Quality control standards for the roots of three plumbago species.

Physicochemical parameters of roots of three Plumbago species, Plumbago capensis, P. rosea and P. zeylanica belonging to Plumbaginaceae were analyzed. Microbial contamination, aflatoxins, pesticide residue and heavy metal content were also determined. Attempt has also been made to estimate the biologically active chemical plumbagin present in them and the data compared. The study ensures that the quality control parameters do help in the proper standardization of the crude drugs in drug development process for global acceptance.

Antilipoperoxidative and membrane stabilizing effect of diosgenin, in experimentally induced myocardial infarction.

Altered membrane integrity has been suggested as a major factor in the development of cellular injury during myocardial necrosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of diosgenin on lysosomal hydrolases, membrane-bound enzymes, and electrolytes during isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial necrosis in rats. Animals were pretreated with DIOS (80 mg/kg) for a period of 35 days. Myocardial infarction was experimentally induced with ISO (85 mg/kg) twice at 24 h interval. Experimental myocardial infarction was evidenced with marked elevation of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in serum with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation (plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides (HP)). Activity of lysosomal hydrolases (beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, beta-D-galactosidase, cathepsin D, and acid phosphatase) was found to be increased in serum and heart tissue of ISO-alone treated animals. DIOS (80 mg/kg) pretreated groups showed significant decrease in CK-MB, lipid peroxidation, and lysosomal hydrolases activity. The membrane-bound enzymes such as Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activity was increased and Na+/K+-ATPase activity was decreased in the heart tissues of ISO-alone treated animals. These enzyme alterations lead to the change in the electrolytes content such as sodium, potassium, and calcium in the heart tissue. However, DIOS (80 mg/kg) pretreatment reversed the membrane-bound enzymes activity and thereby maintained the normal electrolyte concentration. These results suggest the protective action of diosgenin in ISO-induced myocardial infarction. The salubrious effect observed in this study might be due to the antioxidant and membrane stabilizing potential of diosgenin.

Curcuminoids modulates oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic rat brain.

Diabetes exacerbates neuronal injury induced by hyperglycemia mediated oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of curcuminoids, polyphenols of Curcuma longa (L.) on oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment in the brain of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. A marked increase in lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels with simultaneous decrease in endogenous antioxidant marker enzymes was observed in the diabetic rat brain, which was restored to normal levels on curcuminoids treatment. Down-regulation of mitochondrial complex I and IV activity caused by STZ induction was also up-regulated on oral administration of curcuminoids. Moreover, curcuminoids administration profoundly elevated the ATP level, which was earlier reduced in the diabetic brain. These results suggest that curcuminoids exhibit a protective effect by accelerating antioxidant defense mechanisms and attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain of diabetic rats. Curcuminoids thus may be used as a promising therapeutic agent in preventing and/or delaying the progression of diabetic complications in the brain.

In vitro snake venom detoxifying action of some marine algae of Gulf of Mannar, south-east coast of India.

The extract of the brown seaweed Padina boergesenii and the red seaweed Hypnea valentiae was found to detoxify (in vitro) the venom of Naja nigricollis. There was a remarkable reduction in the mortality of albino mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of reconstituted venom with the extract compared to those challenged with the venom only. The survival of the animals exposed to the venom incubated with the different concentrations of the extract was used as the in vitro detoxification parameter.