Role of Triticum aestivum aqueous extract in glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in rats.

Administration of aqueous extract of T. aestivum (200 and 400 mg/kg/day, po, for 30 days) and risedronate (20 mg/kg, sc, five times a week for 30 days) following methyl prednisolone sodium succinate (10 mg/kg, sc, thrice a week for 4 weeks) induced osteoporosis in Wistar rats showed an increase in the serum levels of bone mineral content markers, decrease in the serum and urinary levels of bone resorption markers. An incline in strength of femur and tibia was seen particularly with 400 mg/kg of T. aestivum. Maintenance of calcium homeostasis, formation of collagen and scavenging of free radicals can plausibly be the mode of action of aqueous extract of T. aestivum thereby combating osteoporosis induced by glucocorticoids.

Immunomodulatory effects of alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Moringa olifera Lam leaves.

Effects of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the alcoholic and hydro-alcoholic extract of leaves of M. olifera were studied on various immune paradigms like delayed type hypersensitivity reaction using SRBC as an antigen, determination of antibody titer, neutrophil adhesion test as an indicator for neutrophil index, total leucocyte count in cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressed animals and carbon clearance assay as a measure of phagocytic activity. Hydro-alcoholic extract of M. olifera substantially enhanced cellular immune response, humoral immune response, neutrophil index and phagoctic activity in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. The ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg body wieght) was efficient in improving immune response. The results suggest that M. olifera has a significant role to play as an immune stimulator.

Butea frondosa as a gastro protective against induced gastric lesions

The study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of alcoholic extract of Butea frondosa Koen. ex Roxb against gastric lesions induced in rats using acetic acid plus pyloric ligation. The impact of alcoholic extract of Butea frondosa in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg as single dose schedules and 200 mg/kg for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days was determined. Parameters assessed were ulcer index, total acidity, acid volume, total protein and pH, non protein sulfhydryls and gastric wall mucus. Extract in dose of 400 mg/kg as a single schedule signifi cantly reduced ulcer severity, total protein and pH as against the control (p<0.05). Concurrent fi ndings were also observed with 200 mg/kg administered for 21 and 28 days. Treatment with 400 mg/kg of the extract as a single dose and 200 mg/kg for 28 days produced an elevation in the content on non protein sulfhydryls. Gastric wall mucus was enhanced with 200 mg/kg of the extract administered for 28 days with a value of 186±2.74 ìg Alcian blue/g wet weight compared with the control (p<0.05). A palpable decline in incidence of ulcers was observed with the extract which might be largely due to the presence of fl avonoids.

Investigation on the effect of eclipta alba on animal models of learning and memory.

Short and long term memory loss may result from deteriorating cerebral mechanisms due to varied causes which could have a tremendous impact on the quality of life. Herbs are being constantly explored to resolve cognitive deficits. Eclipta alba (Ea) commonly called as the trailing Eclipta is being examined for its memory enhancing quality as it is traditionally used for this purpose. The shade dried leaves of Eclipta alba was extracted with distilled water. The suspension of Ea containing 100 and 200 mg/kg was administered to rats to evaluate Transfer Latency (TL) on an elevated plus maze. TL was a measure of acquisition and retrieval learning. Mice were placed at the center of open field apparatus to assess spatial habitual learning, observed for 20 minutes for rearing and time spent during rearing using varied doses for 30 minutes, 24 hours and 96 hours and 144 hrs. The results revealed significant improvement of retrieval memory.