A study to evaluate efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) as analgesic agent using albino wistar rats as an experimental animal model

Background: Pain is a very well-known symptom of many diseases and analgesics are used to relieve pain. The main problem with these drugs remains that of side effects. Herbal medicines are better in view of their cultural acceptability, better compatibility with human body systems and lesser incidence of side effects. Extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) plant have been traditionally used to treat pain in traditional medicine.Methods: Commercially available preparation of T. cordifolia plant has been used as test drug (aqueous extract). Healthy albino rats of either sex, weighing between 140-200 g were selected for the study, divided into 4 groups of 6 each (control, standard, 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg). Central analgesic activity was assessed by tail flick model (morphine as standard drug I.P). Acetic acid 1% 10 ml/kg aqueous solution I.P. was used for abdominal writhing model. Diclofenac 150 mg/kg oral as standard drug for assessment of peripheral analgesic activity. Results were analysed using SPSS version 16 and Microsoft office excel 2007.Results: T. cordifolia extract significantly increased the tail flick latency time (sec) (mean tail flick latency control, T100, T300 6.833±0.25 sec, 8.65±017 sec, 10.01±0.14 respectively) (p value control vs T100, T300 at 90 min, 120 min, 0.0573, 0.0198, 0.0198 in between group) and decreased number of abdominal writhing in comparison with the control group (p value <0.0001).Conclusions: Extract of T. cordifolia was found to possess analgesic activity and also exhibited dose and time dependant increase involving central and peripheral mechanisms. The analgesic activity of T. cordifolia found to be comparable to standard drug used.

Use Of Biological Parameters To De-Escalate Chemoradiation In Hpv Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of Different Subsites

Human papillomavirus infection is now a well-established cause of many common cancers like cervical, other anogenital, and head and neck cancers. The mortality and morbidity rate associated with these cancers constitute a major burden especially for the underdeveloped and developing countries of the world, where they are more common. Traditionally, all these subsites are being treated with different chemoradiation protocols with variable results. Toxicities associated with the standard high dose chemoradiation protocols form a major obstacle in the completion of treatment for these patients and often affects the outcome negatively. Personal experience and published reports and reviews suggests that HPV associated squamous cell cancers are a distinct biological sub group of cancer which can be treated safely with reduced intensity of chemoradiation. The establishment of a similar de-intensified chemoradiation protocol for all HPV associated squamous cell carcinoma will certainly improve the quality of life of such patients.

Experimental Validation Of Anti-Diabetic And Antioxidant Potential Of T. Cordifolia Stems (M.): An Indigenous Medicinal Plant

This case control study had been carried out to evaluate antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia; family: Menispermaceae) against streptozotocin induced diabetes in experimental rats to scientifically validate its use against diabetes. Ethanolic extract of T. cordifolia stem extract and standard drug (glibenclamide) macerated with aqueous gum acacia (2%, w/v) suspension and fed orally to streptozotocin induced male adult diabetic rats of Charles Foster strain for 30 days. Biochemical parameters in normal, diabetic control, standard (600µg/kg bw p.o.) and treated (500 mg/kg bw p.o.) animals group were determined and compared. Treatment of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with ethanolic extract caused significant (p<0.001) reduction in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipids, free fatty acid, lipid peroxide and significant increased (p<0.001) post heparin lipolytic activity. Furthermore, the stem extract (100-400 µg) when tested for its antioxidant activity in vitro, shown significant (p<0.001) inhibit the generation of super oxide anions in enzymic system a, in enzymic system b, non enzymic system and hydroxyl radicals in enzymic system and non-enzymic system. The results of the present study demonstrated antidiabetic antidyslipidemic and anti oxidant activities of T. cordifolia stem extract which could help in prevention of diabetic- dyslipidemia and related complications.