Cerebral protection of purified Herba Leonuri extract on middle cerebral artery occluded rats

Aim of study

Oxidative stress is involved in stroke. In particular, Chinese Herbal Medicine with antioxidant properties is believed to have potential therapeutic effect. In this study, neuroprotective effects of purified Herba Leonuri (pHL) were evaluated in Wistar rats undergone middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Materials and methods

The rats were treated with their respective treatments for 2 weeks prior to the MCAO, continually treated for another 7 days after MCAO. During the post-surgery treatment period, neurological deficit score was measured. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed and samples were collected for analysis of infarct volume, apoptosis and antioxidant analysis.

Results

Under the treatment of pHL, the infarct volume was reduced significantly from 20.75 ± 0.03% to 15.19 ± 0.02% (p < 0.05). The neurological impairment was alleviated to 1.82 as compared to vehicle (2.43). Plasma antioxidant concentration was increased from 0.31 ± 0.03 mM to 0.42 ± 0.05 mM (p < 0.05). DNA oxidative damage was reduced to 1.19 ± 0.03 in stroke pHL treated group (p < 0.05 as compared to vehicle group, 1.78 ± 0.03). pHL could reduce the level of apoptosis and also the pro-apoptotic proteins, but increase the level of anti-apoptotic proteins.

Conclusion

pHL is believed to have promising therapeutic effect for stroke treatment through antioxidant mechanisms.     

Neuroprotective effect of Naomaitong extract following focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

OBJECTIVE: To examine the neuroprotective effect of extract from Naomaitong following focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery(MCA), and to determine the biochemical alterations in urine using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and principal component analysis.METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly assigned tothree groups: sham-operated group, MCA focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion model group, and active extract of Naomaitong treatment group. The model was established by an improved MCA occlusion(MCAO) method. Sham-operated rats received the same surgical procedure, but without occlusion. The Naomaitong treatment group were treated with active extract from Naomaitong at a dose of3.0 g·kg-·1d-1. Brain tissues and urine samples were collected from all groups for histopathological assessment and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based metabonomics, respectively.RESULTS: Hematoxylin-eosin and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining of brain tissues showed a significant decrease in cerebral infarction area in the Naomaitong group. In model rats, metabonomic analyses showed increased urinary levels of glutamate, taurine, trimetlylamine oxide, betaine, and glycine, and reduced levels of creatinine and creatine.Naomaitong regulated the metabolic changes by acting on multiple metabolic pathways, including glycine metabolism, glutaminolysis, transmethylation metabolism and creatinine metabolism.CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that extract from Naomaitong is neuroprotective against focal cerebral ischemia induced by MCAO, and can alleviate biochemical changes in urinary metabolism. Metabonomics may be a useful approach for assessing the biochemical mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective actions of extract from Naomaitong.     

Evaluation of diuretic activity of Amaranthus spinosus Linn. aqueous extract in Wistar rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Traditional Siddha medicine literature claims that the Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (family: Amaranthaceae) whole plant possesses diuretic property.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the diuretic potential of Amaranthus spinosus aqueous extract (ASAE) in rats.

Material and methods

Different concentrations of ASAE (200, 500, 1000, 1500 mg/kg), thiazide (10 mg/kg) and vehicle were orally administered to rats (n = 6 animals per group) and their urine output was collected after 24 h. Volume, pH, Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations of urine were estimated.

Results

ASAE produced increase in Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻ excretion, caused alkalinization of urine, showed strong saluretic activity and carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity. These effects were observed predominantly at 500 mg/kg dose and there was no dose–response relationship.

Conclusion

Our study strongly suggests that the Amaranthus spinosus is acting as a thiazide like diuretic with carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity which restates the claim as diuretic herb in Siddha medicine.     

