Protective effect of ellagic acid on t-butyl hydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Ellagic acid, a plant polyphenol, showed protective effect on isolated rat hepatocytes against destruction due to lipid peroxide formation induced by t-butyl hydroperoxide in vitro. Ellagic acid inhibited the generation of superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals both in enzymic and non enzymic systems, thus providing protection against oxidative damage.

Picroliv prevents oxidation in serum lipoprotein lipids of Mastomys coucha infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Picroliv, an iridoid glycoside mixture from the root and rhizome of Picrorhiza kurrooa, at the dose of 6 mg/kg p.o. for two weeks provided significant protection against the generation of lipid peroxidation products in serum beta-lipoproteins of P. berghei infected M. coucha. Incubation of normal rat hepatocytes with very low density lipoprotein or low density lipoprotein isolated from infected animals caused significant generation of lipid peroxides followed by a decrease in the viability of these cells, however these effects were partially reversed with the lipoproteins from infected and picroliv treated groups. High density lipoprotein from infected animals was not toxic to hepatocytes in vitro.

Protective effect of picroliv, active constituent of Picrorhiza kurrooa, against oxytetracycline induced hepatic damage.

Picroliv, the active constituent of P. kurrooa, showed a dose dependent (1.5-12 mg/kg, po for 7 days) hepatoprotective activity against oxytetracycline induced hepatic damage in rat. It increased the number of viable hepatocytes (ex-vivo) significantly. Increase in bile volume and its contents in conscious rat suggests potent anticholestatic property. Picroliv also antagonised alterations in enzyme levels (GOT, GPT, and alkaline phosphatase) in isolated hepatocytes and serum, induced by oxytetracycline (200 mg/kg, i.p.) feeding. Picroliv was more potent than silymarin a known hepatoprotective drug.

Anticholestatic effect of picroliv, active hepatoprotective principle of Picrorhiza kurrooa, against carbon tetrachloride induced cholestasis.

Picroliv showed a dose (3-12 mg/kg, po for 7 days) dependent choleretic activity as evidenced by increase in bile flow and its contents (bile salts and bile acids). Significant anticholestatic activity was also observed against carbon tetrachloride induced cholestasis in conscious rat, anaesthetized guinea pig and cat. Picroliv was more active than the known hepatoprotective drug silymarin.

Effect of picroliv on low density lipoprotein receptor binding of rat hepatocytes in hepatic damage induced by paracetamol.

Picroliv from root and rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa showed reversal of low density lipoprotein (LDL) binding to paracetamol-induced damaged hepatocytes of rats. Changes in levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, conjugated dienes and lipids of hepatocytes were significantly prevented by picroliv at different doses. The effect of picroliv on enzyme levels, LDL receptor binding and lipids in damaged hepatocytes was found to be comparable to silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum: ATP production and effect of anthelmintics.

Dicarboxylic acids and a few amino acids were found to support mitochondrial phosphorylation in A. ceylanicum. Anaerobiasis markedly reduced this activity. Maximum effect was observed on succinate supported phosphorylation which in anaerobic atmosphere yielded only 2% ATP compared to that in the presence of air. Known as well as candidate anthelmintics significantly inhibited ATP formation. Mebendazole, amongst them, registered greatest effect. Oxygen consumption by the mitochondria exhibited poor response to the action of anthelmintics other than praziquantel.