Amelioration of anti-hepatotoxic effect by Lichen rangiferinus against alcohol induced liver damage in rats

Background: Reindeer lichen, Lichen rangiferinus syn. or Cladonia rangiferina (L.) F. H. Wigg. (Cladoniaceae) has been traditionally reported as a remedy to treat fever, colds, arthritis as well as convulsions,liver infections, coughs, constipation, and tuberculosis. The current study is aimed at rectification ofalcohol induced liver damage by the use of L. rangiferinus extract.Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare some biochemical markers for liver injury and hematological indices in normal untreated rats and treated rats.Material and Methods: The study was performed using male Wistar rats. Animals were categorized intofive groups, negative control group (normal diet only), treated groups (2 groups were lichen treatedalong with 10% ethanol & 1 group was only ethanol treated) and positive control group (Silymarin + 10%ethanol) of six animals in each group. Biochemical markers for liver injury and hematological indices ofall animals were measured using standard diagnostic tools. The animals were then sacrificed and liverswere sent to the pathology lab for histopathological analysis.Results: Lichen extract showed a significant restoration of altered biochemical parameters towardsnormal in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the LRE wasfound to be 21.78 mg PE/mg of extract and 5.13 mg RE/mg of extract respectively. The IC50 values foratranorin and fumarprotocetraric acid were found to be 128.48 and 218.46 mg/mL respectively.Reducing power of the extract was found to be quite significant. After administration of lichen extract,endothelial cells were less injured around central vein and number of fat vacuoles was also lesser inhepatocytes.Conclusion: Conclusively, treatment with lichen extract assuages alcohol-related damage and guardshepatic tissue from alcohol-induced toxicity.© 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Leaf Extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Prickly Chaff Flower).

Aim: The present study was undertaken to establish the potential role of Achyranthes aspera Linn for cure of skin diseases. Study Design: The plant is traditionally used by various tribes for curing a wide range of diseases. A 50% ethanolic extract of the leaves was subjected to phytochemical studies and further investigated for in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Place and Duration of Study: CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, between December 2012 and November 2013. Methodology: In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, β-Carotene-linoleic acid assay and reducing power assay. Antibacterial activity was studied by agar well diffusion method. Results: The total phenol and flavonoid content was estimated to be 3.363% and 6.36% respectively. The HPTLC analysis showed the presence of oleanolic acid, lupeol and β- sitosterol. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was concentration dependent and IC50 was observed at a concentration of 62.24μg/ml for DPPH free radical scavenging activity and 68.32μg/ml for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The extract showed significant total antioxidant activity and reducing power. Antibacterial activity was studied by well diffusion method and the MIC was recorded at 0.75 mg/ml for S. aureus, 0.8 mg/ml for M. luteus, 2.75 mg/ml for E. coli and 0.8 mg/ml for P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: The results obtained from current study demonstrate that the leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera L possess significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Presence of various classes of phytocompounds e.g. Phenols, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids etc. contribute highly to its medicinal values, thus indicating its potential for cure of skin diseases.

Wound Healing Activity of Premna latifolia Roxb.

Aims: The study aims to understand the wound healing potentials of a 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of Premna latifolia stem using excision wound model. Study Design: The wound healing potentials were simultaneously supported by observing the bacterial functional diversity of wound swabs using Biolog Eco plates. The antioxidant activity was performed using In vitro DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Place and Duration of Study: CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, between May 2013 and November 2013. Methodology: Wound healing activity of the plant was studied using excision wound model. Animals were divided into three groups of six male rats each as control group (GI) dressed with compound free simple ointment. Test group (GII) treated with 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of P. latifolia stem (10% w/w) in ointment vehicle and standard group (GIII) group treated Nitrofurazone ointment, Himedia (0.2%w/w). The wound healing potential was further supported by the DPPH free radical scavenging and antibacterial activity of the plant. The phytochemical estimations were done using standard methods. Results: Sugar and starch content in the plant was 3.55% and 5.54% respectively. Total tannins, phenol and flavonoid content were estimated to be 0.18%, 0.54% and 2.73%. The 50% ethanolic extract of the plant showed moderate DPPH free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 188.02μg/ml. A 69.15% of wound closure was observed on 10th day post wounding of the rats treated with 200 mg/kg of extract. The results also indicated significant antibacterial activity of the extract. Conclusion: The 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of P. latifolia shows significant wound healing activity.

Wound Repair and Anti-inflammatory Potential of Fumaria indica in Excision Wound-induced Rats.

Aims: Objective of the study was to investigate the wound contraction and antiinflammatory activity of the 50% ethanolic extract of Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley (Fumariaceae) by excision wound model and estimation of pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines. Study Design: Prospective. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacology, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India. December 2012 to May 2013. Methodology: Dried powdered whole plant of Fumaria indica was extracted with 50% ethanolic extract. The extract was subjected to HPTLC fingerprinting, DPPH free radical scavenging and antibacterial activities. Further, 10% F. indica ointment was tested for its wound contraction, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory potentials. Results: The 50% ethanolic extract showed presence of ellagic acid, ferulic acid andquercetin. The IC50 was 0.11mg/mL and significant antibacterial activity was observed against S. aureus and E. coli. The 10% F. indica ointment applied topically to the wound area reducedits size from 500 mm2 to 40 mm2 by the end of 9th day. These results were comparable to the effect of 0.2% nitrofurazone. The extract further showed a reduction in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-6) and an increase in antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10.

Effect of Andrographis serpyllifolia Leaves Extract on Experimentally Induced Typhoid Using Salmonella Typhi.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the standardized ethanolic extract of Andrographis serpyllifolia leaves on experimentally induced typhoid. Study Design: Single dose of 1 ml Salmonella Typhi (106 CFU/mL) was administered orally to rats to induce typhoid in rats. Blood culture test confirmed typhoid infectioned rats received orally the ethanolic extract of Andrographis serpyllifolia at dose levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days, respectively and control animals received physiological saline. Place and Duration of Study: CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, between December 2011 and June 2013. Methodology: Leaves of Andrographis serpyllifolia was extracted with ethanol and concentrated on rotavapour. Single dose of 1 ml S. Typhi (106 CFU/mL) was administered orally to rats with the help of orogastric tube to induce typhoid in rats. After seven days, typhoid confirmed rats received the standardized extract subsequently subjected to in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test. Results: The treatment with ethanolic extract of Andrographis serpyllifolia at dose level of 200 mg/kg showed 75.0% to 87.5% protection and 100% protection observed at higher dose of 400 mg/kg on widal, blood culture and typhidot test respectively. Biochemical test carried out on blood culture isolates confirmed the presence or absence of S. Typhi. A. serpyllifolia extract at a concentration of 1.50 mg/disc showed antimicrobial activity susceptibility against S. Typhi. Conclusion: Andrographis serpyllifolia leaves extract showed antimicrobial activity against S. Typhi and accomplished the extract of A. serpyllifolia is recommended for clinical applications in the treatment of typhoid.