Neuroprotective effect of ethyl acetate extract from gastrodia elata against transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of neuroprotection against transient focal cerebral ischemia of the extract from Tianma(Rhizoma Gastrodiae) and the possible mechanisms underlying the action.METHODS: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced through middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated,ischemia-reperfusion model, 102.6 mg/kg extract treated and 11.4 mg/kg extract treated groups. The extract was prepared from gastrodia elata with ethyl acetate. The effect of the extract tested on rat neurological de fi cits and Cerebral index, cerebral infarct volume, brain injury, terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d UTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) positive cells.RESULTS: The extract was able to reduce neurological scores, cerebral index and cerebral infarction rate. The brain injury was also relieved by the extract. The results of immunofluorescence staining analysis indicated that the extract increased the expression of Bcl-2 and reduced TUNEL-positive cells significantly in the extract treated groups.CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the extract relieved ischemic injury induced by transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, and this neuroprotective effect might be partially due to the attenuated apoptosis pathway.     

Antiulcerogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium L.: Involvement of the antioxidant system

Achillea millefolium L. is a member of the Asteraceae family that is commonly referred to as “yarrow” and has been used in folk medicine against several disturbances including skin inflammations, spasmodic and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as hepato-biliary complaints.     

Neuroprotective effect of Artemisia absinthium L. on focal ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Artemisia absinthium L. has long been used as traditional herbal medicine in China, Europe and Pakistan for the treatment of gastric pain, cardiac stimulation, to improve memory and for the restoration of declining mental function.

Aim of the study

The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effects of Artemisia absinthium on cerebral oxidative stress and damage as well as behavioral disturbances induced by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats.

Materials and methods

Focal ischemia and reperfusion were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min, followed by 24 h reperfusion. MCAO led to significant rise in infarct size and lipid peroxidation, and depletion in glutathione content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in brain. Further, behavioral deficits like motor incoordination and impairment of short-term memory were also significantly impaired by MCAO as compared with sham group.

Results

The brain oxidative stress and damage, and behavioral deficits were significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with the methanol extract of Artemisia absinthium (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, p.o.).

Conclusion

These findings suggested that Artemisia absinthium is neuroprotective and may prove to be useful adjunct in the treatment of stroke.     

Protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract against endotoxic shock in mice

AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we evaluated protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) and a possible signaling pathway involved during endotoxic shock induced by intraperitoneal injection lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were intraperitoneal administrated with ASE (100, 200 or 400mg/kg) prior to injection of 50 microg/kg LPS and 1g/kg D-GalN. The levels of tumor necrosis-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in serum and liver. Nitric oxide (NO) production in serum and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein level were investigated. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation in liver was determined. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of ASE pretreatment on infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, liver and lung of mice. RESULTS: Treatment of mice with ASE prior to LPS/D-GalN injection significantly improved the survival rate. ASE pretreatment inhibited the elevation of TNF-alpha in serum and liver. ASE also decreased iNOS level in liver and the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) in serum. In addition, IL-10 levels in serum and liver were markedly enhanced. ASE pretreatment inhibited NF-kappaB activation in liver of mice. Moreover, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the heart, liver and lung of mice was also attenuated by ASE pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ASE protected mice against LPS/D-GalN-induced endotoxic shock involving inhibition of NF-kappaB activation, which caused down-regulation of TNF-alpha and involved up-regulation of IL-10. Acanthopanax senticosus may thus prove beneficial in the prevention of endotoxic shock.     

Anticestodal activity of Adhatoda vasica extract against Hymenolepis diminuta infections in rats

AIM OF THIS STUDY: Adhatoda vasica Nees has been commonly used in the indigenous system of medicine of Naga tribes in India for curing intestinal worm infections. In this study the anticestodal efficacy of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract was evaluated using Hymenolepis diminuta-rat experimental model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anticestodal efficacy of leaf extract was determined by monitoring the eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces counts and percentage worm recovery rates following treatment with methanol leaf extract of this plant to different groups of rats harbouring immature and mature Hymenolepis diminuta infections. RESULTS: The result indicated 800mg/kg double dose of extract has profound efficacy against mature worms, where the EPG count was reduced by 79.57% and percentage worm recovery rate by 16.60%. These effects were better than treatment with 5mg/kg single dose of praziquantel, the standard drug. In case of efficacy against immature worms, the extract showed a significant reduction in worm recovery rate (from 100% in control to 20.00% at 800mg/kg dose of extract). CONCLUSION: The study shows that the leaf extract of Adhatoda vasica possesses significant anticestodal efficacy and supports its use in the folk medicine.     

