ABSTRACT
Objective: Barleria lupulina Lindl (Acanthaceae) (B. lupulina) has been traditionally used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but, no scientific data has been published supporting the claimed ethnomedical use. This study was designed to investigate the anti-arthritic potential of B. lupulina leaves and its role in immunomodulation. Methods: Methanol extract of B. lupulina (MEBL) leaves (300 and 600 mg/kg BW) was tested for its antiarthritic activity by various models namely, formalin-induced arthritis, adjuvant induced arthritis, collagen type II-induced arthritis and monosodium iodoacetate induced osteoarthritis. Immunomodulatory activity of the same was tested by measuring WBC Count, Spleen Weight, Spleen WBC Count and Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) Reaction.Results:MEBL extracts 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/ kg showed statistically significant inhibition (P<0.05 and P<0.001) of the edema formation and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) during experimental period and activities of antioxidants were restored significantly. MEBL extracts 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg significantly increased the Hemoglobin (Hb) level, serum albumin, total protein, calcium and phosphorus levels and reverted back the levels of WBC count and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) (P<0.05 and P<0.01). Histopathological studies of ankle joints also supported this finding. Immunomodulatory study revealed an increase in the blood leukocytes count, weight of spleen, spleenic leukocytes count and increase in paw volume on delayed type hypersensitivity footpad thickness suggesting an uplift of immune status. Conclusions: The present study concluded that, MEBL holds antiarthritic and Immunomodulatory activity. Although subsequent study is required to evaluate the active constituents responsible for the activity.
ABSTRACT
A reliable method for characterizing microbial communities on the basis of their differences in the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences in the hot arid zone sandy soils has been optimized. A desert plant (Calligonum polygonoides) was chosen to provide the rhizospheric soil samples, collected from three different agro-ecological locations. Total community DNA was efficiently extracted at small-scale level using direct lysis with hot sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), glass bead beating and finally subjecting the sandy soil to liquid nitrogen freeze-thaw cycles. To amplify V3 region of bacterial 16S rRNA gene, universal conserved primers were used. Second round polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was attempted to increase product concentration and to minimize the effect of inhibitory substances. To enhance the detection sensitivity of the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), the effect of change in template DNA concentration was studied. The separation of bands were greatly enhanced in the fingerprints obtained after the second round of PCR representing low abundant species which were not differentiated at single optimized concentration of DNA.