Salsola imbricata Forssk. ameliorates acetic acid-induced inflammatory bowel disease by modulating dysregulated antioxidant enzyme system and cytokine signaling pathways in mice

Objective: To explore the protective effect of the crude extract of Salsola imbricata against acetic acid-induced inflammatory bowel disease in mice and its mechanism of action. Methods: Ethanolic crude extract of Salsola imbricata was characterized by HPLC. Salsola imbricata extract at different doses was administered and ulcerative colitis was induced by 200 μL, 7.5% acetic acid and macroscopic parameters were evaluated to assess the homeostatic condition of intestinal mucosa along with hematological and biochemical assays. The levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase 1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were determined in colon tissues. Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified by ELISA. The extent of tissue damage was assessed by histological analysis. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals including quercetin, gallic acid, syringic acid, benzoic acid and chlorogenic acid in the crude extract. The crude extract of Salsola imbricata (300 and 500 mg/kg) markedly decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (P<0.01) and increased antioxidant activities of glutathione peroxidase 1 (P<0.001) and superoxide dismutase (P<0.001). Moreover, it decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α significantly (P<0.001) and reduced the damage to the colon mucosa, promoting tissue healing and regeneration. Conclusions: Salsola imbricata extract restores the colonic epithelial layers by maintaining mucosal homeostasis and cell integrity by modulating antioxidant defense system and inflammatory cytokine signaling in ulcerative colitis mice.

Salsola imbricata Forssk. ameliorates acetic acid-induced inflammatory bowel disease by modulating dysregulated antioxidant enzyme system and cytokine signaling pathways in mice

@# Objective: To explore the protective effect of the crude extract of Salsola imbricata against acetic acid-induced inflammatory bowel disease in mice and its mechanism of action. Methods: Ethanolic crude extract of Salsola imbricata was characterized by HPLC. Salsola imbricata extract at different doses was administered and ulcerative colitis was induced by 200 μL, 7.5% acetic acid and macroscopic parameters were evaluated to assess the homeostatic condition of intestinal mucosa along with hematological and biochemical assays. The levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase 1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were determined in colon tissues. Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified by ELISA. The extent of tissue damage was assessed by histological analysis. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals including quercetin, gallic acid, syringic acid, benzoic acid and chlorogenic acid in the crude extract. The crude extract of Salsola imbricata (300 and 500 mg/kg) markedly decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (P<0.01) and increased antioxidant activities of glutathione peroxidase 1 (P<0.001) and superoxide dismutase (P<0.001). Moreover, it decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α significantly (P<0.001) and reduced the damage to the colon mucosa, promoting tissue healing and regeneration. Conclusions: Salsola imbricata extract restores the colonic epithelial layers by maintaining mucosal homeostasis and cell integrity by modulating antioxidant defense system and inflammatory cytokine signaling in ulcerative colitis mice.

Gastroprotective effects of cuscuta reflexa on aspirininduced peptic ulcer

Background: Gastroprotective effects of cuscuta reflexa may be considered as alterative to many currently used anti peptic ulcer drugs

Objective: To explore the in-vivo gastroprotective activity and antiulcer potential of crude extract of the indigenous medicinal plant, Cuscuta reflexa, belonging to the plant family 'Convolvulace

Methodology: This experimental study was conducted from 1[st] March to 1[st] July 2015 at faculty of pharmacy and alternative medicine, Islamia Universty Bahawalpur. The antiulcer activity of Cuscuta reflexa [Cs.Cr] was investigated in aspirin-induced ulcer models. Wistar Albino rats were divided into six groups, each consisting of six animals. Control and intoxicated groups received normal saline at the dose of 8 ml/kg, standard group received Cimetidine [100 mg/kg] and the test groups received three different doses [30, 100 and 300 mg/kg] of Cs.Cr oraly individually for seven days, with subsequent administration of aspirin [200 mg/kg oraly] for two consecutive days. At the end of the experimental period, rats were anaesthetized and sacrificed. The stomach was removed and incised to collect the gastric juice for determination of pH and acidity. The stomach from each group was evaluated for ulcer index and percent protection. Afterwards, stomachs were weighed and samples preserved in 10% formalin for histopathological studies. Acute toxicity studies were also performed in mice. The extract [Cs.Cr] was also analyzed phytochemically for the presence of various secondary metabolites

Results: Oral administration of the crude extract of Cuscuta reflexa [Cs.Cr] exhibited dose-dependent [30-300 mg/kg] significant protection [p<0.05] in the Aspirin-induced peptic ulcerated animals. The extract, Cs.Cr, was found to be safe up to the dose of 10 g/kg in mice. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of several metabolites like glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and tannins in the crude extract of the plant

Conclusion: The results of the study clearly showed that Cs.Cr possesses gastroprotective potential and caused the reversal of peptic ulceration which justify the traditional use of the plant in several gastric ailments like hyperacidity, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and ulcer. However, further investigations are needed to explore the exact mechanism[s] responsible for protective effects of the plant

