Evaluating a murine model of endometritis using uterine isolates of Escherichia coli from postpartum buffalo

Ascending infection of the uterus with Gram-negative bacteria is responsible for postpartum endometritis in cattle and buffalo and can adversely affect fertility. Development of a laboratory animal model for bovine endometritis would facilitate the understanding of the pathogenesis as it is difficult to conduct controlled experimentation in the native host. In the present study, 30 virgin Swiss Albino mice [5-8 weeks old] were used to evaluate the pathogenic potential of Escherichia coli, isolated from the normally calved postpartum buffalo to induce endometritis. Mice in the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle were randomly allotted to one of the following four intravaginal inoculation [100 microL] treatments: EG [experimental group]-1: sterile normal saline; EG-2, -3 and -4: E. coli@ 1.5 × 104, 105 and 106 CFU/ml, respectively. The animals were then scarified 36 h post-inoculation to study gross and microscopical lesions. Gross changes were confined to EG-4. Acute endometritis was recorded in 50% of the EG-3 and 66.7% of the EG-4. The rate of acute endometritis development was significantly higher in EG-4 [P<0.05] as compared to the other groups. The present study demonstrated that the animal model for bubaline endometritis can be developed in mice by intravaginal inoculation of E. coli@ 1.5 × 106 CFU/ml at diestrus. Ease of intravaginal inoculation, apparent absence of systemic involvement and high infective rate are the advantages of the model over other studies

Hepatoprotective studies on leaves of erythrina indica against carbon tetra chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The present study was carried out to assess the hepatoprotective activity of leaves of Erythrina indica against carbon tetra chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Albino rats of both sexes weighing 150-250 gm were used for the study. Alcohol and Ethyl acetate extracts of leaves of Erythrina indica at a concentration of 250 mg/kg were studied by using Silymarin [200 mg/kg] as reference standard. All the test drugs were administered along with 0.5 ml carbon tetra chloride for four days through intraperitoneal route. The level of marker enzymes SCOT, SGPT and Alkaline Phosphatase and histopathalogical studies were carried out for ascertaining the protective activity of the extracts. Both alcoholic and ethyl acetate extract lowered the elevated SCOT and SGPT level. Histopathalogical studies showed the absence of necrosis as compared to carbon tetra chloride treated animals. These observations revealed that alcohol and ethyl acetate extracts of leaves of Erythrina indica at the concentration of 250 mg/kg possess hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetra chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Antinociceptive studies on various extracts of leaves of erythrina indica lam.

The present study was carried out to assess the antinociceptive activity of leaves of Erythrina indica on thermal induced pain. Erythrina indica Lam. leaves have been extracted with chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol by cold maceration method Antinociceptive activity was evaluated for each extract by Eddy's hot plate method and tail flick method using Pentazocine as reference standard. All the three extracts showed significant antinociceptive activity. Alcoholic extract was found to exhibit prominent activity when compared to other two extracts. The activity may be due to the presence of sterols and flavonoids

In-vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of whole plant extracts of Coldenia procumbens linn.

Phytochemical investigations, in-vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of whole plant extracts of Coldenia procumbens Linn. by human red blood corpuscles [HRBC] membrane stabilization method and Inhibition of protein denaturation method respectively were carried out. The dried whole plant material was extracted by cold maceration with ethanol and the concentrated extract was fractioned with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The phytochemical analysis of these fractions revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, oils and fats. All the tested fractions of ethanolic extract of Coldenia procumbens Linn. showed significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity at a concentration of 250 microg/ml. This effect was compared with known anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic drugs such as Aspirin and Diclofenac sodium at the same concentration