Development and Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Polyherbal Formulation Containing Some Indigenous Medicinal Plants

The present study explores the hepatoprotective activity of various extracts of Ferula asafoetida, Momordica charantia Linn and Nardostachys jatamansi against experimental hepatotoxicity. Polyherbal suspensions were formulated using extracts showing significant activity and evaluated for both physicochemical and hepatoprotective activity in comparison with LIV-52 as standard. Petroleum ether (60-80°), chloroform, benzene, ethanol and aqueous extracts of Ferula asafetida, Momordica charantia Linn and Nardostachys jatamansi were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. Polyherbal suspensions were prepared by the trituration method using a suspending agent and other excipients. Formulation F3 has shown significant hepatoprotective effect by reducing the elevated serum enzyme levels such as glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. Various parameters evaluated for all formulations were within the official specifications. Experimental data suggested that treatment with formulation F3 enhances the recovery from carbon tetra chloride-induced hepatotoxicity. From these results it may be concluded that the F3 formulation (containing chloroform, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts of Ferula asafetida, petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of Momordica charantia Linn. and petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of Nardostachys jatamansi) demonstrated significant hepatoprotective activity, that might be due to combined effect of all these extracts.     

Hepatoprotective Effect of Cissus quadrangularis Stem Extract Against Rifampicin-induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis against rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.The coarse powder of the shade dried stem of Cissus quadrangularis was subjected to successive extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus using solvents petroleum ether (60-80°) and methanol. Liver damage was induced in Wistar rats by administering rifampicin (54 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for 30 days. Methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis (500 mg/kg, p.o) was administered 1 h prior to the administration of rifampicin (54 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for 30 days. Silymarin (50 mg/kg p.o) used as reference drug. Elevated levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline posphatase and bilirubin following rifampicin induction were significantly lowered due to pretreatment with methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis. Rifampicin administration significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant activities like reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutas and catalase. Pretreatment of rats with methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis significantly decreased lipid peroxidation and increased the antioxidant activities. Histology of the liver section of the animals treated with the methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis further confirms the hepatoprotective activity. The results of the present study indicated the hepatoprotective effect of methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis which might be ascribable to its antioxidant property due to the presence of β-carotene.     

Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Calotropis gigantea on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Swarnabhasma, an Ayurvedic preparation containing Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is extensively used by Ayurvedic physicians for treatment of diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and nervous disorders. In the present study, we report the effect of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea leaf and flower on free radical scavenging activity, and lipid profile in streptozotozin-induced diabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured in liver homogenate and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile were measured in blood serum. Administration of single dose of streptozotozin (55 mg/kg, i.p.) caused significant increases in lipid peroxidation, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were significantly decreased. Further, administration of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea leaf and flower to streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats at a dose of 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg orally for 27 d lead to a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Consequently, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were significantly increased. Glibenclamide was used as a positive control (10 mg/kg). It was observed that the effect of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea on alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, superoxide dismutase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, levels are comparable to that of those produced by the positive control.     

Antidiabetic activity of Cassia occidentalis (Linn) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Objective:

To evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of various extracts, petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous extract of Cassia occidentalis in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods:

Petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous extract of whole plant of Cassia occidentalis were orally tested at the dose of 200 mg/kg for hypoglycemic effect in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In addition, changes in body weight, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and total protein levels, assessed in the ethanol extract-treated diabetic rats, were compared with diabetic control and normal animals. Histopathological observations during 21 days treatment were also evaluated.

Results:

Aqueous extract of C. occidentalis produced a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels in the normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Apart from aqueous extract, petroleum ether extract showed activity from day 14 and chloroform extract showed activity from 7 days. Significant differences were observed in serum lipid profiles (cholesterol and triglyceride), serum protein, and changes in body weight by aqueous extract treated-diabetic animals, when compared with the diabetic control and normal animals. Concurrent histopathological studies of the pancreas of these animals showed comparable regeneration by extract which were earlier necrosed by alloxan.

Conclusion:

Aqueous extract of C. occidentalis exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. They also showed improvement in parameters like body weight and serum lipid profiles as well as histopathological studies showed regeneration of β-cells of pancreas and so might be of value in diabetes treatment.     

