Effect of thioperamide on nitric oxide in middle cerebral artery occlusion model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats

The present study evaluated the effect of Thioperamide [THP], a selective histamine H[3]-receptor antagonist, on middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO]-induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats. The rats were subjected to 2 hrs of MCAO followed by 22 hrs reperfusion followed by nitrate and nitrite levels estimations in the whole brain of rats. A decrease in the level of nitrate and nitrite was observed following MCAO. THP pre-treatment could not reverse such a reduction in nitrite but slightly reversed reduced nitrate levels. The opposite effect of THP on nitrate and nitrite levels requires further investigation and raises doubts on its possible use in cerebral ischemia

Comparative analysis of the protective effects of melatonin and silymarin on lipid peroxidation and dyslipidemia in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Purpose of this study was to compare the potential protective effects of Melatonin and Silymarin on blood glucose, serum lipid profile, tissue MDA and tissue glutathione in streptozotocin [STZ] induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by administration of a single dose of streptozotocin [60 mg/kg, i.p.] injection. STZ treatment significantly increased the levels of blood glucose, serum total cholesterol [TCh], serum triglycerides [TG] and tissue malondialdehyde [MDA], a secondary product of lipid peroxidation. On the contrary high density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol and glutathione [GSH] content of liver and pancreas were markedly decreased in diabetic control rats, Administration of Melatonin [16 mg/kg] and Silymarin [25 mg/ kg] caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and tissue MDA with significant increase in serum HDL-cholesterol and tissue GSH content of STZ induced diabetic rats when compared with diabetic control rats. Blood glucose, serum TCh, serum TG and tissue MDA lowering effect of Melatonin was greater than that of Silymarin. Melatonin was also found to be more potent than Silymarin in increasing HDL and GSH content. Based on our findings, it is possible to postulate that Melatonin at much lower concentration is more potent than Silymarin in controlling diabetes

Hepatoprotection by Jigrine, a Unani herbal formulation, during country-made liquor-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The hepatoprotective potential of Jigrine tablets [a Unani polyherbal formulation containing a mixture of 14 medicinal plants] was evaluated in country-made liquor [CML]-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The rats were made hepatotoxic by administering CML [3 ml/100 g/day in 2 divided doses] and corn oil [1 ml/100 g/day, in a single dose] orally for 21 days. The administration of Jigrine [200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg] orally from day 15 to day 21 along with CML produced significant lowering [p<0.01] of serum AST, ALT, ALP, gamma-GTP and tissue lipid peroxide levels. The results were comparable to silymarin [25 mg/kg, orally]. The study shows that the Jigrine is definitely a hepatoprotective agent and reduction of liver damage by Jigrine treatment involved several mechanisms