Evaluation of Antiasthmatic Activity of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. Rhizomes.

The ethanol extract of Curculigo orchioides was evaluated for antiasthmatic activity by using various in vitro and in vivo animal models. In vitro models like isolated goat tracheal chain preparation and isolated guinea pig ileum preparation were studied to know basic mechanism by which extract shows relaxant activity. The study showed that extract is effective against histamine-induced contraction. In isolated goat tracheal chain preparation and isolated guinea pig ileum preparation extract exhibits maximum relaxant effect (p< 0.01) against histamine at concentrations 100mug/ml and 25mug/ml respectively. Animal studies involved use of histamine induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs, egg albumin induced passive paw anaphylaxis in rats and haloperidol-induced catalepsy in mice. These studies showed significant (p< 0.01) protection at lower doses while further increase in the dose level showed reduced activity. Biochemical estimations in milk-induced total leukocytes count and milk-induced differential leukocyte count were also studied. In this study there was maximum increase in leucocytes and lymphocytes (99%) and maximum decrease in eosinophils up to 0% at dose 375mg/kg p.o. body weight was observed. The results of these studies indicated usefulness of ethanol extract of Curculigo orchioides in asthma.

Immunomodulatory activity of petroleum ether extract of flower heads of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.

The petroleum ether extract from the flower heads of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. was found to be effective in increasing phagocytic activity, hemagglutination antibody titer and delayed type hypersensitivity when tested in mice. Activity of the petroleum extract was tested at five different dosing levels to establish a dose-response relationship. It was found that 200 mg/kg dose was the optimum dose, and at higher doses the activity was either reduced or showed no further increase. The present study, therefore, reveals that the drug shows good promise as an immunomodulatory agent, which acts by stimulating both humoral and cellular immunity as well as phagocytic function.

Immunostimulatory effect of methanol extract of Curculigo orchioides on immunosuppressed mice.

The methanol extract of rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (Amaryllidaceae) holds potential as a protective agent against cytotoxic drugs. The extract when studied on humoral and cell mediated immunity in normal, as well as cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice produced an increase in humoral antibody (HA) titre, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and levels of WBC in a dose dependent manner.

Protective effect of bioactive fraction of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. against cyclophosphamide induced suppression of humoral immunity in mice.

The bioactive fraction of Sphaeranthus indicus produced dose dependent increase in humoral immunity and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response as evidenced by increased antibody production and increase in paw edema. The activity at higher doses, however, declines. Humoral antibody (HA) titre lowered by cyclophosphamide (CP) (p < 0.05) was enhanced by bioactive fraction at doses of 200 (p < 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). There was dose dependent increase in HA titre in normal as well as immunosuppressed animals indicating that drug is effective in humoral immunity. Animals treated with cyclophosphamide and receiving bioactive fraction showed significant change in DTH response, which directly correlates with cell-mediated immunity, as compared to cyclophosphamide alone. Thus, it can be observed that a bioactive fraction of Sphaeranthus indicus acts as potentiator of DTH. Furthermore, the HPTLC fingerprint profile of the bioactive fraction was established to facilitate its identification and characterization. The results suggest that bioactive fraction influences both humoral and cell-mediated immunity and offers protection against immunosuppression induced by the cytotoxic agent cyclophosphamide.

Actividad inmunomoduladora del extracto de metanol de las raíces de Cissampelos pareira Linn / Immunomodulatory activity of methanol extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira Linn

Se analizó la actividad inmunomoduladora del extracto de metanol de las raíces de C. pareira en ratones en cinco niveles de dosificación distintos. Se observó actividad estimuladora en la respuesta de hipersensibilidad de tipo retardado (DTH) en una dosis de 200-800 mg/kg (p<0,001). El índice fagocítico también aumentó de forma significativa en comparación con los animales del grupo de control (p<0,001). El extracto de metanol no alteró la respuesta humoral frente a los eritrocitos de cordero de forma significativa, lo que resultó indicativo de ausencia de actividad en la inmunidad humoral. Dosis más elevadas del extracto también mostraron protección frente a la mielosupresión inducida por ciclofosfamida al aumentar el recuento de leucocitos totales de forma significativa (p<0,001). Por tanto, en el presente estudio queda demostrada la actividad inmunomoduladora de C. pareira

Methanol extract of roots of C.pareira was screened for its immunomodulatory activity in mice at five different dose levels. Stimulatory activity on DTH response was found at 200-800 mg/kg dose (p<0.001). Phagocytic index was also increased significantly compared to control animals (p<0.001). Methanol extract has not altered the humoral response to SRBCs significantly indicating no activity on humoral immunity. Higher doses of extract also offered protection against cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression by increasing total WBC count significantly (p<0.001). Thus present study demonstrated the immunomodulatory activity of C.pareira

Actividad antioxidante in vitro del extracto de metanol de los rizomas de Curculigo orchioides Gaertn / In vitro antioxidant activity of methanol extract of rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn

Se analizó la actividad antioxidante in vitro del extracto de metanol de Curculigo orchioides mediante ensayo DPPH, barrido de superóxido, barrido de óxido nítrico, determinación del poder reductor y peroxidación lipídica in vitro vitro. El extracto de metanol resultó ser extremadamente eficaz en el barrido del radical superóxido (IC 50 29.28 ìg/ml), mientras que la actividad fue moderada en el barrido del radical DPPH (IC 50 105.94 µg/ml), el radical de óxido nítrico (IC 50 90.96 µg/ml) y la inhibición de la peroxidación lipídica (IC 50 94.78 µg/ml). El extracto de metanol presentó distintos niveles de actividad antioxidante en los modelos anali- analizados. También apoyó la actividad antioxidante al presentar un poder reductor significativo. Para facilitar litar su identificación y caracterización, se estableció un perfil de huella de cromatografía de capa fina de alto rendimiento (HPTLC) adicional del extracto de metanol. El presente estudio ha demostrado la actividad antioxidante in vitro del extracto de metanol de Curculigo orchioides

Methanol extract of Curculigo orchioides was screened for in-vitro antioxidant activity using DPPH assay, superoxide scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, determination of reducing power and in-vitro lipid peroxidation. Methanol extract was found to be extremely effective in scavenging superoxide radical (IC 50 29.28 µg/ml) whereas activity was moderate in scavenging DPPH radical (IC 50 105.94 µg/ml), nitric oxide radical(IC 50 90.96 µg/ml) and in inhibition of lipid peroxidation (IC 50 94.78 ìg/ml). Methanol extract showed different levels of antioxidant activities in tested models. It also supported anti oxidant activity by showing significant reducing power. Further HPTLC finger print profile of the methanol extract was established to facilitate its identification and characterization. Present study demonstrated antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Curculigo orchioides in-vitro

Efecto del extracto de metanol de Achyranthes aspera linn. sobre la hepatotoxicidad inducida por rifampicina en ratas / Effect of methanol extract of Achyranthes aspera linn. On rifampicininduced hepatotoxicity in rats

Se analizó el extracto de metanol de las partes aéreas de Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Familia: Amaranthaceae) para comprobar su efecto sobre la hepatotoxicidad inducida por rifampicina en ratas albinas en cinco niveles de dosis. comprobar su efecto sobre la hepatotoxicidad inducida por rifampicina en ratas albinas en cinco niveles de dosis. La intoxicación por rifampicina en ratas elevó de forma significativa (p > 0,001) los niveles de SGPT-ALT, SGOTAST, FA y bilirrubina total, hecho que fue indicativo de obstrucción biliar y daño hepatocelular agudo. El extracto de metanol mostró un descenso dosis-dependiente de los niveles de SGPT-ALT, SGOT-AST, FA y bilirrubina total. de metanol mostró un descenso dosis-dependiente de los niveles de SGPT-ALT, SGOT-AST, FA y bilirrubina total. La dosis mínima eficaz de extracto fue 100 mg/kg de peso corporal. Los resultados obtenidos de los estudios histopatológicos también confirmaron la actividad hepatoprotectora del fármaco frente a la hepatotoxicidad inducida por rifampicina. Por tanto, el estudio demostró que por rifampicina. Por tanto, el estudio demostró que A. aspera posee un efecto antihepatotóxico frente a la rifampicin (AU)

Methanol extract of aerial parts of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Family: Amaranthaceae) was tested for its effect on rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats at five dose levels. Rifampicin intoxication in rats significantly (p < 0.001) elevated the levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALKP, and total bilirubin, which indicated acute hepatocellular, damage and biliary obstruction. Methanol extract showed dose dependent decrease in the levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALKP and total bilirubin. obstruction. Methanol extract showed dose dependent decrease in the levels of SGPT, SGOT, ALKP and total bilirubin. Minimum effective dose of extract was found to be 100 mg/kg body weight. Results obtained from histopathological studies also supported hepatoprotective activity of drug against rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity. Thus study demonstrates that also supported hepatoprotective activity of drug against rifampicin induced hepatotoxicity. Thus study demonstrates that A. aspera possess anti-hepatotoxic effect against rifampicin. A. aspera possess anti-hepatotoxic effect against rifampici (AU)

Actividad inmunomoduladora del extracto de metanol de la cabeza floral de Sphaeranthus indicus Linn / Immunomodulatory activity of methanol extract of flower-heads of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn

El extracto de metanol y sus fracciones de éter de petróleo, cloroformo y metanol sobrante de las cabezas florales de Sphaeranthus indicus Linn demostraron su eficacia al aumentar la actividad fagocítica, el título de anticuerpos de la hemaglutinación y la hipersensibilidad de tipo retardado, mientras que sólo la fracción de metanol restante resultó activa en la normalización de los niveles de leucocitos totales en el caso de la mielosupresión inducida por ciclofosfamida en ratones. Por tanto, el presente estudio revela que el fármaco augura buenos resultados como agente inmunomodulador, al actuar como estimulante de la inmunidad celular y humoral y de la función fagocítica (AU)