Neuroprotective effect of saponin rich extract of Acorus calamus L. in rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve-induced neuropathic pain

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Traditionally, Acorus calamus has been used for the treatment and management of headache, migraine, body ache and severe inflammatory pain in the Unani, Ayurveda and Indian system of medicine.

Aim of the study

Present study focuses on the evaluation of saponin rich extract of Acorus calamus (SRE-AC) in chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve induced neuropathic pain and neuronal functional changes in rats.

Materials and methods

The pain sensitive tests, i.e., thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and sciatic functional index test, were performed on the different days, i.e., days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21. The motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity was also measured on the 21st day. Tissue total protein, superoxide anion generation, total calcium, myeloperoxidase and TNF-α levels were estimated to assess biochemical changes. Histopathological evaluations were also performed. SRE-AC (20 and 40 mg/kg) and pregabalin (10 mg/kg, serving as a positive control) were administered orally for 14 consecutive days from the day of surgery.

Results

CCI produced significant (P<0.05) increase in thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, rise in sciatic functional index, decrease in nerve conduction velocity, along with biochemical and histopathological changes. Oral administration of SRE-AC and pregabalin significantly (P<0.05) ameliorated CCI-induced nociceptive pain threshold, sciatic functional and electrophysiological changes in a dose dependent manner. Further, tissue biochemical and histopathological changes were also attenuated.

Conclusion

SRE-AC has shown ameliorative effect in CCI-induced neuropathic pain which may be attributed to its multiple actions including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions.     

Role of Ocimum basilicum L. in prevention of ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral damage, and motor dysfunctions in mice brain

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The genus Ocimum (Lamiaceae) has a long history of use as culinary and medicinal herbs. Many species are used for their antioxidant and neuroprotective activity in various parts of the world. Ocimum basilicum Linn. has been used traditionally for the treatment of anxiety, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, headaches, nerve pain, as anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory, and used in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.

Aim of the study

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of ethyl acetate extract of Ocimum basilicum leaves on ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral damage, and motor dysfunctions in mice.

Materials and methods

Global cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 15 min followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Cerebral infarct size was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was determined by colorimetric assay. Short-term memory was evaluated using elevated plus-maze. Inclined beam walking was employed to assess motor coordination. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by reperfusion produced significant increase in cerebral infarct size and lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and reduced GSH content, and impaired short-term memory and motor coordination.

Results

Pre-treatment with standardized ethyl acetate extract of Ocimum basilicum (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly reduced cerebral infarct size and lipid peroxidation, restored GSH content, and attenuated impairment in short-term memory and motor coordination.

Conclusion

The results of the study suggest that Ocimum basilicum could be useful clinically in the prevention of stroke.     

In vivo anti-inflammatory activities of Ocimum suave in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ocimum suave has been used in the Ethiopian traditional medicine to relieve pain, fever, inflammation and other disease conditions.

Aim of the study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts and some fractions of Ocimum suave in mice.

Materials and methods

The crude extracts were screened for their anti-inflammatory activities on carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema at three dose levels. The butanol and aqueous fractions of the aqueous extract were also evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities using carrageenan, histamine and serotonin-induced mouse paw edema at three dose levels. Normal saline and aspirin were employed as negative and positive control groups, respectively.

Results

Both ethanol and aqueous extracts significantly decreased carrageenan-induced inflammation at all the three doses used. However, greater paw edema inhibition was observed with the aqueous extract. The two fractions also showed significant reduction of inflammation against inflammatory models in which the aqueous residue exhibited the highest inhibition.

Conclusions

From the present findings, it can be concluded that the ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts as well as butanol and aqueous fractions of Ocimum suave have shown anti-inflammatory properties.     

