Hypolipidemic activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of Cyperus scariosus Linn. root in guinea pigs fed with a high cholesterol diet.

Lipid-lowering and antioxidant activities of a hydroalcoholic extract of Cyperus scariosus Linn. root (HCS) were evaluated in guinea pigs fed with a high cholesterol diet. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and HDL-C), atherogenic indices and serum enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, and CK-MB) were performed in each group at 0 days and at the end of 60 days. Histological study of liver and kidney was done in groups 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7. The total phenolic and flavonoid content in HCS and its antioxidant activity were evaluated by the DPPH assay. Both doses of HCS decreased serum lipid profile and atherogenic indices (P < 0.05). HCS has lipid lowering, immunosuppressive and antioxidant properties, and mays have value in atherosclerosis prevention. The higher dose of HCS also reduced serum AST, ALP, and LDH levels and rosuvastatin increased AST and ALP levels (P < 0.05). Histology of the liver showed decreased lipid accumulation and improvement in hepatocytes in HCS-treated animals. The antioxidant activity of HCS may be responsible for its lipid lowering and cytoprotective action. HCS had significant lipid lowering and antioxidant activity, which; may be due to the phenolic compounds. HCS may be a safe and cost effective alternative to current statin therapy for patients with dyslipidaemia.

Lipid-lowering activity of Cow urine ark in guinea pigs fed with a high cholesterol diet.

OBJECTIVES: Cow urine ark (CUA), known as "Amrita" as mentioned in Ayurveda, contains anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant effects. Therefore, we designed the present study to evaluate the lipid lowering activity of CUA and its possible implication in metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty guinea pigs of either sex were divided into five groups: Group 1 and 2 serving as a vehicle and sham control, received normal and high fat diet for 60 days respectively; Group 3, 4 and 5 received high fat diet for 60 days with CUA 0.8 ml/kg, 1.6 ml/kg and rosuvastatin (1.5 mg/kg) on the last 30 days of study period, respectively. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL- C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, total Cholesterol/HDL-C) and serum enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH and CK-MB) were performed in each group at the beginning and end of the study. Histological study of liver and kidney was done in each group. RESULTS: CUA (0.8 ml/kg) significantly decreased the serum triglycerides and VLDL-C, but CUA (1.6 ml/kg) decreased the total serum Cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL-C (p < 0.05). Higher dose (1.6 ml/kg) of CUA also increased HDL-C level, significantly (p < 0.05). CUA reduced serum AST, ALP and LDH level, which was statistically significant as well, while it also decreased the accumulation of lipid in hepatocytes as compared to sham control. CONCLUSIONS: CUA reduced triglycerides, increased HDL-C and found to be hepatoprotective in animals that are on a high fat diet.

Evaluation of anti-urolithiatic effect of aqueous extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) leaves using ethylene glycol-induced renal calculi.

UNLABELLED: Materials and Methods : Thirty-six Wistar male rats were randomly divided into six equal groups. Group A animals received distilled water for 28 days. Group B to group F animals received 1% v/v ethylene glycol in distilled water for 28 days and group B served as ethylene glycol control. Groups C and D (preventive groups) received aqueous extract of leaves of B. pinnatum 50 and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally, respectively for 28 days. Groups E and F (treatment groups) received aqueous extract of leaves of B. pinnatum 50 and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally, respectively from 15(th) to 28(th) day. On days 0 and 28, 24 hrs urine samples were collected for urinary volume and urinary oxalate measurement. On day 28, blood was collected for serum creatinine and blood urea level monitoring. All animals were sacrificed and kidneys were removed, weighed, and histopathologically evaluated for calcium oxalate crystals deposition. RESULTS: Administration of aqueous extract of leaves of B. pinnatum reduced urine oxalate level significantly, as compared with Group B (p<0.001). Serum creatinine and blood urea level were improved significantly in all aqueous extract of leaves of B. pinnatum-treated groups. Relative kidney weight and calcium oxalate depositions were found significantly reduced in animals received ABP as compared with Group B (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: B. pinnatum is effective in prevention and treatment of ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits.

This study investigated the possible anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits in selected experimental animal models. Anti-inflammatory activity of Pedalium murex Linn., with doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by Lambda-carrageenan induced paw oedema in Wistar albino rats; analgesic activity with doses of 280 mg/kg and 560 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing method in Swiss albino mice; and antipyretic activity with doses of 110 mg/kg and 220 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated in New Zealand white rabbits by injecting gram -ve lipopolysaccharide obtained from E. coli. Results were analysed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet's multiple comparison test. Pedalium murex Linn. showed significant anti-inflammatory activity from 15 min to 180 min as compared to vehicle treated animals. It was comparable to diclofenac sodium at 180 min. The extract did not prolong the reaction time on hot plate method but significantly reduced the number of writhing after acetic acid administration. Also the extract did not show any antipyretic activity on lipopolysaccharide induced pyrexia. It is therefore concluded that the ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits has an anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic effects.

Anti-urolithiatic effect of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex linn. fruits on ethylene glycol-induced renal calculi.

PURPOSE: To evaluate effect of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits on experimental model of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided in 6 groups.Normal controls received distilled water for 28 days. Other five groups received ethylene glycol(1% v/v) in distilled water for 28 days. Pedalium murex ethanolic extract was given 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg orally in distilled water for 28 days in prophylactic groups (III and IV) and from 15th to 28th days in treatment groups (V and VI). The urea, creatinine, random blood sugar, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and calcium were measured on 28th day. 24 hr urinary oxalate and volume were measured on day 0 and 28. On day 28, kidneys were removed, weighed and subjected to histopathological examination. Calcium oxalate crystallization was evaluated by renal histopathology and in-vitro method of mineralization.All parameters were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis or one-way ANOVA with post-hoc test. RESULTS: Pedalium murex showed significant improvement in renal function and kidney weight inprophylactic groups as compared to ethylene glycol controls. It did not show any effect on urinary oxalate, urine volume and any other serological parameters. Calcium oxalate crystallization was significantly reduced in all the Pedalium murex treated groups (P < .05). Calcium oxalate and phosphate mineralization were also inhibited by 33% and 57%. CONCLUSION: Ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex fruits possess significant activity for prevention of renal calculi.

Moxifloxacin-induced hypoglycemia in a non-diabetic patient.

Hypoglycemia is a rare life threatening adverse drug reaction associated with various fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin and levofloxacin. Moxifloxacin was considered safe in this regard. Only one case has been reported for moxifloxacin-induced hypoglycemia in a renal failure patient. Here, we are reporting the second case of hypoglycemia due to moxifloxacin without any major co-morbid condition.

Central anti-cholinergic syndrome induced by single therapeutic dose of atropine.

A 55 years old male patient, who is planned for bronchoscopy developed central anti-cholinergic syndrome due to therapeutic dose of atropine. Withdrawal of atropine has improved the symptoms. Thereafter, instillation of atropine as eye drops leads to reappearance of symptoms. The reaction was definite according to Naranjo's algorithm. It was severe and definitely preventable according to Modified Hartwig and Siegel's scale and Modified Schumock and Thornton scale respectively. Central anti-cholinergic syndrome may be due to variation in the genetic susceptibility (Idiosyncrasy) to atropine. Idiosyncratic reaction on administration of atropine as a pre-anesthetic medication or eye drops should be kept in mind while prescribing.