Anti-urolithiatic activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam. hydroalcoholic extract in sodium oxalate-induced urolithiasis in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite advances in modern medicine, the development and growth of calculi continues to be a source of concern for mankind, as there is no effective treatment for kidney stones. In the present study we investigated antiurolithiatic activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Lam against sodium oxalate (NaOx) induced urolithiasis in rats. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: In rats with renal calculi caused by sodium oxalate (NaOx, 70 mg/kg, i.p.); the antiurolithiatic action of Bryophyllum pinnatum hydroalcoholic extract (BPHE) was studied. BPHE was given every day orally at doses of 50, 200 mg/kg for 14 days to rats to examine activity against sodium oxalate (NaOx) mediated urolithiasis, with Cystone (500 mg/kg, p.o.) as a reference standard. The effect of the extract on urine oxalate, creatinine and phosphate retention and excretion in the kidney, as well as serum and biochemical analysis of kidney homogenate and histopathological examinations were studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Oral administration of BPHE at doses of 50,100, and 200 mg/kg to rats with sodium oxalate-mediated renal calculi showed dose-dependent substantial (P<0.05) antiurolithiatic potential, with notable reversal of NaOx-induced ion excretion and urinary CaOx concentration. These findings justify the traditional use of Bryophyllum pinnatum hydroalcoholic extract (BPHE) in the treatment of renal calculi.

Anti-hyperglycaemic and lipid lowering potential of Adenanthera pavonina Linn. in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

In India, Adenanthera pavonina is traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and lipid disorders. In the present study, the antihyperglycaemic and lipid lowering effect of Adenanthera pavonina seed aqueous extract (APSAE) was evaluated using streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Streptozotocin was given at the dose of 55 mg/kg, i.p. After induction of diabetes, APSAE was administered for 30 days p. o. and simultaneously different biochemical parameters like plasma glucose, HbA1c, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were estimated. Diabetic control showed significant increase (P < 0.01) in plasma glucose, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and significant decrease (P < 0.01) in serum HDL-cholesterol and HbA1c. Treatment with APSAE showed significant reduction (P < 0.01) in plasma glucose when compared with diabetic control. The elevated levels of serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) by APSAE. APSAE treatment for 30 days showed significant decrease in serum LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.01) and significant increase in serum HDL cholesterol level (P < 0.01). Moreover, diabetic control there was significant decrease in HbA1c which was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by treatment with APSAE. Hence, from the result obtained in the present study it can be confirmed that Adenanthera pavonina has the potential to treat diabetes condition and associated lipid disorders.

Synthesis of lead nanoparticles by Aspergillus species.

In the context of the current demand to develop green technologies in material synthesis, a natural process in the synthesis of lead particles by Aspergillus species to suit such technology is reported. The fungal strain was grown in medium containing different concentrations of lead (0.2-1.5 mM) to determine its resistance to heavy metals. The organism was found to utilize some mechanism and accumulate lead particles outside and inside the cell. The extracellular presence of lead particles in the range of 1.77-5.8 microm was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The presence of particles of lead in the 5-20 nm size range was found on the cell surface, in the periplasmic space and in the cytoplasm and was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy.

Attenuating effect of seeds of Adenanthera pavonina aqueous extract in neuropathic pain in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: an evidence of neuroprotective effects

The aim of present study was to investigate the attenuating effects of Adenanthera pavonina L., Leguminosae-Mimosaceae seeds aqueous extract (APSAE), in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathy in rats. APSAE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg per day) was given to diabetic rats for twelve weeks. Cold and hot water tail immersion tests, photoactometer and Rota-rod tests were performed to assess degree of colder, thermal, spontaneous motor activity and motor co-ordination changes respectively at different time intervals i.e., week 0, 4, 8 and 12. Tissue superoxide anion and total calcium levels were determined after twelve weeks to assess biochemical alterations. Histopathological evaluations of sciatic nerve were also performed to assess nerve damage. APSAE treatment increased tail flick latency significantly in diabetic rats. APSAE also reduced superoxide anion and total calcium levels. These results suggested that APSAE has attenuated development of diabetic neuropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats when compared with pregabalin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and could be beneficial in preventing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Antidiabetic Activity of Aqueous Leaves Extract of Sesbania sesban (L) Merr. in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats.

