In this study, the 4-week oral toxicity and anti-cancer activity of the hexane layer of Melia azedarach L. var. japonica Makino's bark extract were investigated. We carried out a hollow fiber (HF) assay and 28-day repeated toxicity study to confirm the anti-cancer effect and safety of the hexane layer. The HF assay was carried out using an A549 human adenocarcinoma cell via intraperitoneal (IP) site with or without cisplatin. In the result, the 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer with 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin treated group, showed the highest cytotoxicity aginst A549 carcinoma cells. For the 28-day repeated toxicity study, 6 groups of 10 male and female mice were given by gavage 200, 100, or 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer with or without 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin against body weight, and were then sacrificed for blood and tissue sampling. The subacute oral toxicity study in mice with doses of 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer showed no significant changes in body weight gain and general behavior. The cisplatin-treated group significantly decreased in body weight compared to the control group but regained weight with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer. The biochemical analysis showed significant increase in several parameters (ALT, total billirubin, AST, creatinine, and BUN) in cisplatin-treated groups. However, in the group given a co-treatment of hexane layer (200 mg/kg b.w), levels of these parameters decreased. In hematological analysis, cisplatin induced the reduction of WBCs and neutrophils but co-treatment with hexane layer (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w) improved these toxicities caused by cisplatin. The histological profile of the livers showed eosinophilic cell foci in central vein and portal triad in cisplatin treated mice. These results show that hexane layer might have an anti-cancer activity and could improve the toxicity of cisplatin.
Adenocarcinoma ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Cisplatin ; Creatinine ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Melia ; Melia azedarach ; Mice ; Neutrophils ; Veins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antibacterial potential of the polar and non-polar extracts of the seeds of Melia azedarach (M. azedarach) L. (Meliaceae) against eighteen hospital isolated human pathogenic bacterial strains.

METHODSPetrol, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts at five different concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 and 15 mg/mL) were evaluated. Disk diffusion method was followed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy.

RESULTSAll extracts of the seeds demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against tested pathogens. Among all extracts, ethyl acetate extract revealed the highest inhibition comparatively. The present study also favored the traditional uses reported earlier.

CONCLUSIONSResults of this study strongly confirm that the seed extracts of M. azedarach could be effective antibiotics, both in controlling gram-positive and gram-negative human pathogenic infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Bacterial Infections ; microbiology ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Humans ; Melia azedarach ; chemistry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Seeds ; chemistry

Two new furan fragment isomerized limonoids, meliazedalides A and B (compounds 1 and 2), were isolated from the fruits of Melia azedarach Linn.. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of HR-ESI-MS and 1D and 2D NMR data, which belonged to nimbolinin- and trichilin-class, respectively. Compound 2 exhibited weak inhibitory effect on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC being 37.41 μmol·L.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Limonins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Melia azedarach ; chemistry ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; RAW 264.7 Cells