Evaluation of cost effective diagnostic tools in characterisation of Acute Leukemia in Southern India.

The incidence of Acute Leukemia (AL) subtypes varies according to geographical distribution and more predominant in developing countries. The aim here was to evaluate the usefulness of cost effective diagnostic tools in characterization of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in resource poor population. One hundred and two AL cases were diagnosed. For diagnosis, cytochemical analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed. Among the children < 12 years, ALL was 64.3% while AML accounted for 30%. In patients > 12 years, ALL was 59.4% and AML was 31.3%. The B-ALL occurred most frequently than T-ALL in both the age groups while based on immunophenotyping in AML, CD13 was the most commonly expressed antigen. Hence, cost effective diagnostic tools namely the immunophenotyping and cytochemistry are useful and improve accuracy and rapidly risk-stratify patients that were diagnosed with acute leukemia.

BCR-ABL Translocation in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Southern India.

Cytogenetics and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays provide important information regarding biologically defined and prognostically relevant subgroups in acute leukemias. We utilized karyotyping and molecular analysis by reverse transcriptase PCR for the BCR-ABL translocation, in addition to morphological study, cytochemistry and immunophenotyping, to study 24 cases of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our objective was to determine the frequency of the BCRABL translocation in childhood ALL from southern India. Karyotyping showed one case of hyperdiploidy, one case of t (12; 21) translocation and one case of 46, XY-21+mar. The BCR-ABL translocation was found in 8.3% of these cases. One of these was a cryptic translocation, the karyotype being normal. BCR-ABL positivity in ALL is associated with aggressive disease and has been shown to be a poor prognostic factor, especially in children.

Therapeutic effect of Kalpaamruthaa, a herbal preparation on adjuvant induced arthritis in wistar rats.

The present study was performed in order to establish the efficacy of Kalpaamruthaa (KA), a modified indigenous Siddha preparation in adjuvant induced arthritic rat (AIA) model with reference to mediators of inflammation (lysosomal enzymes) and its effect on proteoglycans. Albino rats of Wistar strain were divided into seven Groups of six animals each. Arthritis was induced to rats by subcutaneous injection of 0.1 ml of Complete Freund's Adjuvant into the plantar surface of the left hind paw. Group I served as normal control rats receiving 0.5 ml of olive oil as vehicle, Group II arthritic rats served as induced-untreated and Group III (50 mg/kg), Group IV (100 mg/kg), Group V (150 mg/kg), Group VI (200 mg/kg) and Group VII (250 mg/kg) were KA treated rats at different dose levels orally in 0.5 ml of olive oil from 14(th) day of adjuvant injection and was terminated on day 28. Animals were then sacrificed on the day 29, blood was collected, liver and kidney were dissected out, washed and 10% homogenates were prepared. The activities of lysosomal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase, beta-galactosidase, acid phosphatase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase and cathepsin-D), aminotransferases (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and aminotransferases) and levels of plasma protein bound carbohydrate components of glycoproteins were determined and were found to be elevated in arthritic rats when compared to control animals. After administration of KA, the activities of lysosomal enzymes, aminotransferases and protein-bound carbohydrate component levels were significantly normalized. The data obtained evidently indicate that Kalpaamruthaa is effective at the dose of 150 mg/kg b.wt. in AIA and plays an important role in lysosomal membrane stabilization. This was further confirmed by radiological, histological and electron microscopic studies.

Effect of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract on ECM and proteases in mammary carcinoma rats.

The early stages of invasion are characterized by the extracellular proteolysis and the accumulation of specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold, that are responsible for the development of vascular bed, endothelial cell proliferation and invasion of tumour cells. The ground substance of provisional matrix consists of collagen, elastin, glycoaminoglycans and proteoglycans that facilitate the interaction of tumour cells with the host environment. In the present work, we have studied the influence of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract on localized differentials of ECM component and proteases involved in matrix metabolism of tumour tissue. Mammary carcinoma was induced in Sprague Dawley rats with 7,12, dimethyl benz(a)anthracene and treated with S. anacardium nut milk extract administered orally for 14 days. The altered amount of ECM components in tumour tissues was almost reverted back to normal level in the drug treated animals. The activities of reported proteases and glycohydrolases were also decreased on treatment with S. anacardium nut milk extract indicating decreased turnover of the matrix. Also, the factors associated with the matrix turnover and expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were restored back to near normal values. The stabilization of the ECM with the decreased activity of proteases might inhibit the epithelial-endothelial interaction and tumour cell migration thus, preventing the adjacent invasion and tumour growth and might be regarded as antineoplastic agent which demands further studies.

Effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut extract on mammary and hepatic expression of xenobiotic enzymes in DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma.

Breast cancer is the major cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Environmental risk factors particularly genotoxic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are likely to account for a much higher mortality. Xenobiotic metabolising enzymes in breast tissue are potentially important determinants in both the susceptibility to the mutagenic effects of chemical carcinogens and in the response of breast tumors to chemotherapy. The well known carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthrazene of PAH family was given (25mg/ml) orally by gastric intubation to induce mammary carcinoma in Sprague-Dawley rats. Increased level of cytochromes (P(450), B(5)), EROD, PROD activities, Phase I biotransformation enzymes (NADPH-cytochrome (P(450)) reductase, NADPH-cytochrome (b(5)) reductase, epoxide hydrolase) and expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 in liver and breast tissue microsome were documented in DMBA treated group. Phase II enzyme activities (glutathione-S-transferase, gluthatione peroxidase, gluatathione reductase, UDP-glucuronyl transferease) were decreased markedly in cancerous rats. The nut extract of Semecarpus anacardium was administered orally (200mg/kg body wt/day) to the mammary carcinoma rats for 14 days. Drug treatment restored back the altered Phase I and II biotransformation enzymes thus achieving complete detoxification of the carcinogen. These findings suggest that S. anacardium can effectively modulate the catabolism of xenobiotics in rats.

Effect of gallium nitrate on tamoxifen induced hypercalcemia in rats bearing mammary tumor.

AIM: To study the effect of gallium nitrate in the treatment of flare hypercalcemia in rats, bearing mammary tumor with bone metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were used in the study. Animals were divided into 5 groups: normal control; hypercalcemic rats bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumors; flare hypercalcemic animals bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumors (hypercalcemic rats, treated with tamoxifen at the dose of 10 mg/kg); flare hypercalcemic rat bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumors, treated with gallium nitrate at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg; control rats, treated with gallium nitrate at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Eligibility criteria - serum calcium levels were 11.0 mg% or above. Biochemical parameters were measured, using standard methods. Urinary excretion of calcium, creatinine ratio, urinary bone marker were also evaluated by using standard method. RESULTS: All flare hypercalcemic rats were treated with gallium nitrate and developed normocalcemia. Biochemical parameters were measured in hypercalcemic and flare hypercalcemic animals. Calcium level in blood serum, alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher in flare hypercalcemia than in hypercalcemic rats. Urinary pyridinoline, deoxypyridinoline and hydroxyproline were also elevated in flare hypercalcemic rats. In contrast, intact parathyroid hormone and albumin levels were lowered in flare as well as hypercalcemic groups when compared with normal control groups. After gallium nitrate treatment all the above parameters returned to normal level. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of gallium nitrate in vivo is highly effective in treatment of flare hypercalcemia.

Effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on glutathione and its associated enzymes in experimentally induced mammary carcinoma.

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a ubiquitous thiol-containing tripeptide that plays a key role in the etiology of many diseases and, in particular, cancer. GSH, the foremost internal protective system, participates directly in the destruction of free radical compounds and detoxification of carcinogens. The effect of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract was studied for gaining insight into the disease relationship to GSH and its metabolizing enzymes. Mammary carcinoma was induced by giving 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) (25 mg/mL of olive oil) perorally by gastric intubation, and nut milk extract of S. anacardium was administered orally (200 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 14 days to mammary carcinoma-bearing rats. The levels of GSH and its metabolizing enzyme activities were determined in liver and kidney homogenates. Significant decreases in GSH, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and a concomitant increase in oxidized glutathione, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were observed in DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma in rats, while drug treatment reversed the conditions to near normal levels. There was a marked increase in GSH level and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity in drug control rats. These findings suggest that S. anacardium can exert its protective effect in maintaining the glutathione redox status by restoring the associated enzymes against oxidative stress in experimental mammary carcinoma.

Effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on rat neutrophil functions in adjuvant arthritis.

Neutrophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and various inflammatory conditions, by accumulation and liberation of active proteolytic enzymes. The effect of milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nuts (SA) at a dosage of 150 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for 14 days on adjuvant arthritis was studied to gain some insight into this intriguing disease in relation to neutrophil functions. The decreased phagocytic function of neutrophils (phagocytic index and avidity index) found in adjuvant arthritis was significantly increased by the administration of the drug SA. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, H2O2 and myeloperoxidase), lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase and cathepsin D) and increased accumulation of neutrophils in the joints observed in adjuvant arthritic animals were reverted back to near normal levels by treatment with SA. The results of this study indicate that SA can be considered to be a good therapeutic agent for inflammation and arthritis.

Therapeutic effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on carbohydrate metabolizing and mitochondrial TCA cycle and respiratory chain enzymes in mammary carcinoma rats.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. of the family Anacardiaceae has many applications in the Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicine. We have evaluated the effect of S. anacardium nut milk extract on carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle and respiratory enzymes in liver and kidney mitochondria of dimethyl benzanthracene-induced mammary carcinoma in Sprague-Dawley rats. Mammary carcinoma-bearing rats showed a significant rise in glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase and aldolase) and a simultaneous fall in gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase). The activities of mitochondrial enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, NADH-dehydrogenase and cytochrome C oxidase were significantly lowered in mammary carcinoma-bearing rats when compared with control rats. S. anacardium nut extract administration to tumour-induced animals significantly lowered the glycolytic enzyme activities (hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase and aldolase) and there was a rise in gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase), which indicated an antitumour and anticancer effect. Comparison of normal control rats and rats administered S. anacardium only as drug control animals showed no significant variations in enzyme activities. S. anacardium nut extract administration to dimethyl benzanthracene-tumour-induced animals significantly increased the activities of mitochondrial enzymes, thereby suggesting its role in mitochondrial energy production.

Stabilization of lysosomal membrane and cell membrane glycoprotein profile by Semecarpus anacardium linn. nut milk extract in experimental hepatocellular carcinoma.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 14 days exerted an in vivo stabilizing effect on lysosomal membrane and glycoprotein content in rat hepatocellular carcinoma. This was demonstrated in normal rats and in animals whose biomembranes were rendered fragile by induction of hepatocellular carcinoma with aflatoxin B(1) and subsequent treatment with Semecarpus anacardium nut extract. In this condition, the discharge of lysosomal enzymes increased significantly with a subsequent increase in glycoprotein components. The nut extract administration reversed these adverse changes to near normal in treated animals. The possible reason for this reversal is discussed. Such stabilization of biomembranes by Semecarpus anacardium nut extract may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and other cancers involving abnormal fragility of lysosomes and glycoprotein content providing the extract demonstrates safety in a full toxicity study.

Potency of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract against aflatoxin B(1)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis: reflection on microsomal biotransformation enzymes.

The effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on host detoxification system in aflatoxin B(1) induced hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a vital mechanism in cancer treatment, was studied in male albino rats. Oral administration of nut extract (200 mg kg(-1)body weight per day for 14 days) is found to be highly effective in inducing phase I and phase II biotransformation enzymes. The obtained results have shown an overall decrease of liver microsomal cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, and aniline hydroxylase with a subsequent decrease of phase II enzymes, glutathione-S-transferase and UDP-glucuronyl transferase in cancer-bearing animals. The Semecarpus anacardium nut extract affords anticancer activity by enhancing both phase I and phase II enzymes to near normal levels. We propose that, much of the anticarcinogenic potency of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract on aflatoxin B(1)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis is mediated through the induction of hepatic biotransformation enzymes.

Salubrious effect of vitamin C and vitamin E on tamoxifen-treated women in breast cancer with reference to plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Tamoxifen, a non-steroidal antiestrogen, has been used in the hormonal treatment for breast cancer. The hepatic estrogenic effect of tamoxifen causes severe triglyceridemia. The combined effect of tamoxifen, vitamin C and vitamin E on plasma lipid and lipoprotein is important, since, vitamin C and vitamin E encumbered the lipid abnormalities instigated by tamoxifen. Therefore supplementation of vitamin C (Celin 500 mg) and vitamin E (Evion 400 mg) for 90 days along with tamoxifen (10 mg twice a day) to postmenopausal breast cancer patients was ventured. In tamoxifen-treated patients, total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels were decreased and the triglycerides (TG), ester cholesterol (EC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) levels were increased. Combination therapy reduce all the cholesterol level and VLDL, LDL. TG levels were significantly decreased and HDL, EC levels were significantly increased. These results suggested that tamoxifen treatment is the most effective during co-administration of vitamin C and vitamin E in that they reduce the tamoxifen-induced hypertriglyceridemia.