Hepatoprotective effects of aerva javanica against paracetamol induced liver toxicity

Background: Aerva Javanica, a traditional medicinal plant may have hepatoprotective effects

Objective: This study was carried out to assess the in-vivo hepatoprotective activity of 70% aqueous methanolic crude extract of Aerva javanica, belonging to the plant family 'Amaranthaceae'

Methodology: Wistar Albino rats were divided into six groups, each consisting of six animals. Control and intoxicated groups received normal saline at the dose of 2 ml/kg, standard group received Silymarin [25 mg/kg] and the test groups received three different doses [100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg] of Aj.Cr oral individually for three days. After half an hour of third day treatment, each animal of all the groups, except control, was treated with single per oral dose of 500 mg/kg of Paracetamol [PCM]. After 24 hours of intoxication, animals were anesthetized and sera were prepared from blood obtained by cardiac puncture method to assess biochemical parameters; SGOT, SGPT, SALP and total bilirubin [TB], using diagnostic kits. Livers were weighed and samples preserved in 10% formalin for histopathological studies. Acute toxicity studies were also performed in mice. The extract [Aj.Cr] was also analyzed phytochemically for the presence of various secondary metabolites

Results: Oral administration of the crude extract of Aerva javanica [Aj.Cr] showed dose-dependent [100-1000 mg/kg] significant reduction [p<0.05] in the Paracetamol-induced elevated levels of enzymes; Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetic Transaminase [SGOT], Serum Glutamate Pyruvic Transaminase [SGPT], Serum Alkaline Phosphatase [SALP] and Total Bilirubin [TB] in intoxicated animals. The extract, Aj.Cr, was found to be safe up to the dose of 10 g/kg in mice. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of several metabolites like glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and tannins in the crude extract of the plant

Conclusion: The results of the study showed that Aerva Javanica possesses hepatoprotective potential and caused the reversal of abnormal liver functions which justify the traditional use of the plant in liver complaints. However, further investigations are needed to explore the exact mechanism[s] responsible for protective effects of the plant

Diuretic activity of Boswellia serrata Roxb. oleo gum extract in albino rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of crude aqueous extract of Boswellia serrata Roxb. oleo gum on urinary electrolytes, pH and diuretic activity in normal albino rats. Moreover, acute toxicity of the gum extract was assessed using mice. Albino rats were divided into five groups. Control group received normal saline [10 mg/kg], reference group received furosemide [10 mg/kg] and test groups were given different doses of crude extract [10, 30 and 50 mg/kg] by intra-peritoneal route, respectively. The Graph Pad Prism was used for the statistical analysis and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Significant diuretic, kaliuretic and natriuretic effects were observed in the treated groups in a dose dependent manner. Diuretic index showed good diuretic activity of the crude extract. Lipschitz values indicated that the crude extract, at the dose of 50 mg/kg, showed 44% diuretic activity compared to the reference drug. No lethal effects were observed among albino mice even at the higher dose of 3000 mg/kg. It is concluded that aqueous extract of Boswellia serrata oleo gum, at the dose of 50 mg/kg showed significant effects on urinary volume and concentration of urinary electrolytes with no signs of toxicity

Hypertensive, angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitory and diuretic activities of the aqueous-methanol extract of ipomoea reniformis

Ipomoea reniformis Roxb. [Convolvulaceae] is a small, weedy herb used for the management of cardiac problems in traditional systems of medicine in India and Pakistan. Objective of the present study was to investigate the hypotensive, diuretic and angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitory activities of the aqueous-methanol [30:70] crude extract of the dried aerial parts of I, reniformis [Ir.Cr.] in rats. To record blood pressure lowering effects of the Ir.Cr, different doses of the extract were administered through jugular vein to the ketamine-diazepam anesthetized normotensive rats and blood pressure was recorded via carotid artery. ACE inhibitory activity of the extract was studied in-vitro; using hippuryl-1-histidyl-l-leucine as substrate, the product hippurate was quantified spectrophotometrically after reacting with cyanuric chloride/dioxane reagent. Effects of intraperitoneal administration of the extract on urine and urinary electrolyte excretion were also investigated in rats. The extract [Ir.Cr.] produced 21.51 +/- 3.41, 28.99 +/- 2.30, 53.34 +/- 0.88 and 61.71 +/- 3.37% fall in mean arterial blood pressure of the anesthetized rats at the doses of 0.1, 0.3, LO and 3.0 mg/Kg, respectively. Ir.Cr. was found to have serum ACE inhibitory activity, with IC[50] value of 422 +/- 21.16 ng/mL. The extract also increased urine volume and urinary Na+ excretion significantly at the doses of 30 and 50 mg/Kg in rats. The study concludes that the crude extract of Ipomoea reniformis [Ir.Cr.] has hypotensive, ACE inhibitory and diuretic activities, which provide the scientific justification for the traditional uses of the plant as cardioprotective, antihypertensive and diuretic remedy