Preventive and therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of Spinacia oleracea on Psoriatic patches in albino rats

Psoriasis has become a topic of global concern because of consistency in its prevalence according to Global Report on Psoriasis 2016, however, till date, no therapy has provided complete cure of this disease and no useful measure was discovered to prevent it or eliminate the risk of its relapse. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate anti-psoriatic effects of Spinacia oleracea due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative and skinstrengthening contents. Psoriasis was induced by oral potassium iodide solution which was then determined by two methods i.e. percentage reduction in psoriatic patch size and psoriasis area and severity index [PASI] score to measure the decrease in severity. Twenty albino rats were used in each method, grouped as standard, curative, preventive and control with five rats in each group. Therapeutic and preventive doses for S. oleracea in both the methods were calculated according to daily intake guidelines of National Cancer Institute, USA, and German Nutrition Society, DGE guidelines respectively with slight modification. Methotrexate was used as standard drug along with folic acid to avoid toxic effects. This study reveals that S. oleracea has both therapeutic and preventive effects. It may be concluded that S. oleracea can be effectively used as sole therapy for psoriasis

Antihyperlipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic effects of Cymbopogon jwarancusa in high-fat high-sugar diet model

Hyperlipidemia is the root cause for development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension and cerebral palsy. Cymbopogon jwarancusa is an aromatic grass [Rusha grass, khavi grass] belonging to family Poaceaea. C. jwarancusa essential oil is famous for its use in perfumery, soaps cosmetics, detergents, medicine and pharmaceuticals. The anti-pyretic, anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-oxidant and cytotoxic activities of C. jwarancusa have been reported in literature. In the present study different doses of C. jwarancusa extract have been investigated for anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic activities in high-fat high sugar diet model in rats. Hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia were assessed by measuring body weight, serum lipid profile and fasting blood glucose levels. Administration of ethanol leaves extract of C. jwarancusa exhibited significant dose-dependent reduction in body weight, lipid parameters and blood sugar levels. Hence it may be concluded that C. jwarancusa aids in ameliorating hyperlipidemic, hyperglycemic conditions and has potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems

Prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Punica granatum in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced inflammation in rats

Pomegranate [Punica granatum L., Punicaceae] contains varieties of antioxidants and phytochemicals; there are evidences that phytochemicals and antioxidants play a vital role in reducing inflammation. Hence this investigation was planned to assess the outcome of Punica granatum on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid provoked colitis in rats at 2, 5 and 8ml/kg of the body weight. The effect of P. granatum was assessed in two group i.e. prophylaxis as pre-colitis and therapeutic as post-colitis. After completion of dosing in both the groups, macroscopic and histological examination of colon was carried out along with estimation of serum myeloperoxidase, glutathione, alkaline phosphate, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein. In prophylactic procedure P. granatum revealed significant [P

Phytochemistry, Brine shrimp lethality and mice acute oral toxicity studies on seed extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica

Despite the widespread use of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds in traditional medicine, the need to establish the safety of the Vernonia anthelmintica is required to ascertain the safe use of this herbal medicine. The aim of the present study is to establish the acute toxicity profile of different extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica. Hexane and ethanol extract of Vernonia Anthelmintica has been studied for its brine shrimp lethality potential. Water decoction [WDVA], Hexane [HEVA] and Ethanol [EEVA] extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica has also been evaluated for their in-vivo acute oral toxicity in mice by Lorke's method. Phytochemistry of all three extracts was also evaluated for the presence of their secondary metabolites. All three extracts showed the presence of flavonoids and terpenoids, while alkaloids, tannins and fixed oils were present in HEVA and EEVA. Furthermore EEVA also showed presence of carbohydrates and HEVA also showed the presence of cardiac glycosides. Ethanol and hexane extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica showed a positive cytotoxicity in brine shrimp lethality test at 24 hours with LC50 104.16 [224.0-48.05] micro g/ml and 216.11 micro g/ml [378.2-128.7] respectively as compared to standard drug etoposide LC50 7.46 micro g/ml. The oral LD50 for EEVA, HEVA and WDVA in mice by Lorke's method was greater than 5000mg/kg. The result of brine shrimp lethality test clearly exhibited the presence of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic potential; however seems to be safe for oral use since LD50 was higher than 5000mg/kg and thus safety of acute dosing in vivo practices is justified

Evaluation of hypoglycemic effect of Cassia Italica

Currently available treatment options fail to maintain glycemic control over long time and are accompanied by various side effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop newer treatment strategies such as hypoglycemic agents of plant origin as they are known to have fewer side effects. Several herbal preparations are used to treat diabetes, but their reported hypoglycemic effects are complex. The study was conducted on 35 healthy rabbits of either sex following administration of Cassia italica plant extract for a period of 14 days. Present study provides evaluation of hypoglycemic effect of Cassia italica in the alloxan induced diabetes rabbits along with comparative hypoglycemic efficacy of glibenclamide. Results reveals that 100 mg/kg oral dose of plant extract did not cause significant changes in blood glucose level however results of plant extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg were similar to glibenclamide at the dose of 2.5mg/kg body weight, however result of the present study can only be confirmed after evaluating Cassia italica on large number of animals as well as clinically

