Hepatotoxic effect of lead and hepatoprotective effect of Hydrilla verticillata on hepatic transcriptional and physiological response in edible fish Labeo rohita.

Lead tops the list of developmental toxicants released by industry into the environment according to Commission for Environmental Corporation. Hydrilla verticillata is an aquatic weed and rich source of variable nutrients and chemical constituents like saponins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, detoxifying agents, etc. This weed is used in a beneficial way to detoxify lead in fish model. The fish were treated with sublethal concentration of lead to induce liver damage and fed with supplementary feed containing 20% of hydrilla dry powder. The present work revealed that lead accumulation is highly toxic to liver. Lead toxicity increased the expressions of cytochrome P450 1 A (CYP1A) and cytochrome P450 3 A (CYP3A) when compared to control. The metal binding stress proteins, heat shock proteins (Hsp60 & Hsp70) and metallothionein were also upregulated due to lead toxicity. Lead intoxicated fish exhibited reduced δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity in the blood, leading to reduced red blood cell count and changes in cell morphology. The lead toxicity also decreases the level of liver marker enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase in serum. In hydrilla supplemented protective group, there was amelioration of these changes. Administration of supplementary feed to the lead intoxicated protective group significantly decreased the expressions of CYP1A, CYP3A, Hsp60, Hsp70 and metallothionein genes. The red blood cell count in lead intoxicated fish was maintained almost normal due to the protective action of Hydrilla verticillata in the diet. The observed increase in the enzymes, which further confirmed the protective effect of Hydrilla verticillata against lead induced toxicity.

Chromolaena odorata: A neglected weed with a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities (Review).

The study of wound­healing plants has acquired an interdisciplinary nature with a systematic investigational approach. Several biochemicals are involved in the healing process of the body, including antioxidants and cytokines. Although several pharmaceutical preparations and formulations are available for wound care and management, it remains necessary to search for efficacious treatments, as certain current formulations cause adverse effects or lack efficacy. Phytochemicals or biomarkers from numerous plants suggest they have positive effects on different stages of the wound healing process via various mechanisms. Several herbal medicines have displayed marked activity in the management of wounds and various natural compounds have verified in vivo wound healing potential, and can, therefore, be considered as potential drugs of natural origin. Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson is considered a tropical weed. However, it exhibits anti­inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and numerous other relevant medicinal properties on an appreciable scale, and is known in some parts of the world as a traditional medicine used to treat various ailments. To understand its specific role as nature's gift for healing wounds and its contribution to affordable healthcare, this plant must be scientifically assessed based on the available literature. This review aims to summarize the role of C. odorata and its biomarkers in the wound healing activities of biological systems, which are crucial to its potential future drug design, development and application for the treatment of wounds.

Interaction Studies of Withania Somnifera's Key Metabolite Withaferin A with Different Receptors Assoociated with Cardiovascular Disease.

Withania somnifera commonly known as Ashwagandha in India is used in many herbal formulations to treat various cardiovascular diseases. The key metabolite of this plant, Withaferin A was analyzed for its molecular mechanism through docking studies on different targets of cardiovascular disease. Six receptor proteins associated with cardiovascular disease were selected and interaction studies were performed with Withaferin A using AutoDock Vina. CORINA was used to model the small molecules and HBAT to compute the hydrogen bonding. Among the six targets, ß1- adrenergic receptors, HMG-CoA and Angiotensinogen-converting enzyme showed significant interaction with Withaferin A. Pharmacophore modeling was done using PharmaGist to understand the pharmacophoric potential of Withaferin A. Clustering of Withaferin A with different existing drug molecules for cardiovascular disease was performed with ChemMine based on structural similarity and physicochemical properties. The ability of natural active component, Withaferin A to interact with different receptors associated with cardiovascular disease was elucidated with various modeling techniques. These studies conclusively revealed Withaferin A as a potent lead compound against multiple targets associated with cardiovascular disease.

Hepatoprotective activity of hepatoplus on isonaizid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Present study deals with the hepatoprotective activity of polyherbal formulation Hepatoplus (HP) as an oral supplement to the INH and RIF induced hepatitis in experimental rats. Rats treated with INH and RIF show abnormal liver function with significant increase in serum transaminases, bilirubin and clotting time (CT) and significant decrease in total protein and Albumin, which is brings to near normal levels by HP and LIV 52 treatments. Rats treated with INH and RIF suffer from oxidative stress in the hepatocytes, due to the decrease in Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), Catalase (CAT), Super oxide dismutase (SOD) and significant increase in Lipid Per oxidation (LPO). HP decreases the oxidative stress and protects the liver cells membrane from LPO. 85% of DNA damage (comet tail) seen with RIF and INH treatment is reduced to 34.1% on HP application. A decrease of hepatocytes mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity is observed in INH and RIF treatment is restored by HP supplementation. Hepatic apoptotic and CYP2E1 gene expressions were also studied, BAX, p53, Caspase 3 and CYP2E1 were significantly up regulated and Bcl2 was down- regulated in INH and RIF treated rats. Concomitant application of HP prevents the modulation of these gene expressions. It is concluded that high dose of HP (100mg/kg) supplemented along with INH and RIF effectively prevents the toxicity induced by INH and RIF, as effective as 100mg/kg of LIV52.

