Browsing by Author "Thabrew, M.I."

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Anti-Inflammatory activity is a possible mechanism by which the polyherbal formulation comprised of Nigella sativa (Seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (Root), and Smilax glabra (Rhizome) mediates its antihepatocarcinogenic effects
(Hindawi Pub, 2012) Galhena, P.B.; Samarakoon, S.R.; Thabrew, M.I.; Weerasinghe, G.A.; Thammitiyagodage, M.G.; Ratnasooriya, W.; Tennekoon, K.H.
The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of a polyherbal decoction comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus, and Smilax glabra in order to justify its claimed antihepatocarcinogenic activity. Activation of hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), IκB kinase (IKK α/β) proteins, and TNFα and IL-6 expression was investigated in diethylnitrosamine- (DEN-) induced C3H mice-bearing early hepatocarcinogenic changes. Acute phase inflammatory response was evaluated by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema formation. Anti-inflammatory mechanisms were also assessed by determining effect on (a) membrane stabilization, (b) nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity, and (c) inhibition of leukocyte migration. A significant inhibition of the paw edema formation was observed in healthy rats as well as in rats bearing early hepatocarcinogenic changes with oral administration of the decoction. As with the positive control, indomethacin (10 mg/kg b.w.) the inhibitory effect was pronounced at 3rd and 4th h after carrageenan injection. A notable IKK α/β mediated hepatic NF-κB inactivation was associated with a significant hepatic TNFα down regulation among mice-bearing hepatocarcinogenic changes subjected to decoction treatment. Inhibition of NO production, leukocyte migration, and membrane stabilization are possible mechanisms by which anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by the decoction. Overall findings imply that anti-inflammatory activity could
Anti-inflammatory activity of decoction of leaves and stems of Anisomeles indica at pre-flowering and flowering stages
(Informa Healthcare, 2002) Dharmasiri, M.G.; Ratnasooriya, W.D.; Thabrew, M.I.
A decoction of leaves and stems of Anisomeles indica (Lamiaceae) is claimed to possess anti-inflammatory activity in Sri Lankan traditional medicine. The plants at both preflowering and flowering stages are used as an anti-inflammatory agent. However, the anti-inflammatory activity of the plant has not been scientifically evaluated thus far. The aims of this study were to evaluate scientifically the anti-inflammatory activity of decoctions of leaves and stems of A. indica at pre-flowering and flowering stages and possible toxic effects of the decoctions. Three doses of the freeze-dried decoction of a pre-flowering plant (E1) (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) and one dose of the decoction of a plant at flowering stage (E2) (500 mg/kg) were orally administered to rats. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema, formaldehyde-induced paw edema and adjuvant-induced paw edema models in rats. E1 demonstrated a significant (P < 0.01) and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect in all three models, while E2 did not demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity. E1 demonstrated a significant (P < 0.01) and dose-dependent antihistamine activity and free radical scavenging activities in addition to the previously reported membrane stabilising and cyclooxygenase-I inhibitory activities. However, E1 failed to impair significantly the in vitro activity of lipoxygenase. A 30-day treatment with 500 mg/kg of E1 was not liver toxic or renotoxic, and it did not have a significant effect on body weights. It was concluded that the anti-inflammatory activity of E1 is contributed by cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition, plasma membrane stabilisation, antihistamine and free radical scavenging activities, but not by the inhibition of lipoxygenase. These observations prove scientifically the anti-inflammatory activity of A. indica, mentioned in the Sri Lankan traditional medicine, while revealing a loss of the activity after flowering.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in the polyherbal formulation maharasnadhi quathar
(Elsevier, 2003) Thabrew, M.I.; Dharmasiri, M.G.; Senaratne, L.
