Journal of Ethnopharmacology 82 (2002) 177 /184

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Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Sideritis taurica

Stephan ex Wild
E.A. Aboutabl a,*, M.I. Nassar b, F.M. Elsakhawy a, Y.A. Maklad c, A.F. Osman b,
E.A.M. El-Khrisy b
a
Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-el-Aini Street, 11562 Cairo, Egypt
b
Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
c
Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Pharmacology Group, National Research Centre, 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Accepted 20 June 2002

Abstract

Fatty acids (FA), hydrocarbons, a-amyrin, stigmasterol and b-sitosterol were identified in the n -hexane extract of the aerial parts
of Sideritis taurica Stephan ex Wild. Xanthotoxin, as well as 2-acetyl-3-hydroxy-5,6,8-trimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone were isolated
from the methylene chloride extract of the plant. In addition to apigenin 7-O -b-D-glucopyranoside and apigenin, previously
reported from the plant, hypolaetin 7-O -b-D-allopyranosyl-O -b-D-glucopyranoside was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract.
From the methanol extract, isoscutellarein 7-O -b-D-allopyranosyl-O -b-D-glucopyranoside was also isolated. Toxicity study of
petroleum ether extract (f1), ethanolic extract (f2), dichloromethane fraction of f2 (f3) and n -butanolic fraction of f2 (f4) of the plant
proved that it is relatively nontoxic. The tested extracts and fractions exhibited significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-
ulcerogenic and antihyperglycaemic activities, but no anticonvulsant and antipyretic effects, as compared with control groups and
reference drugs. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Sideritis taurica ; Sterols and triterpenes; Flavonoids; Xanthotoxin; Polyhydroxy naphthoquinones; LD50; Analgesic; Antipyretic;
Anticonvulsant; Anti-inflammatory; Anti-ulcerogenic; Antihyperglycaemic

