Wound healing and antimicrobial activity of two classical formulations of Laghupanchamula in rats.

Background: Wounds affect a large number of patients and seriously reduce the quality of life. The wound as a medical problem was first discussed by Maharshi Agnivesha in Agnivesha Samhita (later known as Charaka Samhita) as Vrana. Laghupanchamula denotes a combination of the roots of five herbs. However, in Ayurvedic classics, besides four common herbs viz. Kantakari, Brihati, Shalaparni and Prinshniparni, the fifth one is either Gokshura (LPG) or Eranda (LPE), and both formulations have been documented to have wound healing (Vrana) activity. Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the in vivo wound healing activity and in vitro antimicrobial activity of 50% ethanolic extract of Laghupanchamula containing Gokshura (LPGE) and Laghupanchamula containing Eranda (LPEE) in rats with acute toxicity in mice. Materials and Methods: LPGE and LPEE (1000 mg/kg) was administered orally, once daily for 10 days (incision wound model) or for 24 days (excision wound model) in rats. LPGE and LPEE was studied for its in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo wound breaking strength (WBS) (incision model) and rate of contraction, period of epithelization and histology of skin (excision model). Results: LPGE and LPEE showed antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens, enhanced WBS, rate of contraction, skin collagen tissue formation and early epithelization period with low scar area indicating enhanced healing with histological evidence of more collagen formation in skin tissues. LPGE and LPEE also showed anti‑bacterial activity and seemed to be safe. Conclusion: Use of both formulations in Laghupanchamula for their wound healing and anti‑microbial activities is thus authenticated.

Healing effect of terminalia chebula fruit extract on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid induced colitis in rat.

The present study aims to evaluate healing effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruit pulp (TCE) on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS, intra-colonic route) induced colitis in rats. TCE (600 mg/kg, oral) was studied in TNBS-induced colitis for its effects on fecal output, food and water intake and body weight changes, histology, antibacterial activity and levels of free radicals (nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation), antioxidants (superoxide dismutase; catalase and reduced glutathione) and acute inflammatory marker (myeloperoxidase) in colonic tissue. TNBS administration increased colonic mucosal damage and inflammation (macroscopic and microscopic) and stool output but decreased body weight which was reversed by TCE treatment. TCE showed significant antibacterial activity and enhanced the antioxidants but decreased free radicals and myeloperoxidase activities affected in TNBS colitis. Thus, Terminalia chebula dried fruit pulp extract healed colitis by promoting antioxidant status and decreasing intestinal bacterial load, free radicals and myeloperoxidase responsible for tissue damage and delayed healing.

Anti-infl ammatory activity of two classical formulations of Laghupanchamula in rats.

Background: Laghupanchamula denotes combinations of roots of fi ve herbs. However, in Ayurvedic classics besides four common herbs viz. Kantakari, Brihati, Shaliparni, and Prinshniparni, the fi fth one is either Gokshura (Laghupanchamula with Gokshura LPG) or Eranda (Laghupanchamula with Eranda LPE), and both formulations have been documented to have shothahara (anti-infl ammatory) action. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to compare the anti-infl ammatory activity of 50% ethanolic extract of LPG (LPGE) and LPE (LPEE) in rats and safety in mice. Materials and Methods: LPGE and LPEE were given orally, administered either just before or 60 min before experiment on mice and for 7 days to rats. Paw edema was induced by carrageenan (acute) and formalin (sub-acute), whereas granuloma pouch (sub-acute) was induced by turpentine in rats. Results: Both LPGE and LPEE (1.0 g/kg) at 3 h after their administration showed inhibition of formalin-induced paw edema by 46.2% and 44.3% (P 0.001) and carrageenan-induced paw edema by 53.9% and 60.4% (P0.001), respectively. After 7 days of treatment, both LPGE and LPEE showed 26.3% (P0.01) and 32.5% (P0.05) inhibition, respectively, against formalin-induced paw edema, and reduced weight of turpentine-induced granuloma pouch by 42.8% and 36.1% (P0.001), and volume of exudates by 31.2% and 36.2% (P0.001), respectively. No acute toxicity was observed in mice even with a 10.0-g/kg dose of both extracts. Conclusion: LPGE and LPEE signifi cantly reduced acute and sub-acute infl ammation, and showed effective and similar anti-infl ammatory activity. They seemed to be safe, and use of both formulations in the Laghupanchamula for their anti-infl ammatory activity is, thus, authenticated.

Immunomodulatory effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. extract on cyclophosphamide induced toxicity in mice.

Immunomodulatory effect of ethanolic extract (50%) of M. oleifera leaves (MOE) has been studied in normal and immunosuppressed mice models. Different doses of MOE i.e. 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of mice were administered orally for 15 days. Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 30 mg / kg body weight was administered orally for the next 3 days. On day 16 and 19, hematological parameters like white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin level (Hb), percent neutrophils and organ weight were recorded. Effect of MOE on phagocytic activity of mice macrophages was determined by carbon clearance test. MOE showed significant dose dependent increase in WBC, percent neutrophils, weight of thymus and spleen along with phagocytic index in normal and immunosuppressed mice. The results indicate that MOE significantly reduced cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppression by stimulating both cellular and humoral immunity.