Maharasnadhi Quathar (MRQ) is a polyherbal preparation recommended by Ayurvedic medical practitioners for treatment of arthritic conditions. An investigation has been carried out with rats and human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, to determine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of MRQ. Results obtained demonstrate that MRQ can significantly and dose-dependently inhibit carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema (the inhibition at 3h was greater than at 1h after induction of oedema). MRQ could also increase the reaction time of rats in the hot-plate test (by 57% after the first hour of treatment), although it had no effect on the reaction time in the tail-flick test, indicating that MRQ possesses analgesic activity that is probably mediated via a supra-spinal effect.MRQ also exerted a dose-dependent (a) protective effect on heat-induced erythrocyte lysis, and (b) inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity. In RA patients, after 3 months of MRQ treatment, there was a marked improvement in the pain and inflammation experienced by the patients as well as in the mobility of the affected joints. From the overall results obtained, it may be concluded that MRQ possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Alteration in synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, membrane stabilization and anti-oxidant activity are some of the possible mechanisms through which MRQ mediates its anti-arthritic effects.
Antioxidant activity of Obseckia aspera
(1998) Thabrew, M.I.; Hughes, R.D.; McFarlane, I.G.
Plants of the Osbeckia family have been shown to possess hepatoprotective properties, which could be due to the presence of antioxidant compounds. The plant extract was shown to inhibit significantly in a dose-dependent manner, the activities of the DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical (EC50 of 27.5 g/mL), xanthine oxidase (EC50 of 1.16 mg/mL) and demonstrate a scavenging effect on hydroxyl radical mediated damage to deoxyribose (EC50 of 140 g/mL). The plant extract possessed some prooxidant activity from the effect on bleomycin-induced DNA damage, but this was less than that shown by comparable concentrations of (+)-catechin or silymarin
Antioxidant potential of two polyherbal preparations used in Ayurveda for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
(Elsevier, 2001) Thabrew, M.I.; Samarawickrema, N.A.; Munasinghe, C.
Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) are together with prostanoids, leukotrienes and proteases, believed to be the mediators of inflammation and responsible for the pathogenesis of tissue destruction in RA. Antioxidant (AO) activity is one of the mechanisms by which many conventional drugs used in day to day treatment of RA alleviate the painful symptoms associated with this disease. An investigation has been carried out to compare the antioxidant potentials of two polyherbal formulations, Maharasnadhi quathar (MRQ) and Weldehi choornaya (WC), used by Ayurvedic medical practitioners in Sri-Lanka for the treatment of RA patients. AO potentials of these preparations were assessed by their effects in RA patients on: (a) activities of the AO enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase; (b) lipid peroxidation (as estimated by thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) generation); and (c) concentrations of serum iron and haemoglobin (Hb), and the total iron binding capacity (TIBC). The overall results of the study demonstrate that MRQ has much greater AO potential than WC. Thus, on treatment with MRQ for 3 months, the initial activities of plasma SOD, GPX and catalase, were enhanced by 44.6, 39.8 and 25.2%, respectively. There was no significant improvement in any of these enzyme activities in patients treated with WC for the same time period as MRQ. Although the extent of lipid peroxidation in plasma of RA patients could be decreased by both drug preparations, the reduction mediated in 3 months by MRQ (34%) was markedly greater than that due to WC (21.8%). The total serum iron and Hb concentrations and TIBC in the RA patients included in the study could be significantly improved by treatment with MRQ but not by WC. Thus, at the end of 3 months treatment with MRQ, concentrations of the total serum iron and Hb, and the TIBC of patients improved by 26.8, 24.8 and 16.1%, respectively. Possible reasons for differences in the AO potentials of MRQ and WC are discussed
Antiradical and antilipoperoxidative effects of some plant extracts used by Sri Lankan traditional medical practitioners for cardioprotection
(Wiley, 2001) Munasinghe, T.C.J.; Seneviratne, C.K.; Thabrew, M.I.; Abeysekera, A.M.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in many pathogenic processes including the cardiovascular system. Detoxification of ROS by antioxidants (AO) therefore affords protection against such diseases. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that antioxidants contribute tocardioprotection. Therefore, nine plants that are components of Ayurvedic formulations used for the therapy of cardiovascular diseases were investigated to determine whether antioxidant activity is one of the mechanisms by which these plants exert cardioprotection. Initially aqueous freeze dried extracts of the plants were prepared and the antioxidant activity was measured (a) in vitro, by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and deoxyribose damage protection assays, and (b) in vivo, by effects on lipid peroxidation. Terminalia arjuna showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity with EC(50) 8.3 +/- 0.3 microg/mL (similar to L-ascorbic acid). The potency of this activity was much lower in Cassia fistula (EC(50) = 59.0 +/- 2.7 microg/mL). The other seven extracts demonstrated no such activity in the concentration range tested. In the deoxyribose damage protection assay, T. arjuna> demonstrated no significant effect in the concentration range 0-20 microg/mL, but above -20 microg/mL concentration (20-125 microg/mL), a pro-oxidant activity was observed (although markedly less than demonstrated by L-ascorbic acid). A similar trend was observed with Vitex negundo. In contrast, C. fistula afforded a 30% protection against such damage at 125 microg/mL concentration. Other plantextracts did not show any activity in this assay. At a dose of 90 mg/kg (single dose) T. arjuna, cardiac lipid peroxidation in male Wistar rats was reduced by 38.8% +/- 2.6% (p<0.05) whereas the reduction was only 11.6% +/- 3.5% in the case of C. fistula even at a dose of 120 mg/kg. Of all the plants tested, T. arjuna demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity. Overall results show that only some plants used in the therapy of cardiovascular disease exert their beneficial effects via antioxidant activity
Assay to detect inhibitory substances in serum of patients with acute liver failure
(Wichtig Editore, 1999) Anderson, C.; Thabrew, M.I.; Hughes, R.D.
Patients with acute liver failure accumulate toxic substances in the circulation which may impair recovery of hepatic function. The aim of this study was to test an in vitro assay to detect inhibitory substances in the serum of patients with acute liver failure. Human liver-derived HepG2 cells were incubated for 24h in 96 well plates (30,000 cells/well) with sera (10%) from 24 patients with acute liver failure due to paracetamol overdose or NANB hepatitis and 11 normal controls. DNA synthesis was determined from the incorporation of 3H-thymidine and cell viability by the metabolism of the tetrazolium dye MTS. HepG2 cells exposed to acute liver failure sera incorporated significantly less 3H-thymidine (median 30% of control, range 0.2-169%) than normal sera (100%, 76-133%, p=0.002). Cell viability was also reduced (75%, 33-112% vs 100%, 96-105%, p<0.001). There was no correlation between these values and patient outcome or levels of plasma TNF-alpha or serum interferon-gamma. The assay detected inhibitory substances in sera of patients with acute liver failure and could be used to monitor the use of liver support systems.
Biochemical and histopathological changes in Wistar Rats after consumption of boiled and un-boiled water from high and low disease prevalent areas for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in North Central Province (NCP) and Its comparison with Low disease prevalent Colombo, Sri Lanka
(BioMed Central,, 2020) Thammitiyagodage, M.G.; de Silva, N.R.; Rathnayake, C.; Karunakaran, R.; Wgss, K.; Gunatillka, M.M.; Ekanayaka, N.; Galhena, B.P.; Thabrew, M.I.
BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is prevalent in North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka. Consumption of un-boiled dug well water has been identified as one of the causative factors. This in-vivo study was performed to investigate some of the suspected factors associated with the pathogenesis of CKDu mediated via ground water. METHOD: Rats were given water, collected from high and low disease prevalent areas from the NCP of Sri Lanka and the results compared with those obtained from previously identified low disease prevalent area; Colombo. Blood Urea Nitrogen, creatinine, urinary microalbumin:creatinine ratio together with ALT and AST levels were analyzed and results were compared using one-way ANOVA and paired t-Test. Histopathology was analyzed using non-parametric method. RESULTS: Rats that ingested water from New Town Medirigiriya (NTM) from high disease prevalent NCP reported significantly elevated microalbumin:creatinine ratios compared to other water sources after 8 months, whilst boiled water from NTM had been able to significantly reduce it. Histopathological findings after the 14 months experimental period revealed significantly high tubular lesion index in rats that ingested water from NCP compared to Colombo. Rats that ingested water from high disease prevalent Divuldamana (DD) from NCP showed the highest kidney lesion index though the fluoride content was relatively low in this area compared to other water sources from high disease prevalent NCP. Rats that ingested boiled and un-boiled water from NTM also developed severe lesions whilst the group from Colombo reported the lowest. Low disease prevalent area from NCP, Huruluwewa (HW) also reported elevated liver enzymes and altered renal histopathology. Association of Na+:Ca2+ ratio in the disease progression was not reflected by the current study. Compared to Colombo, high fluoride, calcium and sodium contents were observed in water from high disease prevalent areas. All the water samples were negative for heavy metals. CONCLUSIONS: Though Fluoride is a known kidney toxic agent it cannot be the sole reason for CKDu in NCP, Sri Lanka. Various toxic elements present in NCP water may contribute to different grade of kidney and liver lesions in Wistar rats. KEYWORDS: BUN; CKDu; Microalbumin:creatinine; NCP.
