Neuroprotective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in streptozotocin induced neuropathic pain

Abstract Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) is one of the prevailing micro vascular complications of diabetes which can be characterized by neuropathic pain. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in the rat has been increasingly used as a model of painful diabetic neuropathy. STZ injection leads to neurotoxicity of peripheral nerves that leads to development of Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy in rat model. The present study was aimed at exploring the protective role of Tinospora cordifolia extract in STZ induced neurotoxicity and evaluating mechanisms responsible for attenuating neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain markers like hyperalgesia, allodynia and motor deficits were assessed before STZ injection and after the treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose of Tinospora cordifolia. Oxidative stress markers, NGF expression in sciatic nerve were observed after seven weeks treatment. Our results demonstrated that seven weeks treatment with Tinospora cordifolia leaf extract significantly relieved thermal hyperalgesia and allodynia by increasing the antioxidant enzyme levels, decreasing the lipid peroxidation and by increasing the Nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in diabetic rat sciatic nerves. Our findings highlighted the beneficial effects of oral administration of Tinospora cordifolia extract in attenuating diabetic neuropathic pain, possibly through a strong antioxidant activity and by inducing NGF m RNA in sciatic nerves.

Effect of wheat grass powder on aluminum induced Alzheimer's disease in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE@#To find out the effect of wheat grass on aluminum induced Alzheimer's disease in Wistar rats.@*METHODS@#Memory impairment was induced by aluminum chloride (4.2 mg/kg, i.p.) for 28 d. Memory function was assessed by Morris water maze test. To study the activity of wheat grass (100 mg/kg, p.o.), Wistar rats were administered it for 28 d along with aluminum chloride. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were estimated in brain after the treatment.@*RESULTS@#The major finding of this study is that aluminum enhanced oxidative stress. Wheat grass showed a significant improvement in reduction of this oxidative stress by reduction of malondialdehyde levels and enhancement of superoxide dismutase and catalase levels.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The present study clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of wheat grass that shows good antioxidant properties, and this remarkable effect of wheat grass may act as a key to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Effect of wheat grass powder on aluminum induced Alzheimer's disease in Wistar rats

Objective: To find out the effect of wheat grass on aluminum induced Alzheimer's disease in Wistar rats. Methods: Memory impairment was induced by aluminum chloride (4.2 mg/kg, i.p.) for 28 d. Memory function was assessed by Morris water maze test. To study the activity of wheat grass (100 mg/kg, p.o.), Wistar rats were administered it for 28 d along with aluminum chloride. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress were estimated in brain after the treatment. Results: The major finding of this study is that aluminum enhanced oxidative stress. Wheat grass showed a significant improvement in reduction of this oxidative stress by reduction of malondialdehyde levels and enhancement of superoxide dismutase and catalase levels. Conclusions: The present study clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of wheat grass that shows good antioxidant properties, and this remarkable effect of wheat grass may act as a key to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Protective effects of rutin and naringin in testicular ischemia-reperfusion induced oxidative stress in rats

Testicular torsion and detorsion causes reperfusion injury which damages the testicular tissue and affects the quality of sperm. Deterioration in the quality of sperm worldwide is the recent scenario and one of its reasons is testicular ischemic/reperfusion [IR] injury. Therefore the present study aims at producing new drugs for the treatment of testicular IR injury. 42 animals were selected for the study and divided into 7 groups, each containing 6 rats. Bioflavonoids were tested for their efficacy in reversing the damage done to the testicular tissue by causing testicular torsion and detorsion in rats. As oxidative stress produced in the above condition causes tissue damage, MDA level was measured and antioxidant enzymes SOD and catalse were evaluated. Histological examination was conducted to find the extent of damage and the protective effect of rutin and naringin. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test were used for data analysis. A p-value<0.001 was considered statistically significant. MDA levels increased and antioxidant enzymes decreased drastically in the group of rats with testicular torsion and detorsion which clearly indicates a rise in oxidative stress [68% rise in the case of MDA and 20% and 16% decrease in SOD and catalase concentrations, respectively]. Rutin and naringin-treated groups showed the beneficial effects of the medicinal drugs, particularly in higher doses. Rutin, 10 mg/kg, was effective when compared to naringin in providing protection. Compared to the animals in the control group, there was a 30% reduction in MDA levels and a 20% increment in SOD levels plus a five-fold increase in catalse in the rutin-treated group [10 mg/kg]. Histological examination supported the above claims. Oxidative stress in testicular injury affects the quality of sperm. Rutin and naringin in higher doses protected testicular tissue effectively. Further studies in this direction may prove beneficial

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of atorvastatin and clopidogrel alone and in combination in rats.

Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting arterial blood vessels due to the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and low density lipoproteins. Effects of atorvastatin, a recently introduced lipid lowering statin was studied alone and in combination with clopidogrel in high fat diet fed atherosclerotic rats orally. Results showed significant reduction in total serum cholesterol and malondialdehyde levels and significant improvement in urine creatinine levels. Aortic cross sections of rats treated with clopidogrel alone showed reversal of atherosclerotic calcification. The same effect was observed with the combined treatment of clopidogrel and atorvastatin. Only atorvastatin treatment did not show any histological atheroprotective effect. Atorvastatin and clopidogrel alone and in combination have offered significant atheroprotective effect. No specific advantage was seen with combined treatment of atorvastatin and clopidogrel, moreover the advantages seen with independent drug administration also reduced with combined treatment.