Partial evaluation of technique used in cupping therapy

Cupping is an ancient mode of therapy for various ailments, practiced and recommended by ancient healers. Current study was aimed to scientifically evaluate the efficacy of the technique used in cupping, i.e. suction and removal of blood after giving superficial incisions on skin at various specific points on the body. Since the treatment lies simply in removal of blood from specific areas, and no medication is involved, hence the study was designed to evaluate the significance of alone removal of blood by comparing and analyzing the difference between the compositions of blood samples, obtained through cupping technique versus blood drawn intravenously. 25 healthy male individuals were selected randomly between ages 21-30. Blood samples were collected from vein and cupping site of each individual for the analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters. There was a significant change in almost all parameters tested as compared to the venous blood samples; the quantity of blood drawn through both method was same i.e. 5 ml, yet significant difference in the composition of all cupping blood samples was observed. On the basis of result we can assume that there might be some unknown substance present in the blood which is drawn and discarded through cupping and removal of which might be creating a favorable balance between various vital parameters

Cummulative toxicities on lipid profile and glucose following administration of anti-epileptic, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic and anti-arrhythmic drugs

Reporting of undesirable drug reactions is a problem in all countries, even those with sophisticated drug regulatory bodies. However we can expect a horrible picture in developing countries like Pakistan where drug regulatory control is very poor, hence present study has been exclusively designed to explore the outcome of individual administration of antiepileptic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiarrhythmic drugs and their combinations on lipid profile and glucose. The study was conducted on healthy rabbits of either sex. Biochemical tests were performed at the completion of dosing i.e. on 61[st] day and again after drug-free interval of 15 days.Present study provides detailed evaluation of adverse effects on lipid profile and glucose, results of the study suggests that animals received amiodarone-glibenclamide-verapamil-oxcarbazepine combination did not revealed any significant changes but animals received amiodarone-glibenclamide-losartan potassium-oxcarbazepine and amiodarone-glibenclamide-captopril-oxcarbazepine combinations revealed significant changes. However more studies on large number of animals and human beings are required to justify the use of multiple drug administration, since trial in man is the only way of establishing drug interactions

Assessment of acute toxicity and reproductive capability of a herbal combination

The drug under investigation is an herbal combination of Withania somnifera, Tribulus terrestris, Mucuna Pruriens and Argyreia speciosa which has been used for several years of its bio-stimulating, revitalizing and fertility enhancing effects. Present preclinical study is specifically designed to access the safety and efficacy of the product. The result of acute oral toxicity reveals that product is safe up to the dose of 5000mg/kg. The effects of study related to reproductive capability of drug on both sex reveals increase in reproduction rate up to two generations i.e. F0 and F1

Evaluation of hypolipidemic effect of citrus lemon

Herbs have been used for several cardio vascular diseases, such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, cerebral and venous insufficiency. Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke. Hence blood lipid levels are probably the major determinant of the development of cardiovascular disease. Citrus fruit and juices have long been considered a valuable part of a healthy and nutritious diet. It is well established that some of the nutrients in citrus promote health and provide protection against chronic disease. The present study has been specifically designed to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of citrus lemon juice in rabbits after high cholesterol diet for four weeks. The citrus lemon juice [1 ml/kg/day] revealed a significant reduction in serum cholesterol, triglycerides; low density lipoprotein levels and resulted in an increase in high density lipoprotein. These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effects of citrus lemon juice may be due to its antioxidant effect

Effect of multiple drug administration on gross toxicities and electrolytes

Pakistan being a developing country faces increased burden of cardiovascular disorders and epilepsy along with chronic non-communicable disease such as diabetes mellitus. It is therefore; important to identify; the potential of toxicity that might occur as a result of the drug-drug interaction upon simultaneous use of anti-epileptics with anti-hypertensive, anti-arrhythmic and anti-diabetic. Present study was planned to explore the changes in gross toxicities and electrolytes with individual and multiple administration of anti-epileptic, anti-hypertensive, anti-arrhythmic and anti-diabetic. The study was conducted in normal rabbits of either sex following administration of drugs for a period of 60 days; sodium, potassium and calcium levels were analyzed at the completion of dosing and again after drug-free interval of 15 days, results of the study suggests that animals received amiodarone-glibenclamie-captopril-oxcarbazepine combination showed hypokalemia and hypocalcaemia which remained significant even after drug-free interval, however animal received amiodarone-glibenclamide-verapamil-oxcarbazepine combination showed hypocalcemia at the completion of dosing and hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia after drug-free interval

Progression of chronic periodontitis in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects

A Cross-sectional study was carried out to compare the Progression of Chronic Periodontitis in Diabetic and Non-diabetic subjects. The study comprised of two groups of subjects having diabetics and non-diabetics respectively. The results showed a higher progression of Periodontitis in diabetic subjects with more pocket depth recession and loss of bone as compared to a non-diabetic subjects

Pharmacological activity of morpholino compound

The pharmacological effect of morpholino compound in different biological field is of great importance for researchers and investigators. They are working day and night to synthesize pharmacologically more effective morpholino derivatives with less toxic effects. This kind of pharmacological screening of synthesized compounds can lead to the discovery of biologically useful compounds. The findings of the present study are encouraging, since present compound showed a promising analgesic activities and anti-inflammatory. Chemically synthesized morpholino compound are tested for its analgesic and inflammatory activities in intact albino mice ad rat. Compound was administered orally in different doses using the tail immersion test in mice for analgesic activity. The results of this study demonstrated that compound has inhibitory effect on arachidonic acid metabolisms via cyclooxygenase pathway or we can say the inhibition of prostaglandins biosynthesis. Classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which inhibits cyclooxygenase, can shift arachidonic metabolism to lipoxygenase products. These findings reflect a new fact of pharmacological action of this compound like inhibition of arachidonic acid pathway in vivo. It can be concluded that the present study revealed a fair success rate but it is necessary to carry out further investigation to confirm the results