A Comparative study of the beneficial effects of Osbeckia octandra and Osbeckia aspera in liver dysfunction in rats
(University of Colombo, 1999) Thabrew, M.I.; Jayathilake, K.A.P.W.
A study was conducted to compare the protective effects of aqueous extracts of Osbeckia octandra and Osbeckia aspera against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-mediated liver damage in Sprague Dawley rats by assessing their ability to protect livers against the toxin-mediated alterations in the liver histopathology and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase. Within 24 h of administering a sub-lethal dose (0.2 ml/l00 g, i.p.) of CCI4 to rats, the ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase activities were found to be 380.8 percent, 101.4 percent and 222.2 percent higher respectively, than the corresponding base values in control animals untreated with the toxin. By pre-treatment of rats for 7 days with an aqueous extract of either the O.octandra or O.aspera, the CCI4-mediated changes in the serum enzyme activities could be considerably reduced. Thus, in rats pre-treated with an extract of O.octandra or O.aspera, the CCI4 was able to cause only a 33.7 percent or 27.6 percent increase in ALT activity, a 9.2 percent or 4.2 percent increase in AST activity and a 16.6 percent or 17.6 percent increase in alkaline phosphatase activity respectively, above the corresponding values in control animals. In post-treatment experiments also when serum enzyme levels in rats treated only with CCI4 and left to recover for 4 days were compared with those in rats treated orally for 3 days with either plant extract starting 24 h after the toxin administration, it was found that both plant extracts were able to protect the livers against the toxin mediated changes, to a similar extent. Thus, on the 4th day after CCI4 treatment, the serum ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase activities were still 162 percent,76.5 percent and 90.1 percent respectively, higher than the corresponding values in control animals. In the O.octandra and O.aspera post-treated groups, the corresponding increases in the activities of ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase respectively, were only 53.8 percent and 35.5 percent for ALT, 39.2 percent and 41.6 percent for AST and 29 percent and 18.6 percent for alkaline phosphatase. In both the pre-treatment and the post-treatment experiments it was also observed that, the CCl4 -mediated alterations in liver histopathology could be prevented to a similar extent by both plant extracts. The overall results indicate that aqueous extracts of the leaves of both O.octandra and O.aspera possess very similar hepatoprotective abilities, thus rationalizing the use of both these plants in traditional medicine for the treatment of liver disease.
A Comparative study of the efficacy of Pavetta indica and Osbeckia octandra in the treatment of liver dysfunction
(George Thieme, 1987) Thabrew, M.I.; Joice, P.D.; Rajatissa, W.
No Abstract Available
Covalent binding and glutathione depletion in the rat following niridazole (ambilhar) pretreatment
(Springer-Verlag, 1985) Oduah, I.N.; Thabrew, M.I.; Emerole, G.O.
In vivo and in vitro studies with rats have shown that (14C) niridazole (Ambilhar) binds covalently to tissue proteins, but not to nucleic acids. In the in vitro experiments, binding required the presence of NADPH in the incubation medium, suggesting the production of an active metabolite via a cytochrome P-450-mediated reaction. Niridazole also caused significant dose-dependent decreases in liver and kidney glutathione levels, even though it had no apparent effect on blood glutathione. Alteration of tissue glutathione availability by pretreatment with chloracetamide or cysteine respectively either increased or decreased the NADPH-dependent covalent binding. Pretreatment with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene or cobaltous chloride, which change the rate of metabolism of (14C) niridazole, similarly altered the extent of protein binding. It is shown that the decrease in tissue glutathione concentration is not due to an effect of the drug on the activities of either glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase or glutathione-S-transferases. However, there is a significant reduction in glutathione reductase activity in all the tissues studied. The possible relationships between the results obtained and the cytotoxic effects of niridazole have been discussed.