Oleo gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida L. ameliorates peripheral neuropathy in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

According to the Chinese, European, Iranian and Indian traditional medicines, oleo gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida) has therapeutic effects on different kinds of diseases. Some of these effects are related to the diseases of nervous system such as hysteresis and convulsion. In recent studies, some anti-epileptic and neuroprotective roles were also considered for it and we examined its possible role on treatment of peripheral neuropathy.

Material and methods

in vitro studies were carried out to identify the response of isolated sciatic nerves to different concentrations of oleo gum resin of asafoetida solved in Lock?s solution. Then, in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate its effect on amelioration of peripheral neuropathy in mice. Peripheral neuropathy was induced by intraperiotoneal injection of high doses of pyridoxine in adult Balb/c male mice. Tail flick tests were performed to identify the incidence of neuropathy in animals. After 10 days treatment with asafoetida, the efficiency of treatment was assessed by behavioral, electrophysiological and histological studies.

Results

in vitro experiments confirmed that incubating the nerves in aqueous extract of oleo gum rein of asafoetida increased the amplitude and decreased the latent period of nerve compound action potential (CAP). Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and amplitude of CAP also improved in asafoetida treated animals. Histological and behavioral studies showed that asafoetida was able to facilitate the healing process in peripheral nerves.

Conclusions

in vitro experiments showed that asafoetida is a nerve stimulant and its administration in neuropathic mice exerted neuroprotecting effects through stimulating axonal regeneration and remyelination and decrement of lymphocyte infiltration.     

Ethnobotanical survey of malaria prophylactic remedies in Odisha,India

Aim of the study

To investigate the plants traditionally used for prevention of malaria in Cuttack, Gajapati and Koraput districts of Odisha state, eastern India.

Materials and methods

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 20 traditional healers who were sampled based on recommendations of local elders and local non-government organizations. Data were collected through semi-structured interview.

Results

The study revealed the use of 16 traditional plant species belonging to 12 families for prevention of malaria. Andrographis paniculata, Azadirachta indica, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Ocimum sanctum, Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinale were the most commonly reported plants for their malaria prophylactic use by the healers of three districts of Odisha. Most of the remedies were used in decoction form.

Conclusions

Findings of this study provide a lead to explore traditional plants for malaria preventive potential through further pre-clinical and clinical studies.     

Ameliorative and neuroprotective effect in MPTP model of Parkinson's disease by Zhen-Wu-Tang (ZWT), a traditional Chinese medicine

Aim of the study

Traditional Chinese medicine Zhen-Wu-Tang (ZWT) is a well-known PentaHerbs formula from “Treatise on Febrile Disease”. This study is to elucidate its neuroprotective effect and mechanism of ameliorative effect of the syndrome of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Materials and methods

The ameliorative effect of ZWT on symptom of PD through behavior tests including: swimming test, the tail suspension test and open-field test was investigated. The neuroprotective effect of dopaminergic neurons from the striatum and frontal cortex of brain was detected by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD).

Results

This study proved that ZWT could ameliorate the typical symptom of PD and protect dopaminergic system.

Conclusion

These results suggested that ZWT possessed protective and ameliorative properties of dopaminergic neurons.     

Withania somnifera root extract improves catecholamines and physiological abnormalities seen in a Parkinson's disease model mouse

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Withania somnifera root extract (Ws)/Ashwagandha/Indian ginseng is a traditional herbal medicine, used over 4000 years in India, shown to have effect on neural growth and locomotor function. Although catecholamines and oxidative stress resulting in neurodegeneration and locomotor disorder are the main events in Parkinson's disease (PD), efficacy of the drug on these molecules and physiological abnormality are not clear.

Aim of the study

The objective of the study was to examine effect of Ws on catecholamines and physiological abnormalities seen in PD using PD model mouse.

Materials and methods

Mouse were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 4 days to show biochemical and physiological abnormalities similar to patients with PD. PD mice were treated with Ws 100 mg/kg body weight for 7 or 28 days. Catecholamines: dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA); antioxidants: glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); and lipid peroxidation marker (TBARS) were analyzed in the Ws treated and untreated PD mouse striatum.

