Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. L on Adjuvant Induced Arthritis in Rats.

Aims: The present study was undertaken to explore in vivo antioxidant potential of ethanol extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaf and stem in adjuvant induced arthritic rats. Methodology: Arthritis induced rats were administered with extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis leaf and stem. (150 mg/kg body Weight/rat/day for 30 days. Results: A significant decrease in paw edema was observed following oral administration of the leaf and stem extracts. A significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of tissue TBARS, GPx and catalase was seen in arthritis induced rats (group II) and NAT treated rats (group III and group IV) showed a significant decrease in lipid peroxides, GPx and catalase level to near normalcy. The activity of total tissue SOD was found significantly (p<0.05) low in arthritis induced rats (group II) while a substantial increase in the activity to near normal level was noticed in NAT administered rats. The alterations in hematological and other biochemical parameters were restored to near normal levels after a treatment period of 30 days. The structural changes of the tissues shows the therapeutic ability of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis stem and leaf in experimental animals which were further evidenced by histological observations made on the hind limb tissue. Conclusion: As Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is of natural origin, it is a safe and effective intervention for free radical mediated diseases.

Influence of ethanolic extract of Jasminum grandflorum linn flower on wound healing activity in rats.

The influence of flower extract of Jasminum grandiflorum was studied for its wound healing activity at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight, using excision and dead space wound models in rats. The animals were divided into three groups in excision wound model, the controls (n=10) were treated with 0.25% CM cellulose, reference standard (n=10) were treated with sulfathiazole ointment and the experimental (n=10) were treated with extract of J. grandiflorum flower till complete epithelialization. The animals in dead space wound models were divided into two groups, controls were given plain drinking water and the experimental animals were administered with extract orally for 10 days. The extract treated wounds were found to epithelize faster as compared to controls. Extract-treated rats exhibited 65% reduction in the wound area when compared to controls (54%). The wet and dry granulation tissue weight, and hydroxyproline content in a dead space wound model increased significantly (P < 0.001) when compared to controls. Histological studies of the tissue obtained on day 10 from the extract-treated group showed increased well organized bands of collagen, more fibroblasts and few inflammatory cells when compared to controls which showed inflammatory cells, scanty collagen fibres and fibroblasts. The. demonstration of increased rate of wound contraction together with the biochemical and histological findings suggest the use of J. grandiflorum flower extract in the management of wound healing.