Gastroprotective effect of leaf extracts of Basella alba var. alba against experimental gastric ulcers in rats

The aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Basella alba L. var. alba Wight, Basellaceae, were investigated for antiulcer activity on rats employing the pylorus ligation and ethanol induced ulcer models. The various gastric secretion parameters such as total acidity, free acidity, gastric acid volume, pH and histopathological parameters such as ulcer index and percent protection were comparatively examined between control, test and standard groups. The antiulcer activity of aqueous extract of B. alba (AEBA) and ethanol extract of B. alba (EEBA) were studied in rats treated with the doses of 1 mL/kg of absolute ethanol, 200 and 400 mg of test extracts and 20 mg/kg of famotidine for control, test and standard groups respectively in both the models. The animals pretreated with AEBA and EEBA showed a dose-dependent protection against gross damaging action of ethanol and pylorus ligation on gastric mucosa of animals. Histopathological evaluation also revealed that Group I treated with absolute ethanol showed severe gastric mucosal damage. The AEBA and EEBA showed 68.25 and 58.11% protection in gastric mucosal damage as compared to control group. Both the extracts of B. alba var. alba were able to decrease the gastric acidity and increase the mucosal defense in the gastric mucosal area. This study indicate that B. alba var. alba possesses significant gastroprotective effect and the same is substantiated by the histopathological examination of the ulcerated stomachs of the animals.

Antihistaminic activity of aqueous extract of stem bark of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.

BACKGROUND: Biologically active compounds from natural sources are of interest as possible new drugs for different diseases. Over many centuries humans have been mining the bounties of nature for discovering natural products that have been used for the treatment of all human diseases. Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. (Simaroubaceae) is widely used in the Indian system of medicine as an antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, bronchodilator, anticolic pain, anticancer, antidiabetic etc. The plant was also reported for its antiasthmatic, bronchodilatory, antiallegic and many more such activities. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antihistaminic activity of aqueous extract of stem bark of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied the effect of aqueous extract of stem barks of A. excelsa Roxb. at a doses 100 µg/mL in the isolated goat tracheal chain preparation in vitro and 100, 200, 400 mg/kg doses orally in passive paw anaphylaxis in rat, clonidine-induced catalepsy in mice models in vivo for its antihistaminic activity. RESULTS: Aqueous extract of stem barks of A. excelsa Roxb. significantly (***P<0.001) inhibits the percentage contraction at concentration of 100 µg/mL in goat tracheal chain preparation. A. excelsa Roxb. extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg oral) and dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) also significantly reduced (**P<0.01) the paw volume at fourth hour and the percentage inhibition was found to be 13.98%, 28.49%, 42.47% and 46.77% respectively. The aqueous extract of stem barks of A. excelsa Roxb. (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and chlorpheniramine maleate (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited (*P<0.05, **P< 0.01) clonidine-induced catalepsy in mice at 150 min after the administration of clonidine. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of stem bark of A. excelsa Roxb. possess significant antihistaminic activity (H1-antagonist) and can be attributed to bronchodilating, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic activity etc. Hence detailed study needs to be conducted to evaluate the phytoconstituent responsible for the above mentioned results and their clinical efficacy in the treatment of related diseases.

Antiasthmatic and antiallergic potential of methanolic extract of leaves of Ailanthus excelsa

The aim of study was antiasthmatic potential of methanolic extract of leaves of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., Simaroubaceae. Traditionally or in Indian system of medicine, A. excelsa is used in the treatment of asthma, cough, colic pain, cancer, diabetes and also used as antispasmodic, antifertility, bronchodilator. Stem bark of A. excelsa already reported for its potential against asthma. The pollens of Ailanthus excelsa reported allergic in nature and the time of collection of leaves were important in this study, generally the flowering stage of plant was avoided for the collection due to maximum chance of pollens at that time. Methanolic extract of leaves of A. excelsa was evaluated using in vitro goat tracheal chain preparation model and in vivo- Milk induced leucocytosis, eosinophilia, Clonidine induced catalepsy in mice model while Passive paw anaphylaxis and Clonidine induced mast cell degranulation in rat model. The extract showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, quassonoids and test was also positive for alkaloids and steroids. The extract also showed the presence of quercetin which is flavonoid and detected on the preparative TLC plate with the help of standard quercetin. Dose response studies of methanolic extract of leaves of A. excelsa Roxb. were conducted at 100 µg mL-1 in vitro and 100, 200, 400 mg kg-1 p.o. in vivo models. The treatment with methanolic extract of A. excelsa at different dose level showed the significant (*p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001) antiasthmatic activity. Inhibition or decrease the release of inflammatory mediators potentiates the antiasthmatic as well as antiallergic activity of methanolic extract of leaves of A. excelsa.

Antidiabetic activity of an ethanol extract obtained from the stem bark of Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae).

This study analyzed the antidiabetic properties of an ethanol extract of the stem bark of Psidium guajava, an indigenous medicinal plant used to control diabetes in Indian System of Medicine. The anti-hyperglycaemic activity of this plant on blood glucose levels of normal, normal glucose loaded (OGTT) and alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats was evaluated. The results showed that ethanol stem bark extract exhibited statistically significant hypoglycaemic activity in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats but was devoid of significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal and normal glucose loaded rats (OGTT).

Effect of Aralia cachemirica Decne root extracts on blood glucose level in normal and glucose loaded rats.

An aqueous and alcoholic extract of the roots of Aralia cachemirica (Araliaceae) were evaluated for hypoglycemic activity in normal fasted and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts at a dose of 250 mg/kg showed statistically significant (p < 0.01) hypoglycemic activity in glucose loaded animals however no effect was observed in normal fasted rats.

Effect of aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium wood on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium wood was screened for hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. During both acute and sub-acute tests, the water extract, at an oral dose of 250 mg/kg, showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity.

Effect of aqueous extract of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Linn. beans on blood glucose level in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Effect of feeding orally the aqueous extract of beans of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba was investigated on fasting blood glucose levels in glucose loaded, normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats and compared with gliclazide, a reference drug. The aqueous extract of beans at 250 mg/kg body wt significantly lowered blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats within 3 hr of administration. Continued administration of the extract at the same dose daily for 10 days produced statistically significant reduction in the blood glucose levels while marginal activity was seen in normal and glucose-loaded rats.

Effect of water extract of Psidium guajava leaves on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

A water extract of Psidium guajava leaves was screened for hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In both acute and sub-acute tests, the water extract, at an oral dose of 250 mg/kg, showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity.