Effects of extracts of the leaves of Brysocarpus coccineus on rat liver mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MMPT) pore.

Abstract

Objective:To examine the influence or the effect of t h e extracts of Brysocarpus coccineus leaves on the mitochondria l membrane permeability transition (MMPT)por e openin g in rats with a view to establishin g if any bioactive constituent of the plant coul d become useful in the chemotherapy of cancer. Mare rials and methods: The effects of extracts of t h e leave s of Brysocarpus coccineus,a medicinal plan t wit h anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory and analgesi c properties, were assessed on rat liver mitochondria l membrane permeability transition (MMPT ) pore in the presence and absence of calcium in vitro a nd in vivo. Results: T h e results obtained show that calcium ions induce d the opening of MMPT pore significantly (P<0.05 ) in rat liver mitochondria, while spermine inhibite d calcium-induced opening of pore, indicating tha t t h e mitochondria were intact ab initio. The results furthe r revealed the inhibitory effects of different concentration s (200, 600, 1000, 1400, and 1800/zg/ m l ) o f t h e various extracts of the leaves compared wit h spermine . Specifically, the data revealed that chlorofor m a nd ethylacetat e extracts reversed calcium induce d opening of MMPT pore in a concentration-dependen t manner (74%, 79%,85%, 86% , 87% ) for the chloroform extract and (36%, 37% , 59% , 71 % and 83%) for the ethylacetate extract, respectively