Analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities of Pulicaria crispa (Forssk. ) Oliv. (Asteraceae)

Abstract Some plants of the genus Pulicaria have been used in traditional medicines for treating back pain and inflammation. They possess various bioactivities such as antipyretic, analgesic, and hepatoprotective. This study aimed to investigate the potential analgesic, antipyretic, anti- inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities of Pulicaria crispa (P. crispa) extract (PCE). Analgesic activity was evaluated using the hot plate and acetic acid-induced writhing tests. Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using rectal temperature and carrageenan-induced hind paw edema methods, respectively. CCl4-intoxication was used for hepatoprotective activity. Also, liver histopathology was assessed. PCE, at 500 mg/kg, exhibited significant analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and bilirubin of CCl4-exposed rats reflects their liver injury. PCE significantly decreased the elevated liver markers. The hepatoprotective effect of PCE was confirmed, as it successfully reversed the altered levels of total protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), and non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH) in the liver tissues of CCl4-exposed rats. Histopathological studies confirmed the hepatoprotective nature of PCE. Pretreatment of rats with PCE reduced the severity of CCl4-induced liver damage. These findings concluded that PCE possesses analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities.

Comparative Study of Surgically Induced Astigmatism in One and Two Side Port 2.8mm Clear Corneal Temporal Phacoemulsification in Cataract Surgery.

Background: Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) remains a common obstacle for achieving an excellent UCVA (Un Corrected Visual Acuity). The aim of this study is to compare surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) after one or two side ports with clear corneal temporal 2.8 mm phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Methods: Study comprised a multi-centric, nonrandomized prospective consecutive series of 358 eyes of 328 patients between age group of 9 to 71 years who had uneventful 2.8mm main temporal clear corneal incision and one or two side ports phacoemulsification cataract surgery with implantation of aspheric foldable intraocular lens (IOL). All surgery was performed by one experienced surgeon. Surgically induced astigmatism was calculated using Holladay-Carvy-Koch formula method. Results: At 1.5 months, the mean SIA was 0.51 diopter (D) for the one side port incisions and 1.50 D for two side port incisions (P = 0.04). At 3 months, the mean SIA were 0.41 D for one side port incisions and 1.25 D for two side port incisions (P = 0.03). Conclusion: The UCVA was far better in the one side port group, at 1.5 and 3 months post-operatively.

Antioxidant potential of Rumex vesicarius L.：in vitro approach

Objective: To assess in-vitro antioxidant activity of different fraction and perform high performance thin layer chromatography fingerprint analysis of most active fraction of Rumexvesicarius L. (R. vesicarius). Methods: In the present study, acetone, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and methanol extracts of R. vesicarius were evaluated for radical scavenging activity by studying the inhibition of the level of lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(++)/ascorbate, DNA sugar damage, scavenging of hydrogen peroxide, diphenylphosphine DPPH radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, total flavonoids content and total proanthocyanidin. High performance thin layer chromatography finger print profiling of R. vesicarius L. was also done. Results: Lipid peroxidation induced by the iron/ascorbate system, hydrogen peroxide, diphenylphosphine and DNA sugar damage were inhibited by the addition of different extract ofR. vesicarius. Among them, methanolic extract showed maximum efficacy. The methanolic extract showed the highest total phenolic, total flavonoids and total proanthocyanidin contents.Conclusions:The results suggest that the extracts can be a vital source of phytochemical antioxidants.

Inhibition of cutaneous oxidative stress and two-stage skin carcinogenesis by Hemidesmus indicus (L.) in Swiss albino mice.

Chemopreventive potential of H. indicus on 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated and 12-O-tetradecanoyl 13-phorbol acetate (TPA) promoted murine skin carcinogenesis has been assessed. Topical application of H. indicus resulted in significant protection against cutaneous tumorigenesis. Topical application of plant extract prior to that of TPA resulted in significant inhibition against TPA-caused induction of epidermal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and DNA synthesis. Application of H. indicus at a dose level of 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg body weight in acetone prior to that of TPA treatment resulted in significant inhibition of oxidative stress. The level of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced. In addition, depleted levels of glutathione and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes were restored respectively). The results indicate that H. indicus is a potent chemopreventive agent in skin carcinogenesis.

Large scale production and characterisations of dihydrofolate reductase from a methotrexate-resistant human lymphoid cell line.

Dihydrofolate reductase has been purified from a methotrexate-resistant human lymphoid cell line (CCRF/CEM-R3) and up to 1 mg of enzyme has been obtained from 5 litres of culture. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 22000 ± 500 as determined by gel filtration. The pH activity profile shows a single optimum at pH 7·7, where marked activation is observed by addition of 0·2 Μ NaCl. The Km for NADPH is 3 μΜ and dihydrofolate 0·7 μΜ. The binding constant for the inhibitor, methotrexate, is 29 pM.