Hepatoprotective activity of Oxalis corniculata L. ethanolic extract against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats and its in vitro antioxidant effects.

Oxalis corniculata is well known for its medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory, digestive, diuretic, antibacterial, antiseptic etc. The present study focuses on the ability of O. corniculata to alleviate liver damage caused by over dose of paracetamol. Antioxidant activity of O. corniculata was evaluated using the free radical scavenging activity of 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radicals, total anti oxidant capacity by phosphomolybdenum method and total phenolic content was also evaluated. The ethanolic extract of whole plant of O. corniculata (OC, 500 microg/mL, po) significantly reduced 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl radicals. This dose also caused significant reduction (62.67%) in malondialdehyde levels of murine hepatic tissues. The antioxidant capacity of OC was comparable to that of standard ascorbic acid and showed 53.5 microg of phenol/mg OC. Rats pre-treated with OC for 4 days showed significant reduction in the serum enzymes such as glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, serum bilirubin and showed almost normal histological liver architecture of the treated groups compared to paracetamol induced hepatic damage group, indicating its hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential.

Antioedematous and Analgesic Properties of Fertile Fronds of Drynaria quercifolia.

Inflammation is a complex biological response of tissue cells to harmful stimuli including trauma, tissue necrosis, and infections which plays a key role in the pathophysiology of many deadly diseases. In ethnomedicine Drynaria quercifolia fronds are used to treat inflammation as poultice on swellings and as antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antipyretic agent. Herein, we have evaluated the antioedematous, antiproliferative, and analgesic properties of the ethanolic extract of fertile fronds of D. quercifolia (FF) by standard procedures. Oral administration of FF produced significant inhibition of carrageenan and histamine induced paw oedema in Wistar rats. FF significantly reduced both wet weight and dry weight of granuloma tissue which shows the inhibitory effect on exudative and proliferative phases of inflammation. FF significantly attenuated acute and delayed phases of formalin induced pain, acetic acid-induced writhing, capsaicin-induced nociception, and hot plate test in mice. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. Total phenolic content was 186 mg/g equivalent of gallic acid. The HPLC estimation showed flavanone glycoside naringin (1.2%) and its aglycone naringenin (0.02%). The presence of potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic principles in FF and their synergistic action may be the reason for the proposed therapeutic effects.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Smith (Polypodiaceae), has been widely used by ethnic groups of India to treat inflammation, rheumatism, headache, bone fracture, jaundice, etc. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the ethanolic extract of rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia (DQ) and its phytochemical profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DQ was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects using carrageenan-induced paw oedema/cotton pellet-induced granuloma in Wistar rats and acetic acid-induced writhing/formalin-induced paw licking test in Swiss albino mice respectively. RESULTS: Oral administration of DQ produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema and granuloma formation in rats, almost comparable to that caused by indomethacin. DQ significantly attenuated acute and delayed phases of formalin-induced pain and acetic acid-induced writhing episodes in mice. The analgesia was comparable to that produced by sodium salicylate and aspirin respectively. Phytochemical analysis gave positive tests for catechin, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, saponin, steroids, tannins, and triterpenes. The total phenolics in DQ was 244 mg/g and naringin content was 0.048%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the presence of potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic principles in DQ that justifies its use for alleviating painful inflammatory conditions.

Anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipidperoxidant effects of Cassia occidentalis Linn.

Cassia occidentalis Linn. mast cell degranulation at a dose of 250 mg/kg, showed dose dependent stabilizing activity towards human RBC, with is widely used in traditional medicine of India to treat a number of clinical conditions including allergy and inflammatory manifestations. In the present study anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of C. occidentalis whole plant ethanolic extract (CO) was investigated. Effects of CO on rat mast cell degranulation inhibition and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization were studied in vitro following standard methods. The anti lipidperoxidant effects of CO were also studied in vitro. Effect of CO on carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema inhibition was also assessed. CO significantly decreased maximum protection of 80.8% at 15 microg/ml. The extract also caused significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of murine hepatic microsomes at 100 microg/ml (56%) and significantly reduced carrageenan induced inflammation in mice at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Results of the present study indicated that CO inhibited mast cell degranulation, stabilized HRBC membrane thereby alleviating immediate hypersensitivity besides showing anti oxidant activity.

Hepatoprotective effect of three herbal extracts on aflatoxin B1-intoxicated rat liver.