Toxic studies on biochemical parameters carried out in rats with Serankottai nei, a siddha drug-milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nut.

A toxicological study was carried out in rats with a Siddha preparation, milk extracts of Semecarpus anacardium nuts. The effect of acute (72 h) and subacute (30 days) treatment of the drug with different dosage on liver and kidney functions and hematological parameters were studied. The acute toxicity studies with this drug did not produce mortality at any dose level given (75-2000 mg/kg body weight). No marked adverse alterations were observed in hematological and biochemical parameters during the subacute toxicity studies (50, 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight). In the subacute treatment, the highest dose (500 mg/kg body weight) alone showed a moderate increase in the level of blood glucose, plasma urea, uric acid, and creatinine. In addition, alteration in lipid profiles were observed which may be attributed to the ghee preparation of the drug. Decrease in urinary urea, uric acid and creatinine levels were also observed. Histopathological examination of vital organs showed normal architecture suggesting no morphological disturbances.

Modulating role of Semecarpus anacardium L. nut milk extract on aflatoxin B(1) biotransformation.

As part of a substantial effort to curtail the adverse health effects posed by aflatoxin B(1), studies have been conducted to elucidate the possible mechanism for the anticarcinogenic action of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract against aflatoxin B(1)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Rats are monitored for levels of urinary, serum and liver biomarkers, namely, unmetabolised aflatoxin B(1), and its metabolites aflatoxin M(1), and aflatoxin Q(1), over the course of 2 weeks with nut extract therapy following a single-exposure to aflatoxin B(1). Due to the administration of nut extract, the excretion of unmetabolised aflatoxin B(1) was increased in day 1 urine when compared with rats without drug treatment. In serum and liver which were collected on day 16 and the rest of periodical urine samples showed aflatoxin B(1) and its metabolites in undetectable levels. The nut extract administration induced cytochrome P(450), glutathione, and glutathione-S-transferase levels in liver homogenates of aflatoxin B(1)-treated rats. These data seem to indicate that anticarcinogenic action by Semecarpus anacardium nut extract is possibly via suppression of aflatoxin B(1)activation and through interaction with microsomal-activating components. Previous evidence from this laboratory about the potency of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract against aflatoxin B(1)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma together with the present results suggest that extremely effective therapeutic protection can be achieved by this drug against aflatoxin B(1)-mediated ill effects.

Semecarpus anacardium L. nut extract administration induces the in vivo antioxidant defence system in aflatoxin B1 mediated hepatocellular carcinoma.

The antioxidant defence system which plays a critical role in carcinogenesis is severely altered in aflatoxin B1 induced hepatocellular carcinoma conditions. In order to assess the antitumour activity of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract, a flavonoid containing drug, non-enzymic antioxidant levels were analysed in control and experimental animals. Plasma was analysed for uric acid, vitamin E and vitamin C. Glutathione, total thiols, non-protein thiols, vitamin E, vitamin C and cytochrome P450 were estimated in liver and kidney homogenates. Depletion of all these antioxidants were recorded in cancer conditions. These deleterious effects are controlled by the administration of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract. Following drug administration, there was a marked increase in antioxidant levels and a dramatic elevation in cytochrome P450 content. It can be concluded that the observed anticancer property of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract may also be explained by its strong antioxidant capacity and capability to induce the in vivo antioxidant system.

Anticancer potency of the milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nuts against aflatoxin B1 mediated hepatocellular carcinoma bearing Wistar rats with reference to tumour marker enzymes.

Aflatoxin B1 is an important consideration in the aetiology of human and animal hepatocellular carcinoma. The influence of the drug, Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut extract, on hepatocarcinogenicity of aflatoxin B1 was evaluated in adult albino male Wistar rats. Aflatoxin B1 was administered intraperitoneally to induce hepatocellular carcinoma. These cancer bearing animals were treated with Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut extract (200 mg/kg body weight/day) in sunflower oil orally for 14 days. The plasma and the liver tumour tissue were investigated biochemically for lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The elevation of plasma concentration of these enzymes were indicative of the persistent deteriorating effect of aflatoxin B1 in cancer bearing animals. Lactate dehydrogenase and aminotransferases levels were decreased in liver, whereas alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were increased in cancer conditions. These enzyme levels were reversed to near normal control values in drug treated animals. The analysis of marker enzyme activities clearly indicates the antitumour efficacy of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut extract on aflatoxin B1 induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

The salubrious effect of tamoxifen [correction of Tamaxifen] on serum marker enzymes, glycoproteins, and lysosomal enzymes level in breast cancer woman.

