Evaluation of Caralluma edulis for its Potential Against Obesity, Atherosclerosis and Hypertension.

Obesity, a chronic metabolic condition, is an increase in fat mass and blood lipid levels mainly causing atherosclerosis and hypertension, which further lead to cardiovascular complications. The objective of the study was to investigate the crude extract of Caralluma edulis (CE.Cr) for its potential against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its related complications. Hyperlipidemia was induced in Wistar albino rats with HFD (1% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid) for 28 days. Treatment groups were administered with different doses of CE.Cr (100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg, p.o.) and the standard group received atorvastatin. At the end of study, sera were analyzed for biochemical markers and the aorta was dissected for microscopic examination. Antioxidant potential was evaluated and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed. The hypotensive potential of CE.Cr was evaluated through an invasive technique. HPLC analysis of CE.Cr showed the presence of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin and naringenin. Histological examination of the aorta section showed anti-atherosclerotic effects which were also evident from decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins levels. CE.Cr decreased mean arterial blood pressure and evoked significant hypotensive effects. The crude extract of C. edulis showed anti-obesity, antihypertensive, anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant potential.

LC-ESI-MS analysis, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and molecular docking studies on Corchorus depressus (L.) C.Chr.

The present study encompasses the ethnomedicinal consumption of Corchorus depressus (L.) C.Chr. (C. depressus) for diabetes. Samples were subjected to LC-ESI-MS analyses. The n-hexane, methanolic and water extracts were screened for α-glucosidase inhibition and in vivo anti-diabetic studies. Further, antioxidant (DPPH) and anti-inflammatory study was performed via luminol-enhanced chemi-luminescence assay. The identified compounds were docked against the target enzymes of diabetes. The n-hexane fraction (CD-J1) showed IC50 of 8.4 ± 0.1 µg/mL against α-glucosidase enzyme. The sub fractions CD-12 and CD-13 of CD-J1 obtained after flash column chromatography displayed further reduced IC50 values of 4.3 ± 0.1 and 6.3 ± 0.1, respectively, as compared with standard drug acarbose (IC50 values of 37.5 ± 0.2 µg/mL). Simultaneously, dereplication of most active sub-fraction CD-12 by LC-ESI-MS led to the identification of strophanthidin and some other active metabolites responsible for anti-diabetic activity. Molecular docking of strophanthidin with α-glucosidase and α-amylase revealed high affinity for these target enzymes.

Caralluma tuberculata exhibits analgesic and anti-arthritic potential by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and attenuating oxidative stress.

Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Brown (Common name: Chongan), belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae is distributed widely in hilly areas of Dir, Swat, Kohat and in plain lands of Punjab, Pakistan. The plant has been used as a source of vegetable as well as home remedy for headache, muscle spasms and rheumatism. The present study was proposed to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential of the aqueous methanolic extract of C. tuberculata (ICE). The dried shoots of plant were used to prepare aqueous methanolic extract (30:70) by 3 days thrice maceration and filtration followed by evaporation under reduced pressure. ICE was screened for the presence of phytochemicals using preliminary phytochemical analysis and HPLC. The antioxidant potential was evaluated through DPPH assay. Analgesic potential of ICE was studied using hot plate and tail immersion methods, and anti-inflammatory activity was performed using turpentine oil and carrageenan-induced inflammation models, in wistar albino rats. Formaldehyde-induced and Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis models were used for the assessment of anti-arthritic activity of ICE and its effects on serum levels of PGE-2 as well as gene expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were studied. ICE displayed a dose-dependent (300-1000 mg/Kg p.o.) analgesic effect in hot plate (maximum retention time of 10.87 and 13 s) and tail immersion (response time of 11 and 13.64 s) tests at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/Kg, respectively. The extract exhibited a significant decrease in paw inflammation of rats at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/Kg as compared to the disease control group. ICE also exhibited a remarkable decline in arthritic score and a dose-dependent drop in serum levels of prostaglandin E2. There was a significant suppression in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, NF-κB and cyclooxygenase enzyme in treatment groups. This study concludes that Caralluma tuberculata exhibits strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities thus upholding the vernacular use of the plant for pain and rheumatism.

Immunostimulant activities of the aqueous methanolic extract of Leptadenia pyrotechnica, a plant from Cholistan desert.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne (Asclepiadaceae) is a well-renowned medicinal shrub, used by herbal practitioners for various ailments including allergic rhinitis, productive cough, abortion, diabetes, stomach disorders, fever, kidney disorders, stones and cancer AIM OF THE STUDY: On the basis of folkloric uses, L. pyrotechnica was selected from the wide medicinal flora of the Cholistan desert of Pakistan, for the exploration of immunomodulatory potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous methanolic (30:70) extract of aerial parts of L. pyrotechnica (Lp. Cr) was prepared by 3 days thrice maceration and subsequent evaporation under reduced pressure. In-vivo experiments were performed in Wistar albino rats including neutrophil adhesion test, haemagglutinating antibody (HA) titre, delayed-type hypersensitivity response, phagocytic activity and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. RESULTS: Lp. Cr produced a significant increase in phagocytic index in dose-dependent fashion (3.56, 4.18 and 5.42 at 30, 100 and 300mg/kg, respectively) as well as an augmented response in the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and HA titre induced by sheep erythrocytes. Lp. Cr also showed improved adhesion of neutrophils with nylon pellets (15.28, 27.85 and 38.42% at the doses of 30, 100 and 300mg/kg) and prevented myelosuppression in cyclophosphamide-treated rats as evidenced from the hematological parameters. The results of treatment were compared with normal and standard control groups throughout the study and the effects by Lp. Cr (300mg/kg) were found to be comparable with Levamisole. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that L. pyrotechnica possesses immunostimulatory activity and justify its traditional use for the control and management of diseases in which the immune system needs to be stimulated like infectious diseases.