Antioxidant Properties and Chemopreventive Potential Of the Bioactive Constituents Of the Roots Of Decalepis Hamiltonii

Anup, Srivastava (2006) Antioxidant Properties and Chemopreventive Potential Of the Bioactive Constituents Of the Roots Of Decalepis Hamiltonii. Doctoral thesis, University of Mysore.

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Abstract

Oxidative damage to cells and macromolecules is considered to be the cause of several diseases such as coronary heart disease, arthritis, cataractogenesis, various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and aging. Oxidative injury involves free radical-induced damage from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Several studies have shown that dietary antioxidants play an important role in preventing degenerative diseases associated with ageing such as cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, cataract, neurodegenerative diseases and immunological decline. There is a great deal of interest in the natural antioxidants often referred to “nutraceuticals” in view of their positive health effects. Several studies have shown that the action of the natural antioxidants at the cellular and molecular level involves scavenging of free radicals and modulating apoptosis. In view of this, nutraceuticals are becoming widely accepted as an adjunct to conventional therapies for enhancing the well being. Bioprospecting or the search for newer bioactive compounds from the nations biodiversity for better health is a new thrust area in biotechnology. Decalepis hamiltonii (Wight and Arn.) known as swallow root (family:Asclepiadaceae) is a monogeneric climbing shrub and a native of the forests of Deccan peninsula and Western Ghats of India. Its tubers are consumed as pickles and the juice for its alleged health promoting properties. The roots of D. hamiltonii are used as a flavoring principle, appetizer, blood purifier and as a preservative. Similarly, the roots of this taxon are considered as “Sariva Bheda” in Ayurveda where these find use as an alternative to the roots of Hemidesmus indicus in the preparation of several herbal drugs like Amrutamalaka taila (hair tonic), Drakshadi churna (general vitalizer), Shatavari rasayana (adapatogenic) and Yeshtimadhu taila (mild analgesic, rheumatism). The roots contain 92% fleshy matter and 8% woody core. Of late, the highly aromatic roots have been subjected to over exploitation by destructive arvesting that has endangered the survival of this plant. A method for rooting of D. hamiltonii for field transfer is reported. In earlier reports it was observed that the aromatic roots of D. hamiltonii possess bioinsecticide property on storage pests at lethal and sub-lethal levels. The extracts of these roots have also been shown to be potent antimicrobial agents as well. Earlier work has shown that the D. hamiltonii roots contain aldelydes, inositols, saponins, amyrins, lupeols and volatile flavour compounds such as 2-hydroxy-4methoxybenzaldehyde, vanillin, 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and others. Essential oil costitiuents of D. hamiltonii roots contain: 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy bezaldehyde, β-pinene, benzyl alcohol, γ-hexalactone, 2-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 4-ο- methylresorcylaldehyde, α-atlantone, γ-terpinene, 2-phenylethanol, 4-methoxy benzaldehyde, geraniol etc.. Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that the roots of D. hamiltonii possess strong antioxidant activity. Recently 2-hydroxy, 4-methoxy benzaldehyde, panisaldehyde, vanillin, borneol, salicylaldehyde, bis-2,3,4,6-galloyl α/βDglucopyranoside(decalepin) are the antioxidant compounds isolated from the methanolic extract of D. hamiltonii. The root extract as well as root powder were not toxic at acute 4 (upto 1g/ kg b.w.) and subchronic (upto 2.5% in basal diet for 90 days) doses to rats as assessed by the mammalian toxicity experiments. Since the Ayurvedic practice started in India, plant extracts are being used in the cure of diseases. The exact mechanism of these plant-derived preparations is not well understood which requires to be scientifically investigated. Moreover, the active principles responsible for the alleged health promoting activity need to be isolated to elucidate their exact mode of action. Although the roots of D. hamiltonii have been used for their alleged health benefits, there is no scientific investigation in this regard.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Decalepis Hamiltonii antioxidants bioactive constituents
Subjects:	500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 10 Plants > 02 Plant Biochemistry
Divisions:	Food Protectants and Infestation Control
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	20 Dec 2006
Last Modified:	29 Aug 2018 07:04
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/346

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