Anticonvulsant and antioxidative activity of hydroalcoholic extract of tuber of Orchis mascula in pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock induced seizures in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Orchis mascula tuber is used in many polyherbal formulations as a nerve tonic in India.

Aim of the study

In the present study, effect of hydroalcholic extract of O. mascula (HEOM) tuber was evaluated against seizures, seizure-induced oxidative stress and cognitive deficit in pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock-induced seizures in rats.

Materials and methods

HEOM was administered orally 30 min before induction of seizures by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 60 mg/kg, i.p) or maximal electroshock (MES; 70 mA). Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance tests were used to assess the learning and memory. Oxidative stress was studied by estimation of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation. Whole brain total cholinesterase activity was also evaluated.

Results

HEOM produced 33.3%, 50% and 66.7% protection in PTZ model and 16.7%, 16.7% and 33.3% at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively, in MES-induced seizures. Pre-treatment with HEOM significantly decreased the retention transfer latency in elevated plus maze test, and an increase in the retention latency in passive avoidance test was observed. Oxidative stress induced by seizures was also attenuated as indicated by significant increase in GSH and decrease in MDA levels in HEOM treated groups. PTZ and MES caused a significant decrease in AChE and BChE activities, which was prevented by HEOM.

Conclusions

HEOM thus showed protection against seizures, prevented the associated memory impairment probably by modulating cholinergic status and reducing oxidative stress.     

Protective effect of GCSB-5, an herbal preparation, against peripheral nerve injury in rats

Aim of the study

GCSB-5 (traditional name: Chungpa-Juhn), an herbal medicine composed of 6 crude herbs (Saposhnikovia divaricata Schiskin, Achyranthis bidentata Blume, Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Seem, Cibotium baromets J. Smith, Glycine max Meriill, and Eucommia ulmoides Oliver), has been widely used in Asia for treatment of neuropathic and inflammatory diseases. This study investigated the protective effect of GCSB-5 against peripheral nerve injury in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and methods

After left sciatic nerve transection, rats received oral administration of GCSB-5 (30, 100, 300, and 600 mg/kg), or saline (vehicle), respectively, once daily for 8 weeks. Motor functional recovery and axonal nerve regeneration were evaluated by measurement of sciatic functional index (SFI), sensory regeneration distance, and gastrocnemius muscle mass ratio. The myelinated axon number was counted by morphometric analysis. In the in vitro study, the effects of GCSB-5 on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in SH-SY5Y cells were investigated by measurement of cell viability, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, release of lactate dehydrogenease (LDH), and cellular glutathione contents. Neurite outgrowth was also determined.

Results

After 8 weeks of nerve transection, SFI, regeneration distance, and gastrocnemius muscle mass ratio and myelinated axon number showed a significant decrease and these decreases were attenuated by GCSB-5. GCSB-5 significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced cell death and oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreases in production of ROS and lipid peroxidation and release of LDH, and by increase in total GSH content.

Conclusions

The neuroprotective effect afforded by GCSB-5 is due in part to reduced oxidative stress.     

Protective effect of hexane extracts of Uncaria sinensis against photothrombotic ischemic injury in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Uncaria sinensis (US) has been used in traditional Korean medicine to treat vascular disease and to relieve various neurological symptoms.

Aim of the study

Scientific evidence related to the effectiveness or action mechanism of US on cerebrovascular disease has not been examined experimentally. Here, we investigated the cerebrovascular protective effect of US extracts on photothrombotic ischemic injury in mice.

Materials and methods

US hexane extracts (HEUS), ethyl acetate extracts (EAEUS) and methanol extracts (MEUS) were administered intraperitoneally 30 min before ischemic insults. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in C57BL/6J mice and endothelial nitric oxide synthase knockout (eNOS KO) mice by photothrombotic cortical occlusion. We evaluated the infarct volume, neurological score and the activation of Akt and eNOS in ischemic brain.