Results

Mouse treated with MPTP showed reduced levels of DA, DOPAC, HVA, GSH and GPx and induced thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level compared to the control. Physiological abnormalities were seen in the mouse as determined by hang test and rotarod test. Oral treatment of PD mouse Ws root extract (100 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days or 28 days increased DA, DOPAC and HVA levels and normalized TBARS levels in the corpus striatum of the PD mouse. The 7 days Ws treated mice showed improved motor function as determined by hang test and rotarod test. Treatment with Ws for 28 days increased GSH and GPx levels in the striatum compared to the Ws untreated PD mouse striatum.

Conclusion

These data suggest that Ws is a potential drug in treating catecholamines, oxidative damage and physiological abnormalities seen in the PD mouse.     

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Chandauli District of Uttar Pradesh,India

Aim of the study

Chandauli district is one of the less studied regions of India for its ethnobotanical values. The present paper synthesizes the first report related to the documentation and conservation of ethnomedicinal plants of Chandauli district and their socio-economic relationship with the forests and its resources.

Materials and methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, field observations, preference and direct matrix ranking with traditional medicine practitioners.

Results

The use of 40 medicinal plants belonging to 27 families was documented in the tribal communities of Chandauli district in India. These species were used in combination of some exotic species such as Foeniculum vulgare, Prosopis spicigera, Crataeva nurvala, Curcuma longa, Punica granatum, Aloe vera, Cocos nucifera, Ocimum sanctum and Allium cepa and some medicinal stones, minerals, salts, etc. Most of the plants (94.6%) were reportedly used to treat human diseases.

Conclusions

Documenting the eroding plants and associated indigenous knowledge can be used as a basis for developing management plans for conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants in the area. The principal threatening factors reported were deforestation (90%), agricultural expansion (85%) and overgrazing (53%).     

Antinociceptive effects of ethanolic extract from the flowers of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

In Brazil, Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, popularly known as “jambu”, has been used by some communities from Amazon region to treat toothache. In this study we examined the antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract obtained from the flowers of Acmella oleracea (EEAO) in animal models of nociceptive (chemical and thermal) and neuropathic (partial sciatic nerve ligation) pain.

Materials and methods

Adult male mice were treated by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) with EEAO before the induction of nociceptive response by formalin, capsaicin and cinnamaldehyde, thermal heat hyperalgesia (hot plate test) and mechanical allodynia (traumatic sciatic nerve injury). Acute toxicity and non-specific sedative effects were evaluated.

Results

EEAO (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) reduced both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of the formalin- and also capsaicin- and cinnamaldehyde-induced orofacial nociception. Interestingly, EEAO at 100 mg/kg (i.p.) also reversed capsaicin-induced heat hyperalgesia assessed as the latency to paw withdrawal in the hot plate test. Also in the hot plate test, paw withdrawal latency was increased by EEAO (100 mg/kg) and this response was only partially reversed by naloxone. Furthermore, EEAO (100 mg/kg) also reduced mechanical allodynia caused by partial sciatic nerve ligation for 3 h. The estimated LD50 value was 889.14 mg/kg and EEAO did not alter the locomotion of animals in the open-field test.

Conclusion

Taken together, our data show that EEAO produces prevalent antinociceptive effects and does not cause adverse effects. The presence of N-alkylamides, including spilanthol, suggests that the therapeutic effect of EEAO is related to its highest anesthetic activity.     

In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract from Meconopsis integrifolia (Maxim.) Franch

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Meconopsis integrifolia (Maxim.) Franch is a high mountain endemic species used as a traditional Tibetan and Mongolian herb to treat hepatitis, pneumonia, and edema. This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Meconopsis integrifolia ethanolic extract (MIE) in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and methods

The in vitro antioxidant property of MIE was investigated by employing various established systems. Rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury were used to assess the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of MIE in vivo. The level or activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TB) in the blood serum and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) in the liver and kidney of the rats were assayed using standard procedures.

Results

MIE exhibited strong antioxidant ability in vitro. In the rats with CCl₄-induced liver injury, the groups treated with MIE and silymarin showed significantly lower levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and TB. MIE demonstrated good antioxidant activities in both the liver and kidney of the rats in vivo.

Conclusions

MIE exhibits excellent hepatoprotective effects and antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo, supporting the traditional use of Meconopsis integrifolia in the treatment of hepatitis.     

Protective effect of Smilax glabra extract against lead-induced oxidative stress in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Smilax glabra Roxb. is a traditional Chinese herb, the rhizome of Smilax glabra has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of lead poisoning.

Aims of the study

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective role of Smilax glabra extract (SGE) individually or combined with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) against the effects of lead acetate on oxidative stress and lead burden in rats.

Materials and methods

The biochemical parameters and enzymes in different treated rats were determined by commercial kits. The metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Results

SGE (300 mg/kg) showed very low toxicity to organs in non-lead exposed rats. Administration of SGE individually had no effect on blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) level but significantly enhanced the glutathione (GSH) content and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in lead exposed rats. The co-treatment of SGE and DMSA had a synergism in increasing brain, liver and kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and GSH level, and decreasing oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels. Moreover, the co-treatment could improve the hepatic and renal histopathology changes. SGE as chelating agent showed significant efficiency in reducing blood and tissue lead burden.

Conclusions

The in vivo results suggested that SGE individually or combined with DMSA exhibited remarkable protective effects on lead-induced oxidative stress and lead burden in rats.     

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.     

Carthamus red from Carthamus tinctorius L. exerts antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats via the Nrf2 pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Carthamus red isolated from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L., a Chinese traditional medicine) is evaluated for antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity.

Materials and methods

Carthamus red was isolated from a Na₂CO₃ extract of safflower and its analysis was carried out by HPLC/MS. Acute toxicity study was determined and the antioxidant activity was investigated using various established in vitro systems. An in vivo study against CCl₄-induced liver injury was also conducted and compared with that of silymarin, a known hepatoprotective drug.

Results

Carthamus red did not show any toxicity and mortality up to 2000 mg/kg dose, and it showed strong antioxidant ability in vitro. In the in vivo study, carthamus red treatment lowered the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP and total protein in liver damage rat models. Meanwhile, Nrf2, GSTα and NQO1 expressions were up-regulated at the protein level by carthamus red intervention. Additionally, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and level of GSH were elevated by carthamus red intervention, while the content of TBARS, which is an oxidative stress marker, was lessened. HE stain analysis showed that the condition of liver damage was mitigated.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that carthamus red may serve as a candidate with strong a hepatoprotective effect and antioxidant activity in liver damage.     

The neuromuscular blockade produced by pure alkaloid,mitragynine and methanol extract of kratom leaves (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.)

Aim of the study

The effects of pure alkaloid, mitragynine and a methanolic extract of kratom leaves were investigated on neuromuscular junction and compound nerve action potential.

Materials and methods

Wistar rats were killed by cervical dislocation and decapitated. The phrenic nerve–hemidiaphragms, hemidiaphragms and sciatic nerve were isolated.

Results

Kratom methanolic extract present at 0.1–1 mg/mL and mitragynine (0.0156 mg/mL) decreased the muscle twitch on the isolated phrenic nerve–hemidiaphragm and hemidiaphragm preparation. Muscle relaxation caused by kratom extract (1 mg/mL) was greater than the effect of mitragynine. Pancuronium and succinylcholine potentiated the effect of kratom extract. It also had a direct relaxation effect on the hemidiaphragm muscle. The muscle relaxation caused by kratom extract was not antagonized by neostigmine, tetraethylammonium and calcium chloride. High concentrations of kratom extract (10–40 mg/mL) and mitragynine (2 mg/mL) blocked the nerve conduction, amplitude and duration of compound nerve action potential.

Conclusions

The mechanism of action of kratom extract might not act as a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine yet its dominant effect was at the neuromuscular junction and not at the skeletal muscle or somatic nerve.     

Lumbricus extract promotes the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve in rats

Background

Earthworms regenerate amputated parts of their body if the nervous system is intact. Lumbricus is one traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been used in China to promote nerve function for hundreds of years.

Aim of the study

To investigate the beneficial effect of lumbricus extract on peripheral nerve regeneration in rats.

Materials and methods

Nerve function was surgically impaired in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats by clamping of the left sciatic nerve. The sham-operated group (surgery but no sciatic nerve clamping), control group, and treatment group were treated with 2 ml 0.9% NaCl, 0.9% NaCl, and lumbricus extract (1 g/ml), respectively. Treatments were administered once daily after the operation for 6 weeks. During this period, motor function was monitored by walking track analysis, conduction function of injured sciatic nerve was monitored by electrophysiology, and regeneration of myelinated nerve was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

(1) For nerve function index value, treatment group is higher than control group. (2) For conduction velocity of injured sciatic nerve, treatment group is higher than control group at week 3 and 6. (3) For the number of regenerated myelinated nerve fibers, treatment group is higher than control group at week 2 and 6.

Conclusions

Lumbricus extract appears to enhance sciatic nerve regeneration and function recovery following injury, suggesting the clinical potential of lumbricus extract on the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in humans.     

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract from Meconopsis quintuplinervia

Aims of the study

Meconopsis quintuplinervia, a medicinal herb endemic to the Tibetan region, is used to treat hepatitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract of this herb using different assays.

Materials and methods

The antioxidant capacity of Meconopsis quintuplinervia was investigated using various established in vitro systems. An in vivo study of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced antioxidant activity in mice was also conducted by examining the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH).

Results

The extract showed strong in vitro antioxidant ability. In the in vivo study, CCl₄-induced oxidative stress caused significant decreases in the SOD, CAT, and GSH levels and a significant increase in the MDA level, most of which were significantly reversed (except for SOD in the liver.) by treatment with the extract and standard Vitamin E.

Conclusion

This study clearly indicates that the ethanolic extract of Meconopsis quintuplinervia is a valuable source of natural antioxidants. These findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of this herb as a Tibetan medicine for liver diseases.     

Ocimum sanctum leaf extracts attenuate human monocytic (THP-1) cell activation

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ocimum sanctum (OS), commonly known as Holy basil/Tulsi, has been traditionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and manage general cardiac health. The present study is designed to evaluate the antiinflammatory effect of O. sanctum and its phenolic compound and eugenol (EUG) in human monocytic (THP-1) cells and validate its traditional use for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Materials and methods

The phytochemical analysis of alcoholic and water extracts of OS-dry leaves (OSAE and OSWE) was done using LC–QTOF–MS. A phenolic compound, EUG was quantified in both OSAE and OSWE by an LC–MS technique using a mass hunter work station software quantitative analysis system. The effect of both OSAE, OSWE, pure compound EUG and positive control imatinib (IMT) was investigated in THP-1 cells by studying the following markers: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion by ELISA, gene expression of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, MIP-1α and MCP-1) by real time PCR and translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) by confocol microscopy. Furthermore, the effect of the extracts, EUG and IMT, was studied on phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) induced monocyte to macrophage differentiation and gene expression of CD14, TLR2 and TLR4.

Results

The LC–MS analysis of OSAE and OSWE revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds including eugenol. Quantitative analysis revealed that OSAE and OSWE had EUG of 12 ng/mg dwt and 19 ng/mg dwt respectively. OSAE, OSWE (1 mg dwt/mL) pure compound EUG (60 µg/mL) and positive control IMT (20 µg/mL) showed marked inhibition on LPS induced TNF-α secretion by THP-1 cells. At the selected concentration, the plant extracts, EUG and IMT inhibited gene expression of cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-1α, MCP-1) and translocation of NF-κB-p65 to the nuclei. In addition, they showed significant inhibition on PMA induced monocyte to macrophage differentiation and the gene expression of CD14, TLR2 and TLR4 markers.

Conclusion

The result of the present study validated traditional use of Ocimum sanctum for treating cardiovascular disease for the first time by testing antiinflammatory activity of Ocimum sanctum in acute inflammatory model, LPS induced THP-1 cells. The plant extracts showed significant antiinflammatory activity, however, further to be evaluated using chronic inflammatory animal models like diabetic or apolipoprotein E-deficient mice to make it evidence based medicine. The phenolic compound eugenol (60 µg/mL) showed significant antiinflammatory activity. However the amount of eugenol present in 1 mg of OSAE and OSWE (12 ng/mg and 19 ng/mg dwt respectively) used for cell based assays was very low. It suggests that several other metabolites along with eugenol are responsible for the efficacy of the extracts.     

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.     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Solanum fastigiatum (false "Jurubeba") against paracetamol-induced liver damage in mice

Aim of the study

Solanum fastigiatum is a medicinal plant widely distributed in the south of Brazil and has been used mainly to treat hepatitis, spleen disorders, uterine tumors, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic gastritis. The present research was aimed to evaluate the potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extracts of leaves using in vitro and in vivo models to validate the folkloric use of the plant.

Materials and methods

Antioxidant activity was evaluated by different assays, including thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total antioxidant, 2,2-diphenlyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and metal ion-chelating activities. The hepatoprotective activity of the aqueous extracts was studied on mice liver damage induced by paracetamol (250 mg/kg) by monitoring biochemical parameters.

Results

The extract showed inhibition against TBARS, induced by 10 μM FeSO₄ and 5 μM sodium nitroprusside in rat liver, brain and phospholipid homogenates from egg yolk. The plant exhibited strong antioxidant activity in the DPPH (IC₅₀, 68.96 ± 1.25 μg/ml) assay. The aqueous extract also showed significant hepatoprotective activity that was evident by enzymatic examination and brought back the altered levels of TBARS, non-protein thiol and ascorbic acid to near the normal levels in a dose dependent manner. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the LD₅₀ value of the extract is more than the dose 4 g/kg body weight of mice.

Conclusions

The results indicate that this plant possesses potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties and has therapeutic potential for the treatment of liver diseases.     

Vasorelaxant and anti-platelet aggregation effects of aqueous Ocimum basilicum extract

Aim of the study

In this work the endothelium-dependant vasorelaxant and anti-platelet aggregation activities of an aqueous extract from Ocimum basilicum were studied.

Materials and methods

The vasorelaxant effect was undertaken in thoracic aorta from three experimental groups of rats: one of them (NCG) fed with standard diet, the second (HCG) with hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) and the third (BTG) with hypercholesterolemic diet together with an intragastric administration of Ocimum basilicum extract at a dose of 0.5 g/kg body weight for a period of 10 weeks. The in vitro anti-platelet aggregation of Ocimum basilicum extract was studied using thrombin (0.5 U/ml) and ADP (5 μM) as agonists.

Results

The results show that the HCD statistically decreases vascular relaxation in HCG compared to NCG (p < 0.001) and increases the vascular responses to phenylephrine (p < 0.02). Ocimum basilicum extract exerts a significant vasorelaxant effect at 10⁻⁵ M (p < 0.01) and 10⁻⁴ M carbachol (p = 0.001). The plant extract also tends to suppress the elevated contractions induced by HCD (p = 0.05). The extract inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation by 13%, 28.2%, 30.5%, 44.7% and 53% at a dose of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 g/l, respectively. Thrombin-induced platelet activation was also reduced by 15%, 23%, 40%, 38.4%, and 42% at the same doses of extract described above.

Conclusion

The use of Ocimum basilicum as medicinal plant could be beneficial for cardiovascular system.