Hepatoprotective Activity of Heptoplus on Isoniazid and Rifampicin Induced Liver Damage in Rats.

The present study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of heptoplus a polyherbal formulation as an oral supplementary agent for isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity in rats. 50 and 100 mg/kg of heptoplus supplement were fed orally to the rats along with isoniazid and rifampicin and compared to rats treated with 100 mg/kg Liv 52 standard drug. Rats treated with isoniazid and rifampicin suffered from severe oxidative stress by the virtue of free radicals induced lipid per oxidation. As a result abnormal index of serum biochemical markers for liver function and increased liver lysosomal enzymes activity was observed. However rats nourished with 100 mg/kg of heptoplus and Liv 52 protected the liver from oxidative damage by maintaining normal antioxidant profile status and restored normal serum liver biochemical markers. Increased liver lysosomal enzymes activity is prevented in the rats supplemented with heptoplus and Liv 52. Histopathological analysis also revealed severe vascular changes and lobular necrosis in the treatment of isoniazid and rifampicin. Heptoplus (100 mg/kg) and Liv 52 supplemented rats liver apparently revealed normal architecture of liver. This study confirms that heptoplus has liver protective activity against Isoniazid and Rifampicin induced liver injury in rats, in par with Liv 52.

Effect of ambrex (a herbal formulation) on oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

BACKGROUND: Ambrex is a polyherbal formulation which consists of Withania somnifera, Orchis mascula, Cycas circirnalis, Shorea robusta with amber. OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to explore the potential effects of ambrex on the antioxidant status in high fat diet fed rats and to investigate the possible mechanisms focusing on the gene expression involved in adipogenesis and inflammation in 3T3-L1 cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6); Group A received normal diet, Group B received high fat diet for 30 days, Group C and D received high fat diet for 30 days and treated with ambrex (40 mg/kg b.w) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg b.w) for successive 15 days respectively. This study also assesses the effect of ambrex on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. RESULTS: The serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly decreased in ambrex treated hyperlipidemic animals when compared to untreated animals. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione were significantly augmented in the serum, liver, and heart of hyperlipidemic rats treated with ambrex when compared to control. Ambrex treated rats had significant reductions in malondiadehyde levels in the serum, liver and heart compared to untreated rats. In addition, we observed that treatment with ambrex resulted in a major inhibition of pre-adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells in vitro by suppression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, sterol regulatory binding proteins, tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitricoxide synthase, leptin, and upregulation of thioredoxin 1 (TRX1) and TRX2 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Therefore, ambrex may be a potential drug for treatment of hyperlipidemia and related disorders.

Effect of Ambrex (a herbal formulation) on hematological variables in hyperlipidemic rats.

Cardiovascular and related disorders are one of the most common disease prevailing all over the world. Hyperlipidemic condition have been largely considered in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Ambrex on hematological factors in hyperlipidemic rats and untreated hyperlipidemic rats. In this study, eighteen rats were randomly divided into three groups of six animals each. The groups received normal diet (Control Group A) high fat diet (HFD group B) and Ambrex treatment (Group C). After the study period, White Blood Cell (WBC), Red Blood Cell (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), Hemoglobin, platelet (PLT), lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), plateletcrit (PCT), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Platelet Distribution Width (PDW), red cell distribution-standard deviation (RDW-SD), red cell distribution-correlation variance (RDW-CV), micro red blood cell (pRBC), macroRBC were measured using digital cell counter (MS9-3s). Hyperlipidemia increases markedly the PLT count. Administration of Ambrex appeared to significantly increase WBC, Lymphocytes, granulocytes. However, erythrocyte indices does not show statistically significant variations among the test groups and control groups. The findings demonstrated that Ambrex does not cause any significant undesirable alterations in hematological factors in male rats. Ambrex also enhances white blood cell concentration and lymphocytes which probably stimulate the immune defense mechanism.

In vitro antibacterial activity and stability of Avicennia marina against urinary tract infection pathogens at different parameters.

In this study midstream urine samples were collected from urinary tract infected patients to isolate and identify UTI causing bacterial pathogens by biochemical methods. The identified strains were two gram-positive and five gram-negative bacterium. Out of these we have selected one gram-negative (Staphylococcus aureus) and three gram-positive (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria for current study. The antibacterial effect of aqueous, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Avicennia marina against UTI pathogens were studied. Most effective three extracts of A. marina were treated with charcoal. Out of three extracts methanol was confirmed as tremendous to act against bacterial isolates and it was characterized at two different concentrations and compared with chemical based antibiotics. The stability and antimicrobial efficacy of the extract of A. marina in different parameters such as temperature, pH, enzyme, surfactant, organic solvent was determined. In summary, the extract showed an excellent stability and effectiveness to temperature 50 degrees C, pH 4, enzyme treatment using protease, surfactant (EDTA) and organic solvent (formaldehyde).