Ameliorative effect of Luffa acutangula Roxb. on doxorubicin induced cardiac and nephrotoxicity in mice.

The present study reports protective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Luffa acutangula (HAELA) on doxorubicin (DXR) induced cardio and nephro toxicity in mice by studying various serum biomarkers, antioxidants in target organs and histoarchitecture alterations. Pretreatment with HAELA reversed significantly the elevated serum biomarkers, alanine amino transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine phosphokinase in heart and kidney in DXR treated mice. In addition, HAELA treatment inhibited elevated malondialdehyde formation and restored the depleted glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase in heart and kidney tissue. The altered histoarchitecture of heart and kidney tissue due to DXR treatment were also improved with HAELA. The protective activity observed with HAELA on DXR induced cardio and nephrotoxicity in mice was found to be related to its antioxidant property which finally results in membrane stabilization.

Detergent stable, halotolerant -amylase from bacillus aquimaris vitp4 exhibits reversible unfolding.

Halotolerant Bacillus aquimaris VITP4, isolated from Kumta coast (India), was used to produce extracellular α-amylase. The production was found to be maximal after 24 h of growth at pH 8.0 and 40 oC. Optimal activity of the purified enzyme was in the pH range of 7.5 – 9.5 at 40 oC. The enzyme was found to retain more than 60% of the initial activity even at NaCl concentration of 3.5 M, indicating that it is halotolerant. Calcium ion (0.01 mM) and CTAB (10 mM) enhanced the activity whereas EDTA decreased the enzymatic activity. Thermal inactivation kinetics suggested that the enzyme exhibits reversible unfolding even at high temperature (till 90 oC) and the t1/2 at 90 oC was found to be 43.5 min. These results suggests that the α-amylase from Bacillus aquimaris strain VITP4 is halotolerant, metal ion dependent enzyme which is stable in the presence of cationic detergent and moderate temperature conditions.

Hepatoprotective activity of Luffa acutangula against CCl4 and rifampicin induced liver toxicity in rats: A biochemical and histopathological evaluation.

Hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Luffa acutangula (HAELA) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats was evaluated and probable mechanism(s) of action has been suggested. Administration of standard drug- silymarin and HAELA showed significant hepatoprotection against CCl4 and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hepatoprotective activity of HAELA was due to the decreased levels of serum marker enzymes viz., (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH) and increased total protein including the improvement in histoarchitecture of liver cells of the treated groups as compared to the control group. HAELA also showed significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, increased activity of non-enzymatic intracellular antioxidant, glutathione and enzymatic antioxidants, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Results of this study demonstrated that endogenous antioxidants and inhibition of lipid peroxidation of membrane contribute to hepatoprotective activity of HAELA.

Stem bark extraction of Ficus bengalensis Linn for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in animal models.

In the present study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of aqueous extract of Ficus bengalensis (AEFB) and methanolic extract of F. bengalensis (MEFB) was evaluated in animal models. Preliminary results indicated that MEFB treatment possesses significant anti-inflammatory potential as compared to AEFB. The anti-inflammatory activity of MEFB exhibited in both acute (carrageenan induced hind paw edema and acetic acid induced vascular permeability) and sub-chronic (cotton pellet-induced granuloma) models of inflammation was found to be significant. In addition, the extract also showed significant analgesic activity in acetic acid induced writhing. Pretreatment with MEFB during inflammatory condition (both acute and sub-chronic) prevented increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and myeloperoxidase activity in edematous as well as granulomatous tissue. Further, serum marker enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) increased in inflammatory conditions were also inhibited with MEFB treatment. Hence, the anti-inflammatory activity observed in the present study with MEFB could be attributed largely to its antioxidant and lysosomal membrane stabilizing effects.

Sudden visual loss due to posterior ischemic optic neuropathy following craniotomy for a ruptured intracranial aneurysm.

The authors report a rare case of acute ipsilateral blindness that occurred after a standard fronto-temporal craniotomy for aneurysm in supine position. Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy caused by external pressure on the ipsilateral eye, its differentials and subsequent medico-legal implications are discussed.