ABSTRACT
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
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Fruits produce revitalizing effects, hence the impact of Punica granatum, Citrus limon and their combinations have been investigated on the plasma levels of gonadotropin, testosterone and sexual development capacity in female rabbits. Ninety female rabbits were randomly assigned into nine groups, each comprising of ten animals. One group was given saline and designated as control. Three groups were given P. granatum 2mL /kg, 5mL/kg, 8mL/kg, other three groups received C. limon 0.2mL/kg, 0.4mL/kg, 0.6mL/kg respectively, remaining groups received C. limon and P. granatum in combination i.e. 0.4mL/kg C. limon + 5mL/kg P. granatum and 0.2mL/kg C. limon + 8mL/kg P. granatum. Juices were administered once daily by mouth from day 0 of pups delivered to postnatal day15. Blood samples were gathered from ear vein at day11 and day15. There was significant increase in follicle stimulating hormone by P. granatum at 5 and 8mL/kg on day 11 and 15, by C. limon at 0.4 and 0.6mL/kg on day11, 0.4mL/kg at day15, by combination doses of C. limon and P. granatum 0.4 +5mL/kg at day 11, 0.4+5 mL/kg and 0.2 + 8mL/kg at day15. There was also significant increase in luteinizing hormone by P. granatum at 2, 5 and 8mL/kg and by C. limon 0.4mL/kg at day11. There was highly significant increase on day 11 in LH at combination doses of C. limon and P. granatum 0.4 + 5mL/kg. There was significant increase in testosterone level by P. granatum at 2, 5 and 8mL/kg on day 11 and 5mL/kg on day15 and highly significant increase at 2 and 8mL/kg. C. limon caused significant increase in testosterone at 0.4 mL/kg on day11, 0.2 and 0.6mL/kg on day 15 and highly significant increase at 0.4mL/kg on day15. Whereas combinations doses of C. limon and P. granatum at 0.4+5mL/kg caused highly significant increase in testosterone level as compare to control. Results of present study revealed increase in plasma gonadotropin and testosterone levels showing increase in sexual capacity of female rabbits which could be mainly accounted for high vitamin C and flavonoids contents of these juices
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Anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds were evaluated in diet rat model. The study included forty eight Sprague Dawley rats of either sex with eight animals in each group. Except for control the disease control, standard and treatment groups were treated with high-fat high-sugar diet for 8 weeks. After confirmation of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, the standard group received atorvastatin [2.1 mg.kg-1], treatment groups received hexane extract, ethanol extract and water decoction of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds [300mg.kg -1] for next 30 days. Disease control and control were given normal saline in volume equivalent to other groups. High-fat high-sugar diet was continued in all groups except control for 30 day period. Lipid profile, liver function tests and fasting blood sugar were analyzed in fasting blood samples. Cardiac risk parameters were calculated and results were analyzed by one way ANOVA using SPSS. All three tested extracts showed significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, LDL-C, triglycerides, VLDL-C and cardiac risk parameters as compared to disease control. However, HDL-C and cholesterol levels in treatment groups were found to be significantly increased compared to disease control. Furthermore, treatment groups showed significantly decreased AST and ALP levels compared to disease control. Hexane extract, ethanol extracts and water decoction of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds exhibited potential antihyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic effects with favorable hepatic profile. However, further studies should be designed to strengthen these findings on mechanistic ground
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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
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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
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Adult , Animals, Laboratory , Male , Phytotherapy , Plants, Medicinal , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Disease Models, Animal , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the effect of herbal syrup Linkus on acute and gross toxicity and electrolytes level in blood and organs
Materials and Methods: This interventional study was carried out in the department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy,University of Karachi after approval from BASR-KU. In this study twenty-eight healthy rabbits of either sex weighing 0.90 kg to 1.2 kg. All animals were equally divided into four groups, one served as control group while, remaining three groups received herbal syrup Linkus at three different doses. Acute toxicity was tested in mice by Lorke's method whereas effect on gross toxicity, blood and organ electrolytes was evaluated in Rabbits
Results: Herbal syrup Linkus exhibited LD50 values greater than 5 gm / kg per 24 hrs. No gross toxicity and mortality was observed during the whole experimental period. Non significant changes were observed in blood and organ electrolytes [Calcium, Potassium and Sodium] level
Conclusion: Herbal syrup Linkus has produced no toxic effect at the administered doses neither showed any significant change in the electrolytes level in the blood and vital organs
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Nowadays anxiety and depression are most commonly encountered diseases. They are not only difficult to diagnose but even difficult to treat since both are sometimes seen together or one predisposes the other. Apart from this side effect profile of these drugs is also high; hence there is immense scope for the herbal drugs to treat these disorders. Present study was therefore performed to evaluate the antianxiety and antidepressant effect of Carthamus tinctorius petal extract. 28 white albino rats bred in the animal house of Department of Pharmacology, University of Karachi weighing 180-220gm were r and omly divided into four groups [n=7/group] to assess behavioral effects. The anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of Carthamus tinctorius petal extract were evaluated using elevated plus maize and forced swim test respectively at100 and 200mg/kg. These effects were compared with st and ard drugs Diazepam [anxiolytic] 2mg/kg and Nortriptyline [antidepressant] 12.5mg/kg. Results show that CT produced highly significant anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects at both doses as compared to control, similar to st and ard anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs diazepam and nortriptyline. It increased the latency of first entry to closed arms and the time spent in open arms very significantly at both doses while entries to open arm were increased significantly at 100mg/kg and very significantly at 200mg/kg in EPM test and increased the immobility time very significantly in FST. Hence it can be concluded that CT may be used as an alternative therapeutic agent while treating patients with anxiety and depressive disorders.
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Objective: to assess the effect of methanol extract of Ajwain on coagulation parameters PT and aPTT and to determine usefulness
Design: this comparative study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Pakistan
Methods: antithrombotic tests PT and aPTT were conducted after multiple dosing of Ajwain on rats using standard kits and reagents, which were performed on Humaclot duo Germany. The data was subjected to analysis by taking mean and standard error to the mean using student T- test
Results: the results revealed that Ajwain extract did not show any significant effect on aPTT whereas increase in PT was highly significant [P < 0.001]
Conclusion: the results suggested that the methanol extract of Ajwain prolonged PT, similar to that of Warfarin suggesting its possible effects on the extrinsic pathway, while aPTT was not altered suggesting that it may have no effects on the intrinsic pathway
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Neurotoxicants and environmental pollutants cause neuronal damage and may damage myelin sheath. Since Methyl cobalamine [B12] has effect on myelin sheath formation it was hypothesized that B12 administration in case of nerve damage by some neurotoxicants may be protected or corrected by B12 administration. [Braun, 1977 and Braun, 1980]. For generations physicians have recommended B-vitamins especially B12 for neuropsychiatric symptoms. In present study neuroprotective role of B12 is assessed. Present work was planned to evaluate the therapeutic or prophylactic role of B12 in nerve damage by neurotoxicant i.e. glutamic acid. Present study revealed no significant neuroprotection or defensive regimen offered by B12 for neurotoxic damage. Glutamic acid is probably affecting neurons or dentritis sparing myelin sheath. Neuroprotection expected by B12 may be applied only to myelin sheath