembles with menorrhagia explained in allopathic medicine. Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) is an abnormal uterine bleeding without any obvious structural or systemic pathology .Bumyamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri. Linn) has been recommended in the management of Raktapradara with rice washed water. Pushyanuga Churna was selected as positive control drug for DUB. Female patients in the age between 12-50 years who were diagnosed with Raktapradara due to DUB were included in the study. A total of 60 patients were randomly divided into group A and group B with 30 patients in each. The study aimed at evaluating the comparative effect on the amount of blood loss, duration, intermenstrual period and pain relieving property and ability to relief its associated symptoms such as Angamarda and Arati. The observed values of Hb%, BT, CT platelet count, urine and endometrial thickness before treatment was within normal ranges. Data were collected and recorded before the trial and three follow ups monthly with treatment within the trial and after one month without treatment were done. At the last follow up all investigations were again repeated to analyze if any changes were seen after the therapy. The t-test was applied to the mean of observed values before and after treatment. P. niruri. made to evaluate phyto and physico-chemical properties and anti- oxidant activity of P. niruri grown in Sri Lanka. The improvement parameters were signicant statistically (p<0.05). According to the results, 7.7±0.2% of total ash, 3.4±0.1% of water soluble ash and 0.9±0.0% of acid insoluble ash were present in the whole plant of P. niruri. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of tannins, avonoids, steroid glycosides, coumarins, saponins and cardiac glycosides in both hot water and hot methanolic extracts of P.niruri. TLC nger print prole of the methanolic extract of P. niruri consists of 8 and 9 prominent spots at 254 nm and 366 nm respectively. These results can be used as a reference standard for quality control of P. niruri grown in Sri Lanka. The anti- oxidant activity of P. niruri powder hasP<0.05 which can be regarded as signicant.
Standardization of Mustadi Taila: An Ayurvedic oil as a remedy for Krimi Danta (Dental Caries)
(2015) Kumaradharmasena, L.S.P.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.; Fernando, P.I.P.K.; Peiris, K.P.P.; Kamal, S.V.
Standardization of sarasvatha choorna: used as a remedy for Dementia
(Science publishing Group, 2015) Karunaratne, T.D.N.; Sugataratana, K.; Ariyawansa, H.A.S.; de Silva, H.A.; Samarasingha, K.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.
Sri Lanka has been recognized as one of the fastest aging populations from the developing countries. There is a large senior population in the country. Since age is the biggest risk factor for Dementia, the need to create awareness and management is an increasing necessity. Sarasvatha Choorna is one of the polyherbal preparation used in Ayurveda for the management of Dementia which consists of 12 medicinal plants. In the present study, an attempt was made to standardize Sarasvatha Choorna by using standard protocols. Standardization was carried out by determination of total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash, microbial counts, heavy metals, phytochemical screening and development of TLC-densitogram fingerprints. Results revealed that 10.6±0.0% of total ash, 8.4±0.0% of water soluble ash 0.65±0.01% of acid insoluble ash 11.0±0.1% of cold ethanol extractable matter, 13.9±0.1% hot ethanol extractable matter, 13.9±0.1% cold water extractable matter and 20.2±0.2% hot water extractable matter were present in the Sarasvatha Choorna. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella were not found and heavy metal concentrations of Sarasvatha Choorna were well below the recommended upper limits for the tested heavy metals. Phytochemical screening studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroid glycosides and coumarins in both water and ethanol extracts of Sarasvatha Choorna. Presence of the raw materials in the Sarasvatha Choorna was confirmed by TLC fingerprints. Present study reveals the quality of Sarasvatha Choorna for the first time and quality control parameters resulted from this study can be used as a reference standard for quality control of Sarasvatha Choorna.
Valuable Assessment of Quality of Patoladi Lepa: An Ayurvedic Paste
(Journal of Traditional Medicine and Clinical Naturopathy, open access journal, 2016) Kumaradharmasena, L.S.P.; Fernando, P.I.P.K.; Arawwawala, L.D.A.M.; Kamal, S.; Peiris, K.P.P.
More than one fourth of world population is suffering from dental caries. It is a burden to governments of both developed and developing countries as they have to spend lot of money on treatments for dental caries. PatoladiLepa is an Ayurvedic paste used for dental caries and it consists of 7 plant ingredients, rock salt and honey. The objective of the current research was to determine the organoleptic properties, pH value, total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash and heavy metals such as Arsenic (As) and Lead (Pb) in PatoladiLepa using standard protocols. Moreover, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) fingerprint was developed for the paste using dichloromethane, cyclohexane and methanol in a ratio of v/v. According to the results, PatoladiLepa appeared to be semi solid, blackish brown with pungent taste. In addition, pH value, total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash were 5.8± 1 at 290C, 12.1 ± 0.0% w/w, 1.8 ± 0.0% w/w and 0.24 ± 0.0% w/w respectively. As and Pb were not present in PatoladiLepa. In conclusion, quality control parameters were established for PatoladiLepa for the first time.