Biochemical Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic Effects of Extract and Fraction of Cassia fistula Linn. in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Various extracts of flowers of Cassia fistula Linn (Leguminosae) such as petroleum ether (60-80°), chloroform, acetone, ethanol, aqueous, and crude aqueous extracts and two fractions of ethanol extract were tested for antihyperglycemic activity in glucose-overloaded hyperglycemic rats. The effective antihyperglycemic extracts and fraction were tested for their hypoglycemic activity at two dose levels, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. To confirm their utility in higher models, the effective extracts and fraction of C. fistula were subjected to antidiabetic study in an alloxan-induced diabetic model at two dose levels, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Biochemical parameters like glucose, urea, creatinine, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, hemoglobin, and glycosylated hemoglobin were also assessed in experimental animals. The petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of C. fistula and the water-soluble fraction of ethanol extract were found to exhibit significant antihyperglycemic activity. The extracts, at the given doses, did not produce hypoglycemia in fasted normal rats, and the fraction exhibited weak hypoglycemic effect after 2 h of the treatment. Treatment of diabetic rats with ethanol extract and water-soluble fraction of this plant restored the elevated biochemical parameters significantly (P<0.05) to the normal level. No activity was found in the petroleum ether extract of the plant. Comparatively, the water-soluble fraction of ethanol extract was found to be more effective than the ethanol extract, and the activity was comparable with that of the standard, glibenclamide (5 mg/kg).     

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Cissus quadrangularis stem extract against isoniazid-induced liver damage in rats

Objective:

The study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) against isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Materials and Methods:

The successive petroleum ether (60–80°C) and methanol extracts of C. quadrangularis were used. Hepatic damage was induced in Wistar rats by administering isoniazid (54 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for 30 days. Simultaneously, CQ (500 mg/kg p.o) was administered 1 h prior to the administration of isoniazid (54 mg/kg, p.o.) once daily for 30 days. Silymarin (50 mg/kg p.o) was used as a reference drug.

Results:

Elevated levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline posphatase, and bilirubin following isoniazid administration were significantly lowered due to pretreatment with CQ. Isoniazid administration significantly increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased antioxidant activities such as reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Pretreatment of rats with CQ significantly decreased LPO and increased the antioxidant activities.

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of CQ might be attributed to its antioxidant property.     

Antidiabetic effect of Streblus asper in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Context: In the Indian traditional system of medicine, Streblus asper Lour (Moraceae) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Objective: In the present study, α-amyrin acetate isolated from S. asper, and the petroleum ether extract of S. asper stem bark (PESA) was screened for their antidiabetic properties in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: Successive Soxhlet extraction of the dried stem bark with petroleum ether and then with ethanol (95%) yielded petroleum ether and ethanol extracts, respectively, which were concentrated under reduced pressure. Hyperglycemia was induced in rats by STZ (50?mg/kg, b.w.). Twenty-four hours after STZ induction, respective groups of diabetic rats received PESA (100, 250 and 500?mg/kg, b.w.) and α-amyrin acetate (25, 50 and 75?mg/kg, b.w.) respectively, orally daily for 15 days. Glibenclamide (0.5?mg/kg, orally) served as a reference. Blood glucose levels were measured on every 5th day during the 15 days of treatment. The serum lipid profiles and biochemical parameters, viz., serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin level, were measured.

Results: PESA significantly (p < 0.01) normalized blood-glucose levels and serum biochemical parameters as compared with those of STZ controls. α-Amyrin acetate (75?mg/kg, b.w.) exhibited maximum glucose lowering effect (71.10%) in diabetic rats compared to the other dose (25, 50?mg/kg) at the end of the study. The protective effect was further confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver.

Conclusion: PESA and α-amyrin acetate demonstrated remarkable antidiabetic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats.     

Effect of estrogen replacement on liver function in ovariectomized rats

The effect of estrogen (17 beta-estradiol; E2) replacement on the liver function was examined in ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomy decreased serum transaminase activity and physiological dosage levels of E2 replacement returned the activity up to or above non-ovariectomized levels. Under the conditions of this experiment the elevated serum transaminase levels in the E2 replacement were not coincident with histological changes suggestive of liver dysfunction. The elevations of both serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and serum mitochondrial GOT were accompanied by increased hepatic tissue activity, suggesting that the elevated serum levels can be attributed to the accelerated synthesis of the enzymes. On the other hand, the elevation of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase was not accompanied by increased tissue activity in the original organs, namely liver, kidney, heart and skeletal muscle. Ovariectomy decreased serum albumin and inhibited development of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the liver, and E2 replacement returned them up to or above the non-ovariectomized levels.     

Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius Tuber on Central Nervous System in Mice

The central nervous system activity of the petroleum ether extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber was examined in mice, fed normal as well as healthy conditions. The petroleum ether extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber at the doses of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg showed significant central nervous system activity in mice.     

Antidiabetic activity of flower buds of Michelia champaca Linn

Objective:

To identify the antihyperglycemic activity of various extracts, petroleum ether (60-80°), chloroform, acetone, ethanol, aqueous and crude aqueous, of the flower buds of Michelia champaca, and to identify the antidiabetic activity of active antihyperglycemic extract.

Materials and Methods:

Plant extracts were tested for antihyperglycemic activity in glucose overloaded hyperglycemic rats. The effective antihyperglycemic extract was tested for its hypoglycemic activity at two-dose levels, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. To confirm its utility in the higher model, the effective extract of M. champaca was subjected to antidiabetic study in alloxan induced diabetic model at two dose levels, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. The biochemical parameters, glucose, urea, creatinine, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin were also assessed in the experimental animals.

Results:

The ethanolic extract of M. champaca exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity but did not produce hypoglycemia in fasted normal rats. Apart from this extract, the crude aqueous and petroleum ether extracts were found active only at the end of the first hour. Treatment of diabetic rats with ethanolic extract of this plant restored the elevated biochemical parameters significantly (P<0.05) (P<0.01) and the activity was found dose dependent.

Conclusion:

This study supports the traditional claim and the ethanolic extract of this plant could be added in traditional preparations for the ailment of various diabetes-associated complications.     

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Clematis Species Indigenous to Ethiopia

The leaves extracts of two indigenous plants of Ethiopia: Clematis longicauda steud ex A. Rich. and Clematis burgensis Engl. are used in Southwestern Ethiopia to treat otorrhoea and eczema. Antimicrobial activity and MIC of crude extracts were determined by disk diffusion and broth dilution. Phytochemical screening was performed on the extracts. The methanol and petroleum ether extracts of both plants showed antibacterial and antifungal activity. Sensitivity of reference strains was concentration dependent. Methanol and petroleum ether extracts of C. burgensis leaves exerted greater inhibitory effects than C. longicauda extracts whereas aqueous extracts of both plants were inactive. The MIC study revealed a concentration of 0.78 mg/ml on bacteria and 3.125 mg/ml on fungi for methanol extract and 1.56 mg/ml on both fungi and bacteria for petroleum ether extract. Phytochemical screening results indicated the presence of proteins, fixed oils, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and steroids. Preliminary chromatographic investigation showed fluorescing spots with R_f values that ranged from 0.05 to 0.96 for phenolic compounds and saponins. As the study is one of the first reports on the two indigenous species of Clematis; isolation, purification and characterization of the different primary and secondary metabolites may further yield alternative options to the microbial chemotherapy.     

Hepatoprotective activity of Leptadenia reticulata stems against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Objective:

To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of stems of Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight. and Arn. in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Materials and Methods:

The toxicant CCl₄ was used to induce hepatotoxicity at a dose of 1.25 ml/kg as 1 : 1 mixture with olive oil. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of L. reticulata stems were administered in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days. Silymarin (50 mg/kg) was used as standard drug. The hepatoprotective effect of these extracts was evaluated by the assessment of biochemical parameters such as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, serum protein, and histopathological studies of the liver.

Results:

Treatment of animals with ethanolic and aqueous extracts significantly reduced the liver damage and the symptoms of liver injury by restoration of architecture of liver as indicated by lower levels of serum bilirubin and protein as compared with the normal and silymarin-treated groups. Histology of the liver sections confirmed that the extracts prevented hepatic damage induced by CCl₄ showing the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis, and fatty infiltration.

Conclusion:

The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of stems of L. reticulata showed significant hepatoprotective activity. The ethanolic extract is more potent in hepatoprotection in CCl₄-indiced liver injury model as compared with aqueous extract.     

