Anti-urolithiatic activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. hydroalcoholic extract in sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite advances in modern medicine, the development and growth of calculi continues to be a source of concern for mankind, as there is no effective treatment for kidney stones. In the present study we investigated antiurolithiatic activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam against sodium oxalate (NaOx) induced urolithiasis in rats. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: In rats with renal calculi caused by sodium oxalate (NaOx, 70 mg/kg, i.p.); the antiurolithiatic action of Bryophyllum pinnatum hydroalcoholic extract (BPHE) was studied. BPHE was given every day orally at doses of 50, 200 mg/kg for 14 days to rats to examine activity against sodium oxalate (NaOx) mediated urolithiasis, with Cystone (500 mg/kg, p.o.) as a reference standard. The effect of the extract on urine oxalate, creatinine and phosphate retention and excretion in the kidney, as well as serum and biochemical analysis of kidney homogenate and histopathological examinations were studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Oral administration of BPHE at doses of 50,100, and 200 mg/kg to rats with sodium oxalate-mediated renal calculi showed dose-dependent substantial (P<0.05) antiurolithiatic potential, with notable reversal of NaOx-induced ion excretion and urinary CaOx concentration. These findings justify the traditional use of Bryophyllum pinnatum hydroalcoholic extract (BPHE) in the treatment of renal calculi.

Anxiolytic and anticonvulsive activity of Sesbania grandiflora leaves in experimental animals.

Various parts of Sesbania grandiflora have been used in the Indian system of medicine, in particular, the leaves of S. grandiflora are used in Ayurveda for the treatment of epileptic fits. In the present study we have evaluated the anticonvulsive activity of S. grandiflora leaves using a variety of animal models of convulsions. Bioassay guided separation was also carried out to identify the fraction possessing anticonvulsant activity. The benzene:ethyl acetate fraction (BE) of the acetone soluble part of a petroleum ether extract significantly delayed the onset of convulsions in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and strychnine (STR)- induced seizures in mice and reduced the duration of tonic hindleg extension in the maximum electroconvulsive shock (MES) induced seizures in mice. The BE contained a triterpene as a major component. In addition, the BE also inhibited electrically induced kindled seizures in mice and lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats. It prolonged the duration of sleep induced by pentobarbital and antagonized the effect of D-amphetamine. Mice treated with BE preferred to remain in the open arm of the elevated plus maze indicating anxiolytic activity. The BE raised the brain contents of gamma-aminobutyric acid and serotonin. Thus the triterpene containing fraction of S. grandiflora exhibits a wide spectrum of anticonvulsant profile and anxiolytic activity.

Anticonvulsive activity of Albizzia lebbeck, Hibiscus rosa sinesis and Butea monosperma in experimental animals.

The ethanolic extracts of leaves of Albizzia lebbeck and flowers of Hibiscus rosa sinesis and the petroleum ether extract of flowers of Butea monosperma exhibited anticonvulsant activity. The bioassay guided fractionation indicated that the anticonvulsant activity lies in the methanolic fraction of chloroform soluble part of ethanolic extract of the leaves of A. lebbeck, acetone soluble part of ethanolic extract of H. rosa sinesis flowers and acetone soluble part of petroleum ether extract of B. monosperma flowers. The fractions protected animals from maximum electro shock, electrical kindling and pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions in mice. The fractions also inhibited convulsions induced by lithium-pilocarpine and electrical kindling. However, they failed to protect animals from strychnine-induced convulsions. The fractions antagonised the behavioral effects of D-amphetamine and potentiated the pentobarbitone-induced sleep. The fractions raised brain contents of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin. These fractions were found to be anxiogenic and general depressant of central nervous system.

Anticonvulsant and behavioral actions of triterpene isolated from Rubia cordifolia Linn.

Effect of a triterpene isolated from the acetone soluble part of petroleum ether extract of R. cordifolia was studied on convulsions induced by maximum electro shock (MES), electrical kindling and various chemoconvulsants in rats and mice. The effect of triterpene was also investigated on behavior and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin (5-HT) content in mouse brain. Triterpene inhibited seizures induced by MES, electrical kindling, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), and lithium-pilocarpine. However, seizures induced by strychnine were not inhibited. Triterpene reduced locomotion as well as rearing. Pentobarbitone induced sleep was potentiated and amphetamine induced stereotypy was inhibited. The triterpene was found to possess anxiogenic activity. Brain GABA and 5-HT contents were raised by the compound. The study suggests that the triterpene isolated from R. cordifolia bear a potential for further study.

Anti-inflammatory activity of piperine.

Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine) was isolated from Piper nigrum Linn for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity in rats. Different acute and chronic experimental models like carrageenin-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma, and croton oil-induced granuloma pouch, were employed. Simultaneously, biochemical estimations were made to elucidate the underlying mechanism of the action. Piperine acted significantly on early acute changes in inflammatory processes and chronic granulative changes. It also acted partially through stimulation of pituitary adrenal axis. Exudative changes in both acute and chronic models, however, were insignificant.

Effect of piperine on pentobarbitone induced hypnosis in rats.

Piperine (1-peperoyl piperidine), a major alkaloid isolated from Piper nigrum Linn, potentiated pentobarbitone sleeping time in dose dependant manner, with peak effect at 30 min. Blood and brain pentobarbitone levels were higher in piperine treated animals. Piperine treatment in rats, treated chronically with phenobarbitone, significantly potentiated pentobarbitone sleeping time, as compared to the controls. There was no alteration in barbital sodium sleeping time. It is possible that, piperine inhibits liver microsomal enzyme system and thereby potentiates the pentobarbitone sleeping time.

Anti-inflammatory activity of 6MFA, a compound obtained from fungus Aspergillus ochraceus.

6MFA, an interferon-inducing substance obtained from fungus, Aspergillus ochraceus, has shown anti-inflammatory activity both in acute and chronic animal models of inflammation. It was found that 6MFA was equally effective in inhibiting both exudative as well as granulative phase of inflammation. The compound suppressed also cellular migration during inflammatory process and potentiated significantly the anti-inflammatory activity of indomethacin. The compound was devoid of analgesic or antipyretic activity. The probable mechanism of action of this compound is not fully understood. However, the possibility of triggering the induction of endogenous anti-inflammatory substance(s) along with interferon(s), or interaction of induced interferon(s) directly or indirectly with the prostaglandin system has been attributed.

Role of ceruloplasmin in inflammation: increased serum ceruloplasmin levels during inflammatory conditions and its possible relationship with anti-inflammatory agents.

Serum ceruloplasmin (CPN) levels under different types of acute and chronic experimentally-induced inflammatory conditions in rats and the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs viz. oxyphenylbutazone and hydrocortisone on serum CPN levels were investigated. Significant increase of serum CPN levels was observed in all experimental animal models with induced inflammatory conditions. Treatment with oxyphenylbutazone and hydrocortisone failed to inhibit the raised serum CPN levels. The concurrent increase of serum CPN level during induced inflammatory conditions suggest the involvement of serum CPN as one of the body's inbuilt defensive mechanism against noxious responses or inflammation. It is suggested that the increased serum CPN levels may be a complimentary factor associated with inflammatory conditions.