INTRODUCTION: Roots of Ixora coccinea (Rubiaceae), and Rhinacanthus nasuta (Acanthaceae) and whole plants of Spilanthes ciliata (Asteraceae) are extensively used by tribal communities in South India to treat liver diseases. However, the veracity of these tribal claims has not been investigated scientifically using the liver toxin, aflatoxin. This study reports on the protective effects of these three herbal ethanolic extracts on the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-intoxicated livers of albino male Wistar rats. METHODS: Biochemical parameters, including serum hepatic enzymes (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase), were studied. Hepatic tissues were processed for assay of reduced glutathione (GSH) and histological alterations. RESULTS: Pre-treatment of the rats with oral administration of the plant ethanolic extracts, Ixora coccinea (IC), Rhinacanthus nasuta (RN), Spilanthes ciliata (SC), prior to AFB1 was found to provide significant protection against toxin-induced liver damage, determined 72 hours after the AFB1 challenge (1.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) as evidenced by a significant lowering of the activity of the serum enzymes and enhanced hepatic reduced GSH status. Pathological examination of the liver tissues supported the biochemical findings. The three plant extracts, IC, RN and SC, showed significant antilipid peroxidant effects in vitro. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the hepatoprotective effects of the three plant extracts observed in this study might result from their potent antioxidative properties.

Hepatoprotective effect of Hibiscus hispidissimus Griffith, ethanolic extract in paracetamol and CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Hibiscus hispidissimus Griff. is used in tribal medicine of Kerala, the southern most state of India, to treat liver diseases. In the present study, the effect of the ethanolic extract of Hibiscus hispidissimus whole plant on paracetamol (PCM)-induced and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in healthy Wistar albino rats was studied. The results showed that significant hepatoprotective effects were obtained against liver damage induced by PCM and CCl4 as evidenced by decreased levels of serum enzymes, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SAKP), serum bilirubin (SB) and an almost normal histological architecture of the liver of the treated groups compared to the toxin controls. The extract also showed significant antilipid peroxidant effects in vitro, besides exhibiting significant activity in quenching 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, indicating its potent antioxidant effects.

Gene delivery with in-situ crosslinking polymer networks generates long-term systemic protein expression.

Two polyethylene oxide-based delivery systems comprised of reacting PEG polymers were designed for the delivery of DNA expression vectors. The polymers are formulated with the DNA and injected into the muscle, wherein a crosslinked matrix forms in-situ. The matrix resembles a viscous solution (formulation A) or a gel (formulation B). The reacting PEG polymers do not interact with, but entrap the DNA. The formation of the matrix does not affect the supercoiling of the incorporated DNA. The polymers are biocompatible and biodegradable due to the presence of hydrolytically labile bonds in one of the components. Measurement of degradation in vivo suggests that a significant amount of the polymer disappears from the injected muscle by 28 days post injection. Administration to mice of SEAP plasmid DNA formulated with the PEG polymers results in SEAP expression. Expression levels are similar to those of unformulated DNA, but the duration of gene expression is significantly longer in immunocompetent animals receiving the formulated DNA. Significantly lower anti-SEAP IgG titers are elicited by network-formulated DNA relative to unformulated DNA, even though expression levels are comparable. The data suggests that the matrix extends duration of expression by reducing the anti-SEAP immune response so that these delivery systems may be useful for prolonged gene expression following a single intramuscular injection.

Correlation between presumed sinusitis-induced pain and paranasal sinus computed tomographic findings.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between facial and/or head pain in patients clinically suspected of having sinusitis and actual localized findings on sinus computed tomographic (CT) imaging are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the relationship of paranasal sinus pain symptoms with CT imaging. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive patients referred by otolaryngologists and internists for CT of the paranasal sinuses participated by completing a questionnaire immediately before undergoing CT. Three radiologists blinded to the patients' responses scored the degree of air/fluid level, mucosal thickening, bony reaction, and mucus retention cysts using a graded scale of severity (0 to 3 points). The osteomeatal complexes and nasolacrimal ducts were also evaluated for patency. Bivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between patients' localized symptoms and CT findings in the respective sinus. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three patients (82%) reported having some form of facial pain or headache. The right temple/forehead was the most frequently reported region of maximal pain. On CT imaging the maxillary sinus was the most frequently involved sinus. Bivariate analysis failed to show any relationship between patient symptoms and findings on CT. Patients with a normal CT reported a mean 5.88 sites of facial or head pain versus 5.45 sites for patients with an abnormal CT. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-based responses of sinonasal pain symptoms fail to correlate with findings in the respective sinuses. CT should therefore be reserved for delineating the anatomy and degree of sinus disease before surgical intervention.