Results

HEUS more significantly reduced infarct volume and edema than did EAEUS and MEUS following photothrombotic cortical occlusion. HEUS produced decreased infarct volume and edema size, and improved neurological function in a concentration-dependent manner (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg). However, HEUS did not reduce brain infarction in eNOS KO mice, suggesting that the protective effect of HEUS is primarily endothelium-dependent. Furthermore, HEUS (10-300 μg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in mouse aorta and rat basilar artery, which was not seen in eNOS KO mouse aorta, suggesting that HEUS cause vasodilation via an eNOS-dependent mechanism. This correlated with increased phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in the brains of HEUS-treated mice.

Conclusion

HEUS prevent cerebral ischemic damage by regulating Akt/eNOS signaling. US, herbal medicine, may be the basis of a novel strategy for the therapy of stroke.     

Antidiabetic activity of Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. (Poaceae) is traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus. The grains of Paspalum scrobiculatum are having potential in the development of drug for diabetes due to their antidiabetic activity.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the antidiabetic activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of grains of Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. (Poaceae) in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight), were administered orally to male Wistar albino rats. Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes mellitus. Total phenolic content was estimated in the extracts. The parameters studied included oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and glycated haemoglobin levels, liver glycogen content, serum lipid profile, and changes in body weights.

Results

In oral glucose tolerance test, reduction of fasting blood glucose levels took place from 60 min of extract administration. The extracts produced a dose-dependent fall in fasting blood glucose (FBG). After 15 days of treatment with extracts the maximum reduction in FBG (35.14%) was observed in diabetic rats treated with ethanolic extract 500 mg/kg dose. A significant increase in serum insulin level was observed in the treated rats. Serum lipid levels were reversed towards near normal and a control in the loss of body weight was observed in treated rats as compared to diabetic control. The extract treatment also showed a significant increase in the liver glycogen and a significant decrease in glycated haemoglobin levels. The results demonstrate that Paspalum scrobiculatum possesses significant antidiabetic activity in diabetic rats.

Conclusion

The results suggest that Paspalum scrobiculatum has antidiabetic activity, thereby justifying its traditional claim and augmenting it into the present day systems of medicine.     

Protective effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Acacia ferruginea DC. against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In traditional systems of medicine, stem bark of Acacia ferruginea DC. is used for the treatment of itching, leucoderma, ulcers, stomatitis and diseases of the blood. In the present study, we determined antioxidant and anti-ulcerogenic activities of Acacia ferruginea stem bark.

Materials and methods

Acetone extract and its sub-fractions of Acacia ferruginea stem bark were subjected to assess their antioxidant potential using various in vitro systems such as DPPH^•, ABTS^•+ scavenging, FRAP and phosphomolybdenum reduction activities. Based on the antioxidant potential, the ethyl acetate fraction was used to evaluate the protective effect of ethanol-induced gastric damage in rat model. Enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase and lipid peroxidation were also determined in the stomach tissues.

Results

Ethyl acetate fraction (AFE) of Acacia ferruginea stem bark registered higher antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities than the crude acetone extract and other fractions. In addition, AFE exhibited that the IC₅₀ values of DPPH (2.5 µg/ml) and ABTS (1.8 µg/ml) were lower when compared to the standard quercetin (12.4 µg/ml and 4.7 µg/ml, respectively). In ethanol induced gastric ulcer, administration of AFE at doses of 10 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight prior to ethanol ingestion significantly protected the stomach ulceration. Consequently significant changes were observed in enzyme activities such as SOD, CAT, GSH and LPO in the stomach tissues when compared with ethanol control group.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the ethyl acetate fraction of Acacia ferruginea stem bark possessed higher antioxidant and anti-ulcerogenic activities. Based on the results, we suggest that Acacia ferruginea stem bark has potential to provide a therapeutic approach to ethanol mediated ulcer as an effective anti-ulcer agent.     

Antioxidant effect of Cytisus scoparius against carbon tetrachloride treated liver injury in rats

The study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of Cytisus scoparius L. (Family: Leguminosae) on CCl(4) (carbon tetrachloride) treated oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. CCl(4) injection induced oxidative stress by a significant rise in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminases (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with reduction of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GRD). Pretreatment of rats with different doses of plant extract (250 and 500mg/kg) significantly lowered SGOT, SGPT, LDH and TBARS levels against CCl(4) treated rats. GSH and hepatic enzymes like SOD, CAT, GPx, GRD, and GST were significantly increased by treatment with the plant extract, against CCl(4) treated rats. The activity of extract at the dose of 500mg/kg was comparable to the standard drug, silymarin (25mg/kg). Based on these results, it was observed that Cytisus scoparius extract protects liver from oxidative stress induced by CCl(4) in rats and thus helps in evaluation of the traditional claim on this plant.     

Protective effect of Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link. against CCl4 induced oxidative stress in albino rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Actiniopteris radiata is a herb with great medicinal value and is evaluated for hepatoprotective activity. To investigate the protective effect of ethanolic extract of Actiniopteris radiata (EEAR) on CCl₄ induced oxidative stress in male Wistar albino rats.

Materials and methods

EEAR were administered for 8 consecutive weeks to rats. Group I – control; Group II – toxin control (30% CCl₄); Group III and Group IV received EEAR (250 and 500 mg/kg respectively). Antioxidant status in liver were estimated by determining the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); as well as by determining the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, isoenzyme pattern and mRNA expression of the antioxidants were studied. Partial characterization of EEAR was performed by Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS).

Results

CCl₄ induced oxidative stress as evidenced from increase in LPO along with reduction of SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH. Treatment with EEAR (250 and 500 mg/kg) mitigated the CCl₄ induced oxidative stress. An analysis of the isozyme pattern of these antioxidant enzymes revealed variations in SOD2, CAT, GPx2 and GPx3 in CCl₄ treated rats, which were normalized after EEAR treatment. Furthermore, expression of genes for the antioxidant enzymes, were down-regulated by CCl₄ treatment, which were reversed by EEAR. The results of partial characterization of EEAR by LC–MS revealed the presence of rutin and other 7 unknown phenolic derivatives.

Conclusions

These findings suggest the protective effect of EEAR against CCl₄ induced oxidative stress might be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds.     

Protective effects of methanolic extract of Hedyotis puberula (G. Don) R. Br. ex Arn. against experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rat

Aim of the study

This study was aimed to evaluate the antiulcer activity of the whole plants of Hedyotis puberula (G. Don) R. Br. ex Arn.

Materials and methods

Gastroprotective potential of the Hedyotis puberula methanol extract (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) was studied on indomethacin (IND), ethanol and pyloric ligation (PL)-induced gastric ulcer models in rats.

Results

The treatment with Hedyotis puberula extract at 400 mg/kg p.o. protected the rats against the ulceration which was comparable to the reference drug omeprazole. Pretreatment with extract protected rats from gastric lesion development by way of increased pH and decreased volume, acidity and pepsin content of gastric secretion. Furthermore, total carbohydrate: protein ratio of the gastric juice were noticeably increased in pretreated rats.

Conclusion

Results of our study showed that Hedyotis puberula possess significant gastroprotective activity and validate the folklore claim.     

Protective effects of aqueous extract from Acanthopanax senticosus against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Acanthopanax senticosus, classified into the family of Araliaceae, has been known for thousands of years as a remedy and is used to treat various diseases in traditional Chinese medicine system including hypertension, ischemic heart disease and hepatitis.

Aim of the study

This study aimed to examine the protective effects of aqueous extract from Acanthopanax senticosus (ASE) on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity and its possible mechanisms, using PC12 cells as a suitable in vitro model of depression.

Materials and methods

In this paper, PC12 cells were treated with 200 μM of corticosterone in the absence or presence of ASE in varying concentrations for 24 h. Then, cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The release amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was quantified using LDH assay kit. Apoptosis of PC12 cells was measured by Annexin V-FITC and PI labeling. The intracellular Ca²⁺ content was tested by fluorescent labeling. The mRNA level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was examined by real-time RT-PCR, and the expression of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) was determined by western blotting.

Results

The results showed that treatment with 200 μM of corticosterone could induce cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. However, different concentrations of ASE (50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL) significantly increased the cell viability, decreased the LDH release, suppressed the apoptosis of PC12 cells, attenuated the intracellular Ca²⁺ overloading, up-regulated the BDNF mRNA level and CREB protein expression compared with the corresponding corticosterone-treated group.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that ASE exerts a neuroprotective effect on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, which may be one of the acting mechanisms that accounts for the in vivo antidepressant activity of ASE.     

Antidiabetic activity of Ficus amplissima Smith. bark extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ficus amplissima commonly known as kal-itchchi have a long history of use in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani herbal preparations in Indian traditional system of medicine. It has been used in folklore medicine for the treatment of diabetes.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of the bark of Ficus amplissima (FAB) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Oral administration of FAB bark at the doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg was studied in normal, glucose-loaded and STZ—induced diabetic rats.

Results

The three doses caused significant reduction in blood glucose levels in all the models. The effect was more pronounced in 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg than 150 mg/kg. FAB also showed significant increase in serum insulin and body weight. The glycogen content in liver, skeletal muscle, total protein contents were markedly increased and marker enzymes of hepatic function of STZ-induced diabetic rats while there was significant reduction in the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. FAB also showed significant anti-lipid peroxidative effect in the pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The anti-diabetic effect of FAB was compared with glibenclamide, a well known hypoglycemic drug. Histological analysis showed the regenerative effect of FAB on the β-cells of diabetic rats.

Conclusion

Results of this experimental study indicated that FAB possessed anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities. Hence it could be used as a natural source of antidiabetic (Type-I) and antioxidant drug.     

Protective effect of Terminalia belerica Roxb. and gallic acid against carbon tetrachloride induced damage in albino rats

Terminalia belerica Roxb. is one of the oldest medicinal herb of India, is an ingredient of Indian Ayurvedic drug 'triphala' used for the treatment of digestion and liver disorders. Present study is aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Terminalia belerica fruit extract and its active principle, gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) at different doses against carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Toxicant caused significant increase in the activities of serum transaminases and serum alkaline phosphatase. Hepatic lipid peroxidation level increased significantly whereas significant depletion was observed in reduced glutathione level after carbon tetrachloride administration. A minimum elevation was found in protein content on the contrary a significant fall was observed in glycogen content of liver and kidney after toxicant exposure. Activities of adenosine triphosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase inhibited significantly in both the organs after toxicity. Treatment with TB extract (200, 400 and 800mg/kg, p.o.) and gallic acid (50, 100 and 200mg/kg, p.o.) showed dose-dependent recovery in all these biochemical parameters but the effect was more pronounced with gallic acid. Thus it may be concluded that 200mg/kg dose of gallic acid was found to be most effective against carbon tetrachloride induced liver and kidney damage.     

Gastroprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC in different animal models

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC has been extensively used in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat gastric ulcer.

Aim of the study

This study was conducted to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Brassica oleracea.

Materials and methods

Antiulcer assays were performed using the protocol of ulcer induced by ethanol/HCl, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Parameters of gastric secretion (volume, pH and [H⁺]) were determined by the pylorus ligation model and mucus in gastric contents.

Results

In the ethanol-induced ulcer model, we observed a significant reduction in all the parameters analyzed, obtaining curative ratios of 58.8 ± 11.5, 86.2 ± 12.2 and 42.8 ± 6.6% for the groups treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg of extract and omeprazole (30 mg/kg), respectively. The dose of 25 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Brassica oleracea showed no significant results. In the indomethacin-induced ulcer, the percentages of ulcer inhibition were 64.3 ± 9.9, 66.4 ± 12.3 and 81.2 ± 7.5% for the groups treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg extract and positive control (cimetidine, 100 mg/kg), respectively. The results showed a significant increase in pH and mucus production in the groups treated with Brassica oleracea when compared with the control group. No sign of toxicity was observed in the acute toxicity study.

Conclusions

The results of the present study show that hydroalcoholic extract of Brassica oleracea displays antiulcer activity, as demonstrated by the significant inhibition of ulcer formation induced using different models. The data suggest that the effectiveness of the extract is based on its ability to stimulate the synthesis of mucus, increase pH and decrease H⁺ ions in the stomach. This work corroborates the ethnopharmacology use of Brassica oleracea preparations, contributing to its pharmacological validation by suggesting that preparations obtained from Brassica oleracea could be used for the development of new phytopharmaceuticals for the treatment of gastric ulcer.