1. Introduction Godoy et al., 2000; Villena et al., 2000), anti-ulcer

The genus Sideritis (Fam. Lamiaceae) comprises
about 140 species distributed in several countries of
the Mediterranean region (Tomas-Barberan et al.,
1988). Several species of the genus were investigated
for their content of diterpenes (Garcia-Granados et al.,
1986; Fraga et al., 1991), sesquiterpenes (Garcia-Gran-
ados et al., 1986; Cabresa et al., 1988), essential oils
(Gergis et al., 1990; Ezer et al., 1996) and flavonoids
(Tomas-Barberan et al., 1988; Palomino et al., 1996;
Abdel-Sattar et al., 1993). Certain biological activities,
viz. anti-inflammatory (Villar et al., 1984; Yesilada and
Ezer, 1989; de Las Heras et al., 1990; Manez et al., 1990;
* Corresponding author
E-mail address: eaboutabl@hotmail.com (E.A. Aboutabl).
0378-8741/02/$ - see front matter # 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 3 7 8 - 8 7 4 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 1 7 2 - 1
(Villar et al., 1984), antioxidant (Rios et al., 1992),
anticataract (Tomas-Barberan et al., 1986), antimicro-
bial (Diaz et al., 1988; Gergis et al., 1990), immunomo-
dulating (Navarro et al., 2000), as well as inhibition of
NOS-2 expression in macrophages (de Las Heras et al.,
2000) were also reported. Previous studies on Sideritis
taurica Stephan ex Wild reported the isolation of two
scutellarein derivatives and an apigenin derivative
(Fefer, 1971) as well as hypolaetin-4-methyl ether 7-O -
(6ƒ?-O -acetyl-b-D-allopyranosyl (1 0/2)-b-D- glucopyra-
noside (Abdel-Sattar et al., 1993). In Egypt, several
plants of the family Lamiaceae represent ingredients of
herbal remedies. In the present study, we report on
chemical and pharmacological investigations of extracts
of the aerial parts of S. taurica grown in Egypt and
fractions prepared thereof, aiming at the assessment of
its potential medicinal uses.
178 E.A. Aboutabl et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 82 (2002) 177 /184
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Plant material
The flowering aerial parts of S. taurica Stephan ex
Wild was collected from the plants cultivated in Experi-
mental Station of Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Phar-
macy, Cairo University, Giza and raised from seeds
obtained by Professor Dr E.A. Aboutabl from the
Botanical Garden, Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology,
University of Bonn, Germany. Herbarium specimens
are kept in the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty
of Pharmacy, Cairo University. Authentication of the
plant was kindly confirmed by botanists of the Kew
Garden, Surrey, London, UK.
2.2. Phytochemical study
2.2.1. Phytochemical screening
The powdered air-dried aerial parts of S. taurica was
screened for carbohydrates and/or glycosides, flavo-
noids, tannins, saponins, coumarins, unsaturated sterols
and/or triterpenes and alkaloids, applying chemical tests
(Trease, 1966; Clauss, 1961) and thin layer chromato-
graphy (Wagner et al., 1983).
2.2.2. Preparation of extracts and fractions
The powdered air-dried aerial parts of S. taurica (1.7
kg) was extracted with n -hexane, methylene chloride,
ethyl acetate and methanol, in succession, to afford 28,
25, 34 and 329 g of extracts, respectively.
2.2.3. Spectral analysis
NMR spectra (JEOL EX 270 MHz NMR spectro-
meter), IR spectra (Pye-Unicam IR spectrophotometer
SP 1100), mass spectra (Varian Mat 711, Finnigan SSQ
7000) and UV spectra (OMM 7070 E Shimadzu UV 240
spectrophotometer) were run.
2.2.4. Preparation and GLC analysis of unsaponifiable
matter (USM) and fatty acids (FA)
n-Hexane extract (5 g) was saponified (El-Said and
Amer, 1965) to yield the USM fraction (2.9 g) and FA
fraction (1.6 g). The FA fraction was methylated by
refluxing in 50 ml absolute methanol and 1.5 ml
sulphuric acid for 2 h and analysed by GLC using HP
6890 Chromatograph (Hewlett /Packard); detector,
FID; column, HP20 M (Carbowax), 25 m long, 0.32
mm internal diameter, 0.3 mm film thickness; tempera-
ture programming, initial temperature 70 8C for 3 min,
increased 10 8C/min, till 140 8C (3 min hold), 8 8C/
min till 190 8C (20 min hold); injector temperature,
240 8C; detector temperature, 280 8C; carrier gas, N2,
flow-rate, 30 ml/min; H2 flow-rate, 30 ml/min; air flow-
rate, 300 ml/min For GLC of USM fraction, Varian
3700 gas chromatograph with FID detector was used;
column, stainless steel 10% OV-101 (CWHP) 80/100
mesh; initial temperature 70 8C; final temperature,
270 8C; injector temperature, 270 8C; detector tem-
perature, 290 8C; carrier gas, N2, flow-rate 30 ml/min.;
H2 flow-rate 30 ml/min., air flow-rate 300 ml/min.
2.2.5. Column chromatographic isolation of triterpenes
and sterols
The n-hexane extract (19 g) was subjected to silica gel
(70 /230 mesh, Merck, Germany) CC (550 g). Elution
with n-hexane and diethyl ether (1:1) afforded a
triterpenoid alcohol 1, and two sterols 2 and 3. EI-MS
of compounds 1 /3 isolated from the n -hexane extract
showed molecular ion peaks [M]  at: m /z 426 for 1
(indicative of a-amyrin), m /z 412 for 2 (indicative of
stigmasterol) and m /z 414 for 3 (indicative of b-
sitosterol). Identity of these compounds was confirmed
by direct comparison (CoTLC, mp. and mmp.) with
authentic samples and by acetylation.
2.2.6. Isolation of furocoumarin,
polyhydroxynaphthquinone and flavonoids
The methylene chloride extract (25 g) was dissolved in
methanol, treated with 2% lead acetate solution and
filtered on celite while hot. After stripping-off the
solvent, the residue was extracted with methylene
chloride, which afforded a residue (4 g). This residue
was subjected to silica gel (70 /230 mesh, Merck,
Germany) CC (120 g). Elution with n-hexane/methylene
chloride gradients afforded two compounds (4, 5). The
ethyl acetate extract (17 g) and the methanol extract (10
g) were, separately, subjected to CC on polyamide 6S.
Elution with water/ethanol gradients of decreasing
polarity and purification of the resulting fractions using
PPC (Whatman 3MM sheets, UK) and Sephadex LH20
(Pharmacia, Sweden) columns afforded four flavonoidal
compounds 6/9.
Compound 4 (Xanthotoxin): yellowish-green fluores-
cence under UV light, brick-red with I2/KI spray
reagent, Rf /0.23 (n -hexane-ethyl acetate, 9:1). IR
spectrum showed characteristic bands at 1720 per cm
(a-pyrone C /O), 1625, 1580, 1510 and 970 per cm
(aromatic residue). EI-MS m /z (rel. int.%); 216 [M] 
(10), 201 [M/Me]  (22), 173 [M/Me/CO]  (35).
Compound 5(2-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-5,6,8-trimethoxy-
1,4-naphthoquinone): pale blue spot in UV, dark blue
with I2/KI reagent, Rf /0.52 (n-hexane/ethyl acetate,
7:3), bluish-green colour with FeCl3 reagent, indicating
its phenolic nature. IR spectrum showed characteristic
bands for hydroxyquinones at 3420, 1690, 1655 and
 E.A. Aboutabl et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 82 (2002) 177 /184
1600 per cm. 1H NMR spectrum displayed a singlet
signal at d 2.65 integrated for three protons attributable
to an acetyl group. The spectrum showed also three
singlet signals, each integrated to three protons at d
3.75, 3.85 and 3.90 corresponding to three methoxy
groups at C-6, C-8 and C-5, respectively. The singlet
signal at d 6.9 was assigned to H-7. EI-MS showed the
molecular ion peak [M/1]  at m /z 307 corresponding
to C15H14O7 which loses carbon monoxide to give a
fragment at m /z 279, followed by loss of a methyl group
to give the fragment at m /z 264. This fragment was
further fragmented by the loss of methyl group to give a
fragment at m /z 249 or by the loss of CO to give the
fragment at m /z 236 which on the successive loss of two
methyl groups, gives the fragments at m /z 221 and 206.
Compound 6 (hypolaetin 7-O -b-D-allopyranosyl-O -
b-D-glucopyranosyl): showed chromatographic proper-
ties and UV spectral data ascribable to a flavone 7-O -
diglycoside. Complete acid hydrolysis using 2 N HCl
gave glucose and allose. The 1H NMR spectrum
(DMSO-d6) showed signals at d 7.55 (dd, H-6?, J /
8.5, 2.1 Hz), at d 7.45 (d, H-2?, J /2.1 Hz), at d 6.8
(d, H-5?, J /8.5 Hz). The hydroxylation at C-8 and O -
glycosidation at C-7 were deduced from the absence of
the signal of H-8 and the downfield location of H-6 as
singlet at d 6.6. The spectrum showed also a singlet
signal at d 6.7 due to H-3 and two signals at d 5.10 (J /
7.4 Hz) and at d 4.9 (J /8 Hz) as doublets, due to the
two anomeric protons of glucose and allose moieties,
respectively (Abdel-Sattar et al., 1993).
Compound 9 (isoscutellarein 7-O -b-D-allopyranosyl-
O -b-D-glucopyranosyl): showed chromatographic beha-
vior and UV absorptions indicative of a flavone 7-O -
diglycoside. Complete acid hydrolysis gave glucose and
allose. 1H NMR spectrum exhibited ortho doublet
signals at d 7.95 (J /8.5 Hz) and at d 6.95 (J/8.5
Hz), indicating the presence of p-disubstituted benzene
ring B. The signal at d 6.85 was assigned for H-3,
whereas H-6 appeared relatively downfield as singlet at
d 6.6, due to the hydroxylation at C-8 and O -glycosida-
tion at C-7. The two doublets at d 5.10 (J/7.4 Hz) and
at d 4.90 (J/8 Hz) were assigned for the anomeric
protons of glucose and allose, respectively. CI-MS
spectrum of compound 9 showed [M/1]  at m /z 611,
in addition to the ionic peaks at m /z 449 [M/allose/
H] , 285 [M/allose/glucose/H] and 257 [iso-
scutellarein /CO] .
2.3. Biological evaluation
2.3.1. Animals
Adult male albino rats (120 /150 g) and adult albino
mice of both sexes (20 /25 g) were obtained from the
animal-breeding unit of National Research Center,
Dokki, Giza, Egypt. The animals were fed on standard
laboratory diet composed of vitamin mix. (1%), mineral
179
mix. (4%), corn oil (10%), sucrose (20%), cellulose
(0.2%), casein (10.5%) and starch (54.3%) and allowed
free access to water.
2.3.2. Chemicals and reference substances
Diphenylhydantoin (Misr Co., Egypt), indomethacin
(Sigma, USA), carrageenan (BDH, UK), acetylsalicylic
acid (El Nasr Co., Egypt), alloxan monohydrate (Sigma,
USA), glibenclamide (Avantis Co., Egypt) and glucose
kit (Biomerieux, France), were used in this study. All
other chemicals were in analytical grade.
2.3.3. Extracts and fractions for pharmacological testing
The powdered air-dried plant material (3 kg) was
extracted with petroleum ether (f1), followed by 70%
ethanol (f2). After stripping-off ethanol, the concen-
trated aqueous phase was shaken with dichloromethane
(f3) followed by n -butanol (f4). The residues left after
removal of the solvents were weighed. The petroleum
ether extract (f1) amounted to 88.5 g (1 g equivalent to
33.99 g dry plant), that of 70% ethanolic extract (f2), 655
g (1 g equivalent to 3.89 g dry plant), that of the
dichloromethane fraction (f3), 10 g (1 g equivalent to 250
g dry plant), while that of the n-butanol fraction (f4)
being 93 g (1 g equivalent to 26.89 g dry plant).
The residues of the tested extracts (f1, f2) and fractions
(f3, f4) were suspended in 7% Tween-80 and biologically
tested in different doses. All doses were expressed in
terms of extract weight/animal body weight.
2.3.4. Pharmacological screening
Acute toxicity (LD50) of extracts and fractions was
determined in mice as described by (Finney, 1964). They
were s.c. administered in doses ranging from 2 to 14 g/kg
b.wt. Animals were observed and the mortality rates
were recorded within the first 24 h after administration.
Analgesic activity was evaluated in comparison with
morphine hydrochloride (as a central analgesic) and
acetylsalicylic acid (as a peripheral analgesic) using the
hot plate method (Janssen and Jageneau, 1957). Anti-
pyretic activity was tested (Adams et al., 1968), where
febrile reaction in rats was induced by s.c. injection of a
20% w/v aqueous suspension of brewer’s yeast in a
volume of 10 ml/kg. The anticonvulsant activity was
tested (Vernadakis and Woodburg, 1965) depending on
the ability of the tested extracts to elevate the voltage
required to induce an electric shock in animals. Anti-
inflammatory activity was studied using carrageenan-
induced rat’s paw edema (Winter et al., 1963). Groups
of 18 h-fasted male rats (120 /150 g) of six animals each
were orally dosed with either one of the tested extracts
and fractions, 1 h before carrageenan challenge. Foot
paw edema was induced by subplanter injection of 0.05
ml of 1% suspension of carrageenan in saline into the
planter tissue of one hind paw. An equal volume of
saline was injected into the other hind paw and served as
180 E.A. Aboutabl et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 82 (2002) 177 /184

control. Four hours after extract or fraction adminis- Table 1

tration, the animals were sacrificed and the hind paws FA of S. taurica identified as the methyl esters by GLC
were rapidly amputated at the tibiotarsal joint and Identified FA Retention Relative area (%)
weighed (El-Azzouny et al., 1995; Margarita et al., time (min)
1995). The percentage of edema as well as of protection
were calculated. Indomethacin was employed as a Decanoic C10: 0, Capric 9.47 42.72
Dodecanoic C12: 0, Lauric 11.69 1.99
reference against which the tested extracts were com- Tetradecanoic C14: 0, Myristic 13.62 4.41
pared. For evaluating the anti-ulcerogenic activity, adult Pentadecanoic C15: 0 14.95 1.43
male albino rats weighing 1509/20 g were fasted for Pentadecenoic C15: 1 15.76 0.50
about 18 h then divided into groups of six rats each. Pentadecadienoic C15: 2 16.17 0.70
Ulcerogenicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection Hexadecanoic C16: 0, Palmitic 17.67 7.07
Hexadecenoic C16: 1, Palmitoleic 18.33 0.59
of indomethacin (5 mg/kg) for four successive days Hexadecadienoic C16: 2 18.90 1.20
(Hamza et al., 1991). Other groups received orally the Octadecanoic C18: 0, Stearic 20.85 30.64
test extracts at two different dose levels 30 min before Octadecenoic C18: 1, Oleic 21.10 2.01
indomethacin dosing. The animals were decapitated 90 Octadecadienoic C18: 2, Linoleic 21.79 1.38
min after the last dose of indomethacin. The stomach Octadecatrinoic C18: 3, Linolenic 23.87 1.80
Eicosanoic C20: 0, Arachidic 26.21 0.39
was removed and opened along the greatest curvature Docosanoic C22: 0, Behenic 26.59 0.58
then rinsed with saline. The stomach was examined with Tetracosanoic C24: 0, Lignoceric 29.95 1.27
a magnifying lens (10 /) for the presence of lesions, Tetracosenoic C24: 1 30.53 1.66
erosions and severity, where the severity of ulcers is
determined by giving scores between 0 and 4. The ulcer
index was calculated in a way similar to the method of
(Meshali et al., 1983). The ulcer index is defined as the
Table 2
sum of the average ulcers number, average severity of
Hydrocarbons and sterols identified in unsaponifiable fraction of S.
ulcers and the percentage incidence of ulcer divided by taurica by GLC
ten. The antihyperglycaemic activity was evaluated
applying the glucose oxidase method (Hoffmeister and Identified compounds Rt (min) Relative area (%)
Junge, 1970). Tetradecane 19.94 0.14
Hexadecane 22.47 0.16
2.4. Statistical analysis Octadecane 25.54 0.04
Eicosane 28.55 0.04
Docosane 31.75 0.45
Differences with respect to control and standard
Triacosane 36.81 0.27
drugs were evaluated using the Student’s t-test (Tallar- Tetracosane 38.47 0.46
ida and Murrary, 1986). Differences with P 5/0.05 were Hexacosane 42.85 0.37
considered statistically significant. Octacosane 46.89 0.94
Triacontane 52.36 4.31
Squalene 56.52 21.67
Cholesterol 63.33 0.12
3. Results and discussion Campesterol 66.63 2.62
Stigmasterol 72.29 17.45
The flowering aerial parts of S . taurica were extracted b-Sitosterol 79.04 36.63
with n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate and
methanol, in succession. The phytochemical screening
tests indicated the presence of carbohydrates and/or and stigmasterol. CC of the other extracts yielded
glycosides, tannins, flavonoids and saponins in ethyl compounds 4/9. IR and EI-MS analysis suggested
acetate and methanol extracts, and the presence of compound 4 to be xanthotoxin, which was also con-
coumarins, unsaturated sterols and/or triterpenes in n - firmed by direct comparison (CoTLC, mp. and mmp.)
hexane and methylene chloride extracts. The tests with an authentic sample. This is the first report on the
indicated the absence of alkaloids and/or nitrogenous isolation of a furocoumarin from the family Lamiaceae.
bases. Saponification of the n-hexane extract afforded A previous report (Gonzalez et al., 1972) dealt with the
the fatty acids (FA) fraction as well as unsaponifiable isolation of a coumarin, siderin, from S . canariensis .
matter (USM) fraction. Glc analysis of FA (Table 1) Compound 5 could be identified as 2-acetyl-3-hydroxy,
revealed capric and stearic acids as the major compo- 5,6,8-trimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Farina et al.,
nents. Glc of USM fraction (Table 2) revealed squalene, 1982), which is reported for the first time as a natural
stigmasterol and b-sitosterol as the main components, in product in this study.
addition to long chain hydrocarbons and terpenes. CC Compound 6 was identified as hypolaetin 7-O -b-D-
of the n-hexane extract afforded a-amyrin, b-sitosterol allopyranosyl-O -b-D-glucopyranoside (Tomas-Lorente
Table 3
Analgesic activity of S. taurica tested extracts in adult male albino mice after the respective time from extract administration

