Evaluation of in-vivo antiarthritic potential of methanolic extract of Costus speciosus rhizome.

Objective: To evaluate anti-arthritic potential of methanolic extract of rhizome of Costus speciosus Koen. Methods: The powdered drug was extracted with 80% methanol. The crude extract was subjected to phytochemical investigation and was evaluated for its anti-arthritic potential by freund’s complete adjuvant induced arthritis model in adult wistar albino rats. Determination of different parameters like arthritic score, arthritic index, paw thickness, body weight, and pain, altered liver enzymes and biochemical estimation like, nitric oxide level and Plasma TNF-α level was done. Finally, radiological estimation and histopathology of tibio tarsal joints was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test at different p-values. Results: Phytochemical study revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compound, saponins and carbohydrates. For different parameter mentioned above, anti-arthritic activity shown by prophylactic high dose test extract (200 mg/kg) was as potent as standard drug Indomethacin (10 mg/kg). The effect of Prophylactic low dose extract (100 mg/kg) and therapeutic high dose extract (200 mg/kg) was less than that of Indomethacin (10 mg/kg). Furthermore, Therapeutic low dose extract (100 mg/kg) was not effective. Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that Costus speciosus rhizome extract possess significant anti-arthrtic potential.

Protective effects of amlodipine on mitochondrial injury in ischemic reperfused rat heart.

The most significant finding of the present study was the release of nitric oxide (NO). The effect of amlodipine on NO production associated with ischemic reperfused (IR) injury was investigated in rat heart model. Cardiac tissues from animal groups were processed for biochemical, histopathological and electron microscopic studies. There was a significant increase in myocardial catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) enzymes in amlodipine treated group (1.37, 10.27, 6.39) when compared to IR injured group (0.81, 6.87, 4.53). Histopathology studies showed amlodipine reduce cardiocyte damage in cardiac injury during the cardiac IR. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) study confirmed the cardioprotective role of amlodipine against IR induced cardiac injury. On the basis of findings, it is hypothesized that a portion of the beneficial actions of amlodipine may involve the release or action of NO and probably by its antioxidant properties.