Neuroprotective effect of Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy in oxidative stress model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury and assessment of MAP2 in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy commonly known as Shankhapushpi, is traditionally prescribed for nerve debility, loss of memory, epilepsy and as nervine tonic. Plant also proved to have diverse pharmacological activity but the neuroprotection in ischemic stroke were not found. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the effect of Convolvulus pluricaulis against bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion induced cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The neuroprotective activity of Convolvulus pluricaulis against bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion induced cerebral ischemic reperfusion (I/S) injury. Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex (200-250 g) were divided into nine groups of 8 rats each. Sham and control group, saline treated 10 ml/kg orally. Third group treated with Quercetin 25 mg/kg orally and fourth to ninth groups treated with chloroform and ethanol extract of Convolvulus pluricaulis 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg (p.o.) respectively. Control, Quercetin and extract treated groups underwent 30 min BCCA occlusion and 24 h reperfusion on 10th day but sham underwent same surgery without BCCA occlusion and 24 h reperfusion on 10th day. The antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic levels were estimated by UV spectroscopic method and cerebral infarction area, Blood brain barrier disruption, microtubule-associated protein 2 immunohistochemical and histopathological studies were carried out. RESULTS: The results of the study indicate that the chloroform and ethanol extract of Convolvulus pluricaulis showed neuroprotective activity by a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001) and an increase in superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), catalase (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), glutathione (p < 0.001), and total thiol (p < 0.001) levels in extract-treated groups as compared to control group. Measurement of cerebral infarction area, blood brain barrier disruption, microtubule-associated protein 2 immunohistochemical and histopathological studies further supported the protective effect of the extract. CONCLUSIONS: Present study revile that Convolvulus pluricaulis has potent neuroprotection against bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) occlusion induced cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury.

Anti-allergic activity of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) in mast cell mediated allergy model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chamomile is most popular used medicinal plant and extensively consumed as a tea or tisanes. Traditionally this plant was used for treatment of many ailments such as allergy disorders and inflammatory mediated diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the effects of anti-allergic activity of Matricaria recutita L. on mast cell mediated allergic models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protective effect of methanol extract of Matricaria recutita against compound 48/80 induced anaphylaxis and pruritis models for acute phase of hypersensitivity reactions were carried out. The late phase hypersensitivity reactions by compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release from blood along with serum nitric oxide (NO), rat peritoneal fluid nitric oxide (NO) and bronchoalveolar fluid nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured. RESULTS: The methanol extract of Matricaria recutita L. showed inhibitory effects on anaphylaxis induced by compound 48/80 and significant dose dependent anti-pruritis property was observed by inhibiting the mast cell degranulation. Mast cell membrane stabilization activity was also observed in compound 48/80 induced mast cell activation. Dose dependent reduction in the histamine release, along with decreased release of serum, rat peritoneal and BAL fluid nitric oxide (NO) levels were observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the methanol extract of Matricaria recutita showed potent anti-allergic activity by inhibition of histamine release from mast cells.

Spectroscopic, magnetic and thermal studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of 3-acetylcoumarin-isonicotinoylhydrazone and their antimicrobial and anti-tubercular activity evaluation.

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with a new heterocyclic Schiff base derived by the condensation of isonicotinoylhydrazide and 3-acetylcoumarin have been synthesized. ¹H, ¹³C and 2D HETCOR NMR analyses confirm the formation of title compound and existence of the same in two isomeric forms. The metal complexes were characterized on the basis of various spectroscopic techniques like electronic, EPR, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR studies, elemental analysis, magnetic properties and thermogravimetric analysis, and also by the aid of molar conductivity measurements. It is found that the Schiff base behaves as a monobasic tridentate ligand coordinating in the imidol form with 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry. Trigonal bipyramidal geometry has been assigned for Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes, while tetrahedral for Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes. The compounds were subjected to antimicrobial and anti-tubercular activity screening using serial broth dilution method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) is determined. Zn(II) complex has shown significant antifungal activity with an MIC of 6.25 µg/mL while Cu(II) complex is noticeable for antibacterial activity at the same concentration. Anti-TB activity of the ligand has enhanced on complexation with Co(II) and Ni(II) ions.