Cytoprotective effect of Osbeckia aspera against oxidative damage to HepG2 cells
(Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 1998) Thabrew, M.I.
Aqueous extracts of the leaves of plants of the Osbeckia family are used in Sri Lanka for treatment of liver disease. The extract contains antioxidant compounds and in vitro experiments were performed to determine the antioxidant effects of an extract of Osbeckia aspera. The plant extract significantly protected HepG2 cells against the peroxidating effects of cumene hydroperoxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The protection against cell damage from both hepatotoxic compounds was similar to that of silymarin, but not asgreat as that shown by (+)-catechin. Antioxidant compounds in Osbeckia aspera may be an important mechanism responsible for the in vivo hepatoprotective activity of this plant.
Cytotoxic effects of a decoction of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus and Smilax glabra on human hepatoma HepG2 cells
(Elsevier, 2005) Thabrew, M.I.; Mitry, R.R.; Morsy, M.A.; Hughes, R.D.
A decoction of Nigella sativa seeds, Hemidesmus indicus root and Smilax glabra rhizome is used by traditional medical practitioners in Sri Lanka to treat cancer and has been shown to prevent chemically induced carcinogenesis in rats. The cytotoxicity of the decoction and the individual plant extracts were tested on the human hepatoma HepG2 cell line. The effects of 24 h incubation with different concentrations (0--50 mg/ml) of the extracts on HepG2 cells were determined. Results from MTT and SRB assays, and [(14)C]-leucine and [(3)H]-thymidine uptake demonstrated that the decoction had a strong dose-dependent cytotoxic activity. The greatest inhibitory effects were observed on DNA synthesis with both the decoction (91+/-S.E. 3.7% inhibition) and N. sativa plant extract (88+/-3.8%) even at low concentrations (5 mg/ml). The three individual plant extracts were cytotoxic in the order of potency N. sativa>H. indicus>S. glabra. Flow cytometric analysis using Annexin V and propidium iodide staining showed that after 24 h exposure to the decoction, cells were in the late stage of apoptosis and/or necrosis. Further experiments are worthwhile to determine the anticancer potential of this plant decoction and its components.
Development of a method for the detection of glycated low density lipoprotein in serum
(University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2003) Galhena, B.P.; Thabrew, M.I.; Keerthisena, O.P.K.S.; Chandresekera, A.; IIIangasekera, U.
Abstracts available
Diuretic activity of leaf and stem decoctions of Anisomeles indica
(2003) Dharmasiri, M.G.; Ratnasooriya, W.D.; Thabrew, M.I.
Anisomeles indica (Lamiaceae) is a wild perennial herb growing in South and South East Asia. A decoction of leaves and stems of this plant is said to be diuretic but this point has not been verified in a controlled scientific investigation. The aim of the study was to scientifically investigate the diuretic activity of the decoctions of leaves and stems of both preflowering (E1) and flowering (E2) plants. Rats were used for experiments. The results showed that A. indica has powerful diurecti action and justify the use of the plant in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka. It is concluded that only the preflowering plants possessed marked diuretic activity. The selection of proper stage of the plant is vital for the induction of diuresis.
Drug induced alterations in some rat hepatic microsomal components:a comparative study of four structurally different antimalarials
(Pergamon Press, 1985) Thabrew, M.I.; Nashiru, T.O.; Emerole, G.O.
