Effects of flavonoids from Martynia annua and Tephrosia purpurea on cutaneous wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: Martynia annua L. (M. annua), (Martyniaccae) has been traditionally used in the treatment of epilepsy, sore throat and inflammatory disorders. The leaf paste is used topically on Tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands and wounds of domestic animals. Tephrosia purpurea (T. purpurea), (Fabaceae) has been used traditionally as a remedy for asthma, gonorrhea, rheumatism and ulcers. This study aimed to evaluate the potential wound healing effects of different fractions ofethanol extract of M. annua leaves and aerial parts of T. purpurea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol fraction of M. annua (MAF-C) and ethyl acetate fraction of T. purpurea (TPF-A) were evaluated for healing potential in dead-space and burn wound models. An ointment (5% w/w) of MAF-C and TPF-A, pongamol (0.2 and 0.5% w/w) and luteolin (0.2 and 0.5% w/w) was applied topically twice a day. The effects were compared with Povidone Iodine ointment with respect to protein, collagen content, enzymatic assay and histopathological finding of granuloma tissues. RESULTS: Ethanol extracts of M. annua and T. purpureawere exhibited total flavonoid contents of 126.2 ± 4.69 and 171.6 ± 6.38 mg (quercetin equivalent), respectively. HPLC fingerprinting confirmed the presence of luteolin in M. annua and quercetin in T. purpurea. TPF-A and MAF-C ointments (5% w/w) significantly increases the hydroxyproline and protein contents. Luteolin and pongamol ointments were also found to be effective in both wound models. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that 5% w/w ointment of TPF-A and MAF-C fractions were more effective than isolated flavonoids in wound healing which may be due to synergistic interactions between the flavonoids and other constituents.

Anti-stress and anti-allergic effect of Actiniopteris radiata in some aspects of asthma.

Successive extracts of whole plant of Actiniopteris radiata screened for its therapeutic potential as an antiallergic and antistress agent in asthma using specific in vivo animal models. Only ethanol extract (AREE) at a higher dose of 100 mg/kg i.p significantly (p < 0.05) decreased milk induced eosinophilia by 16.20 ± 2.235 when compared with control group while even lower doses of 50 mg/kg, i.p exhibited significant inhibition (P < 0.05) of leukocytosis induced by milk in mice. Other extracts like petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol unable to exhibit that significant potential. Results obtained thus validate the traditional claim of the Actiniopteris radiata utilization in different aspect of asthma due to presence of various polar secondary metabolites in ethanol extract.

Effect of Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. Leaves on Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nephroprotective and nephrocurative effects of Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. leaves against gentamicin-induced acute renal injury in albino rats. The maximum free radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic extract was the basis for the selection of this extract for the in vivo study. Gentamicin (40 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered to induce toxicity in the toxic group and the ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg p.o.) was administered in all treated groups. Blood urea and serum creatinine levels were monitored to assess the effects. The antioxidant potential was also evaluated by the estimation of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Gentamicin intoxication caused significant increases in blood urea and serum creatinine levels as compared to the normal control. In the preventive regimen, the extract (200 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant reductions in the elevated blood urea and serum creatinine. Histopathological changes were in accordance with the biochemical findings. Also in the curative regimen, the blood urea and serum creatinine levels revealed significant curative effects. In our in vivo antioxidant activity, the GSH level was significantly (P< 0.05) increased in the extract-treated groups, whereas MDA was reduced significantly (P< 0.05). Further thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) led us to ascertain the presence of rutin and quercetin in the extract. We were able to isolate and characterize an isolate from the ethanolic extract and characterize it on the basis of chromatographic, melting point, FTIR, NMR, and mass spectroscopic studies. The findings suggest that the ethanol extract of Tephrosia purpurea leaves possesses marked nephroprotective and curative activities without any toxicity. The proposed mechanisms for the claimed activity are antioxidant activity and the inhibition of an overproduction of NO and Cox-2 expression. These activities may be attributed to the presence of phenolics and flavonoidal compounds like rutin and quercetin. Thus, it can be said that Tephrosia purpurea could offer a promising role in the treatment of acute renal injury caused by nephrotoxins like gentamicin.

Asparagus racemosus Willd (Liliaceae) ameliorates early diabetic nephropathy in STZ induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic nephropathy is a major "microvascular" complication of diabetes, differs from other causes of chronic kidney diseases in its predictability, with well-defined functional progression from hyperfiltration to micro- to macroalbuminuria to renal failure. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Asparagus racemosus Willd (Liliaceae) on streptozotocin-induced early diabetic nephropathy. Single i.p injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) was administered to induce early diabetic nephropathy in Wistar rats and thereafter treated orally with ethanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus (EEAR) at a dose level of 100 and 250 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. The efficacy of extract was compared with diabetic control rats. A. racemosus treatment significantly decreased plasma glucose, creatinine, urea nitrogen, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Renal hypertrophy, polyuria, hyperfiltration, microalbuminuria and abnormal changes in the renal tissue as well as oxidative stress were effectively attenuated by EEAR treatment. Basement membrane thickening and mesangial proliferation formation without nodules were seen in diabetic rats, whereas these structural changes were reduced in EEAR treated groups. Results of this study suggested that A. racemosus has beneficial effect in the treatment of diabetic

Hepatoprotective activity of Symplocos racemosa bark on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats.

The present study aims to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Symplocos racemosa (EESR) bark on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rats. CCl4 with olive oil (1 : 1) (0.2 ml/kg, i.p.) was administered for ten days to induce hepatotoxicity. EESR (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and silymarin (100 mg/kg p.o.) were administered concomitantly for fourteen days. The degree of hepatoprotection was measured using serum transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, and total protein levels. Metabolic function of the liver was evaluated by thiopentone-induced sleeping time. Antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring liver malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels. Histopathological changes of liver sample were also observed. Significant hepatotoxicity was induced by CCl4 in experimental animals. EESR treatment showed significant dose-dependent restoration of serum enzymes, bilirubin, albumin, total proteins, and antioxidant levels. Improvements in hepatoprotection and morphological and histopathological changes were also observed in the EESR treated rats. It was therefore concluded that EESR bark is an effective hepatoprotective agent in CCl4-induced hepatic damage, and has potential clinical applications for treatment of liver diseases.

Antidiabetic potential of Butea monosperma in rats.

The antihyperglycemic activity of the ethanolic extract of Butea monosperma (BMEE) was studied in glucose-loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Single dose treatment of BMEE (200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly improved glucose tolerance and caused reduction in blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Repeated oral treatment with BMEE (200 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks significantly reduced blood glucose, serum cholesterol and improved HDL-cholesterol and albumin as compared to diabetic control group.