Allergenicity assessment of Buchanania lanzan protein extract in Balb/c mice.

Tree nuts are among "Big Eight" and have been reported globally for causing allergy. Buchanania lanzan (Bl) is one of the major tree nuts consumed by Indian population. However, very little is known about B. lanzan's induced allergic manifestation. Therefore, evaluation of it's allergenic potential was undertaken. Bl-crude protein extract sensitized BALB/c mice sera were used to identify the allergic proteins by it's IgE binding capability. The major IgE binding proteins found with molecular weight of 11, 20, 23, 25, 48, 54, and 65 kDa. Specific IgE, specific IgG1, MCPT-1, PGD2 and histamine were assessed in mice sera. Enormous amount of mast cell infiltration was noted in different organs. The levels of Th1/Th2 transcription factors GATA-3, SOCS3 and STAT-6 were found upregulated, whereas T-bet was downregulated. Furthermore, elevated Th1/Th2 cytokine responses were observed in mice sera. All together, these reactions developed systemic anaphylaxis upon Bl-CPE challenge in sensitized BALB/c mice. In order to confirm the evidences obtained from the studies carried out in BALB/c, the investigation was extended to human subjects as well. Control subjects and allergic patients were subjected to skin prick test (SPT). Later sera collected from those positive to SPT along with controls were used for IgE immunoblotting. The study evaluated the allergic manifestation associated with Bl, and identified it's proteins attributing Bl-mediated allergy. This work may help in managing tree nuts mediated allergies especially due to Buchanania lanzan sensitization.

The effect of methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng seeds on hematological indices.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was carried out to investigate the effects of methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng seeds on hematological indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups, six in each. Group I animals received distilled water, Group II and III were treated with an oral dose of 1000 mg oil/kg and 2000 mg oil/kg of extract, respectively, for 7 days. At the end of the study, blood was collected and evaluated for packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. RESULTS: There was a significant dose-dependent increase in the hematological indices such as PCV, Hb, RBC, and WBC count in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of PCV, Hb, and RBC values is an indication of the anti-anemic effect which may be due to the stimulation of RBC production in bone marrow. Further, stimulated production of WBC could be as a result of possible stimulus of the immune system. Hence, this study confirms that the extract of B. lanzan could be useful for the treatment of anemia.

Attenuation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species with suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages by bark extract of Buchanania lanzan.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is one of the most critical factors implicated in disease conditions. Buchanania lanzan Spr. (Anacardiaceae) bark powder preparation has been reported for treating an inflammatory condition in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigate the effect of the bark methanol extract (BLM) on reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), the expression of protein and mRNA of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to provide scientific validation of the above said medicinal property. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The capacity to quench ROS and RNS was evaluated by 5-(and-6) chloromethyl-20,70-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate acetyl ester fluorescence and nitrite estimations in LPS/SNP-stimulated macrophages respectively. The protein and transcript expression of iNOS was evaluated through Western Blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis respectively. RESULTS: Macrophages pretreated with BLM (>100 µg/mL) for 24 h, stimulated with LPS for the last 18 h of experimental duration recorded a significantly (P < 0.05) reduced levels of ROS (3.45-fold) against LPS-stimulated conditions (5.7-fold). SNP-stimulation resulted in increased NO accumulation (17-fold) which was neutralized by BLM at >100 µg/ml (1.6-fold) credited to a reduced protein and mRNA expression of iNOS as recorded by Western blots and RT-PCR results respectively. The reversed-phase liquid chromatography-diode array detection analysis identified the presence of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin and p-coumaric acid (Rt values 5.444, 5.569 and 9.580 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The potential of BLM inhibiting ROS/RNS production validates the medical use of bark, could find beneficial application under conditions of immune stimulation and/or bacterial infection.

Pharmacological studies on Buchanania lanzan Spreng.- a focus on wound healing with particular reference to anti-biofilm properties.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the wound healing activity of the methanolic root extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. (B. lanzan), with a focus on antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties. METHODS: The extract was evaluated for its wound healing properties (excision and incision models) as evident from the analysis of tensile strength and wound contraction. The extract was also screened for antibacterial properties against different Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains. B. lanzan was also studied for its effect on biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilms. The synergistic effect of B. lanzan was determined in combination with gentamicin. RESULTS: Topical application of B. lanzan (10% w/w ointment) significantly increased (40.84%) the tensile strength in the incision wound model. B. lanzan also showed significant wound healing activity in excision model and such significant activity was observed from the 9th day. Whereas Soframycin displayed significant wound healing activity from the 6th day. It was found that root extracts of B. lanzan revealed significant inhibition against all tested pathogens. B. lanzan displayed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive (MIC 0.625 mg/mL) and Gram negative (MIC 0.625-1.25 mg/mL). B. lanzan was able to reduce biofilm formation and also caused disruption of preformed biofilms in a manner similar to ciprofloxacin. However, gentamicin was found to be ineffective against biofilms formed by Gram negative organism. According to the fractional inhibitory concentration index, B. lanzan displayed synergistic activity when it was combined with gentamicin. CONCLUSIONS: From this study it may be concluded that the root extract of B. lanzan revealed significant wound healing potential, which was supported and well correlated with pronounced antibacterial activity of the tested plant parts.

Pharmacological studies on Buchanania lanzan Spreng.-A focus on wound healing with particular reference to anti-biofilm properties

Objective:To evaluate the wound healing activity of the methanolic root extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. (B. lanzan), with a focus on antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties. Methods: The extract was evaluated for its wound healing properties (excision and incision models) as evident from the analysis of tensile strength and wound contraction. The extract was also screened for antibacterial properties against different Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains. B. lanzan was also studied for its effect on biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilms. The synergistic effect of B. lanzan was determined in combination with gentamicin. Results:Topical application of B. lanzan (10%w/w ointment) significantly increased (40.84%) the tensile strength in the incision wound model. B. lanzan also showed significant wound healing activity in excision model and such significant activity was observed from the 9th day. Whereas Soframycin displayed significant wound healing activity from the 6th day. It was found that root extracts of B. lanzan revealed significant inhibition against all tested pathogens. B. lanzan displayed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive (MIC 0.625 mg/mL) and Gram negative (MIC 0.625-1.25 mg/mL). B. lanzan was able to reduce biofilm formation and also caused disruption of preformed biofilms in a manner similar to ciprofloxacin. However, gentamicin was found to be ineffective against biofilms formed by Gram negative organism. According to the fractional inhibitory concentration index, B. lanzan displayed synergistic activity when it was combined with gentamicin. Conclusions:From this study it may be concluded that the root extract of B. lanzan revealed significant wound healing potential, which was supported and well correlated with pronounced antibacterial activity of the tested plant parts.