Hepatoprotective potential of antioxidant potent fraction from Urtica dioica Linn. (whole plant) in CCl4 challenged rats.

The aim of the present study was to isolate hepatoprotective component from Urtica dioica Linn. (whole plant) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in-vitro (HepG2 cells) and in-vivo (rats) model. Antioxidant activity of hydro alcoholic extract and its fractions petroleum ether fraction (PEF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), n-butanol fraction (NBF) and aqueous fraction (AF) were determined by DPPH and NO radicals scavenging assay. Fractions were subjected to in-vitro HepG2 cell line study. Further, the most potent fraction (EAF) was subjected to in-vivo hepatoprotective potential against CCl4 challenged rats. The in-vivo hepatoprotective active fraction was chromatographed on silica column to isolate the bioactive constituent(s). Structure elucidation was done by using various spectrophotometric techniques like UV, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectroscopy. Ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of hydro-alcoholic extract of U. dioica possessed the potent antioxidant activity viz. DPPH (IC50 78.99 ± 0.17 µg/ml) and NO (IC50101.39 ± 0.30 µg/ml). The in-vitro HepG2 cell line study showed that the EAF prevented the cell damage. The EAF significantly attenuated the increased liver enzymes activities in serum and oxidative parameters in tissue of CCl4-induced rats, suggesting hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant action respectively. Column chromatography of most potent antioxidant fraction (EAF) lead to the isolation of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid (ferulic acid) which is responsible for its hepatoprotective potential. Hence, the present study suggests that EAF of hydro-alcoholic extract has significant antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in-vitro and in-vivo.

Comparative pharmacognosy of Pashanbhed.

BACKGROUND: Pashanbhed is a commercially available diuretic and lithotropic drug, used to treat renal problems. It is a controversial name as it is assigned to various plants such as Bergenia ligulata, Kalanchoe pinnata, Coleus aromaticus and Rotula aquatica. OBJECTIVE: To perform the comparative preliminary phytochemical screening, diuretic activity, and thin layer chromatography (TLC) finger printing profile of three plants (B. ligulata, C. aromaticus, and K. pinnata), most commonly used as Pashanbhed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diuretic potential of methanolic extract (ME) of three plants were evaluated at two dose levels (500 and 1,000 mg/kg p.o.), using normal Wistar rats (Lipschitz method). Furosemide (20 mg/kg p.o.) was used as a standard drug. The effect on urine output and electrolyte changes were measured for 24 h and compared. All MEs were screened preliminarily for their constituents and their TLC finger printing profiles were prepared. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The MEs of all three plants have shown diuresis in normal rats. However, in intercomparison of the ME C. aromaticus (1,000 mg/kg p.o.) produced more significant diuresis (P < 0.05) and electrolyte excretion compared to other test groups, the effect was at par with furosemide. The ME of these plants showed presence of alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, etc. CONCLUSION: The ME of C. aromaticus (1,000 mg/kg p.o.) has showed highest diuretic action (4.2) among the tested extracts. This suggests the use of C. aromaticus leaves as "Pashanbhed"; the most effective diuretic drug.

Antiepileptic potential of Anisomeles indica (Linn.) Kuntze aerial parts in pentylenetetrazole-induced experimental convulsions in Wistar rats.

The chloroform (4.20% w/w), ethyl acetate (4.23% w/w) and aqueous decoction (12.11% w/w) extracts of the aerial parts of A. indica were screened for the antiepileptic activity against maximal electroshock (MES) model and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) models at doses of 200, 400 mg/kg, po once. Phenytoin and diazepam (25 and 2 mg/kg, ip) were used as standard drugs in MES and PTZ model, respectively. Further, ethyl acetate extract (active extract) was fractionated into flavonoid and tannin fraction, which were subsequently evaluated for the antiepileptic potential against both MES and PTZ models at a dose of 50 mg/kg, po. Pretreatment with ethyl acetate extract 200, 400 mg/kg, po, for 1 week showed significant antiepileptic activity against PTZ induced convulsions only. Isolated flavonoid fraction showed more potent antiepileptic activity as compared to ethyl acetate extract, without any neurotoxic effect. However, tannin fraction did not produce antiepileptic activity against PTZ induced convulsions. It may be concluded that the flavonoids fraction of ethyl acetate extract of aerial parts of A. indica, but not the aqueous decoction has antiepileptic potential, without producing neurotoxic effects.

Antiepileptic potential of flavonoids fraction from the leaves of Anisomeles malabarica.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The plant Chodara (Anisomeles malabarica R.Br. Family: Lamiaceae) has numerous therapeutic utilities in folk medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: To isolate and evaluate the anti-epileptic potential of fractions from the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Anisomeles malabarica leaves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The EA extract (2.12% w/w) of the leaves of Anisomeles malabarica was prepared and fractionated into total flavonoids fraction (AMFF) and tannins fraction (AMTF), which subsequently evaluated for the antiepileptic activity against PTZ- and MES model in wistar rats. Diazepam and phenytoin (2mg/kg and 25mg/kg, i.p., respectively), were used as a reference drugs. Further, the presence of flavonoid was confirmed by chemical test, TLC and HPTLC were done for the identification of the number of flavonoids with reference to standard. RESULTS: Single dose pretreatment with AMFF (25 and 50mg/kg, i.p.) has found to be effective against both MES and PTZ-convulsions, but associated with a marked decrease in locomotor activity and motor activity performance (i.e., neurotoxic effects), similar to that of diazepam treatment. Interestingly, chronic treatment with AMFF at lower doses (6.25 and 12.5mg/kg, i.p., 1 week) has also produced significant antiepileptic activity, but without causing neurotoxic effects. CONCLUSION: Thus, it may be concluded that the flavonoids fraction of the EA extract of Anisomeles malabarica leaves has antiepileptic potential against both MES and PTZ convulsion models. Acute treatment (25 and 50mg/kg, i.p.) is associated with neurotoxic activity. Whereas, chronic treatment (6.25 and 12.5mg/kg, i.p., 1 week) also shown significant antiepileptic effect without causing neurotoxic side effects. However, further research is in progress to determine the component(s) of the flavonoids fraction of Anisomeles malabarica involved and their mechanism of action in bringing about the desirable anti-epileptic effect.

Bronchospasm potentiating effect of methanolic extract of Ficus religiosa fruits in guinea pigs.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The sacred tree Peepal (Ficus religiosa family: Moraceae) has numerous therapeutic utility in folk medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: It has been reported to be used in ethno medical treatment of asthma and also in epilepsy due to its high serotonin content, which has been implicated in pathophysiology of asthma, this led us to carry out the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vivo studies of histamine induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs and in vitro isolated guinea pig tracheal chain and ileum preparation. RESULTS: Pre-treatment of guinea pigs with ketotifen (1 mg/kg, p.o.) has significantly delayed the onset of histamine aerosol induced pre-convulsive dyspnea, compared with vehicle control (281.8(a)±11.7 vs. 112.2±9.8). The administration of methanolic extract (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) did not produced any significant effect on latency to develop histamine induced pre-convulsive dyspnea. On the other hand, methanolic extract of the fruits at the doses employed (i.e., 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ml) has significantly potentiate the EC(50) doses of both histamine and acetylcholine in isolated guinea pig tracheal chain and ileum preparation. In addition, HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract showed the presence of high amounts of serotonin (2.89%, w/w). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of data, it may be concluded that Ficus religiosa fruits have been found to be ineffective against histamine induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs. In addition, methanolic extract of the fruits have shown to potentiate the bronchoconstriction induced by both histamine and acetylcholine on guinea pig tracheal chain preparation.