Investigating The Role Of Nf-Κb, Cox-1, Cox-2, Comt, Il-10, Il-6 And Tnf-Α In Modulating Anti-Nociceptive Activity Of Methanolic Extract Of Entada Phaseoloides

Objective: To investigate the analgesic activity of methanolic extract of Entada phaseoloides (MEEP) along with its molecular mechanistic pathway. Methods: Swiss albino female mice and Wistar rats of either sex were administered orally with MEEP extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and pentazocine, tramadol and diclofenac sodium, as standard drugs. Following administration, anti-nociceptive activity was evaluated using an acetic acid-induced writhing test, Eddy’s hot plate, and hot water immersion test. Serum was collected for molecular expression of various proteins and genes using Reverse Transcriptase PCR and Western Blotting. Results: Acetic acid writhing test, a frequently used method to assess peripheral analgesic activity, revealed that MEEP reduced peripherally induced pain in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, Eddy’s hot plate and hot water immersion methods, often implicated for testing central analgesic activities, showed that MEEP is bestowed with the capability to counteract analgesia in a dose and time-dependent manner. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and factors like COX-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB that cause inflammatory responses and pain were significantly reduced, suggesting its analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. This analgesic and the anti-inflammatory role played by MEEP is also supported by the up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and COMT and COX-1 enzyme demonstrated no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The study revealed the weak peripheral and potent central analgesic property MEEP by modulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways.

Evaluation of phytoconstituents and assessment of adaptogenic activity in vivo in various extracts of Rhododendron arboreum (leaves).

Natural products particularly of plant origin with antistress property and nutraceutical value have become the focus of scores of scientific investigation in recent times. Against this background the present study was carried out to analyse the phytochemical components and adaptogenic activity of Rhododendron arboreum which grow in high altitudes. Adaptogenic activity of the plant extract was evaluated in vivo in rat and mice animal models. Methanol, hydroethanol and aqueous extract of the leaves were prepared and preliminary screening of the phytochemical constiteunts was carried out. The important phytoconstituents viz. flavonoids and phenolics were estimated and amount of gallic acid and quercetin were evaluated by HPTLC. Adaptogenic activity of the extract was studied in vivo using rat and mice as test animals. The criteria taken were forced swimming test in rat and mice and tail suspension test in mice. Methanol extract showed the presence of diterpenes, triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, tannin, phenolics. Hydroethanol extract showed the presence of diterpenes, triterpenes, saponin, glycosides, alkaloids, tannin and aqueous extract showed the presence of tannin, glycosides, triterpenes, flavonoids, diterpenes. Quantitative analysis exhibited that the methanol extract have the highest amount of flavonoid and phenolics. The HPTLC profile of methanol extract showed the presence of highest amount of quercetin. Gallic acid was detected only in methanol extract. In vivo study in test animals revealed that the methanol extract of R. arboreum exhibited potent anti stress activity. Hence, presence of these compounds which are known to have strong anti-oxidant activity in high quantity might be responsible for adaptogenic activity.