Effects of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia on amyloid accumulation in ovariectomized mice.

A central hypothesis in the study of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the accumulation and aggregation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). Recent epidemiological studies suggest that patients with elevated cholesterol and decreased estrogen levels are more susceptible to AD through Aβ accumulation. To test the above hypothesis, we used ovariectomized with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia (OVX) and hypercholesterolemia (HCL) diet alone mouse models. HPLC analysis reveals the presence of beta amyloid in the OVX and HCL mice brain. Congo red staining analysis revealed the extent of amyloid deposition in OVX and hypercholesterolemia mice brain. Overall, Aβ levels were higher in OVX mice than in HCL. Secondly, estrogen receptors α (ERα) were assessed by immunohistochemistry and this suggested that there was a decreased expression of ER α in OVX animals when compared to hypercholesterolemic animals. Aβ was quantified by Western blot and ELISA analysis. Overall, Aβ levels were higher in OVX mice than in HCL mice. Our experimental results suggested that OVX animals were more susceptible to AD with significant increase in Aβ peptide.

An overview of the Herbs in a Siddha Polyherbal decoction-Pidangunaari Kudineer indicated for Hepatomegaly.

Handa et al., 1986 noted that in India, more than 87 plants are used in 33 patented and proprietary multi-ingredient plant formulations for liver protection. Siddha Materia Medica illustrates a safer, cheap and potential hepatoprotective polyherbal decoction ‘Pidangunaari kudineer’ comprised of three herbal ingredients such as leaves of Premna tomentosa, pericarp of ripe fruits of Terminalia chebula, rhizomes of Curcuma longa. This formulation is very effective against hepatitis in the clinical practice. The goal of this systematic review of the literature was to summarize the literature on the safety and hepatoprotective activity of above herbs. A manual search of bibliographies of papers identified through an Internet search using multiple search engines. Textbooks on herbal medicine and their bibliographies were also searched. Result and Conclusion: A large number of in vitro, in vivo, human clinical studies on those herbs were identified. These included studies on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihepatoxicity induced by acetaminophen and antituberculosis drugs, anticarcinogenicity, antimicrobial properties and also phytocompounds were identified to justify the safety and hepatoprotective efficacy. Ethnic background of these herbs results liver protection make Pidangunaari Kudineer for further screening for hepatoprotection.

Pharmacological Study of a Siddha Holistic Herb Sivakaranthai - Sphaeranthus Amaranthoides Burm for Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory activities.

Sphaeranthus amaranthoides Burm belonging to the family Asteraceae is a rejuvenator herb of Siddha system having Tamil name ‘Sivakaranthai’. The present studies deals with a detailed pharmacological including pharmacognostical study particularly on leaf and infloresence of Sphaeranthus amaranthoides. The morphological characters of leaf and inflorescence observed by double staining. It revealed the stomatal index of lower surface with 42-48 and upper surface with 30-36/mm2 and presence of leaf resin canals. Inflorescences are cone shaped and its axis is siphonate. Sivakaranthai leaf powder (SLP) subjected to quality control test and by phytoconstituents estimation, appreciable presence of calcium, ferrous, tannin, proteins and phenols known. The results of elemental concentration level indicated the presence of toxic metals within the tolerance level. In vitro antibacterial activity evaluation confirmed the good anti-microbial activity at the dilution of 50 μl/disc against bacterial strain such as Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherchia coli Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Rats found safe up to a maximum dose of 2000mg/kg body weight in acute toxicity study following OECD 423 guidelines. The analgesic and anti-inflammation activities evaluation were done by tail flick hot water immersion method and by Carrageenan induced acute hind paw oedema method on Wistar albino rats, respectively. The SLP has shown very weak analgesic and moderate antiinflammatory action rather than standard Indomethacin and no adverse effects produced. In the light of above results, it concluded that Sphaeranthus amaranthoides might use in any suitable formulation in which anti-microbial property and micronutrients needed.

Vediuppu Chendhuram: Oxide form of salt petre and its in vivo toxicological profile.

Background: Vediuppu Chendhuram (VC) is a traditional Siddha mineral formulation applied to treat Urinary tract dysfunction such as burning micturation and retention of urine. It is synthesized through special oxidation of Vediuppu as narrated in the text Anubhoga Vaithiya Navaneetham. Physicochemical characterization of VC has been carried out using qualitative compound analysis and modern techniques such as Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Such study reveals the presence of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead are present below the detection limit and the presence of sodium, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus and calcium under acceptable limits. The primary objective of this work is to validate the safety of VC through animal model. Methods: The raw Vediuppu are procured from country drug store at Nagercoil, Tamilnadu and purified by the traditional procedure by soaking in Cow’s urine until it dried. The test drug VC is prepared by the process of Pudam (Oxidation) described in Anuboga Vaithiya Navaneetham 3rd part, pg no. 76-77. The safety profile is evaluated by doing acute oral toxicity and repeated oral toxicity studies under OECD guidelines on Albino wistar rats. Results: Animals were found to be safe upto 300mg/kg body weight in acute oral toxicity study. Repeated toxicity study of VC has revealed that upto 200mg/kg body weight; all the treated animals have survived throughout the dosing period of 28 days. But at the dose of 400mg/kg, exhibits mortality on 21st day of treatment. No significant changes in the body weight, food and water intake have been observed. Complete urine, haematology, biochemical analyses, gross necropsy and histopathological examination at the end of treatment did not reveal any abnormalities. Conclusion: Vediuppu Chendhuram is the safest drug under intended human adult dosages (520 mg – 1040 mg) as illustrated in the literature.