Sesame oil enhances endogenous antioxidants in ischemic myocardium of rat

The present study was designed to evaluate the potency of antioxidant activity of sesame oil in-vitro model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury of rat. Sesame oil was administered orally to Wistar albino rats (180-200 g) in two different doses (n=6), by gastric gavage at a dose of 5 mL/kg b.w. (S1) and 10 mL/kg b.w (S2) daily for thirty days. Control and sesame oil treated rat hearts were subjected to invitro global ischemic reperfusion injury (5 min perfusion, 9 min noflow and 12 min reperfusion). A significant rise in TBARS and decrease of GSH, catalase, LDH, CK and AST occurred in the hearts subjected to in-vitro myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury indicate the myocardial damage through oxidative stress. In sesame oil treated rats there was a significant decrease in TBARS and significant increase in endogenous antioxidants and myocardial marker enzymes in all the groups. In 10 mL/kg treatment group, a significant rise in the levels of GSH, SOD and catalase were observed with marker enzymes, and it shows better recovery profile than the other groups subjected to in-vitro ischemic reperfusion injury. In histological studies, control rats which subjected to IR injury show extensive myocardial damage and all the treatment groups, shows preserved myocardium. The effect of sesame oil was compared with reference compound captopril. The present study demonstrates that the sesame oil treated by the dose 10 mL/kg augments endogenous antioxidant compounds of the rat heart and also prevents the myocardium from in-vitro model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury.

Antitumour Activity of Methanolic Extract of Plumeria alba L. Leaves against Dalton Lymphoma Ascites in Mice

Purpose: To evaluate Plumeria alba leaves for antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) bearing Swiss albino mice. Method: The antitumour activity of the methanolic extract of Plumeria alba leaves (MPA) was evaluated against EAC and DLA using in-vitro cytotoxic and mean survival time; a decrease in the tumour volume and viable cell count in the DLA tumour hosts. The animal was observed for improvement in the haematological parameters (e.g.; heamoglobin content; red and white blood cells count; and differential cell count) following MPA treatment of the tumour bearing mice. Results: MPA was found to be cytotoxic in the in-vitro model. Intraperitoneal administration of MPA increased the survival time; dead cell count haematological parameters and solid tumour mass was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: MPA possesses significant antitumour activity

Anti-steroidogenic activity of floral extract of Thespesia populnea Corr. in mouse ovary.

Anti-steroidogenic activity of various extracts of T. populnea was screened in female albino mice. The weight of the uterus and ovaries were reduced significantly and the cholesterol and ascorbic acid content in ovaries were significantly elevated due to the treatment with extract of T. populnea. The significant inhibition of delta 5, 3 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the two key enzymes involved in ovarian steroidogenesis were also observed in mouse ovaries after 15 days of treatment.

Dissolution studies on tablets of ibuprofen using chitosan.

An attempt has been made to study the release retardant behaviour of chitosan in ibuprofen tablets. Three different ibuprofen tablets were prepared by using 1,3 and 5% chitosan paste. In vitro evaluations were carried out by using dissolution testing apparatus U.S.P (XXI). The dissolution pattern indicated the role of chitosan in sustained release. Bioavailability studies in male beagle dogs clearly showed the sustained nature of release from chitosan based ibuprofen tablet as compared to conventional ibuprofen marketed formulation. Potential use of chitosan as a new matrix forming material for sustained release preparation has been examined. Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, has structural characteristics similar to glycosamino glycons. Chitosan has been shown to be non-toxic and biodegradable. It is inexpensive and has been explored in the present investigation as a release retarding agent in ibuprofen tablets.