The Ameliorative Effect of Ashwagandha- Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal on park25 Induced Neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster Parkinson’s Disease Model

Ashwagandha - Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a perennial shrub belonging to the family Solanaceae. Ashwagandha has been used for over 3000 years in traditional Indian Ayurveda for treatment of various neurological, and stress disorders. The root of Ashwagandha (ASH) is regarded as a tonic, aphrodisiac, narcotic, diuretic, anthelmintic, astringent, thermogenic and stimulant. Ashwagandha with other herbal decoctions was recognized to treat Kampavatha (Parkinson’s Disease) since 18th century. With this wide array of ethnopharmacological relevance, Ashwagandha has been recognized as one of the prominent complementary and alternative medicine to treat many neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). There is a prominent increase in the cases of AD and PD all over the world and it demands the requirement of complementary and alternative herbal remedies with no/minimal side effects. Many genetic factors are responsible for the onset and progression of PD. Loss-of-function mutations in the parkin gene are a major cause of early onset of autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP). Drosophila park25 loss of function mutants exhibit significantly increased number of mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contacts and a significantly decreased number of dopaminergic neurons in the adult brain which is the main cause of PD condition. Several studies have demonstrated the ability of Ashwagandha in imparting neuroprotection, improved locomotory ability, memory and learning abilities. The challenge lies in scrutinizing the mechanism and the pathways involved in the neuroprotective properties of this well-known herb. Here in our study, we test the possible neuroprotective effect of Ashwagandha on park25 mutants of Drosophila using lifespan analysis and climbing disability as a disease marker. Parkinson’s mimicking flies were administered with aqueous extraction of Ashwagandha-root mixed with the fly food and subjected to negative geotaxis assay. We observed that there is a prominent increase in the climbing ability in park25 treated flies compared to its age-matched untreated flies. This is the first report showing that, aqueous extraction of Ashwagandha-root extract was able to ameliorate the disease phenotype in the park25 Drosophila Parkinson’s disease model.

Phytochemical investigation, antioxidant and wound healing activities of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple)

Objective: To undertake metabolite profiling of various plant parts of Citrullus colocynthis, and assess antioxidant and wound healing activities of fractions for therapeutical applications. Methods: Extracts from leaves, stem, root, fruit pulp and seeds were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Variation in antioxidant potential was assayed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The extract with highest antioxidant potential was subjected on in-vivo wound healing activity using excision wound model. Results: Metabolite profiling of Citrullus colocynthis identified 70 chemically diverse metabolites from different plant parts by using a combination of GC-MS and HPLC. Concentration of colocynthin, a principal active secondary metabolite, ranged from 3.15 mg/g dry weight to 242.00 mg/g dry weight, the lowest being in leaves and highest in fruit pulp. DPPH radical scavenging activity of free radical (IC

Evaluation of chemopreventive effect of Fumaria indica against N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl4-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE@#To investigation the chemopreventive potential of Fumaria indica (F. indica) extract (FIE) on N-nitrosodiethylamine and CCl(4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.@*METHODS@#The experimental animals were divided into six groups (n=6). Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in normal saline at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight followed by weekly subcutaneous injections of CCl(4)(3 mL/kg/week) for 6 weeks, as the promoter of carcinogenic effect. After administration of the carcinogen, 200 and 400 mg/kg of FIE were administered orally once a day throughout the study. At the end of 20 weeks, the body weight, liver weight and relative liver weight were measured. The percentage of nodule incidence and liver cancer markers such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), total bilirubin level (TBL), α-feto protein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen were estimated along with histopathological investigation in experimental groups of rats.@*RESULTS@#Obtained results demonstrated that the cotreatment with FIE significantly prevented the decrease of the body weight and also increased in relative liver weight caused by NDEA. The treatment with FIE significantly reduced the nodule incidence and nodule multiplicity in the rats after NDEA administration. The levels of liver cancer markers such as AST, ALT, ALP, γ-glutamyl transferase, TBL, AFP and carcinoembryonic antigen were substantially increased by NDEA treatment. However, FIE treatment significantly reduced the liver injury and restored the entire liver cancer markers. Histological observations of liver tissues too correlated with the biochemical observations.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These finding powerfully supports that F. indica exert chemopreventive effect by suppressing the tumor burden and restoring the activities of hepatic cancer marker enzymes on NDEA and CCl(4)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

Anti-ulcer potential of Lawsonia inermis l. Leaves against gastric ulcers in rats.

To evaluate antiulcer effects of aqueous, chloroform and ethanol extracts prepared from the henna leaves in rats employing the pylorus ligation and aspirin induced models. Gastric ulcers induced in Swiss albino rats (200g, N=6) by oral administration of aspirin suspension and pylorus ligation. The antiulcer activity was assessed by determining and comparing the ulcer index in the test drug groups with that of the vehicle control and standard ranitidine. In case of aspirin induced ulcers, the chloroform extract showed significant reduction of ulcers in a dose dependent manner. The parameters taken to assess antiulcer activity were volume of gastric juice, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index. The results indicated that aqueous, ethanol and chloroform extract significantly (p<0.001) decreased the volume of gastric acid secretions, free acidity and total acidity and ulcer index.

Anti-ulcerogenic potential of ficus bengalensis leaf, biochemical parameter & histopathological study.

The effect of aqueous extract of Ficus bengalensis (FBE) was assessed in different acute and chronic gastric ulcer models in rats. Gastric ulcers induced in swiss albino rats (200g, N=6) by oral administration of aspirin suspension and pylorus ligation. The anti ulcer activity was assessed by determining and comparing the ulcer index in the test drug groups with that of the vehicle control and standard ranitidine & sucralfate. FBE, 250–500 mg/kg administered orally, twice daily for 5 days showed dose-dependent ulcer protective effect in pylorus ligation (51.28, 63.24% protection, P < 0.01 to P < 0.001), aspirin (28.94, 64.91 protection, P < 0.001). The parameters taken to assess antiulcer activity were pH of gastric juice, total acidity and ulcer index. The results indicated that aqueous extract significantly (p<0.05) Ph, total acidity and ulcer index. On the basis of histopathology analysis, The results indicate that FBE possesses antiulcer activity in a dose dependent manner.

Elucidation of Analgesic and Antipyretic activities of Ficus bengalensis linn. Leaves in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic, antipyretic properties of the various (chloroform, ethanol and water) extracts from leaf of Ficus bengalensis (Moraceae) in rats. Dose of the different extracts 200mg/kg, i.p. were significantly reduced (p<0.05). The analgesic activity of leaf of Ficus bengalensis was studied using hot-plate method and tail-immersion method in rats. The antipyretic activity of leaf of Ficus bengalensis was studied in Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Ethanolic extract of leaf of Ficus bengalensis showed more significant activity, while, chloroform extract and water extract does not showed significant (p<0.05) analgesic activity as compared to standard drug using hot-plate method and by tail-immersion method. Extracts obtained were also subjected to evaluate antipyretic activity by yeast induced fevered rats. Aspirin (100mg/kg) was taken as standard drug. Water and chloroform extract showed significant decrease in elevated body temperature, while ethanol extract did not showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in elevated body temperature as compared to standard drug.