Alterations in microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, microsomal lipids and some serum enzymes following pre-treatment of rats with therapeutic doses of four structurally different antimalarial compounds, chloroquine (CQ), quinine (Q), quinacrine (QK) and primaquine (PQ) have been investigated. CQ and Q significantly decreased the activities of aminopyrene N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase and both microsomal and cytosolic glutathione S-transferases. Only aniline hydroxylase was markedly decreased by QK, while PQ did not have much effect on any of these enzymes. CQ, Q and QK significantly increased the cholesterol:phospholipid ratio while all four compounds decreased the phosphatidyl choline:sphingomyelin (PC/S) ratio. All the drugs increased the activities of the serum enzymes glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. The possible relationships of these results to structural variations in the four drugs being investigated has been discussed
Effect of Artocarpus heterophyllus and Asteracanthus longifolia on glucose tolerance in normal human subjects and in maturity-onset diabetic patients
(Elsevier, 1991) Fernando, M.R.; Wickramasinghe, N.; Thabrew, M.I.; Ariyananda, P.L.; Karunanayake, E.H.
Investigations were carried out to evaluate the effects of hot-water extracts of Artocarpus heterophyllus leaves and Asteracanthus longifolia whole plant material on the glucose tolerance of normal human subjects and maturity-onset diabetic patients. The extracts of both Artocarpus heterophyllus and Asteracanthus longifolia significantly improved glucose tolerance in the normal subjects and the diabetic patients when investigated at oral doses equivalent to 20 g/kg of starting material.
The Effect of Cassia auriculata and Cardiospermum halicacabum teas on the steady state blood level and toxicity of carbamazepine
(Elsevier, 2004) Thabrew, M.I.; Munasinghe, C.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Senarath, S.
A study was conducted using male Wistar rats as the experimental model, to compare the effects of concurrent administration of herbal tea prepared from dried flowers of Cassia auriculata or aerial parts of Cardiospermum halicacabum and carbamazepine, on (a). steady state serum levels of the prescription drug, and (b). changes in toxicity (as assessed by changes in general behaviour, haematological parameters, and liver and kidney function) that may occur due to drug interaction. Results demonstrate that in rats receiving the Cassia auriculata tea and carbamazepine, the blood levels of the prescription drug were significantly enhanced by 47.1% (P<0.04), when compared with the levels in animals receiving only carbamazepine for the same time period, with no apparent changes in toxicity. In animals receiving the Cardiospermum halicacabum tea, there were no significant changes in the blood levels of carbamazepine or drug-related toxicity. Cassia auriculata tea has therefore the potential to influence the bioavailability of carbamazepine, and hence its therapeutic actions. Concurrent ingestion of carbamazepine with herbal teas containing Cassia auriculata is therefore best avoided by patients under treatment for epilepsy.
The Effect of flabelliferins of palmyrah (Borassas Flabellifer) fruit pulp on intestinal glucose uptake in mice
(National Science Foundation Sri Lanka, 2006) Uluwaduge, D.I.; Thabrew, M.I.; Jansz, E.R.
Palmyrah (Boarssus flabellifer L.)is 3 tree found growing in arid climates. It has an edible fruit pulp. Previous work had shown that Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice fed with 10% fruit pulp in standard feed showed reduced weight gain due to bitter steroidal saponins termed flabelliferin-II. The effecr of this pulp and flabelliferin-II on glucose uptake was studied. At a dose of 10mg/mouse, mixed flabelliferins (with 2.5 mg flabelliferin II) reduced blood glucose after glucose challenge (p < 0.001), increased faecal glucose (p <0.001) 2nd intestinal glucose (p < 0.001), but not faecal glucose (p=0.62). The latter is probably due to the removal of flabelliferin triglycoside which is antimicrobial. The antimicrobial component and two other flabelliferins did not show the above effect. As the pulp is non-toxic it may find application as a functional food.
Effect of Melothria maderaspatana on carbon tetrachloride-induced changes in rat hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing enzyme activity
(Elsevier, 1990) Jayathilake, K.A.; Thabrew, M.I.; Perera, D.J.
Treatment with an aqueous extract of the aerial parts of Melothria maderaspatana, before or after CCl4 administration in rats markedly decreased CCl4-mediated reductions in aniline hydroxylase and p-aminopyrine N-demethylase activities. Phenobarbital-induced sleeping time in rats and kinetic enzyme studies showed that the effect of the plant was neither due to an induction of the drug metabolizing enzymes nor due to an alteration in the Km values of the enzymes.