The aqueous leaves extract of Sesbania sesban (L) Merr. (Family: Fabaceae) was evaluated for its antidiabetic potential on normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In the chronic model, the aqueous extract was administered to normal and STZ- induced diabetic rats at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) p.o. per day for 30 days. The fasting Blood Glucose Levels (BGL), serum insulin level and biochemical data such as glycosylated hemoglobin, Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) were evaluated and all were compared to that of the known anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg b.w.). The statistical data indicated significant increase in the body weight, liver glycogen, serum insulin and HDL levels and decrease in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and serum triglycerides when compared with glibenclamide. Thus the aqueous leaves extract of Sesbania sesban had beneficial effects in reducing the elevated blood glucose level and lipid profile of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

In vitro antioxidant activity of roots of Thespesia lampas Dalz and Gibs.

The free radical scavenging potential of roots of Thespesia lampas Dalz and Gibs was studied by different antioxidant models. Free radicals are implicated for more than 80 diseases including Diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer, ageing etc. In the treatment of theses diseases, antioxidant therapy has gained an utmost importance. Current research is directed towards finding naturally occurring antioxidant of plant origin. In Indian system of medicine, Thespesia lampas is an important medicinal plant and its root juice has been used in various ailments and as health tonic. To understand the mechanisms of pharmacological actions, the in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Thespesia lampas was investigated for the activity of scavenging superoxide anion radicals, nitric oxide radical and lipid peroxidation assay. In all the testing, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of the extract and percentage inhibition of free radicals, metal chelating, reducing power or inhibition of lipid peroxidation. These results clearly indicate that Thespesia lampas is effective against free radical mediated diseases.

Anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic and spermatogenic effects of Amaranthus spinosus Linn. on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic and spermatogenic effects were studies with methanolic extract of stem of Amaranthus spinosus Linn (Family: Amaranthaceae) in diabetic rats. In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, it was observed that both the standard drug (Glibenclamide) and methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus Linn. significantly exhibited control of blood glucose level on a 15 day model. Further, the methanolic extract also showed significant anti-hyperlipidemic and spermatogenic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The methanolic extract has also accelerated the process of spermatogenesis by increasing the sperm count and accessory sex organ weights. The present investigation of the plant established some pharmacological evidence to support the folklore claim that it is used as an anti-diabetic.

Hepatoprotective effect of leaf extracts of Andrographis lineata nees on liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Andrographis lineata (Acanthaceae) extracts in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats. Male Wistar rats with chronic liver damage, induced by subcutaneous injection of 50% v/v carbon tetrachloride in liquid paraffin at a dose of 3 mL/kg on alternate days for a period of 4 weeks, were treated with methanol and aqueous extracts of A. lineata orally at a dose of 845 mg/kg/day. The biochemical parameters such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were estimated to assess the liver function. Histopathological studies of the liver were also carried out to confirm the biochemical changes. Histopathological examinations of liver tissue corroborated well with the biochemical changes. The activities of extracts were comparable to a standard drug. Hepatic steatosis, hydropic degeneration and necrosis were observed in the carbon tetrachloride treated group, while these were completely absent in the standard and extract treated groups. A. lineata extracts exhibited hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury. The present investigation established pharmacological evidence to support the folklore claim that it is used traditionally as a hepatoprotective agent.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Sapindus trifoliatus Linn.

Anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Sapindus trifoliatus Linn. was studied in wister rats using the carrageenan induced left hind paw edema, carrageenan induced pleurisy and cotton pellet induced granuloma model. The ethanolic extract (150 mg/kg, p.o.) produced the inhibition of carrageenan induced rat paw edema. It also showed an inhibitory effect on leukocyte migration and a reduction on the pleural exudates as well as reduction on the granuloma weight in the cotton pellet granuloma method. The results indicated that the ethanolic extract produced significant (P < 0.001) anti-inflammatory activity when compared with the standard and untreated control.