Tumour markers correlate strongly with prognosis based on tumour burden and surgical resectability. If chemotherapy is extremely effective in certain stage of the disease, the sensitive marker may be of great use in monitoring disease response and drug treatment. Hence, this study was launched to evaluate the changes in tumour marker enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase in before and after 3 and 6 months tamoxifen treated breast cancer patients. In addition, the changes in serum glycoproteins viz., hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid and lysosomal enzymes such as N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-D-galactosidase, and beta-D-glucuronidase were analysed in these patients. These values were compared with their age matched healthy control subjects. At 6 months evaluation, the tamoxifen treated postmenopausal breast cancer women showed a statistically significant decreased (p < 0.001, 0.05 respectively) levels of LDH, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline and acid phosphatases than their baseline values. Similarly, the levels of hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-D-galactosidase, and beta-D-glucuronidase were decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in tamoxifen received postmenopausal women. The result of this study suggested that tamoxifen potentially retard the metastasis of breast cancer as well as the bone demineralisation in postmenopausal breast cancer women. Thus, tamoxifen may also have its antitumour activity through its beneficial effects on tumour marker enzymes and serum proteins in breast cancer women.

The salubrious effects of ascorbic acid on cyclophosphamide instigated lipid abnormalities in fibrosarcoma bearing rats.

The combined effect of cyclophosphamide and ascorbic acid on plasma lipids and lipoprotein profiles are important since, ascorbic acid encumbered the lipid abnormalities initiated by cyclophosphamide during cancer chemotherapy. Hence, the study was launched to appraise the salutary role of ascorbic acid in cyclophosphamide administered fibrosarcoma bearing rats. Fibrosarcoma cell line induced rats were treated with cyclophosphamide (10 mg/kg body weight) and ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg body weight) individually and in combination for 28 days. The concentration of plasma lipids and lipoprotein profiles were determined in control and experimental animals. The untreated, as well as cyclophosphamide administered fibrosarcoma bearing rats, divulged significantly increased levels of plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, VLDL- and LDL-cholesterol, as compared with their respective control animals. In contrast, ester and HDL-cholesterol levels exhibited a marked decrease in these animals. Similar observations were also noticed in liver lipid values, as well. However, these lipid abnormalities were corrected by the co-administration of ascorbic acid. These results suggested, that some clinical entanglement of cyclophosphamide was refrained by co-administration of ascorbic acid in tumor stress condition.

Salubrious effect of Semecarpus anacardium against lipid peroxidative changes in adjuvant arthritis studied in rats.

Oxygen derived free radicals are known to play an important role in the etiology of tissue injury in rheumatoid arthritis. The effect of milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nuts at the dose level of 150 mg/kg body weight for 14 days on adjuvant arthritis was studied for gaining insight into the intrigue disease in relation to the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence system. Increased lipid peroxides' levels in both plasma and tissues (liver, kidney and heart) of adjuvant arthritis was significantly decreased by the administration of the drug. The antioxidant defence system studied in tissues of arthritic animals were altered significantly as evidenced by the decreased level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH, vitamin E, vitamin C, NPSH and TSH) and enzymatic antioxidants (catalase and GPx except SOD). Administration of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract brings back the altered antioxidant defence components to near normal levels. These observations suggest that the diseased state of adjuvant arthritis may be associated with augmented lipid peroxidation and the administration of the drug may exert its antiarthritic effect by retarding lipid peroxidation and causing a modulation in cellular antioxidant defence system.

Effect of milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nuts on glycohydrolases and lysosomal stability in adjuvant arthritis in rats.

Lysosomal acid hydrolases are thought to play an important role in inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. A Siddha preparation of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract called Serankottai Nei was tested for its capacity to stabilize lysosomes obtained from liver and kidney of adjuvant-induced arthritic animals. Lysosomal membrane stability was measured by determining the release of acid hydrolases from the lysosomes. The drug was administered at a dose level of 150 mg/kg body weight for 14 days to arthritic animals after the adjuvant injection. The total and free activity of lysosomal enzymes were significantly increased in arthritic rats with concomitant increase in plasma levels of protein-bound carbohydrates. Significantly increased lysosomal membrane fragility as observed in arthritic condition was reduced in drug-treated animals. Antiarthritic activity of the drug through its stabilizing action on lysosomal membranes could be inferred from this study.