Effect of monocrotaline ingestion on liver, kidney, and lung of rats

Young, male rats were administered monocrotaline (MCT) ad libitum in the drinking water (22 μg/ml) for up to 28 days, and the development of toxicity in lung, liver, and kidney was examined. Clearance of perfused 5-hydroxytrytptamine by isolated lungs of treated rats was decreased as early as 14 days. This was accompanied by increases in lung/body weight ratio and in lactate dehydrogenase activity in cell-free bronchopulmonary lavage fluid. Hypertrophy of the right heart and increased inflow perfusion pressure of isolated lungs were apparent by 21 days of MCT treatment. The magnitude of the changes in all of these parameters increased with duration of treatment. After 28 days of treatment biliary indocyanine green excretion was decreased and plasma glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity was slightly elevated. Twenty-eight days of treatment also resulted in elevated blood urea nitrogen, decreased accumulation of p-aminohippuric acid by kidney slices, and increased accumulation of tetraethylammonium by kidney slices. Thus, lung, liver, and kidney are each affected by this MCT treatment regimen, and functional effects on lung precede effects on other tissues.     

The effects of the subchronic feeding of the organophosphate famphur to rats.

Famphur was mixed in the feed and fed to 190 rats at three dosage levels: 1, 3, and 25 ppm. The rats were killed after 45 or 90 days exposure and one group receiving 25 ppm Famphur for 90 days was maintained on a Famphur-free diet and killed after 42 days. Famphur did not cause a significant change in food intake or weight gain of the rats. It did cause a marked reduction (p < 0.05) in plasma cholinesterase activity at 25 ppm in all groups except male rats at 45 days, in whole blood cholinesterase at 3 and 25 ppm, and in brain cholinesterase at 25 ppm. Plasma glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase activities were normal in all animals except for a slight but statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in GPT activity of female rats in the 3- and 25-ppm 90-day treatment group. Hematological and postmortem examinations revealed no abnormal findings except for a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the packed cell volume of female rats exposed to 3 ppm for 45 days.     

Protective effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Rhododendron arboreum flowers against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental models

Objective:

To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of ethyl acetate fraction of Rhododendron arboreum (Family: Ericaceae) in Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in preventive and curative models.

Materials and Methods:

Fraction at a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was administered orally once daily for 14 days in CCl₄-treated groups (II, III, IV, V and VI). The serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (SALP), γ-glutamyltransferase (γ -GT), and bilirubin were estimated along with activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase, hepatic malondialdehyde formation, and glutathione content.

Result and Discussion:

The substantially elevated serum enzymatic activities of SGOT, SGPT, SALP, γ-GT, and bilirubin due to CCl₄ treatment were restored toward normal in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the decreased activities of GST and glutathione reductase were also restored toward normal. In addition, ethyl acetate fraction also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde formation and depletion of reduced glutathione content in the liver of CCl₄-intoxicated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Silymarin used as standard reference also exhibited significant hepatoprotective activity on post-treatment against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. The results of this study strongly indicate that ethyl acetate fraction has a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl₄-induced hepatic damage in rats.     

Induction of an ATPase inhibitor protein by propylthiouracil and protection against paracetamol (acetaminophen) hepatotoxicity in the rat

1. The purpose of the present study was to test the following hypothesis: propylthiouracil (PTU) treatments of rats induces an increase in the concentration and activity of the mitochondrial ATPase (m-ATPase) inhibitor protein (IF₁). The PTU-induced elevated baseline levels of this inhibitor protein inactivated m-ATPase, and prevented hepatotoxicity by a toxic dose of acetaminophen (AAP) (paracetamol), by maintaining hepatic adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) levels.
2. Male Wistar rats were either gavaged with a toxic dose of AAP alone, or after pretreatment with PTU for periods of 3 and 12 days.
3. Twenty four hours after acetaminophen treatment alone, toxicity was manifested by: an approximately 10 fold increase in serum transaminase levels (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase); depletion of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and ATP levels; loss of inhibitor protein activity, and extensive pericentral necrosis of the hepatocytes. Propylthiouracil pretreatment for 12 days enhanced the concentration of the following metabolites in the liver: ATP (1.5 fold), ATPase inhibitor protein (IF₁) (4.5 fold), and reduced glutathione (1.3 fold), while the activity of the inhibitor protein increased 2 fold. When the PTU treated rats were challenged with AAP, transaminases were not elevated, and only sporadic areas of necrosis were detected by histological examination of the liver tissue. In contrast to the 12 day treatment with PTU the 3 day treatment had no protection against AAP. No histological evidence of protection was manifested and the transaminases were not different from AAP treated controls. Most of the protective metabolites were depleted.
4. Our findings suggest that PTU-induced increased concentration of inhibitor protein and GSH, are contributing factors in the prevention of hepatotoxicity by maintaining hepatic m-ATP levels and reducing the harmful effect of the toxic metabolite of AAP.