Groups Dose (mg/kg) Reaction time (in minutes)a

E.A. Aboutabl et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 82 (2002) 177 /184

0 10 20 30 45 60 90 120

Control / 6.090.5 6.690.8 6.090.8 6.490.8 6.690.7 6.090.8 6.490.6 6.690.8

Morphine HCl 5 6.790.8 12.290.7b 18.491.0b 25.291.0b 29.291.2b 22.091.0b 17.691.1b 11.991.0b
Acetyl salicylic acid 200 6.490.7 7.2890.64c 10.8690.71b,c 16.7290.80b,c 20.1490.85b,c 15.4390.91b,c 10.091.1b,c 7.4291.01c
f1 (Petroleum ether extract) 300 6.890.7 11.090.9b,d 11.66790.906b,c 11.591.0b,c 15.16791.094b,c,d 12.33391.069b,c,d 11.83391.089b,c 10.66790.959b,d
400 7.690.9 11.16790.816b,d 12.33390.879b,c 14.66791.007b,c 20.50091.089b,c 16.16790.984b,c 15.66790.959b,d 11.0090.96b,d
f2 (70% Ethanol extract) 350 7.090.8 9.091.1c 10.33391.069b,c 10.66791.008b,c 12.591.0b,c,d 9.66790.935c 7.66790.930c 7.16790.849c
450 6.690.8 11.66791.029b,d 11.591.0b,c 12.16791.082b,c,d 17.16791.043b,c,d 12.990.7b,c,d 10.66790.781b,c 9.66790.816
f3 (Dichloromethane fraction of f2) 200 6.890.7 6.690.6c 6.290.6c,d 6.690.6c,d 9.690.8c,d 7.890.7c,d 6.890.9c,d 6.0090.71c
300 6.290.9 6.66790.698c 7.66790.879c,d 8.50090.816c,d 10.66790.935b,c,d 8.690.9c,d 7.090.7c,d 6.66790.648c
f4 (n -Butanol fraction of f2) 200 6.990.7 6.590.6c 7.66790.589c,d 8.83390.698c,d 11.491.0b,c,d 9.33390.849c,d 7.66790.781c 7.590.7c
300 7.090.9 6.890.6c 8.490.6c,d 9.8190.71c,d 13.290.9b,c,d 10.891.0b,c,d 8.690.8c 7.490.9c
a
Each value represents the mean reaction time in seconds9S.E. of the number of animals in each group (n 6).
b
Significantly different from control value at P B 0.05.
c
Significantly different from morphine HCl value at P B 0.05.
d
Significantly different from acetylsalycilic value at P B 0.05.

181
182 E.A. Aboutabl et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 82 (2002) 177 /184

Table 4
Anti-inflammatory activity of S. taurica extracts and fractions using carrageenan induced rat’s paw edema

Group Dose (mg/kg) % Increase in weight of paw edemab % Protection

Control / 58.03091.734 /
Indomethacin 5 10.78890.967* 81.4
f1 (Petroleum ether extract) 300 34.59390.497*,a 40.3
400 27.56590.478*a 52.4
f2 (70% Ethanol extract) 350 32.44190.446*a 44.0
450 26.08890.970*a 55.0
f3 (Dichloromethane fraction of f2) 200 28.29490.457*a 51.2
300 17.64790.409*a 69.5
f4 (n -Butanol fraction of f2) 200 30.27890.477*a 47.8
300 23.61590.467*a 59.3

* Significantly different from control value at P B 0.05.

a
Significantly different from indomethacin value at P B 0.05.
b
Each value represents the mean weight of rat’s paw edema (g)9S.E. of the number of animals in each group (n  6).

Table 5
Anti-ulcerogenic activity of S. taurica extracts and fractions in adult male albino rats after four successive daily doses

Treatment Dose (mg/kg Number of animals Average number of ulcers Severity of ulcers Ulcer in-
b.wt.) showing ulcer (x ?9S.E.) (x ?9S.E.) dex

Control (vehicle) 0.2 ml / / / /

Indomethacin 5 6/6 6.50090.670 2.5090.22 19.00
f1 (Petroleum ether extra- 3005 5/6 1.16790.408 1.80090.408 11.27
ct)Indomethacin
4005 4/6 0.83390.514 1.5090.32 9.00
f2 (70% Ethanol extract)Indomethacin 3505 6/6 2.83390.648 2.33390.408 15.17
4505 5/6 2.16790.514 2.00090.401 12.47
f3 (Dichloromethane fraction of 2005 5/6 2.00090.408 1.91090.514 12.21
f2)Indomethacin
3005 5/6 1.33390.400 1.67790.210 11.31
f4 (n -Butanol fraction of 2005 2/6 0.50090.342 1.16790.240 5.00
f2)Indomethacin
3005 1/6 0.33390.167 0.83190.200 2.83

N.B., Severity of ulcers is determined by giving scores between 0 and 4.

et al., 1989).The UV and 1H NMR spectral data of
compound 7 were identical to those of apigenin 7-O -
glucopyranoside (Gabrieli and Kokkalou, 1990). Com-
pound 8 was identified as apigenin by chromatographic
and UV spectral analysis in comparison with an
authentic sample. Compound 9 was identified as iso-
scutellarein 7-O -b-D-allopyranosyl-O -b-D-glucopyrano-
side (Palomino et al., 1996).
3.1. Acute toxicological study
Petroleum ether (f1) and 70% ethanolic (f2) extracts of
S. taurica as well as dichloromethane fraction of f2 (f3)
and n -butanol fraction of f2 (f4) assayed in doses up to
1.5 g/kg b.wt. did not prove to be toxic, since neither
mortality nor toxic manifestations were observed in
mice up to 24 h after s.c. administration. LD50 were as
follows: f1, 2.973 g/kg b.wt. [95% fiducial limits (f.l.)/
2.811 and 3.136]; f2, 3.202 g/kg b.wt. [f.l. /3.011 and
3.393]; f3, 2.205 g/kg b.wt. [f.l. /1.977 and 2.434]; f4,
1.783 g/kg b.wt. [f.l./1.586 and 1.98].
3.2. Pharmacological study
The results indicated that the tested extracts of S.
taurica were devoid of anticonvulsant activity in doses
ranging between 200 and 450 mg/kg b.wt. In addition,
no antipyretic effect could be demonstrated in hy-
perthermic rats using the same range of doses.
The petroleum ether extract exhibited a significant
analgesic activity with reference to the control value,
which peaked up 45 min after administration (Table 3).
This analgesic activity is significantly less than that
exhibited by morphine HCl, but similar to that pro-
duced by acetylsalicylic acid at a dose level of 400 mg/
kg, 45 and 60 min after extract administration. The
analgesic activity exhibited by the ethanol 70% extract
was less than that of the petroleum ether extract as well
as acetylsalicylic acid (200 mg/kg), and far less than that
 E.A. Aboutabl et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 82 (2002) 177 /184
Table 6
Antihyperglycaemic activity of S. taurica extracts and fractions in alloxan-diabetic male rats
Groups Dose (mg/kg)
Control /
Diabetic 150
Glibenclamide 2.5
F1 (Petroleum ether extract) 300
400
f2 (70% Ethanol extract) 350
450
f3 (Dichloromethane fraction of f2) 200
300
f4 (n -Butanol fraction of f2) 200
300
a
Each value represents the mean serum glucose level (g/l)9S.E. of the number of animals in each group (n 6).
b
Significantly different from control value at P 5 0.05.
c
Significantly different from diabetic value at P 5 0.05.
of morphine HCl (5 mg/kg). On the other hand, the
dichloromethane and n-butanol fractions exhibited
weak analgesic activity (Table 3). Study of antinocicep-
tive effect of S. taurica extracts revealed the existence of
a sizeable peripheral analgesic property.
The results compiled in Table 3 indicated that the
tested extracts and fractions of S. taurica exhibited
significant anti-inflammatory activity; the dichloro-
methane fraction (f3) being the highest. It significantly
decreased the weight of edema induced by carrageenan
in the rats’ paw in a dose-dependent manner using
indomethacin as a reference. Anti-inflammatory activity
has also been reported for certain Sideritis species (de
Las Heras et al., 1990; Ferrandiz et al., 1990; Alcaraz
and Jimenez, 1989; Alcaraz et al., 1989). The anti-
inflammatory properties of a lipid fraction obtained
from Sideritis javalambrensis have been studied (Godoy
et al., 2000), whereby significant inhibition of edema
after oral or topical adminstration, significantly de-
crease in b-glucuronidase, failure to inhibit superoxide
generation and suppression of release of histamine from
mast cells have been reported. The tested extracts of S.
taurica exhibited a significant dose-dependent anti-
ulcerogenic activity (Table 4) using indomethacin (ulcer
index 19). Furthermore, the results revealed that the n -
butanol fraction (f4) exhibited the highest anti-ulcero-
genic activity, whereby it reduced the ulcer index to 5
and 2.83 at the two tested doses (200 and 300 mg/kg),
respectively. Previous studies showed the combined anti-
ulcerogenic/anti-inflammatory activities of certain Side-
ritis species and their constituents (Villar et al., 1984;
Moroney et al., 1988; Arens-Corell and Okpanyi, 1990).
The tested extracts of S. taurica significantly decrease
the serum glucose level in alloxan-diabetic rats in a dose
dependent manner (Tables 5 and 6).
In conclusion, extracts of S. taurica possess signifi-
cant anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, analgesic and
antihyperglycaemic activities, which may be attributed
183
Serum glucose level (g/l)a % Change with respect to diabetic value
0.94890.468c 66
2.86790.642b /
0.96190.250c 66
1.25990.462c 56
1.12290.429c 61
1.20490.476c 58
1.10490.975c 61
1.49790.263c 48
1.17490.417c 59
1.36590.434c 52
1.08590.422c 62
to the presence of flavonoids and terpenoids. Thus, S.
taurica may be phytotherapeutically used, after full
pharmacological and toxicological evaluation, as an
alternative drug to synthetic anti-inflammatory agents,
taking in consideration its hypoglycaemic effect.
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