ABSTRACT
Aims: The present study was undertaken to explore in vivo antioxidant potential of ethanol extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaf and stem in adjuvant induced arthritic rats. Methodology: Arthritis induced rats were administered with extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis leaf and stem. (150 mg/kg body Weight/rat/day for 30 days. Results: A significant decrease in paw edema was observed following oral administration of the leaf and stem extracts. A significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of tissue TBARS, GPx and catalase was seen in arthritis induced rats (group II) and NAT treated rats (group III and group IV) showed a significant decrease in lipid peroxides, GPx and catalase level to near normalcy. The activity of total tissue SOD was found significantly (p<0.05) low in arthritis induced rats (group II) while a substantial increase in the activity to near normal level was noticed in NAT administered rats. The alterations in hematological and other biochemical parameters were restored to near normal levels after a treatment period of 30 days. The structural changes of the tissues shows the therapeutic ability of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis stem and leaf in experimental animals which were further evidenced by histological observations made on the hind limb tissue. Conclusion: As Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is of natural origin, it is a safe and effective intervention for free radical mediated diseases.
Subject(s)
Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants , Arthritis, Experimental/chemically induced , Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Free Radicals/metabolism , Lipid Peroxidation , Oleaceae/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Rats , Superoxide DismutaseABSTRACT
Among several metal ions tested, Cu2+ was unique in slowing down methylene blue sensitized photodynamic breakdown of some nucleic acid bases and nucleosides. The t½ values were increased in the case of xanthine and uric acid by Cu2+, but without any alteration in the nature or amounts of photoproducts formed. Xanthine was degraded quantitatively to allantoin and urea. The breakdown of the sugar moiety of nucleosides was more drastically retarded than that of the purine ring. The decomposition rate and its magnitude was dependent on the concentration of Cu2+ as well as the nucleoside. The most profound increase in t½ values was found with xanthosine–7min for the purine ring and 65 min for the ribose moiety, at 0.6 mM Cu2+ Hg2+ in the case of xanthine, and some paramagnetic metal ions in the case of the nucleosides, slowed down the photobreakdown to a small extent; however, differential effects were not observed unlike with Cu2+. None of the other metal ions tested significantly influenced the process.
ABSTRACT
In Neurospora crassa, 0·44 mM Be2+ caused half-maximal inhibition of growth and this inhibition could be fully counteracted by the addition of 2·5 mM Ca2+ to the medium. Mn2+ and Mg2+ were less effective in reversing the growth inhibition caused by Be2+ and the order of effectiveness was Ca2+ > Mn2+ > Mg2+. Fe3+ and Zn2+ were ineffective in reversing Be2+ toxicity. Pyruvate, malate and succinate also reversed the growth inhibition caused by Be2+ in N. crassa. Pyruvate restored growth by a mechanism not involving control of Be2+ accumulation in the mould. The rate of utilisation of glucose by the mycelia grown in the presence of Be2+ was reduced, while that of pyruvate was not affected. The results indicate that the primary metabolic lesion in Be2+ toxicity in N. crassa is probably a block at some step(s) in the glycolytic sequence.