     

In vitro and in vivo Antiinflammatory Activity of Clerodendrum paniculatum Linn. Leaves

Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic acid, sterols, and glycosides. This study was intended to evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of various extracts of fresh leaves of Clerodendrum paniculatum Linn experimentally by in vitro (human red blood cell membrane stabilization method) and in vivo methods (0.1 ml of 1% w/v carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model). Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, alcohol, and aqueous extracts were screened for in vitro antiinflammatory activity. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts which showed, best in vitro antiinflammatory activity was screened for in vivo antiinflammatory activity at the dose level of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Indomethacin at the dose level of 10 mg/kg was used as reference standard drug. Both the extracts showed a dose dependent significant (P<0.001) reduction in paw edema when compared to the control, at all the time intervals and comparable to indomethacin (reference standard) treated group. The results of the present study demonstrate that petroleum ether and chloroform extracts possess significant (P<0.001) antiinflammatory potential which provide scientific basis for the traditional claims of Clerodendrum paniculatum Linn leaves as an antiinflammatory drug.     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of Cordia macleodii leaves

This investigation was undertaken to evaluate ethanolic extract of Cordia macleodii leaves for possible antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by four established, in vitro methods viz. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging method, iron chelation method and reducing power method. The extract demonstrated a significant dose dependent antioxidant activity comparable with ascorbic acid. The extract was also evaluated for hepatoprotective activity by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced liver damage model in rats. CCl₄ produced a significant increase in levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin. Pretreatment of the rats with ethanolic extract of C. macleodii (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg po) inhibited the increase in levels of GPT, GOT, ALP and total bilirubin and the inhibition was comparable with Silymarin (100 mg/kg po). The present study revealed that C. macleodii leaves have significant radical scavenging and hepatoprotective activities.     

Hepatoprotective Activity of Vitex trifolia against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatic Damage

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaf of Vitex trifolia was investigated for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage. To assess the hepatoprotective activity of the extracts, various biochemical parameters viz., total bilirubin, total protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were determined. Results of the serum biochemical estimations revealed significant reduction in total bilirubin and serum marker enzymes and increase in total protein in the animals treated with ethanol and aqueous extracts. However significant rise in these serum enzymes and decrease in total protein level was noticed in CCl4 treated group indicating the hepatic damage. The hepatoprotective activity is also supported by histological studies of liver tissue. Histology of the liver tissue treated with ethanol and aqueous extracts showed normal hepatic architecture with few fatty lobules. Hence the present study revealed that Vitex trifolia could afford significant protection against CCl₄ induced hepatocellular injury.     

Hypoglycaemic effect of Melothria heterophylla in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Context: In the Indian traditional system of medicine, Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn., (Cucurbitaceae) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Objective: In the present study, the antidiabetic effect of ethanol extract of Melothria heterophylla (EEMH), and its active isolated constituents were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Swiss albino rats. Method: Successive Soxhlet extraction of the dried total aerial parts with petroleum ether for defatting and then with ethanol (95%) to obtain ethanol extract, which was concentrated under reduced pressure. Hyperglycemia was induced in rats by STZ (50 mg/kg, body weight). Twenty-four hours after STZ induction, respective groups of diabetic rats received EEMH (200 and 400 mg/kg, body weight), gallic acid (GA) (2 and 4 mg/kg, body weight), and rutin (RU) (2 and 4 mg/kg, body weight), respectively, orally daily for 15 days. Glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg, orally) served as reference. Blood glucose levels and change in body weight were measured on every 5(th) day during 15 days of treatment. Biochemical parameters, viz., serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum insulin, were measured. Results: EEMH and its active constituents significantly (p < 0.01) normalized blood glucose levels and serum biochemical parameters as compared to those of STZ controls. Both GA (4 mg/kg) and RU (4 mg/kg) exhibited maximum glucose lowering effect (69.1 and 66.7%, respectively) in diabetic rats compared to the other dose (2 mg/kg) at the end of the study. EEMH, gallic acid and RU also showed significant increase in serum insulin, and body weight of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conclusion: Therefore, ethanol extract of Melothria heterophylla, GA and RU demonstrated remarkable antidiabetic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats.